Patent Description:
Industrial or commercial systems often utilize solid material handling components that feed solid materials (e.g., grains, powders, etc.) from storage vessels, such as silos and hoppers. Such systems rely upon information relating to the level or volume of the stored material that is determined using a level gauge system.

<CIT> describes a method of registering topography and height level of a charged mass in a blast furnace. A distance meter for measurement by means of direct reflection against the surface is placed in the vicinity of the top of the blast furnace. The distance meter is equipped with an aiming device with which the measuring direction of the distance meter is aimable at selected parts of the surface of the charged mass. A computing unit calculates, on the basis of the siting of the distance meter, the set angles of the aiming device for measurement direction and the results of performed distance measurements, calculates the positions for the different measuring points and presents these in analog or digital form. In <CIT>, one of the distance meter is supplemented with an IR-detector for determining the temperature of a point to which distance measurement is performed.

Most level gauge systems for measuring level and/or volume of solid materials in industrial process control systems, such as guided wave radar, non-contacting radar, and acoustic phased-array technologies, utilize top down measurements. These devices determine the level or volume of the material in the vessel based on the time it takes for a signal transmitted from the device reflect off the surface of the material and return to the device.

Guided wave radar level gauges, such as that described in <CIT> utilize a waveguide or probe for conducting a transmitted signal (e.g., microwave signal) to the surface of the material, and receiving a reflected signal from the surface. Guided wave radar is capable of handling uneven material surfaces since the transmitted signal is very compact due to its guidance by the probe.

Non-contacting radar level gauge systems, such as that described in <CIT>, transmit high-frequency electromagnetic radiation signals toward the material surface from an antenna, and determine the material level based on received echo signals. Non-contacting radar is affected by uneven surfaces since much of the signal is not reflected directly back and instead may be re-directed away from the device. An average level of the material surface is determined by gathering several echoes from a concentrated area, and then merging them into a single echo that represents an average of the measured area.

Acoustic phased-array level gauges, such as that described in <CIT>, utilize arrays of transmitters and receivers to "scan" the material surface being monitored and to provide level measurements over an area of the material surface. The transmitters direct ultrasonic energy signals to the material surface, and the receivers receive echoes of the ultrasonic energy signals from the material surface. Such acoustic phased-array gauges are capable of taking level or volume measurements of stored materials having an uneven material surface, from which an average level or volume may be calculated.

One exemplary acoustic phased-array level gauge is the Rosemount™ <NUM> Solids Scanner. This device utilizes an array of three acoustic antennas, each of which includes an array of transmitters and receivers that generate low frequency acoustic signals and receive multiple echo signals from the surface of the material contained in the storage vessel. A built-in Digital Signal Processor (DSP) digitally samples and analyzes the echoed signals and produces accurate measurements of the level and volume of the stored material. These measurements are used to generate a 3D representation of the position and form of the material surface within the container for displaying on remote computer screens.

In bulk solid material storage applications, it is important that proper environmental conditions are maintained to prevent conditions that can adversely affect the quality of the product. Sources of risk include excessive temperature, moisture, and insects. Aeration and other environmental control systems are utilized to control the conditions to maintain appropriate levels of moisture and temperature to avoid molds, spoilage, and insect infestations.

Adverse environmental conditions are often detectable on the surface of the stored material based on the temperature of the material surface. For example, condensation may form on cool surfaces of the bulk goods within the storage vessel. If condensation progresses it can lead to unacceptable levels of moisture in the product resulting in spoilage and loss. Herbivorous insects often congregate on/near the material surface and create hot spots on the material surface.

Environmental control systems may utilize temperature measurement devices to detect adverse environmental conditions, such as temperature cables or probes. However, such temperature probes are subject to strain from the bulk goods and can deteriorate over time, which may lead to costly maintenance. Additionally, temperature probes provide point temperature measurements and cannot detect temperature concerns between the probes. Thus, the use of such temperature probes may fail to provide an accurate surface temperature measurement, which may result in undetected adverse environmental conditions.

The present invention relates to a level and temperature gauge and method for using the gauge with the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are subject matter of the dependent claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a level and surface temperature gauge, such as for an industrial or commercial system, and methods of using the gauge. According to the invention, the level and surface temperature gauge is comprising a housing structure, a level scanner, and a temperature scanner. The level scanner is supported by the housing structure and is configured to generate surface level measurements at a plurality of locations on the surface of a process material surface formed of solids. The temperature scanner is supported by the housing structure and is configured to generate temperature measurements of the process material surface at a plurality of locations on the surface. The temperature scanner includes a thermographic imaging device comprising: optics; an array of infrared detectors each configured to generate an infrared level signal based on infrared light received by the infrared detector through the optics; and temperature measurement circuitry configured to generate the temperature measurements based on the infrared level signals.

In the method according to the invention, a level and surface temperature gauge is installed on a process vessel containing a process material. The gauge includes a housing structure attached to the process vessel, a level scanner supported by the housing structure, and a temperature scanner supported by the housing structure. Surface level measurements of a surface of the process material are generated at a plurality of locations on the surface using the level scanner. Temperature measurements of the surface at a plurality of locations on the surface are generated using the temperature scanner. The temperature scanner includes a thermographic imaging device comprising: optics; an array of infrared detectors; and temperature measurement circuitry; and generating temperature measurements comprises: receiving infrared light at each of the infrared detectors through the optics; generating infrared level signals using the infrared detectors based on the received infrared light; and generating the temperature measurements based on the infrared signals.

The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the Background.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Elements that are identified using the same or similar reference characters refer to the same or similar elements. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary process control system <NUM> that includes a level and temperature gauge <NUM> in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The gauge <NUM> may, for example, be installed on a process vessel <NUM>, which is illustrated in <FIG> with a portion cut out to reveal the vessel interior. The vessel <NUM> may take on any suitable form, such as a tank, bin, or hopper. A solid process material <NUM>, such as a granular or powdered material, for example, is contained in the vessel <NUM>. The vessel <NUM> may store the material <NUM> for material handling components <NUM> (e.g., augers, conveyors, spreaders etc.), which may feed to the material <NUM> to material processing components for processing. An environmental control system <NUM> (aerators, heaters, coolers, etc.) may be used to control the environmental conditions within the vessel <NUM>, such as the temperature and humidity, for example.

<FIG> is a simplified block diagram of the system <NUM> in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The level and temperature gauge <NUM> includes a level scanner <NUM> and a temperature scanner <NUM>. The level scanner is configured to generate surface level or volume information or measurements (hereinafter "level measurements") relating to the level surface <NUM> of the material <NUM> at a plurality of locations over the surface <NUM>, which may indicate or be used to determine a level or volume of the material <NUM> within the vessel <NUM>. The temperature scanner <NUM> is configured to generate temperature information or measurements (hereinafter "temperature measurements") of the process material surface <NUM> at a plurality of locations on the surface <NUM>.

