Vibratory Type Patents (Class 73/290V)
  • Patent number: 4883100
    Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes at least two piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level, and for generating signals corresponding to the travel time of the ultrasonic energy. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. The system can include two separate transmitter and receiver crystals, or in a preferred embodiment two transmitter-receiver pairs of crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Inventors: William F. Stembridge, James C. Sturrock, W. Frank Stembridge
  • Patent number: 4868797
    Abstract: An ultrasonic, echo-ranging instrument for measuring liquid level, the instrument including a transducer dispoed at a fixed position directly above the liquid surface. The transducer is excited to emit periodic pulses which are intercepted by the liquid surface as well as by a reference point a fixed distance from the transducer to produce both reference and liquid echo pulses that are returned to the transducer and detected thereby. The respective transit times of the reference echo and the liquid echo pulses are determined, and the ratio between these transit times is computed to provide an output representing the level of liquid. To ensure accurate readings, the reference echo and liquid echo pulses from the transducer are fed to a single automatic gain control circuit whose operation is time shared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Fischer & Porter Company
    Inventor: Daniel J. Soltz
  • Patent number: 4864856
    Abstract: A liquid level detecting device comprises a vibrator for vibrating a sample vessel containing a sample solution, and a piezo-electric element provided on a suction member having an opening for sucking the sample solution. Changes in the output voltage of the piezo-electric element are read out as the suction member is moved vertically, contact of the lower end of the suction member with the sample solution is detected based on the changes in the output voltage, and the liquid level of the sample solution is detected. Or, the liquid level detecting device comprises a vibration transmitting plate for holding a nozzle member to a suction member, a vibrator for vibrating the nozzle member at a predetermined frequency, a frequency control circuit for changing the frequency of vibration, and a detector for detecting extreme values of the output voltage of the vibrator corresponding to changes in the frequency. The liquid level is detected based on changes in the extreme values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Ichikawa, Norikazu Soga, Hirofumi Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 4855966
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a technique for monitoring scouring around structural members which are at least partially submerged in the soil bed material at the bottom of a body of water, the distance between a fixed point on the structural member and the topmost portion of the soil bed material near the member is determined and compared to a predetermined value. When scouring occurs, removal of some of the soil bed material results in an increase in the measured distance, which increase can be used to indicate the occurrence of scouring in an appropriate manner, such as by utilizing a display, by recording the data, or even by telecommunicating the data to another location. The distance determination may be made either only when called for or periodically at predetermined times, in order to provide continuous monitoring. In an alternative embodiment, scour monitoring is provided by one or more probes disposed so as to initially rest on top of the soil bed material located near the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Inventor: John Cinquino
  • Patent number: 4853901
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for obtaining from a well drilled into the subsurface of the earth the information necessary to determine the location of the liquid surface in same. A source of pressure pulses is coupled to the well surface casing in order that the pulses are transmitted downhole where they are reflected by all surfaces present therein such as, the liquid surface, tubing collars and tubing anchors. A transient pressure transducer is provided which generates an electrical output in response to all reflections of the transmitted pulse. All of the reflections occurring in the well are recorded for a sufficient amount of time to ensure the recording of the first reflection from the liquid surface present in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Diagnostic Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis D. Barber
  • Patent number: 4853694
    Abstract: The present invention is an electronic liquid level monitoring apparatus for a in-ground storage tank. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed in a fill pipe head device which enables proper placement of the ultrasonic transducer in a fixed position relative to the fill pipe of the storage tank and provides a combination for a plurality of different fill pipe diameters. An electronic control measures the length of time from the transmission of the ultrasonic pulse to the receipt of the return echo and then calculates the distance from the ultrasonic transducer to the level of the liquid in the tank. The distance can permit automatic calculation of the amounts of liquid in the tank, using tank parameters stored in a memory as corrected for the speed of sound at the particular temperature measured via a temperature sensor. The apparatus preferably also calculates a volume variance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Jerry Tomecek
  • Patent number: 4850213
    Abstract: A filling level measuring device for measuring the filling level of explosive media in a container is provided. The device includes a sonic or ultrasonic transducer and a mounting flange for mounting the filling level measuring device on the container. The separation necessary between the explosive media within the container and the electrical operating means of the filling level measuring device is effected by a planar homogeneous metallic surface of the mounting flange which faces the container interior and which includes a diaphragm of the sonic or ultrasonic transducer. To form the diaphragm in the mounting flange on its side remote from the container interior, the mounting flange is formed to include a cylindrical recess whose axis of symmetry coincides with that of the mounting flange. The sonic or ultrasonic transducer is disposed substantially within the recess formed in the mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Endress u. Hauser GmbH u. Co.
