Material Level Within Container Patents (Class 342/124)
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Patent number: 11927469Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of proof-testing a radar level gauge system arranged to determine a filling level of a product in a tank, the method comprising the steps of: transmitting an electromagnetic transmit signal towards a surface of the product in the tank; receiving an electromagnetic reflection signal resulting from reflection of the transmit signal at the surface of the product; forming a measurement representation based on the transmit signal and the reflection signal, the measurement representation comprising surface echo information indicative of the filling level of the product; adding, to the measurement representation, proof test echo information indicative of a predefined proof test level, resulting in a modified measurement representation; processing the modified measurement representation to determine a proof test level based on the modified measurement representation; and providing a signal indicative of a result of the processing.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Mikael Inglund, Tobias Lilja, Tomas Wennerberg, Lars-Ove Larsson, Pär Abrahamsson, Christian Skaug
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Patent number: 11906345Abstract: A guided wave radar level gauge comprising a housing providing explosion proof protection and having an intrinsically safe output, a transmission line probe connected to the IS output. The housing encloses radar level gauge circuitry which is incompatible with intrinsic safety requirements, a microwave unit connected to the IS output, an electrical barrier connected between the RLG circuitry and the microwave unit, the electrical barrier having a barrier ground potential which is independent from the grounded housing wall, and a set of blocking capacitors connected between the microwave unit and the IS output.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Leif Nilsson, Håkan Nyberg, Mikael Eriksson
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Patent number: 11898892Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for accurately determining fluid level using Ultra Wideband (UWB) positioning or localization. UWB utilizes a radio-frequency (RF) technology to enable the accurate measurement of the time-of-flight of a radio signal and UWB positioning can operate in Time-Difference-of-Arrival (TDoA) mode, Two-Way-Ranging (TWR) mode, and Phase-Difference-of-Arrival (PDoA) mode. The systems disclosed herein include multiple anchor devices having a UWB antenna(s) and positioned in fixed location(s) over the fluid to be measured. The anchor devices serve as reference points for UWB communication with a remote float device, which emits RF signals and floats on the surface of the fluid to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Aloft Sensor Technologies LLCInventors: Ryan Kincaid, David Brown
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Patent number: 11876277Abstract: A high-frequency component for radar-based distance measurement comprises: a semiconductor component configured to generate electrical high-frequency signals; and coupling element configured as a substrate-integrated waveguide and electrically contacted by the semiconductor component as to couple the high-frequency signals as radar signals into a hollow waveguide of the high-frequency component, the hollow waveguide being in galvanic contact with the coupling element such that no defined distance between the hollow waveguide and the coupling element must be set to achieve an efficient coupling out of the high-frequency signal into the hollow waveguide. The galvanic contact thereby enables a simple manufacture of the high-frequency component and a compact and accurate distance measuring device using the high-frequency component.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Martin Hitzler, Winfried Mayer
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Patent number: 11860024Abstract: A valve arrangement for a guided wave radar level gauge including a valve housing holding a movable valve element having a through-opening, the movable valve element being configured to be movable between an open position and a closed position. A probe section arranged in the through-opening of the movable valve element. Upper and lower probe sections are located on respective sides of the movable valve element. A spring-loaded connection assembly is configured to form an electrical connection between the upper and the lower probe section via the probe section in the movable valve element when the movable valve element is in an open position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Håkan Fredriksson, Mikael Eriksson, Christoffer Widahl
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Patent number: 11774277Abstract: A radar sensor is provided, including sensor circuitry, electronic evaluation circuitry, communication circuitry, power supply circuitry, and a housing, the sensor circuitry being configured to emit and/or to receive a radar signal through the housing, the housing being configured such that the radar signal can be transmitted through the housing, the electronic evaluation circuitry being configured to detect an object based on the radar signal and/or to determine a distance between the radar sensor and the object, the electronic evaluation circuitry being further configured to determine at least one parameter representative of the detected object and/or of the determined distance, the communication circuitry being configured to wirelessly communicate the at least one parameter through the housing to a receiver, and the housing completely enclosing the sensor circuitry, the electronic evaluation circuitry, the power supply circuitry, and the communication circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Levin Dieterle, Roland Welle