The gauge <NUM> includes a controller <NUM> that may represent one or more processors (i.e., microprocessor, central processing unit, etc.) that control components of the gauge <NUM> to perform one or more functions described herein. These functions may be performed in response to the execution of program instructions, which may be stored locally in non-transitory computer readable media or memory <NUM> of the gauge <NUM>, or other location. The memory <NUM> may also store level measurements <NUM> from the level scanner <NUM> and temperature measurements <NUM> from the temperature scanner <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may communicate the surface level and temperature measurements to a computing device <NUM> (e.g., computer, laptop, mobile device, etc.) using suitable communications circuitry <NUM>. Thus, the computing device <NUM> represents one or more processors for performing functions described herein in response to the execution of program instructions, which may be stored in memory (i.e., non-transitory computer readable media) of the computing device <NUM>, or another location. The computing device <NUM> may be located remotely from the gauge <NUM>, such as in a control room <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The communications circuitry <NUM> may communicate (i.e., send and receive data) with the computing device <NUM> using any suitable technique including analog and/or digital communication protocols over wired and/or wireless communication links. In some embodiments, the communications circuitry communicates the level measurements <NUM>, the temperature measurements <NUM>, and/or other data to the computing device <NUM> over a two-wire control loop <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, the control loop <NUM> includes a <NUM>-<NUM> milliamp process control loop, in which the level and/or temperature information may be represented by a level of a loop current flowing through the control loop <NUM>, for example. Additionally, the gauge <NUM> may be powered by the current flowing through the control loop <NUM>. The communications circuitry <NUM> may also communicate data using a suitable digital communication protocol, such as by modulating digital signals onto the analog current level of the two-wire control loop <NUM> in accordance with the HART® communication standard or another digital communication protocol. Other purely digital techniques may also be employed including FieldBus and Profibus communication protocols, as well as wireless protocols, such as IEC <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of an exemplary level and temperature gauge <NUM> mounted to a process vessel <NUM>, a portion of which is illustrated in cross-section, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. According to the invention, the gauge <NUM> includes a housing structure <NUM> that supports the level scanner <NUM> and the temperature scanner <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The level scanner <NUM> is configured to generate the surface level measurements <NUM> at a plurality of locations on the surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the level scanner <NUM> includes a conventional phase-array level gauge system, such as the system implemented in the Rosemount™ <NUM> Solids Scanner discussed above or other suitable phase-array level gauge system. Accordingly, some embodiments of the level scanner <NUM> include a plurality of acoustic antennas <NUM>, such as acoustic antennas 142A, 142B and 142C, and level measurement circuitry <NUM> that is configured to perform level measurements using the acoustic antennas <NUM> to generate the level measurements <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Each of the acoustic antennas <NUM> includes a conventional array of transmitters <NUM> and receivers <NUM> for implementing an acoustic phase-array level measurement. In general, the transmitters <NUM> are each configured to transmit acoustic signals 148A toward a location on the material surface <NUM>. The acoustic signals 148A are reflected from the surface <NUM> as echo signals 148B, which are detected by the receivers <NUM>. The level measurement circuitry determines a distance to the various locations over the surface <NUM> based on the elapsed time from the transmission of the acoustic signals 148A by the transmitters <NUM> to the reception of the corresponding echo signals 148B by the receivers <NUM>. The level measurements <NUM> may be communicated to the controller <NUM> and stored in the memory <NUM> as level measurements <NUM>. Additionally, the level measurements <NUM> may be communicated to the remote computing device <NUM> using the communications circuitry <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the level measurements <NUM> generated by the level scanner <NUM> each include a level 122A (e.g., a distance) and a location 122B on the surface <NUM> corresponding to the level, as indicated in <FIG>. The level 122A may indicate a distance from the gauge <NUM> to the surface <NUM>. Alternatively, the level 122A may indicate a distance from the surface <NUM> to a bottom of the vessel <NUM>, based on predefined dimensions of the vessel <NUM>. The location 122B may comprise any suitable indication of a location on the surface <NUM>, such as coordinates, for example. Alternatively, the location 122B may be determined based on a mapping of the receivers <NUM> to a location on the surface <NUM>.

The level measurements may be processed by the level measurement circuity <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, or the computing device <NUM> to generate a volume level of the process material <NUM> in the vessel <NUM> in accordance with conventional techniques. This calculation requires information regarding the dimensions of the process vessel <NUM>, which may be stored in the memory <NUM> as process vessel information <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>. Alternatively, this process vessel information may be stored in memory of the computing device <NUM>.

The temperature scanner <NUM> may take on any suitable form while providing the desired temperature measurements at a plurality of locations on the process material surface <NUM>. According to the invention, the temperature scanner <NUM> includes a thermographic imaging device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The device <NUM> includes optics <NUM>, an array of infrared detectors <NUM>, and temperature measurement circuitry <NUM>. The optics <NUM> may include lenses, mirrors and/or other optical devices to optically process infrared light (arrows <NUM>) from the material surface <NUM> to direct portions of the infrared light <NUM> to individual infrared detectors of the array <NUM>. The infrared detectors <NUM> each generate infrared level signals (arrow <NUM>) corresponding to the received infrared light <NUM>. The temperature measurement circuitry <NUM> generates the temperature measurements <NUM> based on the infrared level signals <NUM>.