    Inventors: Edwin Steinebrunner, Peter Renk
  • Patent number: 4847600
    Abstract: In fossil boilers and steam generator of fossil boilers and nuclear power plants, a son-air detector using ultrasonic transducers is employed with a glandless motor pump which may have a vertical top vent pipe to ascertain with fast response if the vent pipe has liquid or not. In the glandless motor pump, the pumped primary liquid per se is used for lubricating the bearings of the motor, whereby, if the lubricating liquid is absent, the motor operation should not be continued. For redundancy, a second transducer may be used, whereby when both the transducers are connected to simultaneously indicate absence of liquid in the vent pipe, suitable corrective action is initiated. A vent pipe filled with liquid will transmit ultrasonic bursts (provided by the transducer) through the liquid, so that the ultrasonic waves are reflected back. An empty vent pipe will not reflect the ultrasonic waves which would simply be dissipated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Donald R. Nixon
  • Patent number: 4841770
    Abstract: Apparatus (1) for measuring the amount of a substance (2) in a vessel which comprises a detector means comprising at least two electrodes (3) adopted to generate an electric signal in response to contact of the electrodes with the surface of the substance (2), a first reference point (6) on the detector means which point is a fixed distance from the ends of the electrodes (3) said reference point being provided on a material suitable for reflecting waves from a wave transmitting-receiving device (8) e.g. a sonar device, preferably located in a fixed position above the first reference point for measuring the distance from the first reference point (6) to a second reference point (70) at the wave transmitting-receiving device (8) whereby the amount of the substance (2) in the vessel can be determined by computation, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Parke-Davis & Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert L. Davies
  • Patent number: 4841256
    Abstract: A structural member having a piezoelectric transmitter film and a piezoelectric receiver film adhered thereto. The transmitter film produces a vibration upon activation by a voltage controlled oscillator which forms part of a phase-lock loop circuit. The vibrations of the structural member generate electric signals on the receiver film, which feed into a phase comparator. The other input of the phase comparator is the output signal of the voltage controlled oscillator. The phase comparator will output a dc signal proportional to the difference in phase between the two signals. When the structural member becomes damped, the phase comparator will go into saturation, thereby producing a voltage which can activate an alarm signal or other device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Assignee: Pennwalt Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond F. Gastgeb
  • Patent number: 4839590
    Abstract: A liquid level detector of the type in which a magnetostrictive wire extends through the liquid level measurement range and is captured in a tensioned vertical orientation within a stainless steel tube. Liquid level is measured as a function of the time required for a torsional disturbance imparted the wire near the top to travel along the wire to a magnet which is contained within a liquid level float which slides up and down along the tube. The torsional disturbances imparted to the wire by means of a piezoelectric crystal to which the wire is easily clamped. Accuracy is enhanced by measuring liquid level as a function of the elapsed time between an actuation signal and the first zero crossing of the voltage which is induced as the torsional strain passes through the area of influence of the sliding magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Magnetek Controls
    Inventors: Richard D. Koski, William C. Kosco, Arthur Dumais
  • Patent number: 4837750
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for displaying depth sounding data with nautical range are disclosed for use on vessels or the like, the device including a transceiver for transmitting an acoustic signal downwardly through surrounding water and for receiving echo signals, a motion sensor for determining nautical distance, a microprocessor for storing and conditioning the echo signals and distance signals and a display device for providing an XY display of underwater conditions represented by the echo signals. Range display means associated with or included in the display device and operated by the microprocessor display nautical range of a selected and preferably adjustable point on the X axis. The microprocessor includes a range memory stack, a stack manager and an internal register for storing bytes or distance data for successive vertical scans. The device also preferably includes a differential temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Inventor: Ted G. Saunders
  • Patent number: 4833918
    Abstract: A device is provided for detecting the ullage level and flow in a vessel by detecting the presence of a solid or liquid material in proximity to a microwave detector. The device may be mounted to the side of the vessel or suspended inside the vessel so as to bring the microwave sensor into proximity with the surface of the contents of the vessel. A microwave bridge circuit may be used to detect a change in either the amplitude or phase of a signal reflected by the material within the vessel compared to a reference signal tuned to either the presence or absence of the anticipated solid or liquid material. In one embodiment, the reflected material signal is compared to the signal from a sample chamber containing the material to be detected. The device can reliably detect the level of multiple interfaces for various materials having distinct electric or magnetic properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: CannonBear, Inc.