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Patent number: 11662243Abstract: A guided wave radar level gauge comprising an explosion proof housing with an intrinsically safe (IS) output, a resistor having a first terminal connected to the IS output and a second terminal connected to the housing ground potential, and a transmission line probe connected to the IS output. The housing encloses radar level gauge (RLG) circuitry and a microwave unit having a floating ground potential, and a set of blocking capacitors connected between the microwave unit and the IS output. The microwave unit includes a differential receiver, having a first terminal connected to the IS output via the set of blocking capacitors, and a second terminal connected to the housing ground potential via the set of blocking capacitors, a voltage between the first and second terminals forming an input signal to the differential receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Mikael Eriksson, Leif Nilsson, Håkan Nyberg
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Patent number: 11575208Abstract: The disclosure provides an ultra-wideband non-metal horn antenna, which includes three combinable non-metal elements such as an impedance matching member, a field adjustment member and an outer cover member. The impedance matching member and the field adjustment member are respectively disposed with a first and second groove structures. The field adjustment member is connected between the impedance matching member and the outer cover member. Therefore, the horn antenna of the disclosure can have a more symmetrical radiation pattern, a smaller antenna size, and ultra-wideband performance.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: TMY Technology Inc.Inventors: Yang Tai, Shun-Chung Kuo, Wen-Tsai Tsai, Jiun-Wei Wu, Shao-Chun Hsu
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Patent number: 11531085Abstract: A radar system may include a set of analog components to perform one or more radio frequency (RF) operations during an active radar phase of the radar system. The radar system may include a set of digital components to perform one or more digital processing operations during at least a digital processing phase of the radar system. The one or more digital processing operations may be performed such that performance of the one or more digital processing operations does not overlap performance of a substantive portion of the one or more RF operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Witold Gora, Ljudmil Anastasov, Thomas Langschwert, Bejoy Mathews
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Patent number: 11349202Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antenna device and a radar including the same. Specifically, the antenna device according to the present disclosure includes: at least one first antenna arranged in one direction and configured to radiate a beam tilted at a first tilt angle; at least one second antenna arranged to be spaced apart from the first antenna and configured to radiate a beam tilted at a second tilt angle; an input/output terminal disposed such that any one of a transmission signal and a reception signal moves therethrough; and a divider comprising a first port connected to the first antenna, a second port connected to the second antenna, and a third port connected to the input/output terminal, wherein the divider is disposed such that a signal transmitted to one of the first port and the second port is transmitted to a remaining one of the first and second port through a first path and a second path and the transmitted signal is isolated in the remaining port.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2019Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: MANDO MOBILITY SOLUTIONS CORPORATIONInventors: Su Han Kim, Sung Joon Heo
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Patent number: 11322641Abstract: The semiconductor device comprises a bipolar transistor with emitter, base and collector, a current or voltage source electrically connected with the emitter, and a quenching component electrically connected with the collector, the bipolar transistor being configured for operation at a collector-to-base voltage above the breakdown voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: AMS AGInventors: Georg Röhrer, Robert Kappel, Nenad Lilic
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Patent number: 11248946Abstract: Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for accurately determining fluid level using Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) positioning or localization. UWB utilizes a radio frequency (RF) technology to enable the accurate measurement of the time-of-flight of a radio signal and UWB positioning can operate in Time-Difference-of-Arrival (TDoA) mode, Two-Way-Ranging (TWR) mode, and Phase-Difference-of-Arrival (PDoA) mode. The systems disclosed herein include multiple anchor devices having a UWB antenna(s) and positioned in fixed location(s) over the fluid to be measured. The anchor devices serve as reference points for UWB communication with a remote float device, which emits RF signals and floats on the surface of the fluid to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Aloft Sensor Technologies LLCInventors: Ryan Kincaid, David Brown
