All interface position determining apparatus includes a transmitter that transmits au acoustic wave from a plurality of positions in an accumulating direction in which impurities contained in a liquid accumulate, from an outside of a wall surrounding the liquid; a receiver that receives the acoustic wave transmitted from the transmitter at a plurality of positions; and a determining unit that determines a position of an interface between a liquid layer and a sludge layer in the accumulating direction based on a condition of the acoustic wave received by the receiver.

Disclosed herein are a water purifying device and a method for controlling the same. The water purifying device is characterized in that a water discharge module capable of moving vertically is provided with a sensor. Specifically, in the water purifying device of one embodiment, the sensor may measure a height of a container, by transmitting and receiving a signal for measuring a distance at a first point of the water discharge module, and may detect both a height of the inlet of the container and a water level, by transmitting and receiving the signal and measuring a water level at a second point of the water discharge module.

A multi-path acoustic signal apparatus, system, and apparatus for use in material detection are provided. The apparatus has a plurality of acoustic sensors positioned along a first portion of a fluid container. At least one acoustic signal is transmitted into the fluid container by each of the plurality of acoustic sensors. At least one additional acoustic sensor is positioned along a second portion of the fluid container, wherein the second portion is substantially opposite the first portion. The at least one additional acoustic sensor receives at least a portion of the acoustic signals from the plurality of acoustic sensors. A reflected acoustic signal is generated from an impedance barrier between the fluid container and a fluid therein. A characteristic of a material of the fluid container and/or the fluid therein are determined.

A multi-path acoustic signal apparatus, system, and apparatus for use in material detection are provided. The apparatus has a plurality of acoustic sensors positioned along a first portion of a fluid container. At least one acoustic signal is transmitted into the fluid container by each of the plurality of acoustic sensors. At least one additional acoustic sensor is positioned along a second portion of the fluid container, wherein the second portion is substantially opposite the first portion. The at least one additional acoustic sensor receives at least a portion of the acoustic signals from the plurality of acoustic sensors. A reflected acoustic signal is generated from an impedance barrier between the fluid container and a fluid therein. A characteristic of a material of the fluid container and/or the fluid therein are determined.

Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

A sensor (1) including at least one array (10), including a plurality of acoustic transducers (12); a controller (42) for controlling each transducer (12) to be selectively in a generation mode for generating an analysis signal, or a reception mode for receiving an analysis signal, and, for controlling the sensor (1) to perform scans of the at least one array (10), each scan having a plurality of scan steps, such that, during each scan step, at least one transducer (12) is in the generation mode and at least one other transducer (12) is in the reception mode; and, a processor (44) for processing one or more signals receivable from one or more of the controller (42), a transducer (12) in generation mode and a transducer (12) in reception mode to determine at least one characteristic from the one or more signals.

A system for liquid level monitoring is provided. The system may include one or more rovers configured for placement on a surface of a body of liquid, a base configured for fixed placement on land, and one or more processors configured to determine one or more liquid levels of the body of liquid. The system may also include a remote server communicatively coupled to one or more components of the system via a network. The system may be further configured to display data associated with the one or more liquid levels.

A system for liquid level monitoring is provided. The system may include one or more rovers configured for placement on a surface of a body of liquid, a base configured for fixed placement on land, and one or more processors configured to determine one or more liquid levels of the body of liquid. The system may also include a remote server communicatively coupled to one or more components of the system via a network. The system may be further configured to display data associated with the one or more liquid levels.