An ultrasonic Lamb wave transducer for non-invasive measurement and for emitting and/or receiving an ultrasonic Lamb wave pulse, an emission and a reception of the ultrasonic Lamb wave having an emission direction and a reception direction, respectively, the ultrasonic Lamb wave pulse being defined by at least one parameter, includes: at least one piezocomposite actuator for controlling the emission direction of the ultrasonic Lamb wave by emitting acoustic radiation at frequencies that are appropriate for generating ultrasonic Lamb waves.

A liquid level monitoring system includes: a hardware unit with a tube to extend through a surface of a liquid; a processor unit generating control signals that respectively correspond to target frequencies; a sound generator unit generating, respectively based on the control signals, incident sound waves that transmit in the tube and that are reflected by the surface of the liquid to respectively form reflected sound waves; and a sensor unit for sensing the reflected sound waves to respectively generate feedback signals. The processor unit determines a maximum amplitude frequency based on the feedback signals, and calculates a level of the surface of the liquid based on the maximum amplitude frequency and a length of the tube.

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 refrigerator appliance having a dispensing system and a method for dispensing liquid into a container are provided. The dispensing system can be an autofill dispensing system. In one example aspect, the dispensing system includes a vibration generator and a measurement device. When a container is present in a preselected position, liquid is delivered to the container. As liquid fills into the container, the vibration generator propagates vibrations through the container. The measurement device detects one or more characteristics of the vibration and routes one more signals indicative of the characteristics to a controller of the system. The controller determines a liquid fill level of liquid within the container based at least in part on the signals received from the measurement device.

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.

The fluid-level sensor has an acoustic waveguide comprising a flexible metal rod, an electroacoustic transducer coupled to one end of the acoustic waveguide and an acoustic resonator coupled to the other end of the acoustic waveguide. The flexible metal rod has two ends, one cylindrical waveguide coupled via a conical acoustic concentrator to one end of the flexible metal rod, the other cylindrical waveguide coupled via a conical concentrator to the other end of the flexible metal rod. One cylindrical waveguide is coupled to the electroacoustic transducer and the other cylindrical waveguide is coupled to the acoustic resonator. The structure provides for the enhanced functional capabilities of the sensor by using it under the conditions of high temperature, radiation, strong electromagnetic interference, intense vibrations, impacts, and other negative factors. The sensor can be installed, maintained, and repaired without hazard to servicing personnel.

A system includes a beverage sensor to distinguish one or more beverage states and to communicate the distinguished one or more beverage states to a processor as gameplay control inputs to the game.

A filling element includes a filling-level sensor having an oscillating body disposed to interact with fluid that is in a container being filled. A change in the oscillation of the body, triggered either electromechanically or by fluid flow, provides information indicative of filling level.

A refrigerator appliance having a dispensing system, a dispensing system, and a method for dispensing liquid into a container are provided. The dispensing system can be an autofill dispensing system. In one example aspect, the dispensing system includes a vibration generator and a measurement device. When a container is present in a preselected position, liquid is delivered to the container. As liquid fills into the container, the vibration generator propagates vibrations through the container. The measurement device detects one or more characteristics of the vibration and routes one more signals indicative of the characteristics to a controller of the system. The controller determines a liquid fill level of liquid within the container based at least in part on the signals received from the measurement device.

A level measurement system including a tank, a transducer, and a controller. The tank is configured to contain a liquid. The transducer is configured to output an ultrasonic signal into the tank. The controller has a memory and electronic processor. The controller is electrically coupled to the transducer and is configured to determine a ring time of the transducer, and determine a level of the liquid contained within the tank based on the ring time of the transducer.