In some embodiments, each of these temperature measurements <NUM> includes a temperature 124A and a location 124B, which may be stored in the memory <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG>. The temperature 124A indicates a measured temperature based on the received infrared light by one or more of the receivers <NUM>. The location 124B indicates a location on the surface <NUM> corresponding to the measured temperature. The location 124B may comprise any suitable indication of a location on the surface <NUM>, such as coordinates, for example. Alternatively, the location 124B may be determined based on a mapping of the infrared detectors <NUM> to a location on the surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments, components of the level scanner <NUM> and the temperature scanner <NUM> are protected from the environment within the interior of the vessel <NUM> by surrounds <NUM> that extend from a base <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The surrounds <NUM> may also isolate the components of the scanners <NUM> and <NUM> from each other and focus the components on a desired portion of the material surface <NUM>. In some embodiments, the surrounds <NUM> have an open distal end <NUM>, and components of the level scanner <NUM> and the temperature scanner <NUM> are located adjacent a proximal end <NUM> of the surround <NUM>. For example, the optics <NUM> of the thermal graphic imaging device <NUM> may be positioned adjacent the proximal end <NUM> of the surround <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, each of the surround <NUM> is conically shaped and tapers towards proximal end <NUM>. The open distal end <NUM> allows infrared light <NUM> to reach the optics <NUM> of the thermal graphic imaging device <NUM>, and allows for the transmission of the acoustic signals 148A from each of the acoustic antennas <NUM> to the process material surface <NUM>, and the reception of acoustic echo signals 148B from the surface <NUM> to the acoustic antenna <NUM>.

The surrounds <NUM> and the corresponding acoustic antenna <NUM> and the temperature scanner <NUM> may be arranged in different configurations. <FIG> are bottom views of the level and surface temperature gauge <NUM> illustrating exemplary configurations in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, each of the surrounds <NUM> corresponding to the acoustic antennas 142A-C and the surround <NUM> corresponding to the temperature scanner <NUM> may be angularly displaced from each other on the base <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the surround <NUM> corresponding to the temperature scanner <NUM> is centrally located on the base <NUM>, while the surrounds <NUM> corresponding to the acoustic antennas 142A-C are angularly displaced from each other around the temperature scanner <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Other arrangements for the acoustic antennas 142A-C and the temperature scanner <NUM> may also be used.

Over time, dust and debris may cling to the surround <NUM>, which could impede surface level and temperature measurements by the scanners <NUM> and <NUM>. Some embodiments of the level and temperature gauge <NUM> include one or more dust purging devices <NUM> (<FIG>), each of which is configured to purge dust from a corresponding surround <NUM> to enable a clear pathway for conducting the temperature and level measurements. While only a dust purging device <NUM> for the surround <NUM> of the temperature scanner <NUM> is shown in <FIG> to simplify the drawing, it is understood that embodiments of the dust purging device <NUM> may also be used with the surrounds <NUM> of the level scanner <NUM>.

<FIG> is a simplified side cross-sectional view of a surround <NUM> for the temperature scanner <NUM> and exemplary dust purging devices <NUM> in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Some embodiments of the dust purging device <NUM> include a vibrator <NUM> that is attached to the surround <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The vibrator <NUM> may include a vibrating device, such as a mass that is rotatably driven by a motor about an axis that is displaced from a center of gravity of the mass, for example, or another suitable vibrating device. The vibrations generated by the vibrator <NUM>, vibrate the surround <NUM> and shake off dust and debris clinging to the surround <NUM>. In some embodiments, components of the temperature scanner <NUM> are isolated from the vibrations induced by the vibrator <NUM>. This may be accomplished by not directly attaching the components to the surround <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, or by including conventional vibration isolating structures between the components of the level scanner <NUM> and the surround <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the dust purging device <NUM> includes an air purge system <NUM> having a nozzle <NUM> that is configured to direct a flow of air into an interior <NUM> of the surround <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. The air purge system <NUM> may include a source of compressed air which is delivered to the interior <NUM> of the surround <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM> to blow dust and debris from the walls of the surround <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the computing device <NUM> is configured to display at least one graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> and the temperature measurements <NUM> on a display <NUM> (<FIG>). The display <NUM> may be any conventional display including a display that is integral to the computing device <NUM> or a separate display unit. The graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements may include two-dimensional (2D) and/or three-dimensional (3D) graphical representations of the level of the process material <NUM> contained in the process vessel <NUM>. For example, a 2D graphical representation of the measured levels may include an average level of the process material <NUM> in the vessel, a profile of the actual measured levels at different locations along the process material surface <NUM>, or another suitable graphical representation. <FIG> illustrates an exemplary 3D graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> that are based on the level 122A and location 122B information provided by the level measurements <NUM>. The graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> may include a virtual vessel <NUM>' representing the actual vessel <NUM>, and a virtual surface <NUM>' representing the actual surface <NUM> of the material <NUM> contained in the vessel <NUM>. A contour of the virtual surface <NUM>' represents the measured levels 124A at their corresponding locations 124B on the surface <NUM>. Such 3D graphical representations of the level measurements may be generated in the same or similar manner as those generated by systems using the Rosemount™ <NUM> Solids Scanner in combination with the Emerson 3D vision/3D multi-vision application software.

