Measuring and testing – Mass
Patent
1986-01-02
1988-03-08
Levy, Stewart J.
Measuring and testing
Mass
73149, G01F 1700
Patent
active
047292458
ABSTRACT:
A substantially fluid orientation insensitive, simple, relatively inexpensive gauge for measuring the quantity (mass/volume) of a liquid, such as fuel, stored in a tank subjected to low gravity conditions is disclosed. The gauge comprises, in general, a transmitter and a receiver coupled to a liquid storage tank in which a liquid of known dielectric behavior, such as fuel for a space vehicle, is stored. The transmitter comprises an R.F. oscillator for generating R.F. energy across a predetermined variable frequency range. The transmitted R.F. energy is coupled to an antenna inserted into the tank and is also coupled to an R.F. energy detector. The receiver measures the received power as a function of frequency above and below the dominant resonant frequency, or harmonics thereof. The measured power decreases substantially before and after resonance because, at resonance, most of the power is absorbed or stored in the cavity and less is transmitted to the receiver. The measured power versus frequency as sensed by the receiver is used to calculate the quality factor, "Q" which is inversely proportioned to the amount of fluid in the tank.
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"Design Development and Manufacture of a Breadboard Radio Frequency Gauging System", vol. 1, Phase B, Final Report, Bendix Corporation, Nov. 15, 1974, NASA-CR-120620.
Levy Stewart J.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Raevis Robert R.
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