    Inventors: Buford R. Jean, Richard W. Newton, Gary L. Warren, Billy V. Clark
  • Patent number: 4821569
    Abstract: An ultrasonic echo-ranging meter for measuring the changing level of liquid in a tank or open channel, the meter including a transducer at a raised position above the liquid surface. Pulses of ultrasonic energy transmitted by the transducer are directed toward the liquid surface and reflected thereby to produce main echo pulses that are picked up by the same transducer. The round trip transmit time of the pulse energy in the gaseous medium above the liquid depends on the distance between the transducer and the liquid surface, this time being measured to provide a reading of liquid level. Also intercepted by the transducer are parasitic echo pulses originating from reflecting wall surfaces and other obstacles in the vicinity of the tank or channel, which parasitic pulses may be confused with the main echo pulses and result in an erroneous reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Fischer & Porter Co.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Soltz
  • Patent number: 4815323
    Abstract: A method of measuring aircraft fuel quantity and density in a fuel container using an ultrasonic transducer; a stillwell liquid fuel; a computer control, an indicator and an altitude sensor. The computer control includes a central processing unit connected to each of the ultrasonic transducers. The altitude sensor is connected to the central processing unit. The indicator means is connected to the central processing unit. The stillwell is supported by the container. Each ultrasonic transducer is supported within the stillwell by the container. The liquid fuel is supported within the container. An ultrasonic signal is transmitted from the transducer within the stillwell. The reflected ulrasonic signal is received by the transducer within the stillwell. The round-trip time period from sending to reciving the signal is measured. The quantity of fuel in the container is determined from the round-trip time period and stored data on the container volume in the central processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignees: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc., Edo Corporation
    Inventors: S. Michael Ellinger, Howard P. Jones
  • Patent number: 4811601
    Abstract: The rate of leaking from a liquid storage tank may be accurately determined by measuring the change in volume of the tank over a period of time, and during said same period (or during a period immediately before or after said measuring period, or both,) measuring the change in length of a probe which extends from the bottom of the tank to the top, and calculating, from the change in length of said probe, the change in volume of the liquid in the tank due to changes in temperature throughout the entire height of the tank. In one embodiment of the invention, the probe is a rod of material which has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and which is inert to the liquid being tested. Since each segment of the rod assume a length which is a function of the temperature at the level of that segment, the rod assumes a length which is a function of the integrated temperatures from the top of the bottom of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Inventor: Peter J. Tolan
  • Patent number: 4811595
    Abstract: The acoustical energy output of a source is varied in frequency between limits to sweep a frequency band encompassing cavity resonance conditions which depend on the quantity of a fluent material within a tank excited by such acoustical energy. The volume of the fluent material is calculated from the excitation frequency registered during verified detection of resonance conditions, based on abrupt changes in signal characteristics and stored data relating to the geometry of the acoustic sensor arrangement through which the tank interior is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Applied Acoustic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Marciniak, Lynn A. Poole
  • Patent number: 4797819
    Abstract: The replenishment quantity for each article on a sales display is determined from the measurement of the length left on the peg, this measurement being performed by means of either: (a) a gun which comprises an ultrasonic emitting device and an ultrasonic receiving device, these being housed in slidably adjustable mounting bezels, an aiming arrangement consisting of a lamp, a reflecting chamber, a lens, a color imparting filter and reflective ducts, as well as a rear-mounted display and a front-mounted nose, the latter being provided with ducts, a reflective tube and a recessed hooking-on component; or (b) a portable marking indicia reader which reads marking indicia placed on the sales display itself. These devices are connected, via suitable interface to a microcomputer which computes the replenishment quantity based upon the product parameters associated with the particular product and the vacant space on the peg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Vynex SA
