Patent ID: 6404382
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: G01F

Abstract:
A device using microwaves for measuring the height of a product in a storage vessel having an orifice therein, the orifice having a first thread, the device comprising:a microwave source creating waves with a frequency of at least about 24 GHZ; a microwave antenna operatively coupled to the microwave source and mounted at the orifice for sending the microwaves into the storage vessel and for receiving a reflected wave from the container, the orifice having a diameter of less than 4 inches, wherein the microwave antenna includes one of a horn antenna and a microstrip antenna; a microwave receiver operatively coupled to the antenna for receiving the reflected wave from surface of the product within the storage vessel and transmitting an output signal indicative of the level of the product; and a second thread for engaging the first thread of the orifice of the storage vessel to connect the device to the storage vessel.