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Patent number: 11194369Abstract: The present invention is aiming at providing a communication apparatus that is lower in power consumption and that can detect a change in surrounding environment and send out information indicating the detection result, and a method to detect a change in surrounding environment. A communication apparatus of the present invention includes: a member containing a functional dye material that changes an optical property thereof in accordance with a change in surrounding environment and that maintains a post-change optical property; an optical sensor having a light-receiving portion and disposed such that the light-receiving portion receives light that has passed through the member, the optical sensor detecting a luminance of light that is received by the light-receiving portion; and a communication control unit that transmits information indicating the luminance detected by the optical sensor.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Daisuke Oda
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Patent number: 11150122Abstract: A fill level radar device is provided, including two at least partially different signal source assemblies for heterodyne mixing of the received reflected signal of the filling material surface with a second signal in order to create an intermediate frequency signal having a uniform frequency that does not depend on the frequency of the first signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Karl Griessbaum, Roland Welle, Bernhard Corbe
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Patent number: 11125856Abstract: An apparatus, including processing unit (PU) cores and computer readable storage devices storing machine instructions for determining a distance between a target object and a radar sensor circuit. The PU cores receive a beat signal generated by the radar sensor circuit and compensate for a phase difference between the received beat signal and a reconstruction of the received beat signal to obtain a phase compensated beat signal. The phase compensated beat signal is then filtered to remove spurious reflections by demodulating the phase compensated beat signal using an estimated frequency of the phase compensated beat signal. The PU cores then apply a low pass filter to the demodulated phase compensated beat signal, resulting in a modified beat signal. The PU cores then determine the distance between the target object and the radar sensor circuit using the modified beat signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Muhammad Zubair Ikram, Adeel Ahmad, Dan Wang, Murtaza Ali
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Patent number: 11099052Abstract: A Time Domain Return measurement system for measuring liquid level, linear movement or other measurements which includes a first and second electrode, the second electrode spaced from the first electrode to define a gap, and an electronics assembly connected to the first and second electrodes equipped with a generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal for propagation along the electrodes. The signal generator has a first analog timing circuit for actuating a slow-rising function of voltage versus time, a second analog timing circuit associated with the first analog timing circuit for actuating a fast-rising function of voltage versus time, and a receive circuit electrically connected to the electrodes, the receive circuit being activated for receiving return echo data associated with the electromagnetic signal transmitted when the fast-rising function is equal or greater than the slow-rising function to determine the position of the second medium with respect to the electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Inventors: Chester Wildey, Gagik Farmanyan
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Patent number: 11085806Abstract: A level sensing apparatus (110) for attachment to a sounding tube to measure levels of content in a tank. The level sensing apparatus includes a housing (16) for enclosing components of the level sensing apparatus (20). These components include a transmitter and an antenna (18) operatively connected to the transmitter for directing electrical or mechanical waves in a direction away from the transmitter. The antenna is adapted to also receive electrical and mechanical waves. The apparatus further includes a sounding tube adaptor (32) sized for attachment to a sounding tube, and a connector assembly operatively attaching the housing to the sounding tube adaptor. The connector assembly enabling the housing to rotate relative to the sounding tube adaptor about a horizontal axis to expose an open end of the sounding tube. In use, the level sensing apparatus allows for pulse radar measurement of liquid levels in the tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignee: Vega Americas, Inc.Inventors: Esther Milagros Díaz Rivera, Greggory James Garrett, Michael Ray Conley, Neil T. Wilkie
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Patent number: 11067428Abstract: A radar fill level measurement device for fill level measurement or for detecting a topology of a filling material surface in a container is provided, including: a first radar chip and a second radar chip, the first radar chip including a first synchronization circuit configured to generate a high-frequency signal, and the second radar chip including a second synchronization circuit; a high-frequency line arrangement configured to transfer the high-frequency signal from the first synchronization circuit to the second synchronization circuit for synchronizing the two radar chips; and a high-frequency amplifier arranged in the high-frequency line arrangement and configured to amplify the high-frequency signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Roland Welle, Steffen Waelde
