Abstract: Sensor system for acoustic detection in a dispensing system of a container having a rim and content includes at least one controller coupled to the dispensing system for selectively triggering on and off the dispensing system, an ultrasound position sensor coupled to the controller for emitting a first ultrasound beam towards a container-receiving location, for receiving ultrasound echoes indicative of a position of the container relative to a dispenser outlet, and for sending a first signal to the at least one controller indicative of the container position relative to the dispenser outlet, and an ultrasound fill sensor coupled to the at least one controller for emitting a second ultrasound beam towards the container-receiving location, for receiving ultrasound echoes indicative of the rim and content surface, and for sending to the at least one controller a second signal indicative of the position of the content surface relative to the rim.

Abstract: Sensor system for acoustic detection in a dispensing system of a container having a rim and content includes at least one controller coupled to the dispensing system for selectively triggering on and off the dispensing system, an ultrasound position sensor coupled to the controller for emitting a first ultrasound beam towards a container-receiving location, for receiving ultrasound echoes indicative of a position of the container relative to a dispenser outlet, and for sending a first signal to the at least one controller indicative of the container position relative to the dispenser outlet, and an ultrasound fill sensor coupled to the at least one controller for emitting a second ultrasound beam towards the container-receiving location, for receiving ultrasound echoes indicative of the rim and content surface, and for sending to the at least one controller a second signal indicative of the position of the content surface relative to the rim.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for measuring the fluid level in a tank includes means for emitting an ultrasound detecting beam towards a surface of the fluid in the tank from a first position relative to the tank, yielding at least a portion of a path of the ultrasound detecting beam being generally perpendicular to the bottom of the tank and defining an axis intersecting the bottom of the tank, the first position being adjacent the bottom of the tank; means for receiving echoes from the ultrasound detecting beam reflected from the surface of the fluid in the tank at a second position biased from the first position; and means for determining the fluid level using the echoes received from the ultrasound detecting beam and a distance between the first and second positions. Such a system allows eliminating the limitation caused by the transducers' dead zone without requiring the use of a waveguide.