Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A coaxial guided wave radar apparatus includes a central conductor configured as a wire rope. One or more spacers can be positioned and held in place about the central conductor at predetermined lengths along the central conductor, wherein each spacer is positioned and held in place along the central conductor by one or more respective retainers that are crimped to the central conductor. A tensioner can be attached to the end of the wire rope of the central conductor. The tensioner allows for a proper tension to be applied to maintain a spacing of the wire rope from an outer conductor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processing device configured to determine an optimal pulse width for obtaining level measurements associated with material in a tank. The at least one processing device is also configured to generate a control signal that causes a transmitter of a guided wave radar (GWR) to transmit a signal having the optimal pulse width. The at least one processing device is further configured to send the control signal to the transmitter. The at least one processing device can also be configured to alter a length of the optimal pulse width in order to reduce false echoes detected by the GWR, reduce a size of an upper dead zone of the GWR, and/or detect a change of impedance to identify a fault of a process connector in the GWR.

Abstract: A method of level finding includes providing characteristics of a shape of a transmitted pulse in time domain launched onto a waveguide into a tank having at least one material therein, physical properties of the waveguide and real and imaginary dielectric characteristics of the material at a frequency of the pulse. A level finding algorithm having a coarse search and a fine search is implemented, where the coarse search minimizes a prediction error between an echo signal (echo curve y(k)) and a sampled pulse model echo p(k) to obtain an objective function J(k) in a vicinity of a minimum prediction error (k*). The fine search calculates at least one minimum or maximum using J(k) in the vicinity of k*. The minimum or the maximum corresponds to a level of the material or an interface involving the material.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring amounts of submerged solid consumable. A GWR (Guided Wave Radar) component can provide a measurement of a reflection at a fixed position in a particle bed. The reflection represents aggregate dielectric properties in a vessel. The measurement includes hydrocarbon and solid consumable properties of a mixture in the vessel, wherein a measurement value is indicative of a greater amount of the solid consumable in the mixture in the vessel. If data is measured by the GWR component indicating that the measurement value is approaching the measurement value of the hydrocarbon, this data is indicative that the material (e.g., solid consumable such as salt) in the vessel should be replenished.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle.

Abstract: A guided wave radar fluid level measurement system can measure the level of product in a tank. A pulse of RF energy sent along a waveguide in the tank can be reflected where the waveguide enters the product. A time of flight measurement can indicate the product level. The product inside the tank can flow and that flow can push the waveguide and thereby torque and possibly bend the waveguide. A streamlined wave guide is torqued less when the streamlining is aligned with the direction of flow. A rotating connector can provide for the waveguide to rotate and a weathervane effect can align the streamlined waveguide with the flow.

Abstract: A coaxial guided wave radar apparatus includes a central conductor configured as a wire rope. One or more spacers can be positioned and held in place about the central conductor at predetermined lengths along the central conductor, wherein each spacer is positioned and held in place along the central conductor by one or more respective retainers that are crimped to the central conductor. A tensioner can be attached to the end of the wire rope of the central conductor. The tensioner allows for a proper tension to be applied to maintain a spacing of the wire rope from an outer conductor.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free-standing sheets detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface and scanning the laser beam through a selected wavelength range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Alternatively, the intensity of an interference pattern formed from the superposition of radiation that is directly transmitted through the web and radiation that is transmitted through the web after internal reflections from the internal surfaces of the web. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus for a guided wave radar level transmitter. The waveguide apparatus includes a compacted strand wire rope composed of a group of strands that are compacted and arranged in an outer diameter around a central strand. The compacted strand wire rope for use as a waveguide is configured with a process step of running the strands through a die or rollers to cold work the outer diameter which crushes the wire rope into a smaller cross-section to form the compacted strand wire rope.

Abstract: A method and system for seal failure annunciation comprises a process connector connected to a probe used to measure a product level in a tank. A pulse generation module generates a pulse that is propagated through a voided space in the process connector and a detector module configured to receive the echo curve from the interrogation pulse. A logic module is used to evaluate the received echo curve to determine if a seal in the process connector has failed. When the logic module indicates seal failure, an alarm module initiates an alarm indicating said seal in said process connector has failed.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected from the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle.