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Dechirot
  • Patent number: 4793178
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating data and analyzing the same to determine fluid depth in a well. A gun assembly includes a pressurized chamber for initiating an acoustic pulse and a transducer for measuring pressure variations. The gun assembly is mounted on a well casing at the top thereof. An acoustic pulse is initiated and reflections from tubing collars, well equipment, perforation zones and the fluid level surface are detected by the transducer and converted to an analog signal which is digitized and stored in a memory. The stored data is processed to detect the fluid pulse reflection in view of a set of preselected pulse criteria. Acoustic pulse velocity is calculated by correlating the tubing collar depths, which are stored in the memory, with peaks in the acoustic log which indicate a corresponding tubing collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Xelo, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy K. Ahern, Phillip J. Cebuhar
  • Patent number: 4790183
    Abstract: A liquid boundary level detector employing an open-ended conduit which directs pressure waves toward a liquid boundary layer. The conduit is moved from a starting position toward the liquid boundary and, upon contact with the boundary, there is a change in acoustic impedance within the conduit. This change is monitored and a signal is generated indicative of such contact. Once the initial liquid boundary position is determined, that may become the reference position for subsequent liquid boundary measurements or motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale R. Pfost, R. Fred Pfost, Eric W. Lachenmeier
  • Patent number: 4787407
    Abstract: Acoustic signals are transmitted through the fluid flow of a fuel delivery pump to a tank to be filled. From reflection signals the fluid level in the tank is detected and a timely disconnection of the pump can be effected in order to prevent fuel losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij B.V.
    Inventor: Johannes A. Vogel
  • Patent number: 4787240
    Abstract: A pipe section through which a liquid passes includes a transmitting and receiving transducer diametrically opposed on the surface of the pipe and arranged to project acoustic energy through the interior of the pipe whereby the output signal from the receiving transducer changes in the presence of a liquid in the acoustic path between the transducers. V-shaped grooves or other surface modifications are made to the surface of the pipe circumferentially between the transducers so as to redirect wall-borne acoustic energy to a more axial direction thus preventing its reception at the receiving transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: James L. McShane
  • Patent number: 4785664
    Abstract: An improved ultrasonic system for detecting the level of a material that has a surface, for example a liquid level inside of a tank, which improves the ability to detect levels particularly when the tank is nearly full. A transmitted ultrasonic signal from a transducer is reflected against the material in the tank, and when received back at the transducer, an output pulse is provided from the transducer. The distance or level is determined by determining the time between the transmission and the reflected signal. A comparator compares the signal from the transducer with a reference and provides an output when a pulse of greater magnitude than the reference is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Kay-Ray, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen R. Reebs
  • Patent number: 4785663
    Abstract: A level control instrument for controlling and/or indicating the filling level for liquid, powder, granular, especially light-weight bulk material in a container. The level is determined by a single rod shaped vibrator that is actuated by a vibration exciting and measuring system. The vibrator is a rod adapted to act as a bending vibrator which is dampened by bulk or liquid material. The dampening is controlled by the vibration exciting and measuring system. In order to prevent the vibrating energy from being transmitted to the container wall, the vibrating rod has two supports spaced from each other with each located at a nodal point on the rod. One free end of the rod extends into the material containing space of the container. If the two supports are at or near to the points where the vibration nodes appear when the rod is excited to bending vibration it is practically impossible for the vibration energy to be transferred to the container wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Inventor: Eberhard F. Hermann