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Patent number: 11061134Abstract: A radar level gauge system, comprising a transceiver; an antenna for radiating an electromagnetic transmit signal from the transceiver towards a surface of the product and for returning an electromagnetic reflection signal back towards the transceiver; a feed-through connecting the transceiver and the antenna; and processing circuitry coupled to the transceiver for determining the filling level based on a relation between the transmit signal and the reflection signal, wherein the feed-through comprises a waveguide arranged between the transceiver and the antenna to receive the transmit signal from the transceiver and guide the transmit signal towards the antenna in a guiding direction, the waveguide comprising an elongated plug arranged in a hollow conductor extending in the guiding direction, wherein the plug comprises a non-conductive sleeve member and a metallic plug member, the non-conductive sleeve member being sealingly joined to a portion of the hollow conductor and to the metallic plug member.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Håkan Fredriksson, Magnus Ohlsson
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Patent number: 11047725Abstract: A radar level gauge system, comprising a transceiver; an antenna arrangement configured to transmit an electromagnetic transmit signal from the transceiver, and to return an electromagnetic reflection signal resulting from reflection of the transmit signal at a surface of the product back towards the transceiver; and processing circuitry. The antenna arrangement comprises: a dielectric antenna body having a transmit signal receiving surface to receive the transmit signal from the transceiver, a convex transmit signal emitting surface configured to direct the transmit signal towards the product following passage of the transmit signal through the dielectric antenna body, and a side surface connecting the transmit signal receiving surface and the transmit signal emitting surface; and an electrically conductive antenna housing covering at least a portion of the side surface of the dielectric antenna body.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventor: Magnus Ohlsson
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Patent number: 11022475Abstract: A fill level radar device including a signal source assembly, an operating parameter determination circuit and an operating parameter adjustment circuit that is designed to change a sweep parameter of a continuous wave transmission signal on the basis of a characteristic variable of a measurement environment or measurement sequence that is input by the user or detected by the measurement device.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum
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Patent number: 11015969Abstract: A fill level radar device including a transmission-power adjustment apparatus which is configured to adjust the power of the transmission signal depending on the frequency of the transmission signal in accordance with a predefinable correlation. As a result, frequency-dependent absorption changes in the filling material atmosphere can be compensated for by the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Roland Welle, Karl Griessbaum
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Patent number: 11015970Abstract: A radar level measurement device for level measurement or for determining a topology of a filling material surface in a container is provided, including a first radar chip and a second radar chip, the first radar chip including a first synchronisation circuit configured to generate a radio-frequency signal, and the second radar chip including a second synchronisation circuit; and a radio-frequency line assembly configured to transmit the radio-frequency signal from the first synchronisation circuit to the second synchronisation circuit to synchronise the first and the second radar chips, the radio-frequency line assembly including two or more different line types arranged in series with one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Steffen Waelde, Roland Welle
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Patent number: 10982989Abstract: A fill level measuring device having at least one transmitting and receiving unit, a measuring antenna with a first supply element for transmitting and receiving an electromagnetic measurement signal and at least one dielectric body for guiding and/or shaping the waves of the measurement signal, and a communication antenna. The communication antenna has at least one second supply element for wireless transmission and for receiving an electromagnetic communication signal. To provide a fill level measuring device that can be used particularly flexibly, the first supply element and the second supply element are arranged inside the dielectric body so that the dielectric body is able to guide and/or shape the measurement signal and the communication signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2019Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Christoph Schmits, Matthias Linkies, Charalambos Ouzounis, Christian Schulz
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Patent number: 10955902Abstract: A printed circuit including a microcontroller having at least one main element, termed a core, and at least one peripheral unit. The printed circuit has a selective power supply management for managing the power supply of the microcontroller. The selective management receives a command to shutdown the microcontroller coming from an internal shutdown function of the microcontroller, and reversibly cuts the power supply to the at least one peripheral unit while maintaining the power supply to the core.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: INGENICO GROUPInventors: Eric Philibert, Slimane Ay
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Patent number: 10921173Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filling machine and a method for filling of filling medium, in particular for the production of sausages with a hopper for accommodating filling medium, a conveyer for supplying the filling medium and a filling element, in particular a filling tube, as well as a device for measuring the filling level in the hopper. The device for measuring the filling level comprises a radar sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: ALBERT HANDTMANN MASCHINENFABRIK GMBH & CO. KGInventor: Martin Staudenrausch
