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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Sensor and method for ullage level and flow detection

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5605619
This patent describes a sensor for detecting the movement characteristics of material in a container or conduit. The sensor consists of: microwave oscillator means for generating a constant propagated microwave in a frequency range of from 1 to 20 gigahertz; microwave bridge circuit means for dividing microwave into a measurement microwave and a reference microwave; first guide means for injecting the measurement microwave through a portion of the container substantially transparent to the propagated microwave frequency and for returning a reflected measurement microwave to the microwave bridge circuit means indicative of the reflection coefficient at the boundary layer of the transport portion, the coefficient being significantly altered by one of the presence, the absence and the movement of the material at the level of the first guide means; second guide means for transmitting the reference wave from the microwave bridge circuit means and for returning a reflected reference wave to the microwave bridge circuit means.
Assignee:
Cannon Bear, Inc., College Station, TX
Patent Number(s):
US 4833918
OSTI ID:
5605619
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English