In some embodiments, the computing device <NUM> may produce a 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, on the display <NUM> that conveys the temperature 124A and location 124B information provided by the temperature measurements <NUM>. Different temperatures may be indicated by different colors, shading, or another suitable graphical representation. For example, each of the boxes in the 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM> may indicate a separate temperature measurement by one of the infrared detectors <NUM>, or an average of a group of temperature measurements by a group of infrared detectors <NUM>. The lighter shaded boxes may represent lower temperatures, and the darker shaded boxes may represent higher temperatures. Thus, the exemplary 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM> shown in <FIG> may be used to indicate a hot or cold spot in region <NUM>, which could respectively indicate an insect infestation or a condensation pool, for example.

In some embodiments, the computing device <NUM> is configured to overlay the 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM> on the 3D graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> to form a combined 3D graphical representation of the level and temperature measurements. One exemplary combined 3D graphical representation 202LT is shown in <FIG>, which generally combines the 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM> provided in <FIG> on the 3D graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> provided in <FIG>. Such a graphical representation of the combination of the level measurements <NUM> and the temperature measurements <NUM> can quickly convey useful information to a user that can be used to improve control over conditions that may be detrimental to the process material <NUM> being stored in the vessel <NUM>.

Thus, in some embodiments, the process control system <NUM> can display 3D graphical representation 202LT that illustrates both level and temperature measurements <NUM> and <NUM> across the virtual process material surface <NUM>' within a virtual representation <NUM>' of the process vessel <NUM>. The information provided by the 3D graphical representation 202LT can allow a user to reduce energy consumption by the environmental control system <NUM> and respond more rapidly with pinpoint control of the environment within the process vessel <NUM> to prevent the formation of adverse conditions for the process material <NUM>. This can enable more effective and efficient use of environmental control systems <NUM> and the material handling components <NUM>. More effective use of the environmental control system <NUM> can also reduce cost through less down time and maintenance of the system.

In some embodiments, the gauge <NUM> and/or the computing device <NUM> is configured to perform diagnostics based on the temperature measurements <NUM>. For example, the diagnostic may compare the measured temperatures on the surface <NUM> of the process material <NUM> to one or more threshold temperatures to determine whether adverse conditions exist in the process vessel <NUM>. For example, the temperature measurements <NUM> may be analyzed to determine whether a cold or hot spot, such as that indicated by spot <NUM> (<FIG>), exists on the process material surface <NUM>, which may indicate adverse conditions for the process material <NUM>, such as an area of condensation, an area of infestation, or other adverse condition. In some embodiments, the computing device <NUM> is configured to generate an alert based on the temperature measurements <NUM>, such as when one or more of the measured temperatures on the surface <NUM> exceed or fall below one or more threshold values indicating adverse conditions for the process material <NUM>. In some embodiments, the alert may be produced on the display <NUM>. Alternatively, an alert may be generated using an output device <NUM>, which may provide an audible or visible alert. Additional alerts include a message notification that may be sent to a mobile device and other alerts.