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Patent number: 10886624Abstract: Exemplary waveguide coupling configuration can be provided for a fill level radar antenna, e.g., in the form of a line scanner. The exemplary waveguide coupling configuration can include a waveguide openings on the antenna side which can have a distance from one another that can correspond to less than or equal to one half of the wavelength of the transmission signal. For example, the distance between adjacent radiator elements can be greater than one half of the wavelength of the transmission signal. In this exemplary manner, more space can be provided for a front end on the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Steffen Wälde, Daniel Schultheiss
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Patent number: 10866134Abstract: A FMCW fill level radar device including a control circuit for temporarily shifting, during the measuring phase, one component of the transceiver circuit into a state having reduced power consumption, resulting in the measurement being interrupted. This results in the total power consumption of the fill level radar device being reduced such that energy can be accumulated in the device, after which the measuring phase is continued.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Karl Griessbaum, Roland Welle
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Patent number: 10809142Abstract: A guided wave radar (GWR)-based method of measuring steam pressure includes transmitting at least a first microwave pulse signal from a GWR sensor system having a pulsed radar gauge (PRG) implementing a steam measurement algorithm coupled to a transceiver that is coupled to a GWR probe in a steam boiler tank having a reference reflector (RR) providing an impedance discontinuity. The transmitting the first microwave pulse signal is with water and steam in the steam boiler tank. An echo emanating from the RR is received responsive to the first microwave pulse signal generates that respective time of flight (TOF) measurement data. A refractive index value for the steam is determined from the TOF measurement data and a reference TOF value representing a TOF measurement without the steam in the steam boiler tank. A physical property of the steam is determined from the refractive index value, such as the pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Gertjan Hofman, Michael Kon Yew Hughes
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Patent number: 10801878Abstract: An exemplary fill level measurement device comprising a radar module can be provided, along with method, computer-executable instructions and computer-readable medium. The radar module can comprise a receiving channel for receiving a radar signal reflected by a filling medium. The fill level measurement device can also comprise a test module for testing the functionality of the receiving channel. The test module can comprise a test input (for feeding in a test signal having a test frequency, and a feeding-in apparatus configured to feed at least part of the test signal into the receiving channel. The feeding-in apparatus can be configured to superpose and/or combine the test signal with the radar signal reflected by the filling medium. The receiving channel of the radar module can further comprise a mixing device having an intermediate frequency output.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Daniel Schultheiss, Christoph Mueller
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Patent number: 10801873Abstract: A radar level gauge system comprising a first transceiver; a second transceiver; an antenna arranged to radiate a first transmit signal generated by the first transceiver and a second transmit signal generated by the second transceiver, and to receive a first reflection signal and a second reflection signal; a tubular waveguide to guide the transmit signals towards the interface, and to guide the reflection signals back towards the antenna; a plurality of signal interacting structures arranged at different levels along a the tubular waveguide, to selectively interact with the second transmit signal to contribute to the second reflection signal; and processing circuitry to determine a level of the interface between liquid phase product and vapor phase product based on a relation between the first transmit signal and the first reflection signal, and a density distribution based on a relation between the second transmit signal and the second reflection signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Jan Westerling, Håkan Nyberg
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Patent number: 10788351Abstract: A fill level measurement device is provided, including a first radar chip and a second radar chip that is synchronised with the first radar chip, the first and second chips each include one or more transmission channels, each configured to radiate a transmission signal, and one or more reception channels, each configured to receive a reflected transmission signal from a filling material surface; an evaluation circuit, connected to the first and second chips by a data line assembly and being configured to calculate a fill level and/or a topology of the filling material surface of a medium in a container from reflected transmission signals received from the first and second chips; and a clock line assembly that connects the first chip to the circuit and is configured to provide the circuit with a common clock signal for evaluating the reflected transmission signals received from the first and second chips.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: VEGA Grieshaber KGInventors: Roland Welle, Joerg Boersig, Steffen Waelde
