Electronic Level Gauge Configuration Tool Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radar level gauge configuration tools do not provide visualization of tank shape, position the gauge effectively, or verify performance, leading to costly mistakes and unsatisfactory performance due to incorrect customization and positioning.
Innovation Solution
An electronic level gauge configuration and simulation tool with a graphical user interface that allows users to input application-specific parameters, including tank shape and obstacles, to simulate and verify the signal path and strength, enabling customization and performance enhancement before purchase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom configuration is performed based on application parameters, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity and configuration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing configuration tools and simulation capabilities before the actual gauge installation and operation. Users can perform virtual commissioning, test different configurations, and verify measurement reliability through simulation environments before deploying the actual radar level gauge, thereby reducing on-site configuration complexity and errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration software and simulation tools as intermediary systems between the user and the radar level gauge hardware. These intermediary tools provide graphical interfaces, parameter validation, and virtual testing environments that simplify the complex configuration process while ensuring measurement reliability through proper setup verification.
2Measurement precision
If gauge positioning is optimized to avoid obstacles, then measurement precision is improved, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by enabling virtual commissioning and simulation of gauge positioning before actual installation. Users can model the tank geometry, place virtual obstacles, and test different gauge positions to identify optimal locations that avoid signal interference and obstacles, thereby ensuring measurement precision while reducing on-site trial-and-error installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual models and simulations of the actual tank environment, including geometry and obstacles. These digital copies allow users to perform virtual commissioning and positioning optimization without physical installation, transferring the optimized configuration directly to the actual gauge deployment, thus saving installation time while maintaining measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If configuration tools provide visualization and simulation, then customization accuracy is improved, but tool complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating simplified virtual models of the radar level gauge, tank geometry, and measurement environment. These digital replicas enable visualization and simulation of signal paths, obstacle interference, and measurement accuracy without requiring complex physical prototypes or full-scale physical testing, thus improving customization accuracy while managing tool complexity through efficient digital modeling.
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 solution ensures accurate customization and positioning of electronic level gauges, avoiding costly mistakes and improving performance by simulating signal strength and path, allowing for enhanced measurement accuracy and reduced installation time.
Implementation Method 1
measures the distance from a reference point, usually a mounting flange at the top of the antenna to the surface of the product material in the tank using reflection of the measuring signal from the surface of the product material
Implementation Method 2
The same applies to an ultrasonic level gauge
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A method (100) of configuring (101) an electronic level gauge (ELG) includes with an ELG configuration tool (300) including a GUI (200) having a user interface. A processor (325) implements an enhancement algorithm (115) and a simulator (125). A tank library (110) includes a plurality of tank shapes. The user interface receives (102) application configuration information including a selection of a tank shape, a mounting location for positioning the ELG, and at least one process detail. The simulator generates (103) a calculated strength of a measurement signal reflected from a surface of material in the tank for at least one level. If the calculated (104) strength is ≥ a predetermined strength, proper performance of the ELG is indicated, and if the calculated strength < the predetermined strength, the ELG configuration tool prompts a change in at least one application of the configuration information to be entered on the user interface, and the simulator then recalculates the calculated strength.