US 6,662,649 B1 · Material level monitoring and reporting

Abstract

An material level monitoring and reporting system uses special micropower impulse radar level sensing probes, with one such probe being inserted into each of a plurality of material containment structures, such as storage tanks. The micropower impulse radar probes use flexible waveguides which extend downward to the tank bottom such that micropower radar impulses travel to and from the liquid surface via a wave guide, with the lapse between emission and reception of the impulse indicating a distance from the probe, and thus a liquid level. Each level sensing probe is connected to a communication link which collects level and status information from the level sensing probes and transmits it to a monitoring site. The material level data may be collected from a plurality of intermediate monitoring sites by a central monitoring sites.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A material level monitoring system for monitoring a level of a flowable material in a containment structure and comprising:

(a) a micropower impulse radar probe positioned in spaced relation to a material surface of a flowable material within said containment structure, said probe being operative to transmit a micropower radar impulse toward said material surface, to receive a reflected micropower radar impulse returning from said material surface, and to calculate material level data from a time lapse between transmission of said impulse and reception of said reflected impulse;
(b) a remote monitor device positioned remote from said probe and operable to process said material level data;
and
(c) a communication link coupling said probe to said monitor device to enable communication of said material level data from said probe to said monitor device, said communication link being a radio frequency communication link including a radio transmitter coupled to said probe and a radio receiver coupled to said monitor device.

1 more element

A material level monitoring method for monitoring a level of a flowable material in a containment structure and comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning a micropower impulse radar probe in spaced relation to a material surface of a flowable material within said containment structure;
(b) transmitting a micropower radar impulse from said probe toward said material surface;
(c) receiving a reflected micropower radar impulse returning from said material surface by said probe and calculating material level data from a time lapse between transmission of said impulse and reception of said reflected impulse;
(d) coupling said probe to a remote monitor device positioned remote from said probe using a communication link which is a radio frequency communication link including a radio transmitter coupled to said probe and a radio receiver coupled to said monitor device;
and
(e) communicating said material level data to said remote monitor device over said communication link to enable processing of said material level data by said remote monitor device.

3 more elements