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Patent number: 10782175Abstract: A method for determining the fill level of a process medium arranged in a container using a TDR fill level meter having at least one signal line for guiding an electromagnetic signal, a signal line head and an electronics unit, the signal line extending into the process medium, the method having at least the steps of generating a pulsed transmitter signal with the electronics unit, wherein the transmission signal propagates along the signal line as measuring signal with changing amplitude, detecting and evaluating at least one reflection signal with the electronics unit, wherein the reflection signal is a reflection of the measuring signal on an interface between a first and a second medium having different impedances, the relative permittivity of the second medium is determined at least in dependence on the amplitude of the measuring signal transmitted through the first medium and the amplitude of the reflection signal.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: KROHNE S.A.S.Inventors: Mahmoud Khodjet-Kesba, Vincent Pichot
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Patent number: 10782174Abstract: Described and shown is a device for measuring the distance to an object, including at least two freely radiating transmitter units for transmitting an electromagnetic measuring signal, at least one receiver unit for receiving a reflection signal reflected on the object, and at least one evaluation unit. The at least one receiver unit forwards the received reflection signal to the at least one evaluation unit. The transmitter units and the at least one receiver unit are arranged within one measuring environment. The transmitter units and the at least one receiver unit have at least one common measuring frequency range. The operation of the transmitter units is coordinated so that the measuring signals transmitted by the transmitter units and the reflection signals resulting from the measuring signals can be differentiated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: KROHNE MESSTECHNIK GMBHInventors: Michael Gerding, Uwe Wegemann, Christoph Schmits
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Patent number: 10775221Abstract: A radar level gauge comprising transceiver circuitry configured to obtain a tank signal including a peak representing a surface echo, and at least one peak caused by a ghost echo in a neighborhood of the surface echo. The gauge further includes a tank signal filter receiving the tank signal as input and providing an echo threshold profile, the threshold profile having at least one local maximum substantially coinciding with one of the peaks in the tank signal, and processing circuitry configured to use the echo threshold profile to disregard peaks in the tank signal which are associated with ghost reflections. The filtering of the tank signal thus provides an adaptive threshold, which is aligned with the peak(s) in the tank signal. By using this threshold in the surface echo identification, at least some ghost echoes occurring in the tank signal may be disregarded.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventors: Urban Blomberg, Lars Ove Larsson, Håkan Delin
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Patent number: 10753783Abstract: A method for determining an inner diameter of a sounding tube, which, for measuring the fill level of a fill substance located in a process space of a container, extends in the process space, or is placed alongside the container and connected with the process space. The method can be implemented in the case of a fill-level measuring device working according to the FMCW-principle. Besides the intermediate frequency of the difference signal, also its phase shift is ascertained, wherein the exact tube inner diameter can be determined based on the phase shift. An advantage of the method is that the fill-level measuring device with the help of the then exactly known tube diameter can be recalibrated and accordingly the fill level determined more exactly. The exact tube inner diameter does not have to have been previously known.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KGInventors: Alexey Malinovskiy, Stefan Gorenflo, Jens Merle, Markus Vogel
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Patent number: 10735012Abstract: A digitally controlled oscillator comprising a filtering digital to analogue converter, DAC, component and a voltage controlled oscillator, VCO, component comprising at least one control terminal arranged to receive a control voltage output by the DAC component; wherein the DAC component comprises a voltage generation component arranged to generate the control voltage and at least one configurable capacitive load component to which the control voltage is applied such that a filtering bandwidth of the DAC component is configurable by way of the at least one configurable capacitive load component.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Nenad Pavlovic
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Patent number: 10705183Abstract: A single sampling radar signal processing system is disclosed, wherein the system comprises a pseudo-random sequence generator, an integral sampler, an ADC module, a controller and a compression domain detector, wherein the integral sampler is connected to the pseudo-random sequence generator, the controller and the ADC module, respectively, and the ADC module is connected to the compression domain detector. Since the initial integral sampling time of each pulse signal can be controlled when the integral sampler performs integral sampling on the pulse signal in the radar signal, each pulse signal is sequentially delayed by different times during integral sampling, and a sample value is obtained by compression sampling in a single pulse repetition period. A single sampling radar signal processing method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: SHENZHEN UNIVERSITYInventors: Jianjun Huang, Xian Liu, Jingxiong Huang, Li Kang, Shengyu Liang, Zijian Zeng
