A nuclear level sensing gauge for a vessel 10 comprises a vertical source well 12 and one more level sensing detectors 22 mounted to vertically spaced nozzles, where the sources 30 in the source well 12 are distributed sources which emit a radiation pattern illuminating a length of greater than one inch of the respective level sensing nozzle, so that thermal expansion or contraction of the vessel 10 does not significantly alter radiation illuminating each detector 22. In a second embodiment, a vessel 10 includes plural level sensing nozzles and plurality of level sensing wells 12, each nozzle and level sensing well 12 positioned adjacent to one another such that a source in the well illuminates a detector 22 on the nozzle. Because the respective level sensing wells 12 and level sensing nozzles are closely adjacent to one another, thermal expansion or contraction of the vessel does not significantly alter the illumination of the detector 22.

A radar fill level measurement device for determining a fill level of a medium is provided, including a transmitter configured to transmit a transmission signal towards the medium; a receiver configured to receive a reception signal reflected by the medium; and a controller configured to determine the fill level of the medium based on the reception signal and based on at least one evaluation parameter, the radar fill level measurement device being configured to vary a transmitting power of the transmission signal, the controller being further configured to determine a current transmitting power of the transmission signal, and the controller being further configured to vary, based on the determined current transmitting power, a value of the at least one evaluation parameter and/or at least one measurement signal that correlates with the reception signal, such that the fill level is determined taking into account the transmitting power.

A system for controlling a distribution of propellant in a propellant tank assembly for a spacecraft comprises a body for containing the propellant, a plurality of thermal tomography elements, including a plurality of temperature-control elements and a plurality of temperature sensors, disposed around the body for detecting the distribution of the propellant inside the body; and a tomography element control module arranged to control the plurality of temperature-control elements to redistribute the propellant inside the propellant tank body by heating and/or cooling the propellant. In an embodiment, the propellant tank body includes a propellant management device inside the body and the tomography elements are disposed in proximity to the propellant management device. Tomography data can be obtained from the plurality of tomography elements, and a distribution of propellant within the propellant tank body can be determined based on the obtained tomography data.

A system for controlling a distribution of propellant in a propellant tank assembly for a spacecraft comprises a body for containing the propellant, a plurality of thermal tomography elements, including a plurality of temperature-control elements and a plurality of temperature sensors, disposed around the body for detecting the distribution of the propellant inside the body; and a tomography element control module arranged to control the plurality of temperature-control elements to redistribute the propellant inside the propellant tank body by heating and/or cooling the propellant. In an embodiment, the propellant tank body includes a propellant management device inside the body and the tomography elements are disposed in proximity to the propellant management device. Tomography data can be obtained from the plurality of tomography elements, and a distribution of propellant within the propellant tank body can be determined based on the obtained tomography data.

A radiometric detector is provided for detecting a measurement variable. The detector is particularly failsafe with, simultaneously, a simple, space-saving and cost-effective design, without having losses in the signal-to-noise ratio.

A radiometric detector is provided for detecting a measurement variable. The detector is particularly failsafe with, simultaneously, a simple, space-saving and cost-effective design, without having losses in the signal-to-noise ratio.

Apparatus and methods of measuring the level of materials within a sand separator are disclosed. Embodiments include mounting the source and detector on an expandable band to facilitate moving the detector between separators, and embodiments in which the detector is configured to provide a response when the level exceeds a threshold level. The response may include an audio-visual alert or controlling dumping of sand from the separator.

A measuring arrangement for radiometric density-or fill level measurement of a medium in a measuring tube in the field of automation technology. The measuring arrangement is composed of a radioactive radiation source, a detector unit and a clamping apparatus for the radiation source as well as the detector unit. The invention is distinguished by features including that the clamping apparatus has blocking elements, which make the radiation cone of the radioactive radiation source between the measuring tube and the clamping apparatus laterally inaccessible. In such case, the blocking elements are arranged in such a manner that the measuring arrangement is suitable for different diameters of the measuring tube, without the blocking elements losing their protective action.

A measuring arrangement for radiometric density-or fill level measurement of a medium in a measuring tube in the field of automation technology. The measuring arrangement is composed of a radioactive radiation source, a detector unit and a clamping apparatus for the radiation source as well as the detector unit. The invention is distinguished by features including that the clamping apparatus has blocking elements, which make the radiation cone of the radioactive radiation source between the measuring tube and the clamping apparatus laterally inaccessible. In such case, the blocking elements are arranged in such a manner that the measuring arrangement is suitable for different diameters of the measuring tube, without the blocking elements losing their protective action.

Radiometric measuring arrangement for measuring and/or monitoring a measured variable, especially a fill level or a density, of a fill substance located in a container and a method executable therewith for detection of accretion formation in the container. The variable to be measured is measured by means of a measuring system, which during operation sends radioactive radiation along a measuring path through the container, and measures radiation intensity emerging from the container along the measuring path, and by means of a comparison measuring system, which sends radioactive radiation along a comparison path through the container and measures radiation intensity emerging from the container along the comparison path. The comparison path extends in such a manner through the container that in the case of the presence of an accretion layer on the inner walls of the container a ratio of a sum of the two segments of the measuring path extending through the accretion layer to the length of an additional segment of the measuring path (A, A) extending between these two segments is different from the ratio formed in the same manner for the comparison path, and an accretion formation occurring in ongoing operation is detected based on deviations ascertained in ongoing operation between the measurement results of the measuring system and the measurement results of the comparison measuring system.