# US 9,518,856 B2 · Threaded coupling device with nozzle for GWR measurements in non-metallic tanks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,856 B2 - Document ID: US9518856B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/229,063 - Filed: 2014-03-28 - Published: 2015-10-01 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-28 - Assignees: Honeywell International Inc. - Applicants: Honeywell International Inc. - Inventors: Cornel Cobianu; Ion Georgescu; Stuart James Heath; Michael Kon Yew Hughes; Frank Martin Haran - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518856B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/284: Electromagnetic waves - F16L 25/021: {for screw-threaded joints} - G01S 7/02: of systems according to group G01S13/00 - G01S 7/35: Details of non-pulse systems - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES ## Abstract A coupling device for coupling a threaded feed-through of a process connection to provide a launcher for a non-metallic storage tank. The storage tank includes a tank aperture in its top surface. The coupling device includes a foil nozzle including an inner upper metal foil surface that includes a threaded aperture for securing the feed-through thereto, and a first and second lower metal foil surface on respective sides of the upper metal foil surface. The foil nozzle also includes a first and a second foil level transition region disposed between the respective sides of the inner upper metal foil surface and the first and second lower metal foil surface. The foil nozzle can be configured in a cylindrical, horn, or a corrugated horn shape. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coupling device comprising: a foil nozzle for coupling a feed-through to a non-metallic storage tank through a tank aperture in a top surface of said non-metallic storage tank, said nozzle including: an inner upper metal foil surface including a threaded foil aperture for securing said feed-through thereto, and a first and a second lower metal foil surface on respective sides of said inner upper metal foil surface, and a first and a second foil level transition region disposed between said respective sides of said inner upper metal foil surface and said first and second lower metal foil surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said non-metallic storage tank comprises a polymer or a polymer composite material, and wherein said first and second lower metal foil surface extend from over said tank aperture to said top surface of said non-metallic storage tank. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said non-metallic storage tank comprises concrete and said coupling device further comprises: an outer first and a second upper metal foil surface on said top surface of said non-metallic storage tank, and a third and a fourth foil level transition region disposed along an inner sidewall of said non-metallic storage tank between said outer first and second upper metal foil surface and said first and second lower metal foil surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said inner upper metal foil surface together with said first and said second foil level transition region provide said nozzle a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said inner upper metal foil surface together with said first and said second foil level transition region provide a horn shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The coupling device of claim 5, wherein said first and said second foil level transition region include at least one intermediate level step. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The coupling device of claim 6, wherein said at least one intermediate level step comprises a plurality of different level steps so that said horn shape is a corrugated horn shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said coupling device is a single integral article. ### Claim 9 A guided wave radar (GWR) system, comprising: a GWR transceiver comprising an electronic block including a processor coupled to a transceiver in series connection with a transmission line connector and a launcher including a feed-through which provides a threaded process connection to a coupling device, said coupling device including: a foil nozzle for sealing a tank aperture in a top surface of a non-metallic storage tank, said nozzle including: an inner upper metal foil surface including a threaded foil aperture for securing said feed-through thereto, and a first and a second lower metal foil surface on respective sides of said inner upper metal foil surface, and a first and a second foil level transition region disposed between said respective sides of said inner upper metal foil surface and said first and second lower metal foil surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said non-metallic storage tank comprises a polymer or a polymer composite material, and wherein said first and second lower metal foil surface extend from over said tank aperture to said top surface of said non-metallic storage tank. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said non-metallic storage tank comprises concrete and said coupling device further comprises: an outer first and a second upper metal foil surface on said top surface of said non-metallic storage tank, and a third and a fourth foil level transition region disposed along an inner sidewall of said non-metallic storage tank between said outer first and second upper metal foil surface and said first and second lower metal foil surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said inner upper metal foil surface together with said first and said second foil level transition region provide said nozzle a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said inner upper metal foil surface together with said first and said second foil level transition region provide a horn shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein said first and said second foil level transition region include at least one intermediate level step. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein said at least one intermediate level step comprises a plurality of different level steps so that said horn shape is a corrugated horn shape. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein said coupling device is a single integral article.