Fill Level Detection Using Multiple Emitter Resonance Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fill level monitoring devices in containers are prone to false signals and malfunction due to contaminants or medium deposition on the container walls or sensors, which can lead to inaccurate detection of fill levels, especially in safety-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using multiple emitting devices that emit and respond to electromagnetic signals, particularly high-frequency or microwave signals, to evaluate their emitting behavior for determining fill levels, allowing for redundant monitoring and identification of changes in resonance frequency or impedance, thereby detecting fill levels with improved accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single sensor is used for fill level detection, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to false signals from contaminants or medium deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent emitting devices (at least two) that are spatially distributed at different positions. Each device independently monitors fill level, and their signals are evaluated collectively to distinguish true fill level changes from false signals caused by contaminants or medium deposition on container walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback evaluation where the signals from multiple emitting devices are continuously monitored and compared. When contamination or deposition occurs, the feedback mechanism identifies inconsistent patterns between devices and adjusts or filters the signals to maintain reliable detection, ensuring that false signals do not trigger incorrect fill level alerts.
2Reliability
If multiple emitting devices are used for redundant monitoring, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring system is divided into multiple independent emitting devices positioned at different locations within the container. Each device provides independent monitoring capability, and the segmentation allows the system to cross-validate signals to eliminate false readings while maintaining manageable complexity through modular deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple emitting devices are merged into a unified evaluation system where their signals are processed together. The combining of signals from spatially distributed devices creates redundant monitoring that improves reliability, while the unified evaluation approach prevents exponential complexity growth by using consistent processing logic for all devices.
3Measurement precision
If contaminants deposit on container walls or sensors, then measurement precision deteriorates, but this cannot be prevented in normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback evaluation to continuously monitor the consistency of signals from multiple emitting devices. When contaminants or medium deposition affect the container walls or sensors, the feedback mechanism detects signal inconsistencies and adjusts the evaluation to maintain measurement precision, filtering out false readings caused by deposition while preserving true fill level information.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple emitting devices act as intermediaries that sample the electromagnetic field at different positions. By distributing sensors throughout the container rather than relying on a single point, the system obtains multiple independent measurements that can be cross-referenced to compensate for local contamination effects, maintaining overall measurement precision despite localized deposition.
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 enables precise and reliable detection of fill levels, including the transition from free to covered states and vice versa, with the ability to monitor multiple fill levels and provide advanced warning of overflow or idle state conditions, while also allowing for calibration and redundancy to ensure consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
an emitting behavior of at least a portion of the emitting devices is evaluated in view of the fill level of the medium... identified whether the medium covers the signal conductor arrangement... depending on the dielectric constant of the medium... changes in resonance frequency or impedance
Implementation Method 2
several emitting devices are supplied with electromagnetic signals... emitting devices that emit and respond to electromagnetic signals, particularly high-frequency or microwave signals
Implementation Method 3
electromagnetic signals are coupled into each of a measuring conductor arrangement and a resonance conductor arrangement, wherein the signal of the measuring conductor arrangement can interact with the medium
Implementation Method 4
Detection thereby occurs in that the frequency of the resonator is exploited depending on the dielectric constant of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining the fill level of a medium (2) in a container (3) that is advantageous as compared to the prior art is achieved in that several emitting devices (6) are supplied with electromagnetic signals and that an emitting behavior of at least a portion of the emitting devices (6) is evaluated in view of the fill level of the medium (2).