High accuracy electronic material level sensor

Details High accuracy electronic material level sensor High accuracy electronic material level sensor

1995-08-03

1997-03-11

Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.

Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,

Return signal controls radar system

Receiver

73290R, 73290V, 342124, G01S 1300, G01F 2328

Patent

active

056106114

ABSTRACT:
The High Accuracy Electronic Material Level Sensor (electronic dipstick) is a sensor based on time domain reflectometry (TDR) of very short electrical pulses. Pulses are propagated along a transmission line or guide wire that is partially immersed in the material being measured; a launcher plate is positioned at the beginning of the guide wire. Reflected pulses are produced at the material interface due to the change in dielectric constant. The time difference of the reflections at the launcher plate and at the material interface are used to determine the material level. Improved performance is obtained by the incorporation of: 1) a high accuracy time base that is referenced to a quartz crystal, 2) an ultrawideband directional sampler to allow operation without an interconnect cable between the electronics module and the guide wire, 3) constant fraction discriminators (CFDs) that allow accurate measurements regardless of material dielectric constants, and reduce or eliminate errors induced by triple-transit or "ghost" reflections on the interconnect cable. These improvements make the dipstick accurate to better than 0.1%.

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