Apparatus and method for monitoring the presence of a conductive media

Patent · Tue Aug 14 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5586283

DuVall, B W; Valentine, J W; Morey, K O

An inductive level sensor is described which has inductively coupled primary and secondary windings. Circuitry drives the primary with an ac signal of constant current magnitude and selected frequency f to induce in the secondary, a voltage signal V of magnitude /V/, frequency f and phase difference phi from the driving signal. Circuitry operates to generate a voltage output signal proportional to /V/ cos (phi-theta), where theta is a selectively set phase shift factor. By properly and selectively adjusting the frequency f and phase shift factor theta, an output signal /V/ cos (phi-theta) can be provided which self-compensates for changes in mutual inductance caused by operating temperature variations so that an output signal is produced which is substantially linearly proportional to changes in the level of a pool of liquid metal being monitored. Calibration circuitry and circuitry for converting the voltage signal /V/ cos (phi-theta) into a current signal are included. 12 claims.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4164146
• OSTI ID: 5586283
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
ALKALI METALS
COOLANTS
DESIGN
DIAGRAMS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
LEVEL INDICATORS
LIQUID METALS
LIQUIDS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
METALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SODIUM
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS