• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A radio-location level indicator for measuring the volume of free-flowing products in reservoirs comprises a level sensor, a main antenna, an ultra-high-frequency module, a software module, an interface converter and a control device, and also comprises at least two additional antennas with ultra-high-frequency modules, two commutators which are structurally combined with the main antenna and the ultra-high-frequency module into a multi-channel transceiving module, a signal output of which is connected to the level sensor, and a monitoring output of which is connected to an input of the control device, wherein a control input and an input for selecting the channel number of the multi-channel transceiving module are connected to corresponding outputs of the control device.
    公开号:ES2746986A2
    申请号:ES201990088
    申请日:2018-05-24
    公开日:2020-03-09
    发明作者:Aleksandr Vladimirovich Liberman；Andrei Valerievich Tarnovskii；Gennadii Gennadievich Lichkov
    申请人:Limaco JSC；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [0001]
    [0002] Technical field
    [0003] The present invention relates to monitoring and measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks and can be used in the chemical, mining, construction, and companies where tanks filled with bulk materials are used.
    [0004] Background of the Invention
    [0005] UK Patent 2575185 C2 (published January 27, 2014) discloses a method for measuring the level of bulk materials in tanks and a radar level indicator for implementing the method. The radar level indicator antenna comprises a printed microstrip antenna with electrical scanning of the radiation pattern inside the tank. The antenna is fixed in the required position, with respect to which the radiation pattern is controlled by phase addressing of the probed signal excited by different sets of radiating elements. The disadvantage of this method of controlling the antenna pattern is that the antenna gain decreases with increasing angle of deviation of the radiation pattern from normal with respect to the plane in which the radiating elements are arranged. This phenomenon can lead to a complete loss of the reflected signal when several adverse factors coincide, for example the need to work with a large angle of deviation from the radiation pattern (tanks with a large diameter and low height) and the use of a product of low reflectivity such as cement or dry grain.
    [0006] The prior art most closely related to the invention is a non-contact radar level indicator comprising a level sensor with a separate transceiver antenna in combination with its orientation apparatus based on a mechanical actuator mounted on a connecting flange (see for example, US 2013/0269414 A1, published on October 17, 2013).
    [0007] A radar level indicator sensor together with the guidance device is tank roof mounted. The sensor is mounted by bolting a flange of the targeting apparatus onto the mating flange of the tank line. Therefore, the orientation apparatus flange is rigidly connected to the pipe flange. A separate radar level indicator transceiver antenna is housed in the inner tank and coupled to the sensor through the targeting apparatus. The angle of the antenna within the tank is remotely varied using a mechanical drive of the targeting apparatus. The need for measurements at different antenna tilt angles is due to the specific shape of the bulk dough surface inside the tank. The actual level of bulk material can vary significantly at different points on the surface, especially at loading and unloading points. Therefore, to increase the accuracy of measurements of product volume in the tank, level measurements should be made at different points on the surface.
    [0008] The mechanical method of varying the antenna tilt angle in the inner tank presents significant problems when taking tank measurements with bulk products. Under the inherent high powder content conditions in bulk product tanks, the presence of a mechanical drive substantially reduces the reliability of the targeting apparatus and the accuracy of adjusting the antenna to the required position.
    [0009] Measurements made using the radar method on the surface of bulk materials have their own specific details compared to liquid products. This is associated with the fact that the bulk product surface is not uniform and in some cases may have an irregular structure, therefore there is no mirror-like reflection of the signal emitted by the antenna, and sometimes the signal may be partially or completely lost. In this case, a variation in the antenna position can contribute to the appearance of a useful signal. It should also be noted that mechanical drive units operating in a dusty environment require regular maintenance, thereby increasing the operating costs of the level gauge by radar as a whole.
    [0010]
    [0011] The objective of the present invention is to provide a radar level indicator to measure the volume of bulk products in tanks, which will ensure superior reliability and precision of measurements of the volume of a product in the tank without requiring operational personnel to perform maintenance during operation.
    [0012] The objective is achieved by means of a radar level indicator that includes a level sensor, a primary antenna, a microwave module, a software module, an interface converter and a control unit, and that also includes at least two antennas. complementary with microwave modules; two switches that are structurally linked with the primary antenna and the microwave module to give a multi-channel transceiver (TRM) module that has a signal output connected to the level sensor, and a monitoring output connected to the input of the control unit, a control input and a channel number selection input of the multi-channel MRP being connected to respective outputs of the control unit.
    [0013] Preferably, the multi-channel transceiver (TRM) module comprises five antennas, five microwave modules, and two switches.
    [0014] Preferably, all the antennas are enclosed in the multi-channel TRM housing, and the radiation side of the antennas is facing the surface being studied.
    [0015] Preferably, the complementary antennas are equidistant from the center of the TRM and spaced the same distance along the circumference.
    [0016] Preferably, all of the antennas form an array of microstrip radiators and a focus lens is mounted below each of the microstrip radiators.
    [0017] Preferably, the complementary antennas are mounted at a certain fixed angle with respect to the tank walls, and the position of the radiation pattern of the centrally arranged primary antenna is directed parallel to the tank walls.
    [0018] Preferably, the microwave modules are arranged above the focus lenses at a fixed distance therefrom.
    [0019] Preferably, the microwave module and the focusing lens form a solid structure.
    [0020] Preferably, the microwave module is manufactured in the form of a printed circuit board that implements a set of module circuits and the set of microstrip radiators, which together with the focusing lens form an antenna.
    [0021] The switches are preferably housed in the five-channel TRM housing and mounted on a separate printed circuit board.
    [0022] Multi-channel TRM allows rapid variation, without mechanical means, of the radiation level indicator radiation pattern position within the volume being studied according to a specified algorithm, thus providing advantages such as improved instrument performance due to increased reliability and precision of bulk material volume measurements in tanks, without requiring maintenance by operating personnel during operation.
    [0023] Brief description of the drawings
    [0024] The invention is further explained in the description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
    [0025] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a radar level indicator with a multi-channel TRM having five channels in the depicted embodiment;
    [0026] Figure 2 is an external side view of a multi-channel TRM having five channels;
    [0027] Figure 3 is an external bottom view of a multi-channel TRM having five channels;
    [0028] Figure 4 is an external view of a tank with a level sensor mounted on it.
    [0029] Description of the preferred embodiment
    [0030] A radar level indicator for measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks comprises a level sensor 1 (Figure 1), a software module 2 coupled to sensor 1, an interface converter 3 connected to the output of module 2 of software. A multi-channel transceiver (TRM) module 4 and a control unit 5 are connected to the level sensor 1.
    [0031] The multi-channel TRM 4 comprises five microwave modules 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5, five antennas 7-1, 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7 -5 connected to the respective microwave modules 6, and two switches 8 and 9. Each microwave module 6 comprises a printed circuit board composed of a layered microwave material. A set of microstrip radiators is arranged on the outer side of the printed circuit board facing a focus lens 10 (Figure 2) and forms, along with the focus lens 10, an antenna 7. Two switches 8 and 9 are arranged on a printed circuit board 11 housed in the multi-channel TRM 4.
    [0032] The multi-channel TRM 4 is enclosed in a metal housing in the form of an open-sided cylinder 12 having a protective shield 13 in the form of a round plate made of radiolucent material. Complementary antennas are arranged at a distance R (figure 3) from the center of TRM 4 and spaced the same distance along the circumference at an angle of 90 ° and additionally at an angle a (figure 4) with respect to a wall 14 tank.
    [0033] The angle a determines the position of the radiation pattern of four complementary antennas 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 with respect to the wall of the tank 14 and is calculated based on the geometric data of the particular tank.
    [0034] The radar level gauge works as follows.
    [0035] In conjunction with the control unit 5 and the multi-channel TRM 4, the tank ceiling mounted level sensor 1 generates a sounding signal which is alternatively emitted by one of the five antennas 7-1, 7- 2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 in the direction of the surface of the bulk material 15. The signal reflected from the surface of the bulk material 15 returns to the level sensor 1. The frequency of the sounding signal is varied in a linear manner over a specified period of time. The sounding signal is a continuous wave frequency modulation (FMCW) signal. The interaction of the sounding signal and that reflected in one of the mixers of the microwave modules 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 produces a signal of distance D whose frequency carries information about the distance to the surface of the bulk material 15 and depends on the frequency deviation and the duration and speed of propagation of the sounding signal. The mixer is a conventional unit of the microwave module.
    [0036] The method for determining the distance with the FMCW (continuous wave frequency modulation) signal is not the object of the invention, it is described in detail in numerous sources, for example, in the electronic edition of Radar Technology Encyclopedia of D.K. Barton and S.A. Leonov, Artech House (ISBN 0-89006-893-3), p. 11, 332, and on the applicant's website www.limaco.ru.
    [0037] After proper processing of the distance signal D at the level sensor 1, the calculated distance value is sent to the software module 2, where the volume of the bulk material 15 is determined based on the entered physical parameters of the reservoir 14. The calculated volume V of the bulk material 15 is transmitted through the interface converter 3 to a computer, controller, etc., for further processing and presentation. The interface converter 3 is designed to be coupled to a conventional port, for example USB, RS-232, of a device that receives data from the radar level indicator with RS-485 interface of the level sensor 1. For example, the interface converter 3 may be a UPort 1150I converter manufactured by Moxa (www.moxa.com).
    [0038] The position of the radiation pattern of the multi-channel TRM 4 is varied by alternately activating one of the five channels: microwave module 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 - antenna 7-1 , 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5. The channel number is selected by a appropriate command sent to switches 8 and 9 from control unit 5. Switch 8 is used to select the distance signal D of the desired channel, and switch 9 is used to select the respective monitoring channel to supply the control unit 5 with a signal whose frequency is proportionally related to the current frequency of the sounding signal P of the particular microwave module 6. The monitoring circuit 16, the control circuit 17 and the data exchange bus 18 are designed to generate the polling signal P with a frequency that is linearly varied. The frequency of the sounding signal P generated on each channel is controlled through a control circuit 19 that connects the control unit 5 to all modules 6 1, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, 6- 5 microwave at the same time.
    [0039] The above structure of the multi-channel TRM 4 determines the fixed number, equal to five, of angular positions of radiation patterns of the antennas 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 inside the tank 14. The radiation pattern of the primary (center) 7-1 antenna is parallel to the tank walls 14. The radiation patterns of the other four complementary antennas 7-2, 7-3, 7-4, 7-5 are directed at a fixed angle a, the value of which is determined by the geometric dimensions and shape of the tank 14, for example the diameter, the coordinates of the transition line from the cylindrical part of the tank to a conical part (Figure 4).
    [0040] The algorithm for determining the volume of bulk materials based on level measurements at five different points guarantees more reliable data compared to the conventional single channel method. The use of an operating frequency of approximately 130 GHz allows a small transceiver module 4 to be designed with a narrow radiation pattern of the antennas 7. In light of this and also due to the absence of any mechanically moving parts, it can The volume of bulk products in tanks is measured accurately and reliably even in dusty conditions.
    [0041] Calculations and experiments led to the conclusion that increasing the number of complementary antennas above four would complicate the hardware of the indicator. level, it would increase its size and cost, but without any significant effect on its technical characteristics, that is, without enhancing the technical effect achieved. On the other hand, reducing the number of complementary antennas significantly alters the reliability of the measurements of the volume of bulk products in tanks, that is, the performance with four complementary antennas to a single primary antenna is optimal in terms of the ratio of technical effect achieved / cost of radar level indicator.
    [0042] Industrial applicability
    [0043] This radar level gauge for measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks can be used in the chemical, mining, construction, and companies that operate with tanks that are filled with bulk materials. Tests of the level indicator have confirmed its effectiveness and advantages with respect to the existing level indicators.
    权利要求:
    Claims (10)
    [1]
    1. Radar level indicator for measuring the volume of bulk products in tanks, comprising a level sensor, a primary antenna, a microwave module, a software module, an interface converter and a control unit, characterized because the radar level indicator comprises at least two complementary antennas with microwave modules; two switches that are structurally linked with the primary antenna and the microwave module to give a multi-channel transceiver (TRM) module that has a signal output connected to the level sensor, and a monitoring output connected to the input of the control unit, a control input and a channel number selection input of the multi-channel MRP being connected to respective outputs of the control unit.
    [2]
    2. Radar level indicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the multi-channel TRM comprises five antennas, five microwave modules and two switches.
    [3]
    3. Radar level indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that all the antennas are enclosed in the multi-channel TRM housing and the radiation side of the antennas is oriented towards the surface being studied.
    [4]
    4. Radar level indicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the complementary antennas are equidistant from the center of the TRM and separated the same distance along the circumference.
    [5]
    5. Radar level indicator according to claim 3, characterized in that all the antennas are formed as a set of microstrip radiators and a focus lens is mounted below each of the microstrip radiators.
    [6]
    6. Radar level indicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the complementary antennas are mounted at a certain fixed angle with respect to the tank walls, and radiation from the primary antenna arranged in the center is directed parallel to the tank walls .
    [7]
    7. Radar level indicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the microwave modules are arranged above the focusing lenses at a fixed distance from them.
    [8]
    8. Radar level indicator according to claim 7, characterized in that the microwave module and the focusing lens form a solid structure.
    [9]
    9. Radar level indicator according to claim 7, characterized in that the microwave module is manufactured in the form of a printed circuit board that implements a set of circuits of the module and the set of microstrip radiators, which together with the focusing lens, an antenna.
    [10]
    10. Radar level indicator according to claim 2, characterized in that the switches are housed in the five-channel TRM housing and mounted on a separate printed circuit board.
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    引用文献:
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    JP3170029B2|1992-03-05|2001-05-28|株式会社マンダム|Transparent gel hair styling|
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    法律状态:
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    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    RU2017120253A|RU2653578C1|2017-06-08|2017-06-08|Radar-location level gage for measuring volume of bulk product in tanks|
    PCT/RU2018/050056|WO2018226126A1|2017-06-08|2018-05-24|Radio-location level indicator for measuring the volume of free-flowing products in reservoirs|
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