Ultrasonic fluid level sensing without using a stillwell
AssigneeSimmonds Precision Products, Inc.
InventorFrederick Lloyd Lichtenfels, II
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for determining liquid level in a container, wherein the container can be subjected to attitude variations, comprising a plurality of transducers for emitting acoustic energy into the liquid in a plurality of predetermined directions towards the liquid surface from a position below the liquid surface and for receiving echoes; and control electronic for determining liquid level based on echo amplitude and time delay between the emissions and detection of the echoes.
Claims16
Apparatus for determining liquid level in a container, wherein the container can be subjected to attitude variations, comprising:
- a plurality of transducers for emitting acoustic energy into the liquid in a plurality of different predetermined directions relative to a reference towards the liquid surface from a position below the liquid surface and for receiving echoes;
- and control electronics means for determining liquid level height based on echo amplitude and time delay between said emissions and detection of said echoes.
A method for determining liquid level in a container without the use of a stillwell, wherein the container can be subjected to attitude variations, comprising the steps of:
- emitting acoustic energy into the liquid in a plurality of different predetermined directions relative to a reference towards the liquid surface using a plurality of transducers;
- receiving acoustic echoes using said transducers;
- and
- determining liquid level height based on echo amplitude and time delay between said emissions and detection of said echoes.
Liquid gauging apparatus for an aircraft fuel tank, comprising:
- transducer means for emitting acoustic energy into a liquid in the tank in a plurality of predetermined directions towards the liquid surface from a position below the liquid surface and for receiving echoes;
- and signal conditioning means for determining liquid level height based on echo amplitude and time delay between said emissions and detection of said echoes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.