Radar Level Gauge Echo Assignment for Disturbed Liquid Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact radar level gauge systems face challenges in reliably assigning surface echo candidates to the correct reflection of the transmit signal at the surface of a product in tanks, especially when the liquid is disturbed by agitation or other disturbances.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a radar level gauge with a transceiver, antenna, and processing circuitry to determine a first measure of distance and a second measure of rate-of-change distribution of distance for each surface echo candidate, allowing for the reliable assignment of the most likely surface echo candidate to the product surface by evaluating these measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional radar level gauge systems use simple amplitude and polarity criteria for surface echo assignment, then the system is easy to operate, but the reliability of filling level determination deteriorates when liquid is disturbed by agitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by examining the rate-of-change distribution of distance over time, rather than relying solely on static amplitude and polarity criteria. This temporal dimension allows differentiation between reflections from stationary structures and moving liquid surfaces, even when agitation is present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary analysis of the rate-of-change distribution pattern before final surface echo assignment. By pre-evaluating how the distance to the reflection surface changes over time, the system can identify characteristic patterns that indicate liquid surface reflections versus fixed structure reflections, improving reliability before the actual measurement is taken.
2Reliability
If the radar system analyzes rate-of-change distribution of distance for each surface echo candidate, then the reliability of surface echo assignment improves, but the processing time and computational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality analysis by examining the rate-of-change distribution characteristics specific to each individual surface echo candidate. Instead of analyzing the entire reflection signal uniformly, the system focuses on the temporal variation patterns local to each candidate echo, allowing efficient differentiation without processing the entire signal space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the analysis parameter from static amplitude/polarity to dynamic rate-of-change distribution. By transforming the measurement into a temporal derivative domain, the system can more effectively distinguish between stationary and moving reflection surfaces, improving reliability through parameter transformation rather than complex signal processing.
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
Enhances the reliability of identifying the surface echo candidate corresponding to the product surface, even during disturbances, by distinguishing between reflections from fixed structures and disturbed liquids, facilitating accurate filling level determination.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic transmit signal is radiated towards the product in the tank, and it is received a reflection signal resulting from reflection of the transmit signal at the surface and any other reflecting object in the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining a filling level of a product in a tank using a radar level gauge system comprising a transceiver, an antenna, and processing circuitry, the method comprising the steps of: generating and transmitting a transmit signal; receiving a reflection signal resulting from reflection of the transmit signal; determining based on the transmit signal and the reflection signal, for each surface echo candidate, a first measure indicative of a distance and a second measure indicating a rate-of-change distribution of the distance; assigning one surface echo candidate as most likely to correspond to single reflection of the transmit signal at the surface of the product, based on an evaluation of the second measure for each surface echo candidate; and determining the filling level based on the first measure for the assigned surface echo candidate.