UWB Hemispherical Antenna for Dead-Zone-Free Container Volume Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-contact level measurement systems face challenges in accurately detecting the volume of dielectric and conductive materials in complex container geometries due to dead zones and incomplete measurement coverage, especially in geometrically complicated measuring cells with corners, slopes, and changes in diameter.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an ultra-wideband microwave unit and antenna with a disk-shaped carrier substrate, featuring radiator elements with a hemispherical radiation characteristic, which replaces part of the measuring cell wall or extends in front of it, allowing for complete volumetric measurement without dead areas and enabling precise signal evaluation using digital algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional radar sensors with narrow beam paths are used, then the antenna structure is simplified, but measurement coverage is incomplete with dead zones appearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hemispherical reflector surface instead of a planar antenna structure. This curved geometry transforms the narrow beam radiation into a wide-angle conical measurement field, eliminating dead zones while maintaining structural simplicity. The hemispherical shape naturally distributes the measurement beams across all directions within the hemisphere.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional planar antenna array to a three-dimensional hemispherical reflector surface. This dimensional expansion allows measurement beams to cover the entire container volume from all angles, eliminating the dead zones that exist in planar configurations while keeping the overall structure compact.
2Measurement precision
If highly focused antennas at high frequencies are used, then beam focus is improved, but the detectable area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical reflector surface with radius R creates a conical measurement field with aperture angle α. The curved geometry naturally diverges the beams to cover a wide area while maintaining focus quality, achieving both precise measurement and extensive coverage simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultra-wideband frequency range (0.1-10 GHz) instead of single high frequency, allowing flexible adjustment of wavelength and beam characteristics. This parameter flexibility enables optimization of both beam focus and coverage area according to specific measurement requirements.
3Volume of stationary object
If measurement is taken close to the antenna, then container volume utilization is improved, but measurement accuracy decreases due to dead zone
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical reflector surface positioned at distance R from the feed antenna creates a conical measurement field that covers the near field region without dead zones. This geometry enables accurate measurement close to the antenna while utilizing the entire container volume including corners and bottom areas.
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 system achieves precise and comprehensive volume measurement in complex container structures by minimizing dead areas and allowing measurements close to the antenna, effectively covering the entire container volume, including corners and the bottom, with improved accuracy and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
ultra-wideband antenna with at least one disk-shaped carrier substrate... featuring radiator elements with a hemispherical radiation characteristic
Implementation Method 2
When these pulses hit the interface of the medium, a portion of the energy is reflected and can be detected as an echo
Implementation Method 3
an ultra-wideband microwave unit and at least one ultra-wideband antenna... configured as an electrically short antenna with an at least substantially hemispherical radiation pattern
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system for detecting and/or determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material (500, 502, 503, 504) within an interior space of a measuring cell (400), in particular in the form of a container, with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall (401) having a surface facing into the interior space, comprising: - an ultra-wideband microwave unit (201), and - at least one ultra-wideband antenna (202) with at least one disk-shaped support substrate (205) having a first surface facing a first side and a second surface facing opposite to the first surface, which forms an outer side of the antenna, wherein the support substrate is arranged and provided to be in operation, in particular after the ultra-wideband antenna has been attached to the measuring cell,to replace a part of the interior surface of the measuring cell wall or to extend in the interior space in front of the measuring cell wall, characterized in that the ultra-wideband antenna with radiator elements arranged on or in the support substrate is configured as an electrically short antenna with a radiation characteristic that is at least substantially hemispherical, for covering a volumetric measuring field (700).