Additional embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of using the level and temperature gauge <NUM> in a process control system <NUM>. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. At <NUM> of the method, a level and surface temperature gauge <NUM> is installed on a process vessel <NUM> containing a processing material <NUM>, such as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. The gauge <NUM> may be formed in accordance with embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the gauge <NUM> includes a housing structure <NUM> attached to the process vessel <NUM>, a level scanner <NUM> supported by the housing structure <NUM>, and a temperature scanner <NUM> supported by the housing structure <NUM>.

At <NUM> of the method, surface level measurements <NUM> of a surface <NUM> of the process material <NUM> are generated at a plurality of locations on the surface <NUM> using the level scanner <NUM>. In some embodiments, the level scanner <NUM> includes a phase-array level gauge system that includes a plurality of acoustic antennas <NUM> and level measurement circuity <NUM>. In one embodiment, the level measurements <NUM> are generated in step <NUM> by transmitting acoustic signals 148A toward the surface <NUM> using each of the acoustic antennas <NUM>, and receiving echo signals 148B corresponding to reflections of the transmitted acoustic signals 148A from the surface <NUM> using the acoustic antennas <NUM>. The level measurements <NUM> are then generated based on the received echo signals 144B using, for example, the level measurement circuitry <NUM> (<FIG>), in accordance with conventional techniques.

At <NUM> of the method, temperature measurements <NUM> of the surface <NUM> are generated at a plurality of locations on the surface <NUM> using the temperature scanner <NUM>. In some embodiments of step <NUM>, the temperature scanner includes a thermal graphic imaging device <NUM> that includes optics <NUM>, an array of infrared detectors <NUM>, and temperature measurement circuitry <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. One embodiment of the method at step <NUM> includes receiving infrared light <NUM> at each of the infrared detectors <NUM> through the optics <NUM>, and generating infrared level signals <NUM> using the infrared detectors <NUM> based on the received infrared light <NUM>. The temperature measurements <NUM> are then generated in step <NUM> using, for example, the temperature measurement circuitry <NUM> (<FIG>), based on the infrared signals <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the method, the level measurements <NUM> and the temperature measurements <NUM> are communicated to a computing device <NUM> using, for example, communications circuitry <NUM> (<FIG>). In some embodiments, each of the temperature measurements includes a temperature 124A and a location 124B on the material surface <NUM> corresponding to the temperature 124A, and each of the level measurements <NUM> includes a level 122A and a location 124B on the material surface <NUM> corresponding to the level 122A. As a result, the temperature measurements <NUM> map the temperatures measured by the infrared detectors <NUM> over the material surface <NUM>, and the level measurements <NUM> map the levels measured by the acoustic antennas <NUM> over the process material surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the method, one or more graphical representations <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> and the temperature measurements <NUM> are displayed on a display <NUM> of the computing device <NUM>. Examples of such graphical representations <NUM> include the 3D graphical representation <NUM> of the level measurements <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the 2D graphical representation 202T of the temperature measurements <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and the 3D graphical representation 202LT of the combined level and temperature measurements shown in <FIG>. In some embodiments, the 3D graphical representation 202LT includes a mapping of the temperature measurements <NUM> on the 3D representation <NUM>' of the material surface <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A level and surface temperature gauge (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing structure (<NUM>);
a level scanner (<NUM>) supported by the housing structure (<NUM>) and configured to generate surface level measurements (<NUM>) at a plurality of locations on the surface (<NUM>) of a process material surface (<NUM>) formed of solids; and
a temperature scanner (<NUM>) supported by the housing structure (<NUM>) and configured to generate temperature measurements (<NUM>) of the process material surface (<NUM>) at a plurality of locations on the surface (<NUM>)
wherein, the temperature scanner (<NUM>) includes a thermographic imaging device (<NUM>) comprising:
optics (<NUM>);
an array of infrared detectors (<NUM>) each configured to generate an infrared level signal based on infrared light received by the infrared detector (<NUM>) through the optics (<NUM>); and
temperature measurement circuitry (<NUM>) configured to generate the temperature measurements (<NUM>) based on the infrared level signals.