Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2000

OSTI ID:872963

Sinha, Dipen N ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos, NM

Noninvasive method for determining the liquid level and density inside of a container having arbitrary dimension and shape. By generating a flexural acoustic wave in the container shell and measuring the phase difference of the detected flexural wave from that of the originally generated wave a small distance from the generated wave, while moving the generation and detection means through the liquid/vapor interface, this interface can be detected. Both the wave generation and wave detection may be achieved by transducers on the surface of the container. A change in the phase difference over the outer surface of the vessel signifies that a liquid/vapor interface has been crossed, while the magnitude of the phase difference can be related to fluid density immediately opposite the measurement position on the surface of the vessel.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• Assignee: Regents of University of California (Los Alamos, NM)
• Patent Number(s): US 6053041
• OSTI ID: 872963
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

noninvasive
method
determining
liquid
level
density
inside
container
arbitrary
dimension
shape
generating
flexural
acoustic
wave
shell
measuring
phase
difference
detected
originally
generated
distance
moving
generation
detection
means
vapor
interface
achieved
transducers
surface
change
outer
vessel
signifies
crossed
magnitude
related
fluid
immediately
opposite
measurement
position
detection means
phase difference
fluid density
acoustic wave
outer surface
liquid level
noninvasive method
wave detection
density inside
/73/340/367/