Multi-Antenna Radar Level Meter for Bulk Surface Topology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional antenna-based fill level measuring devices have limitations in accurately determining the topology of a bulk material surface beyond a limited angular range, requiring mechanical adjustments and being prone to wear and tear, which increases complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact, robust fill level measuring device with a radar antenna arrangement featuring at least three mutually inclined antenna devices, each capable of transmitting and receiving radar signals, and a control unit that processes signals to determine the topology by combining measurement signals from multiple angles, allowing for precise measurement of a half-space without mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single antenna device is used for fill level measurement, then the device structure is simple, but the measurement precision is limited to a narrow angular range
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna arrangement is segmented into at least three separate antenna devices, each responsible for measuring a specific angular sector. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific measurement zone while collectively covering the entire required angular range, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical adjustments are used to change beam direction, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability decreases due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment mechanisms with fixed antenna devices positioned at specific angles. Each antenna device has a predetermined orientation designed to cover a specific angular sector, eliminating moving parts and mechanical wear while maintaining adaptability through the geometric arrangement of multiple stationary antennas.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken from different angles to improve topology detection, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-point measurement approach to a multi-angular measurement approach by positioning antenna devices in three-dimensional space at different orientations. This spatial dimensionality allows simultaneous collection of reflection signals from multiple angles, improving surface topology detection accuracy while the fixed geometric arrangement keeps the overall system structure manageable.
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
Enables accurate determination of the bulk material surface topology up to ±90°, reducing wear and tear, and lowering costs by eliminating the need for mechanical beam adjustments, while maintaining precision and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna device (132, 134, 136) arranged on each antenna surface (133, 135, 137), with each antenna device (132, 134, 136) being set up to transmit a radar signal and to receive a signal reflected on the surface of the filling material
Implementation Method 2
each antenna device (132, 134, 136) being set up to transmit a radar signal and to receive a signal reflected on the surface of the filling material
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3A
Figure 3B~3D
AI summary
A level measuring device (100) for determining the topology of a material surface (107) is proposed, which has an antenna arrangement (130) with at least three antenna elements (132, 134, 136), each configured to transmit a radar signal and to receive a signal reflected from the material surface (107). The level measuring device further comprises a control unit (101), wherein the antenna arrangement (130) has at least three antenna surfaces (133, 135, 137) whose surface normal vectors are arranged perpendicular to each other, and an antenna element (132, 134, 136) is arranged on each antenna surface (133, 135, 137) such that a different solid angle range (138, 140, 142) can be detected with each antenna element.The antenna devices (132, 134, 136) are each configured to generate a measurement signal based on the reflected signal, and the control unit (101) is configured to further process the measurement signals of the antenna devices and/or combine them into a common measurement signal.