Patent ID: 6577118
Filing Date: 2003-06-10
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A method for detecting a level of liquid metal at a location, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing an emitter coil and a receiver coil in a side-by-side configuration and in close proximity of the location; (b) applying an AC signal to the emitter coil for producing an alternating magnetic flux; (c) channeling the magnetic flux emanating from the emitter coil to the location through a first core element around which the emitter coil is provided, the first core element having a B/H value between 10,000 and 1,000,000; (d) channeling an inducing magnetic flux into the receiver coil through a second core element around which the receiver coil is provided, the second core element having a B/H value between 10,000 and 1,000,000; (e) sensing the level of the magnetic flux in the receiver coil; and (f) determining the level of liquid metal from the variation of the level of the magnetic flux in the receiver coil.