  • Patent number: 4780861
    Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: William F. Stembridge, James C. Sturrock, W. Frank Stembridge, III
  • Patent number: 4777821
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus for accurately measuring the alteration of a liquid quantity, especially the quantity of oil in an internal combustion engine, in a reservoir containing said liquid, especially the oil pan of the internal combustion engine, comprises a measuring chamber which is separate from the reservoir and communicated thereto via a liquid compensator conduit. The liquid compensator conduit and the measuring chamber are heated to a constant temperature by heater. A level sensor for measuring the propagation of a sonic signal is disposed within the measuring chamber above the liquid level. Any temperature variations in the measuring chamber above the liquid level are detected by a gas thermometer and are utilized in an evaluator unit for correcting the measured level signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Andreas Gerve
  • Patent number: 4770038
    Abstract: An ultrasonic depth gauge 20 for liquids under high pressure is comprised of a transducer assembly 21 and a supporting electronics unit 22. The transducer assembly is mounted into the bottom wall of a storage vessel 12 with its resonating surface directly exposed to the highly pressurized liquid 13 in the vessel. The transducer assembly consists of a conventional transducer element 38 rigidly bonded to the inside wall of a bored out conventional high-pressure plug 30 thereby forming a composite resonator 50. The element and the plug wall resonate as one upon electrical excitation of the element while the transducer element is completely shielded from any exposure to the liquid under high pressure. The composite resonator sends a vibration up to the surface of the liquid where it is reflected back to the composite resonator. The supporting electronics unit measures the vibration round-trip transit time which is proportional to the depth 15 of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Allan J. Zuckerwar, David S. Mazel
  • Patent number: 4765186
    Abstract: The liquid level detector using guided waves, comprises a first transducer situated out of the liquid for sending an incident elastic pulse which propagates in an elongated guide of which the lower part is immersed in the liquid, a second transducer situated out of the liquid and receiving the elastic pulse sent by the first transducer and transmitted by the guide, and electronic circuits for measuring the time elapsing between the transmission of an incident elastic pulse by the first transducer and the subsequent reception of the same elastic wave by the second transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie
    Inventors: Eugene Dieulesaint, Daniel Royer
  • Patent number: 4748846
    Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus for measuring and remotely displaying the amount of liquid in a tank, the amount of water in the tank and the velocity of sound through the liquid in the tank is described with special application to a buried tank containing gasoline with the possibility of water in the bottom of the tank. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer at a fixed distance above the bottom of the tank, a plurality of submerged reflectors vertically arranged at fixed distances above the transducer and a remote console, containing a computer, for activating the transducer and receiving signals of ultrasonic reflections developed by the transducer. Methods are disclosed utilizing the apparatus for computing the height of the liquid (gasoline) level, the depth of the water, if any, the velocity of sound through the gasoline and through the liquid as a whole, and for computing average temperature of the liquid in the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Gilbarco, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Haynes
  • Patent number: 4740726
    Abstract: A vibrator-type level sensor having a detecting pipe (20) in which an inner vibration member (22) with piezo-electric devices (8a) (8b) (8c) is mounted, the detecting pipe (20) and the inner vibration member (22) constituting a folded cantilever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1988
    Assignee: Nohken Inc.
