Patent ID: 6324911
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: B67D,F25D,G01F,G01N

Abstract:
A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising:a) a chamber in which a quantity of water may be contained,b) an outlet through which water may be drawn from said chamber, andc) an inlet extending into said chamber through which water may flow into said chamber, wherein the beverage dispensing apparatus comprises detection means to detect the position of an interface between at least a first and second media within said chamber, the detection means comprising:i) transmission means to transmit a signal through a wave guide comprising a single tubular construction, wherein said wave guide is disposed within said chamber such that said signal passes through said first medium toward said second medium;ii) reception means to detect a signal reflected from said interface between said first and second media;iii) a datum surface located in said wave guide at a known distance from the reception means;iv) timing means to measure a first time taken for a transmitted signal to be reflected by said interface back to said reception means and to measure a second time taken for a transmitted signal to be reflected from said datum surface to said reception means; andv) calculating means operative to determine the position of said interface in said chamber in accordance with said first and second measured times, and said known distance.