Abstract: Non-contacting caliper measurements of free standing sheets such as porous polymer and paper detect mid-IR interferometric fringes created by the reflection of light from the top and bottom surfaces of the sheet. The technique includes directing a laser beam at a selected angle of incidence onto a single spot on the exposed outer surface wherein the laser beam comprises radiation having a wavelength in the 3-50 micron range and scanning the laser beam through a selected angle range as the laser beam is directed onto the exposed outer surface and measuring the intensity of an interference pattern that forms from the superposition of radiation that is reflected From the exposed outer surface and from the inner surface. Thickness can be extracted from the fringe separation in the interference pattern. Rotating and focusing elements ensure that the spot position on the sheet remains the same while varying the incident angle.

Abstract: A coupling device for impedance matching a probe of a guided wave radar (GWR) system. A feed-through is for connecting to a coaxial cable or other transmission line connector that includes an inner conductor which connects to an output of a transceiver and an outer conductor that connects to an outer metal sleeve. A subwavelength coaxial transmission line (CTL) having a length from ?/5 to ?/2 is coupled to the feed-through including an inner conductor connected to the inner conductor of the feed-through and an outer conductor connected to the outer metal sleeve. A mode converter (MC) having a plurality of metal fingers (7) of length 2?± twenty percent is connected to the outer conductor of the subwavelength CTL, where the MC includes a dielectric coating on its inner conductor connected to the inner conductor of the subwavelength CTL.

Abstract: A coupling device for coupling a threaded feed-through of a process connection to provide a launcher for a non-metallic storage tank. The storage tank includes a tank aperture in its top surface. The coupling device includes a foil nozzle including an inner upper metal foil surface that includes a threaded aperture for securing the feed-through thereto, and a first and second lower metal foil surface on respective sides of the upper metal foil surface. The foil nozzle also includes a first and a second foil level transition region disposed between the respective sides of the inner upper metal foil surface and the first and second lower metal foil surface. The foil nozzle can be configured in a cylindrical, horn, or a corrugated horn shape.

Abstract: A guided wave radar fluid level measurement system can measure the level of product in a tank. A pulse of RF energy sent along a waveguide in the tank can be reflected where the waveguide enters the product. A time of flight measurement can indicate the product level. The product inside the tank can flow and that flow can push the waveguide and thereby torque and possibly bend the waveguide. A streamlined wave guide is torqued less when the streamlining is aligned with the direction of flow. A rotating connector can provide for the waveguide to rotate and a weathervane effect can align the streamlined waveguide with the flow.

Abstract: A coaxial feed-through device (feed-through) for coupling a received process connection to a storage tank (tank) including an inner electrical conductor (probe), an outer electrical conductor; and a dielectric sleeve disposed between the probe and the outer electrical conductor. The dielectric sleeve is configured to provide an upper coaxial transmission line segment (upper CTL segment) providing a substantially 50 ohm impedance and a lower coaxial transmission line segment (lower CTL segment) which includes one or more sub-segments having an impedance that is at least forty (40%) percent higher as compared to the substantially 50 ohm impedance.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one processing device configured to determine an optimal pulse width for obtaining level measurements associated with material in a tank. The at least one processing device is also configured to generate a control signal that causes a transmitter of a guided wave radar (GWR) to transmit a signal having the optimal pulse width. The at least one processing device is further configured to send the control signal to the transmitter. The at least one processing device can also be configured to alter a length of the optimal pulse width in order to reduce false echoes detected by the GWR, reduce a size of an upper dead zone of the GWR, and/or detect a change of impedance to identify a fault of a process connector in the GWR.

Abstract: A method of pulsed radar level sensing. First level scanning performed with first transmitted radar pulses launched by a probe into a tank having a first pulse width, wherein the first level scanning is over a first scan distance. First echoes generated responsive to the first pulses are analyzed to determine an approximate level of a material in the tank. Second level scanning with second transmitted radar pulses are launched by the probe into the tank having a second pulse width, with a measurement window<the first scan distance that includes the approximate level. The second pulse width<the first pulse width. Second echoes generated responsive to the second pulses are analyzed to determine a revised higher resolution material level measurement.

Abstract: A method of level finding includes providing characteristics of a shape of a transmitted pulse in time domain launched onto a waveguide into a tank having at least one material therein, physical properties of the waveguide and real and imaginary dielectric characteristics of the material at a frequency of the pulse. A level finding algorithm having a coarse search and a fine search is implemented, where the coarse search minimizes a prediction error between an echo signal (echo curve y(k)) and a sampled pulse model echo p(k) to obtain an objective function J(k) in a vicinity of a minimum prediction error (k*). The fine search calculates at least one minimum or maximum using J(k) in the vicinity of k*. The minimum or the maximum corresponds to a level of the material or an interface involving the material.