G01F23/2965

Frequency Sub-Band Leak Detection
20190128767 · 2019-05-02 ·

Examples of analyzing data for a distribution pipe network within a fluid distribution system are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a method for analyzing data for a distribution pipe network within a fluid distribution system includes: receiving acoustic data from a plurality of nodes for a plurality of pipe segments; determining a characteristic frequency range for each pipe segment; decomposing the characteristic frequency range into a plurality of frequency sub-bands; building a leak sensitivity model based on the plurality of frequency sub-bands; and implementing a correlation schedule with the plurality of nodes based on a selection of the plurality of frequency sub-bands.

Sound wave detection-based measurement method and device for liquid volume inside container

The present invention discloses a method and device for measuring the volume of liquid in a container based on acoustic wave detection. The measurement method includes the following steps of: forming a cavity in a container, with the cavity being configured in such a way that acoustic waves within the cavity can be propagated only within the cavity; emitting acoustic waves into the cavity; receiving the acoustic waves reflected by an inner wall of the cavity and the liquid level; and, acquiring, based on an attenuation coefficient of the reflected acoustic waves, the volume of liquid in the container. By the method and device of the present invention, the volume of a space can be measured directly. The method and device of the present invention can be applicable to containers having irregular cavities due to no limitation to the shape of containers.

SENSOR

According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a transmission/reception device and a processing device. The transmission/reception device is configured to emit a pulse wave having a first frequency toward liquid in a container, to receive a reflection wave of the pulse wave, and to output a first signal. The container includes a part in contact with the liquid. The processing device is capable of outputting strength of a first frequency reflection wave of a first frequency band contained in a second signal and strength of a second frequency reflection wave of a second frequency band contained in a third signal. The third signal is obtained by squaring the second signal. The second signal is obtained by subtracting a fourth signal from the first signal. The fourth signal is obtained by integrating the first signal. The first frequency band includes the first frequency.

Arcade game with integrated beverage sensor
10188954 · 2019-01-29 · ·

An arcade game includes a beverage receptacle to hold a beverage container in an upright orientation and a beverage sensor to distinguish one or more beverage states and to communicate the distinguished one or more beverage states to the arcade game as gameplay activation inputs to the arcade game. The arcade game can also include features to proof the game against spillage of beverages onto and into the game cabinet, including gutters and a reservoir housing antimicrobial sponges. The system can compile usage data and deliver it to a business proprietor to provide customer consumption information.

DEVICE FOR DETECTING REFRIGERANT LEAK IN REFRIGERATION CYCLE
20190011325 · 2019-01-10 · ·

The purpose of the present invention is to propose a device for detecting refrigerant leaks in a refrigeration cycle. The device can be applied irrespective of whether a liquid-receiving tank is present, has a simple configuration, and can be installed easily and inexpensively as a retrofit. Moreover, the device is configured so as to detect the presence of leaks without stopping operation of the equipment, and is innovative and of exceptional utility such that there is no decrease in the equipment operation rate as caused by detection of leaks. Provided is a device for detecting refrigerant leaks in a refrigeration cycle, the device comprising an ultrasonic wave transmitter 1 for transmitting ultrasonic waves having a prescribed frequency, an ultrasonic wave receiver 2 for receiving the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmitter 1, an ultrasonic wave reception determination unit 3 for determining whether the ultrasonic wave receiver 2 has received the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmitter 1, and a leak reporting unit 4 for externally reporting a leak event when the ultrasonic wave reception determination unit 3 has determined that the ultrasonic wave receiver 2 has not received the ultrasonic waves transmitted by the ultrasonic wave transmitter 1.

Ultrasonic liquid level sensing systems

An ultrasonic probe having ultrasonic sensors (e.g., piezoelectric crystals) for measuring the level of liquid within a sealed container and having features that make the probe more reliable and enable more precise liquid level readings as the container nears an empty state. Embodiments include spacing the ultrasonic sensors more closely at the lower end of the probe, offsetting the sensors to enable tighter vertical spacing, matched pairs of sensors for redundancy, and a downward facing sensor located at the lower end of the probe to decrease the minimum liquid level that can be accurately measured by the probe. A sump may also be provided to further decrease the minimum liquid level that can be accurately measured by the probe.

SOUND WAVE DETECTION-BASED MEASUREMENT METHOD AND DEVICE FOR LIQUID VOLUME INSIDE CONTAINER
20180188095 · 2018-07-05 ·

The present invention discloses a method and device for measuring the volume of liquid in a container based on acoustic wave detection. The measurement method includes the following steps of: forming a cavity in a container, with the cavity being configured in such a way that acoustic waves within the cavity can be propagated only within the cavity; emitting acoustic waves into the cavity; receiving the acoustic waves reflected by an inner wall of the cavity and the liquid level; and, acquiring, based on an attenuation coefficient of the reflected acoustic waves, the volume of liquid in the container. By the method and device of the present invention, the volume of a space can be measured directly. The method and device of the present invention can be applicable to containers having irregular cavities due to no limitation to the shape of containers.

Vibration sensor with integrated temperature detection
20180130939 · 2018-05-10 ·

A vibration sensor with a diaphragm that can be set into vibration, a piezo-electric drive for setting the diaphragm into vibration and for detecting vibrations in the diaphragm, with the drive having at least two serial mechanical piezo elements, a temperature sensor, with at least a first piezo element made from a first piezo-electric material and at least a second piezo element made from a second piezo-electric material.

LIQUID SURFACE POSITION DETECTION DEVICE
20180100756 · 2018-04-12 ·

A liquid-surface position detection device includes: a propagation body being disposed in a container immersed in a liquid and propagating surface waves; a vibration generation and detection means imparting vibrations to the propagation body and including a piezoelectric element detecting reflected surface waves; and a position detection means calculating the liquid surface position from the reflection time of the surface waves. The propagation body is made of a resin material and provided integrally, at the upper part thereof, with an element accommodating part which accommodates the piezoelectric element. The element accommodating part includes a bottom surface section formed so that a portion thereof juts out from a main surface forming the surface of the propagation body. The piezoelectric element is disposed so that a portion thereof juts out from the main surface, and to apply vibrations to the main surface in the vertical direction via the bottom surface section.

Speed-of-sound independent fluid level measurement apparatus and method of use

A system and method for determining the depth to the top surface of a fluid contained in a hydrocarbon well generates a pressure pulse which travels down the casing to the fluid and receives a returning pressure pulse. The system and method may measure the decay rate or pulse width of the returning pressure pulse and not necessarily require the measurement of the time between the emission of the pressure pulse and the detection of the return pulse to ascertain the depth to the fluid.