Ultra-Broadband Antenna Layout for Dead-Zone-Free Volume Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contactless filling level measurement systems struggle with accurately detecting volumes in geometrically complex containers due to dead areas and incomplete measurement coverage, especially when dealing with conical heaps of material and complex container structures.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an ultra-broadband microwave unit and antenna with a disk-shaped carrier substrate and hemispherical emission characteristics, which replaces part of the measuring cell wall or extends into the interior, providing a wide coverage area and minimizing dead zones by using low-frequency signals that can penetrate various materials and account for multiple reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional radar sensors with narrow beams are used, then the antenna size can be kept small, but the measurement coverage is incomplete and dead areas occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hemispherical reflector instead of a traditional parabolic antenna to create a wide-angle measurement beam. This curved surface design enables the radar to cover the entire container cross-section including corners and conical heaps, eliminating dead areas while maintaining a compact overall structure that can be integrated into the container wall.
2Reliability
If contactless measurement is implemented, then the measuring sensor does not come into contact with the filling material, but measurement accuracy decreases in dead areas and container volume utilization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hemispherical reflector creates a wide-angle measurement beam that covers the entire container cross-section, eliminating dead areas where measurements would otherwise be unreliable. This enables complete contactless measurement of all container volume including corners and conical heaps, achieving both measurement reliability and full volume utilization simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ultrabroadband microwave signals are used, then signals can penetrate various materials and account for multiple reflections, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses ultrabroadband microwave signals with frequency ranges from 0.1 to 10 GHz to penetrate various materials including dielectric and conductive substances. The hemispherical reflector geometry works specifically with this frequency range to create the desired wide-angle coverage while managing signal reflections through its curved surface design.
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 precise volumetric measurements down to the container floor and into corners, avoiding dead areas and effectively handling complex container geometries, thus providing comprehensive and accurate filling level detection and volume determination.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra-broadband antenna 202 with emitter elements 206a, 206b arranged on or in the carrier substrate 205
Implementation Method 2
recognizing and/or determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material
Implementation Method 3
account for multiple reflections
Data Source
AI summary
A system for recognition and/or determination of the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior of a measuring cell in the form of a container, with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall that has a surface directed into the interior, includes an ultra broadband microwave unit, and at least one ultra-broadband antenna having at least one disk-shaped carrier substrate which has a first surface facing a first side and a second surface which is opposed to the first surface and forms an outer side of the antenna, wherein the carrier substrate is arranged and intended to replace part of the surface of the measuring cell wall directed into the interior during operation, after fastening the ultra-broadband antenna to the measuring cell, or to extend in the interior at a distance in front of the measuring cell wall, wherein the ultra-broadband antenna includes emitter elements arranged on or in the carrier substrate is set up as an electrically short antenna with an at least substantially hemispherical emission characteristic to cover a volumetric measurement field.