    Inventor: Takayuki Umezawa
  • Patent number: 4735097
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring fluid characteristics use a non-invasive ultrasonic system for generating spatially extended signals into a volume of a fluid and detecting said signals for measuring the characteristic of the fluid. The generated waves are Rayleigh-like surface waves creating, in effect, an extended aperture transducer from which the waves leak into the fluid. The Rayleigh-like surface wave operates in an environment wherein the plate or other structure on which the surface wave is generated has a thickness, normal to the primary direction of propagation of the wave, of less than four Rayleigh wavelengths and greater than approximately one-half of a Rayleigh wavelength. The extended aperture has a length of at least about ten Rayleigh wavelengths. The excitation for the system is generally a short pulse interrogation in order to avoid those interferences which may cause Lamb waves to be set up in the solid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Panametrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Lynnworth
  • Patent number: 4727277
    Abstract: An oscillator utilizes a piezo-electric transducer as a frequency determining element. The transducer, when unloaded, has a resonant frequency which determines the oscillation frequency and exhibits a predetermined level of amplitude excursion. The transducer, when moved into engagement with a conduit through which fluid flows, becomes loaded and exhibits a change of resonant frequency, whereby the oscillator frequency changes, and also exhibits a change in level of amplitude excursion. The amount of oscillator frequency change and the change in excursion level have respective values when the fluid flowing in the conduit past the transducer is bubble free which differ from the respective values when the fluid contains bubbles. Circuitry responsive to at least one of the changing frequency and amplitude values produces a signal when a selected one of the bubble free and bubble containing conditions is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1988
    Inventor: Tello Adams
  • Patent number: 4715226
    Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus for determining the amount of liquid in a container of known volume includes at least a pair of ultrasonic transducers which are mounted a known distance apart relative to the liquid surface so that the ultrasonic energy reflected from the liquid surface traverses the following paths: (1) from a first of the transducers vertically to the liquid surface, and (2) from the first transducer to the liquid surface and then to the second transducer. A circuit measures the time of travel T corresponding to path (1) above, and T1 corresponding to one-half the travel time of path (2) above. The height H of liquid above the transducers is determined by solving the equation: ##EQU1## where S is the known distance between transducers, T is the travel time of ultrasonic energy directly or vertically to the liquid surface and T' is one-half the travel time between the two transducers reflected off the liquid surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1987
    Assignee: Xecutek Corporation
    Inventor: John A. Dorr
  • Patent number: 4704902
    Abstract: The apparatus consists of a mechanical acoustical driver producing sound vibrations in a fluid, such as a liquid or gas, within an enclosed space. A pickup transducer positioned within the tank measures the sound vibrations of the gas within the tank and transmits the same to an amplifier and a low pass filter. Either the same or another transducer positioned in the tank measures static pressure P output of which is amplified. A divider circuit receives the dynamic pressure signal and static pressure signal and provides electrical signal E proportional to (.DELTA.P/P). A differential amplifier receives the reference signal Erf and the signal E and supplies the error signal (Erf-E) to a gain controlled amplifier. The gain controlled amplifier amplifies the AC signal proportional to (Erf-E). The driver generates .DELTA.P in the tank proportional to the output of the gain controlled amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Inventor: Navin H. Doshi
  • Patent number: 4703652
    Abstract: Piezoelectric type liquid level sensor for detecting whether the level of various liquids such as oil of an internal combustion engine, a generator or the like is a predetermined value or higher or not, and method of making the sensor. The sensor is arranged to eliminate the influence of the weight of the lead wires on the vibration element and to facilitate its assembly. The sensor may be provided with a damper member for increasing the sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Itoh, Kazunori Sumi, Sigeo Saitoh, Hideo Sobue
  • Patent number: 4700569
    Abstract: An ultrasonic echo sounding apparatus disposed at a measuring location transmits ultrasonic pulses in successive transmission periods. The echo pulses received after reflection at a target are converted to electrical envelope signals which represent the envelope curves of the echo pulses. The envelope signals are transmitted via a connecting line to an evaluation apparatus disposed at an evaluation station remote from the measuring location. In the evaluation apparatus the envelope signals are evaluated for determining the target distance from the travel time of the ultrasonic pulses. The transmission of envelope signals results in the advantage that the information contained in the pulse shape of the echo pulses is available in the evaluation station, although it is not necessary to transmit signals having the high frequency of the ultrasonic pulses via the connecting line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Endress u. Hauser GmbH u. Co.
