Multichannel Radar Gauge Antenna Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radar level gauges face challenges in accurately measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks due to mechanical drive reliability issues and signal loss in dusty environments, especially in tanks with low reflectivity materials like cement or dry grain, leading to reduced accuracy and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A radar level gauge with a multichannel transceiver module (TRM) comprising multiple antennas and microwave modules, which allows for quick adjustment of radiation patterns without mechanical means, ensuring reliable and accurate volume measurements by emitting probing signals from multiple angles and processing reflected signals for improved data accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a mechanical drive is used to vary the antenna inclination angle, then measurements at different angles are possible, but the reliability decreases in dusty environments and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna angle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidorienting apparatus reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive system with an electronic phase steering system. Instead of physically moving the antenna to change its inclination angle, the system uses electronic phase shifters to control the radiation pattern direction. This eliminates mechanical components that fail in dusty environments while maintaining the ability to measure at different angles through electronic beam steering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical drive components from the system. By separating the antenna from its mechanical orienting apparatus, the design eliminates the problematic mechanical elements that require maintenance in dusty tank environments, keeping only the essential radiating elements without moving parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the radiation pattern is steered to large deviation angles, then coverage of uneven bulk material surfaces is improved, but the antenna gain decreases and signal may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation pattern coverageVSAvoidsignal reflection detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single radiation pattern into multiple discrete radiation patterns, each corresponding to a different inclination angle. By using multiple antennas or multiple radiating elements that can be independently controlled, the system segments the coverage area and can selectively activate appropriate patterns based on the bulk material surface conditions, maintaining gain while adapting coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of the radiation pattern through electronic phase steering. The system can dynamically adjust the beam direction and shape in response to detected surface conditions, allowing it to optimize both coverage and signal strength by selecting appropriate radiation patterns for different measurement scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a single antenna is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle uneven bulk material surfaces and dusty conditions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantenna system structureVSAvoidmeasurement reliability in adverse conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the single antenna into multiple antennas or multiple radiating elements arranged in an array. This segmentation allows the system to electronically steer and shape the radiation pattern without mechanical movement, providing multiple measurement angles and improving reliability in dusty environments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through integrated circuit control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution enhances measurement reliability and accuracy without requiring maintenance, effectively handling uneven bulk material surfaces and dusty conditions, ensuring precise volume calculations without mechanical failures or signal loss.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadar: Radar

Data Source

PatentUS11280658B2Radar level gauge for measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 JOINT STOCK COMPANY LIMACO

AI summary

Radar level gauge for measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks comprises a level sensor, a primary antenna, a microwave module, a software module, an interface converter and a control unit, and further comprises at least two supplementary antennas with microwave modules; two switches that are structurally joined with the primary antenna and the microwave module into a multichannel transceiver module (TRM) having a signal output connected to the level sensor, and a monitoring output connected to input of the control unit, a control input and a channel number selection input of the multichannel TRM being connected to respective outputs of the control unit.