Fill Level Measurement Amplitude Profiling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fill level measurement methods are often complex and imprecise, struggling to accurately differentiate between true echo signals from filling materials and false echoes caused by container installations, leading to unreliable fill level determinations and potential overfill detection issues.

Innovation Solution

An electronic unit for a fill level measuring device determines a functional relationship between the distance to the filling material surface and the amplitude of received signal components, allowing for the identification of true echoes and detection of overfill situations by storing and extrapolating amplitude values, and using statistical characteristics to evaluate echoes and predict future amplitudes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing fill level measurement methods are used, then basic measurement functionality is provided, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to inability to differentiate true echoes from false echoes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill level measurement accuracyVSAvoidecho signal differentiation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing amplitude values and establishing functional relationships between distance and amplitude before actual measurement. The computing unit determines the functional relationship in advance, and the memory stores amplitude values for future reference, enabling reliable differentiation between true and false echoes during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using the functional relationship between distance and amplitude to evaluate received echoes. The computing unit compares actual echo amplitudes with expected amplitudes derived from the stored functional relationship, providing feedback that enables accurate identification of true filling level echoes versus false echoes from container installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If complex existing methods are used to improve reliability, then device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill level determination reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by using its own measurement data to build the functional relationship between distance and amplitude. The computing unit determines this relationship based on measurements taken by the device itself, and the memory stores these self-generated amplitude values, eliminating the need for external calibration or complex pre-programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes parameters by storing and utilizing amplitude values as a new parameter for echo evaluation. Instead of relying on complex signal processing methods, the system uses the amplitude parameter in combination with the functional relationship to simplify the identification of true echoes, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If amplitude values are stored and extrapolated, then measurement precision improves, but loss of information increases due to data storage requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecho amplitude prediction precisionVSAvoiddata storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by storing only the essential amplitude values needed to establish the functional relationship, rather than storing complete echo profiles or excessive measurement data. This selective storage approach maintains measurement precision while minimizing data storage requirements and information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly enhances the accuracy of fill level measurements, reduces the likelihood of misclassifying false echoes, and enables reliable detection of overfill situations, ensuring precise and reliable operation even after device restarts.

Implementation Method 1

A transmission signal is emitted to a filling material surface. A received signal corresponding to the transmitted signal is then detected by a corresponding receiving device of the level measuring device.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2418465B1Amplitude profiling in fill level measuring devices

Publication Date: 2017.02.22 VEGA GRIESHABER GMBH & CO

AI summary

The electronic unit (1400) has a computing unit (210) that determines a functional relationship of the distance between product surface and the level measuring device, and an amplitude of the signal reflected from the product surface and the signal component received from the level measuring device. The functional relationship in the form of support points is stored in a memory (1401). The functional relationship is expressed by adapting the coefficients of a preset mathematical equation. An independent claim is included for method for measuring filling level of medium within container.