    Inventors: Bernhard Michalski, Jurgen Lau, Wolfram Berger
  • Patent number: 4683752
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for measuring the velocity of sound in a liquid consists of a tube (12), closed at its lower end, and arranged to extend into the liquid, a reflector (20) alongside the tube but spaced away from it, and a source (30) of ultrasonic waves in the tube. The source is arranged so as to cause an ultrasonic beam to propagate through the tube wall (16), to traverse the liquid occupying the space between the tube (12) and the reflector (20), and to be reflected back. The source (30) can be scanned along the length of the tube to ascertain the variation of liquid properties, the position of the liquid surface, and the presence of emulsion layers and precipitates. The wall of the tube through which the ultrasonic beam emerges may be plano-concave in cross-section to enhance the ultrasonic beam intensity in the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1987
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventor: Leslie Bradshaw
  • Patent number: 4679430
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting an interface of a liquid in a container comprises a transmitter and a receiver of ultrasonic waves, each situated outside the container, and coupled to the wall of the container by a strip waveguide. The transmitter is arranged to cause surface acoustic waves to propagate through a portion of the wall, and the receiver is arranged to detect waves derived from the transmitter. When the liquid is adjacent to the portion of the wall, mode conversion of the surface acoustic waves in the wall of the vessel into compression waves in the liquid causes a change in the energy of waves reaching the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1987
    Assignee: United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
    Inventors: Colin B. Scott-Kestin, Roger B. Pike, Roger D. Watkins, Arthur B. Gillespie, Michael O. Deighton
  • Patent number: 4677305
    Abstract: An opto-acoustic fuel quantity gauging system, including: a tank; an ultrasonic energy source; an optical power source; a fiber optic cable; an ultrasonic sensor; an optical detector and a signal conditioning circuit. The ultrasonic energy source is connected to the tank. The ultrasonic energy sensor is connected to the tank. The optical power source is connected to the fiber optic cable. The ultrasonic energy source is connected to the fiber optic cable. The ultrasonic energy sensor is connected to the optical detector by the fiber optic cable. The circuit is connected to the optical detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Michael Ellinger
  • Patent number: 4676098
    Abstract: A vessel for bulk materials is described whose level can be continuously determined from outside during the filling or emptying process. To this end, at least one AE (acoustic emission) transducer is mounted at each of the levels of the vessel which determine full or empty states. An acoustic waveguide is provided between the two AE transducers defining full and empty states. Preferably, however, the vessel wall serves as an acoustic waveguide. The AE transducers are connected with an electronic signal processing unit which determines the movement of the bulk material by localization from the difference between the arrival times of the signals generated by friction noises of the bulk material at the acoustic waveguide, which are detected by the two AE transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Batelle - Institut e.V.
    Inventors: Siegbert Erlenkamper, Jurgen Eisenblatter
  • Patent number: 4675660
    Abstract: Procedure to measure the level (14) of a liquid (13) by means of elastic waves, such liquid (13) being contained within an axially moving tube (11) and cooperating with a filler tube (12), the filler tube (12) being used as an element in the transmission of elastic waves to the liquid (13), such elastic waves being picked up (16) outside the axially moving tube (11).Device (10) to carry out the above procedure, which device (10) cooperates with a filler tube (12) and comprises:at least one transducer (15) to transmit energization of the vibration of the filler tube (12), andat least one receiver transducer (16) located outside the axially moving tube (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: TETRA DEV-CO Consorzio di Studio e Ricerca Industriale
    Inventor: Antonio Boscolo
  • Patent number: 4668945
    Abstract: A device for detecting the presence of a gaseous fluid in relation to a predetermined level of liquid in an elastically deformable vessel comprises a U-shaped body capable of accommodating within it a portion of the vessel at a predetermined liquid level. A pair of piezoelectric transducers in the body, used as transmitter and receiver, is fixed face-to-face on opposite arms of the U-shaped body. The device moreover comprises a cover capable of confining the portion of the vessel inside the U-shaped body, and an elastic device disposed between the cover and the U-shaped body and capable of producing an elastic deformation of the vessel and causing the contact surfaces of transducers to contact intimately the said portion of the vessel without entrapment of air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Hospal A.G.
