Transmitter

Abstract

A transmitter for providing inventory or inventory transfer information on industrial sites is described, for measurement of mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) of a product ( 1 ) in a vessel ( 3 ) comprising: a level sensor ( 5 ), comprising: a conductive probe ( 9 ) extending into the vessel ( 3 ), means ( 11, 13 ) for generating and sending short electromagnetic pulses (S) down the probe, means ( 15 ) for reception of echoes (E) of the pulses (S) reflected at a surface of the product ( 1 ), means ( 17 ) for determining a time of flight (t) needed for a pulse (S) to travel down the probe ( 9 ) and its echo (E) to return, a pressure sensor ( 7 ), mounted on the probe ( 9 ), and a signal processing unit ( 45 ) for determining mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) based on measurement signals supplied by the level sensor ( 5 ) and the pressure sensor ( 7 ).

1 . A transmitter for measurement of mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) of a product ( 1 ) in a vessel ( 3 ) comprising: 
 a level sensor ( 5 ), comprising: 
 a conductive probe ( 9 ) extending into the vessel ( 3 ),  
 means ( 11 ,  13 ) for generating and sending short electromagnetic pulses (S) down the probe,  
 means ( 15 ) for reception of echoes (E) of the pulses (S) reflected at a surface of the product ( 1 ),  
 means ( 17 ) for determining a time of flight (t) needed for a pulse (S) to travel down the probe ( 9 ) and its echo (E) to return,  
   a pressure sensor ( 7 ), 
 mounted on the probe ( 9 ), and  
 a signal processing unit ( 45 ) for determining mass (M), weight (W), volume (V), level (L) and/or density (ρ) based on measurement signals supplied by the level sensor ( 5 ) and the pressure sensor ( 7 ).  
   
   
   
       2 . A transmitter according to  claim 1 , comprising at least one temperature sensor ( 49 ), integrated in the probe ( 9 ).  
   
   
       3 . A transmiter according to  claim 1 , comprising a communication interface ( 51 ) for reception and/or delivery of information to a user, a supplier and/or a control unit ( 52 ).  
   
   
       4 . A transmitter according to  claim 1 , comprising a totalizer ( 53 ), for totalizing supplies or withdrawals of the product ( 1 ).  
   
   
       5 . A transmitter according to  claim 1 , comprising a monitor ( 55 ), for monitoring unauthorized supply of withdrawal of product ( 1 ) and leakage.  
   
   
       6 . A transmitter according to  claim 1 , comprising a device ( 54 ) for determining a physical position of the transmitter.  
   
   
       7 . A transmitter according to  claim 1 , comprising an integral server ( 56 ) for supporting communication with at least one Information Technology Network ( 58 ).