Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a low-power radar type level gauge having intensified diagnostic function. SOLUTION: A microwave transceiver 140 generates a microwave signal, and the microwave signal is advanced along a termination 110 through a reference impedance discontinuous surface 155 and propagated into the interface 127 of a process product. The first part of the signal is reflected by the reference impedance discontinuous surface, and the second part is reflected by the interface of the process product. A diagnostic signal is generated on the basis of the characteristic of the first reflected part. A level output is generated on the basis of the first and second reflected parts.
Abstract:
An apparatus (100) for measuring concentration of a material in a process fluid includes an antenna (115, 120) configured to contact the process fluid and a pulse generator (210) coupled to the antenna (115, 120) to generate a microwave transmit pulse through the antenna (115, 120). A pulse receiver (220) receives a reflected pulse from the antenna (115, 120) and the concentration of the material is calculated as a function of the reflected pulse.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method for detecting the presence of a twin peak pulse (60) in a waveform (40), generated by a microwave level transmitter (10), that is used to detect levels of first and second material interfaces (18, 20) relating to materials contained in a tank (12). The waveform (40) develops a twin peak pulse (60) when the first and second material interfaces (18, 20) are in close proximity to one another. The twin peak pulse (60) contains overlapping first and second received wave pulses (44, 46) reflected from the first and second material interfaces (18, 20), respectively. The method determines that the waveform (40) contains a twin peak pulse (60) when both a first peak point (62) relating to the first received wave pulse (44) and a valley (64) are detected. Also disclosed is a microwave level transmitter (10) having an interface detection module (32) that is configured to use the method of the present invention to detect the existence of a twin peak pulse (60) in a waveform (40).
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for setting threshold values (TF, T1, T2) for use by a radar level transmitter (10) to detect reflected wave pulse (44, 46, 48) corresponding to portions of a transmitted microwave pulse which reflect from interfaces (18, 20, 40) contained in a container (12). The present invention estimates these threshold values based upon various parameters. Some of these parameters can relate to properties of the materials forming the interfaces while others relate to properties of the antenna (22) and user-defined parameters.
Abstract:
A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics is disclosed. A microwave transceiver generates a microwave signal that travels along a termination, through a reference impedance discontinuity, and into a process product interface. A first portion of the signal is reflected by the reference impedance discontinuity, and a second portion is reflected by a process product interface. A diagnostic signal is provided based upon a characteristic of the first reflected portion. A level output is provided based upon the first and second reflected portions.
Abstract:
A low power radar level instrument with enhanced diagnostics is disclosed. A microwave transceiver generates a microwave signal that travels along a termination, through a reference impedance discontinuity, and into a process product interface. A first portion of the signal is reflected by the reference impedance discontinuity, and a second portion is reflected by a process product interface. A diagnostic signal is provided based upon a characteristic of the first reflected portion. A level output is provided based upon the first and second reflected portions.
Abstract:
Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung der Konzentration eines Materials in einem Prozessfluid mit: einer Antenne, die so konfiguriert ist, daß sie das Prozessfluid kontaktiert; einem Impulsgenerator, der so gekoppelt ist, daß er die Antenne konfiguriert, um einen Mikrowellensendeimpuls über die Antenne zu erzeugen; einem Impulsempfänger, der mit der Antenne gekoppelt und so konfiguriert ist, daß er einen reflektierten Impuls von der Antenne empfängt; einem Konzentrationsrechner, der so konfiguriert ist, daß er die Konzentration des Materials als Funktion des reflektierten Impulses berechnet; und einer Verbindung, die konfiguriert ist um an eine Zweidraht-Prozesssteuerschleife gekoppelt zu werden und um Informationen bezüglich der Konzentration des Materials zu übertragen und um die Vorrichtung vollständig mit Energie zu versorgen.
Abstract:
A low power pulsed radar level transmitter has first and second pullable oscillator circuits that are offset from one another by a frequency offset. A third or reference crystal oscillator couples a reference frequency output to phase comparators in both the first and second crystal oscillator circuits. The phase comparators adjust biases on varactor diodes that pull the transmit and receive frequencies.