    Inventors: Mauro Aldrovandi, Mauro Facchini
  • Patent number: 4664091
    Abstract: A stream of water or a water-methanol mixture is injected into the induction passage of a spark ignition internal combustion engine, and a probe disposed in the induction passage is contacted by the stream to sense when the density of the engine charge can be increased, the air-fuel ratio of the engine charge can be leaned and the timing of ignition of the engine charge can be advanced beyond normal operating ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: James R. Royer
  • Patent number: 4658834
    Abstract: A medical apparatus for automatically measuring and displaying the quantity of a liquid discharged by a patient during a defined real time interval. The apparatus is comprised of a reusable housing and a disposable plastic container adapted to be removably received in a cavity in the housing. A transducer is mounted in the floor of the cavity to engage the container and transmit sonic pulses through the container wall into a liquid pool in the container. A molded silicon rubber cap is fitted over the transducer to assure good acoustic coupling between the transducer and the container without requiring the use of an intermediate gel substance. The container is configured such that when it is received in the housing cavity, it is oriented to cause liquid entering an inlet port in the top portion to pool over the flat section of the container bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry K. Blankenship, Bradley J. Denny
  • Patent number: 4644789
    Abstract: A liquid level indicator system is provided for sensing the presence of liquid at a preselected level in a liquid containing container. A piezoelectric reed transducer is disposed in the container for detecting vibrational movement and for producing an electrical signal in response to the vibrational movement. Operationally coupled to the transducer is a paddle which is sized to be immersed in the liquid when the liquid is present at the proper level. Immersion of the paddle in the liquid inhibits the transducer from vibrating due to fluid resistance against the paddle and accordingly inhibits an electrical signal output from the transducer. A control circuit is provided for sensing the electrical signal generation and for generating an alarm signal representative of low liquid level. A tubular housing is provided for containing a level of liquid representative of liquid level in the liquid container. The reed is preferably tuned to a preselected natural frequency sympathetic to ambient system vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Clevite Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel S. Snyder
  • Patent number: 4614115
    Abstract: Ultrasonic process and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the evolution with time of physico-chemical and biological phenomena. There is plunged into the medium or media (4) to be monitored a bar (3) into which ultrasound (2) is injected in order to collect secondary echoes (F2, F3) due to numerous reflections from the lateral surface of the bar (3) brought into contact with the medium (4), one of the secondary echoes (F2) is selected and the evolution with time of the amplitude of this echo is recorded, this representing the evolution of the medium being monitored, in particular the setting of concrete or the polymerization of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Assignee: Societe d'Etudes et de Recherches de l'Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Arts et Metiers Seram
    Inventors: Jean L. Pelletier, Michel Moreau, Michel Bocquet
  • Patent number: 4610164
    Abstract: An ultrasonic wave transmitter and an ultrasonic wave receiver are disposed in a tank in any positional relation to each other so long as the wave transmission and wave reception surface do not face each other to check whether the liquid level in the tank is above a predetermined level. When both the wave transmitter and wave receiver are submerged in the liquid in the tank, a wave radiated from the wave transmitter can be received by the wave receiver because of the facts that the directivity angle of the wave from the transmitter is large in the liquid and the wave propagates through the liquid without attenuation. When the liquid level decreases and becomes lower than either of the wave transmitters or wave receiver that is at an upper level, a wave from the transmitter can no longer be received by the receiver. This principle is utilized for the liquid level detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Sobue, Toshiharu Ito
  • Patent number: 4601200
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus, including a measuring device; a measuring element secured at one of its ends to the measuring device; a measuring body secured on the free end of the measuring element; a pendulum capable of oscillating the measuring element; a positioning motor for actuating the measuring device; and a logic control unit actuating the pendulum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Elektriciteit voor Goederenbehandeling Marine en Industrie, in het verkort: "Egemin", naamloze vennootschap
    Inventor: Eduardus Stoffelen
  • Patent number: 4596144
    Abstract: In an acoustic ranging system, an echo signal received following a shot is repeatedly sampled and the samples digitized to produce a statistical data base representing the received echo profile which can be analyzed by various methods to determine the point on the time axis of the profile which corresponds to a wanted echo, and the degree of confidence with which the wanted echo has been identified. The number of shots taken depends upon the conditions at the site being monitored and upon the degree of confidence with which the wanted echo has been determined, and the order in which points in a multipoint system are monitored is determined by an adaptive scanning system which directs shots to different points following a system determined by a predetermined hierarchy, by the results provided by previous shots, by the conditions existing at different points, and by the receipt of outside signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1986
    Assignee: Canadian Corporate Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stanley Panton, Steven J. Woodward
  • Patent number: H608
    Abstract: Multiple phase flow is detected and characterized in a fluid-containing conduit using a compressional wave acoustic transducer in the pulse-echo mode. The acoustic energy is transmitted in a transverse direction through the conduit and the returning echo is analyzed to determine if single or multiphase flow is present in the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Alvin D. Goolsby