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Patent number: 10670705Abstract: A method for processing a measurement signal that is captured by a measuring device, wherein, in order to capture the measurement signal, the measuring device emits a transmission signal and receives a component of the transmission signal that is reflected by an object as a reception signal, wherein a first phase difference between a first target phase position and a first actual phase position contained in the measurement signal is determined, and wherein a second phase difference between a second target phase position and a second actual phase position contained in the measurement signal is determined, and a phase difference progression in the form of an, in particular, linear, functional relationship is determined on the basis of the first and the second phase differences, and a measured value is determined by means of the functional relationship.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO.KGInventor: Alexey Malinovskiy
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Patent number: 10644390Abstract: A through air measurement instrument comprises a housing for mounting to a process vessel and including a waveguide. A control circuit in the housing controls operation of the instrument for determining level. An RF circuit board in the housing is operatively controlled by the control circuit and includes a microwave transceiver circuit connected via a coupler to strip line traces on the printed circuit board for coupling a high frequency radar signal with the waveguide for measuring level. A multi-function RF shield comprises a cover for the RF circuit board. The cover includes a metallic covering on an inside surface for capping the waveguide and providing an RF shield.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Magnetrol International, IncorporatedInventors: Paul G. Janitch, Feng Tang
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Patent number: 10620653Abstract: Described is a measuring device for determining a process measurement variable, in particular a pressure, a filling level, and/or a limit level of a medium. The measuring device has a measuring module for recording a measured value of the process measurement variable, a communication module which is configured for data transmission to a communication device, in particular for transmission of a measurement signal correlating with the measured value to the communication device, an electrical load which is supplied with electrical power by means of a supply line of the measuring device. In this case, a switching element for activating and deactivating a power supply of the electrical load is arranged in the supply line, the measuring device is configured in order, based upon the switching element, to deactivate the power supply at least during a part of a transmission time and/or at least during a part of a measurement time.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Christian Weinzierle, Juergen Haas
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Patent number: 10598820Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring snowfall amount for a green (vinyl) house, particularly, relates to measuring the width of snow accumulated on the roof of a green house, by analyzing measurement data including intensity, velocity (speed), wavelength or the combinations thereof of radio waves which are varied by medium of vinyl or snow by using a radar sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION FOUNDATION CHONBUK NATIONAL UNIVERSITYInventor: Jeong Ki Park
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Patent number: 10591344Abstract: A radar level gauge system comprising a transceiver; a multi-conductor probe comprising a first probe conductor and a second probe conductor extending together from an upper probe end to a lower probe end; a plurality of spacer arrangements distributed along the multi-conductor probe; and processing circuitry for determining the filling level. Each spacer arrangement in the plurality of spacer arrangements comprises a first spacer member configured to reflect a transmit signal as a first spacer reflection signal having a first amplitude; and a second spacer member configured to reflect the transmit signal as a second spacer reflection signal having a second amplitude. The first spacer member and the second spacer member are arranged along the multi-conductor probe so that the first and second spacer reflection signals interact to provide a combined spacer reflection signal having an amplitude lower than each of the first amplitude and the second amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: ROSEMOUNT TANK RADAR ABInventor: Olov Edvardsson
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Patent number: 10571319Abstract: A velocity measurement device (17) for measuring the velocity of a moving media (3) in a channel (1), the velocity measurement device (17) including a radar unit (21) having: a radar module (33) arranged to measure the velocity of the media (3) using the Doppler effect; and a two wire interface (23) to the radar unit (21) arranged to receive power from an external power source (35), and provide data transfer between the radar unit (23) and an external control unit (19).Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: Pulsar Process Measurement Ltd.Inventors: Andrew Foo, Steve Lycett
