# US 7,406,865 B2 · Level measurement arrangement

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- Number: US 7,406,865 B2
- Document ID: US7406865B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/107,855
- Filed: 2005-04-18
- Published: 2006-10-19
- Granted: 2008-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2005-04-18
- Assignees: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
- Inventors: Dan Klees; Rob Vermeulen; Lewis Bryant
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7406865B2

## CPC

- G01F 23/284: Electromagnetic waves
- G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME

## Abstract

A level measurement arrangement for measurement of a level of a product in a container comprising: a level sensor, comprising: a conductive probe, a mounting element, comprising, and a process connector, for mounting the mounting element on a ferrule on the container, is described, wherein electrical isolation of the conductive probe from the ferrule is ensured via a dielectric insert, which is inserted in the ferrule, fills all cavities inside the ferrule, and extends through the ferrule into the container.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A level measurement arrangement for measurement of a level of a product in a container based on the time of flight needed for electromagnetic pulses to travel down a probe to a surface of the product and its echo to return, comprising:
a ferrule comprising a tubular stud enclosing an opening of the container, extending from the container and defining a process connector;
a level sensor, comprising: a conductive probe, and a mounting element; and
a dielectric insert, inserted in the ferrule, filling all cavities inside the ferrule, and extending through the ferrule into the container, wherein:
said mounting element being mounted to said ferrule by said process connector;
said conductive probe extends from said mounting element through said dielectric insert into the container; and
said dielectric insert being so mounted to thereby insure electrical insulation between said conductive probe and said ferrule.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said dielectric insert has an insertion length, which is greater than an insertion length of said ferrule.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said dielectric insert extends into the container, past an end of the ferrule facing into the container.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
the dielectric insert comprises a conical tip, which surrounds said conductive probe and points into the container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said dielectric insert includes an outer thread used for threading said dielectric insert into said ferrule.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said process connector is a threaded coupling; and
said dielectric insert includes an inner thread, such that said mounting element can be screwed onto said dielectric insert.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said dielectric insert comprises an outer rim, which is clamped between said process connector of said mounting element and a mating counter connector on said ferrule.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said level sensor further comprises a sensor electronic comprising:
means for generating and sending short electromagnetic pulses (S) down the conductive probe;
means for reception of echoes (E) of the pulses (S) reflected at a surface of the product; and
means for determining the level of the product in the container, based on a time of flight (t) needed for a pulse (S) to travel down said conductive probe, and its echo (E) to return.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The level measurement arrangement according to claim 1, wherein:
said level sensor comprises a further process connector, for mounting said mounting element to said dielectric insert.