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Patent number: 10557743Abstract: A fill level measuring device designed for the generation and emission of a transmission signal, wherein the transmission signal includes at least one frequency ramp. In order to determine the level of a filling material in a vessel, only frequencies within a fundamental frequency interval are used. In this case, the minimal frequency of the fundamental frequency interval is greater than the minimal frequency of the frequency ramp and/or the maximal frequency of the fundamental frequency interval is smaller than the maximal frequency of the frequency ramp. The approach provides a reduction of power peaks in the frequency spectrum of the mean power of fill level measuring devices, which peaks result from times in which the fill level measuring device emits a constant frequency before the beginning of or after a frequency ramp.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: VEGA GRIESHABER KGInventors: Christoph Mueller, Michael Fischer
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Patent number: 10499522Abstract: A housing part for a measurement device includes a single metal body having an outer circumferential side wall with an upper end and a lower end and an inner disc-shaped base wall located between the upper and lower ends, wherein the side wall and the base wall define two partially enclosed areas, where the base wall comprises a central hole into which a microwave-permeable glass or ceramic window is fused, microwave guides and dielectric matching elements are provided on both sides of the microwave-permeable or ceramic window to propagate microwaves between the desired points such as a radar antenna and radar electronics, and where the matching elements not only adjust the impedance of the microwave window to the impedances of the microwave guides but also put additional compression stress on the surfaces of the fused window, which are preferably ground flat to be flush with those of the center portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Johannes Theodorus Cornelis Duivenvoorden, Truc Tran-Ngoc
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Patent number: 10417545Abstract: A detection device includes a first antenna configured to receive a first radio wave transmitted from an external device, a second antenna configured to receive the first radio wave transmitted from the external device, and transmit a second radio wave to the external device; and a chip configured to obtain a comparison result between a first electromotive force generated by the first radio wave received by the first antenna and a second electromotive force generated by the first radio wave received by the second antenna, and to send the comparison result to the external device through the second radio waive. When the first antenna is disposed closer than the second antenna to a place where the existence of moisture is to be detected, a change of the first electromotive force is greater than a change of the second electromotive force in response to the existence of moisture.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Daisuke Oda
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Patent number: 10402598Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods provide for detecting the proximate placement of an external NFC reader to a specific location on a display surface. The display surface can be intended for viewing indicia and enabling interaction with an NFC communication device embedded within the display. A circuit can control an NFC security system that can scan for unauthorized tags affixed to the surface of a display. The NFC security system may be activated by an NFC enabled mobile phone placed proximate to the indicated region for receiving an NFC coded message from the display. An NFC security scan can be performed prior to the mobile phone reading the message from the intended NFC tag in the display. Enabling interactive display modes can allow for making selections indicated on the display or detecting motion gestures across the face of the display.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: AVERY DENNISON RETAIL INFORMATION SERVICES, LLCInventor: Ian J. Forster
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Patent number: 10386180Abstract: An apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a signal including an electromagnetic pulse towards material in a tank. The apparatus also includes a receiver configured to receive a signal including multiple reflections of the pulse. The apparatus further includes at least one processing device configured to process the received signal and determine a measurement associated with the material in the tank. To process the received signal, the at least one processing device is configured to fit multiple models onto the received signal, select one of the models, identify at least one of the multiple reflections in the received signal using the selected model, and determine the measurement using the at least one identified reflection in the received signal. Each model is constructed from a superposition of multiple types of pulse reflections.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Sebastien Tixier, Johan Backstrom, Iouri Markevitch, Ian Baron
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Patent number: 10371558Abstract: A data processor retrieves or accesses a reference bin level versus reference phase for a determined seed type. A measurement device, receiver, or phase measurement module measures an observed phase of a primary received signal. The data processor is adapted to determine an estimated bin level of seeds, where the estimated bin level is established as the reference bin level that corresponds to a respective reference phase that is closest in value to the observed phase.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Nikolai R. Tevs, Terry L. Snipes, Elijah B. Garner