WO2024256073A1 - Dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage et réservoir de gaz liquide - Google Patents

Dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage et réservoir de gaz liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024256073A1
WO2024256073A1 PCT/EP2024/061204 EP2024061204W WO2024256073A1 WO 2024256073 A1 WO2024256073 A1 WO 2024256073A1 EP 2024061204 W EP2024061204 W EP 2024061204W WO 2024256073 A1 WO2024256073 A1 WO 2024256073A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
waveguide
radar device
level radar
liquid gas
level
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2024/061204
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Roland Baur
Andreas BREGGER
Robin Müller
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Vega Grieshaber KG
Original Assignee
Vega Grieshaber KG
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Vega Grieshaber KG filed Critical Vega Grieshaber KG
Priority to CN202480038824.XA priority Critical patent/CN121311743A/zh
Priority to EP24722170.8A priority patent/EP4724779A1/fr
Publication of WO2024256073A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024256073A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
    • G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
    • G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
    • G01F23/284—Electromagnetic waves
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S13/00—Systems using the reflection or reradiation of radio waves, e.g. radar systems; Analogous systems using reflection or reradiation of waves whose nature or wavelength is irrelevant or unspecified
    • G01S13/88—Radar or analogous systems specially adapted for specific applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/225—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q13/00—Waveguide horns or mouths; Slot antennas; Leaky-waveguide antennas; Equivalent structures causing radiation along the transmission path of a guided wave
    • H01Q13/02—Waveguide horns

Definitions

  • Level measuring devices can be used to get an overview of the current tank contents.
  • pressure measuring devices that are installed in the tank and measure the pressure at the bottom of the container, which can then be converted into a level.
  • a first aspect of the present disclosure relates to a level radar device that is designed for process automation in an industrial or private environment.
  • process automation in an industrial environment also includes level measurement during the transport of liquid gas tanks.
  • the level measuring device has a flexible, windable waveguide which is connected to an electronic circuit or a measuring device housing of the level radar device via a first interface located at a first end of the waveguide.
  • the electronic circuit of the level radar device is typically located outside the liquid gas tank or the process vessel in which the filling material is located.
  • the first interface has temperature insulation.
  • Flexible, windable waveguides can be provided on a roll in sufficient length during installation or construction of the vessel, making it easy to equip the vessel.
  • process automation in an industrial environment can be understood as a branch of technology that includes measures for operating machines and systems without human involvement.
  • One goal of process automation is to automate the interaction of individual components of a plant in the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, petroleum, paper, cement, shipping or mining sectors.
  • sensors can be used for this purpose, which are particularly adapted to the specific requirements of the process industry, such as mechanical stability, insensitivity to contamination, extreme temperatures and extreme pressures. Measured values from these sensors are usually transmitted to a control room, in which process parameters such as fill level, limit level, flow, pressure or density are monitored and settings for the entire plant can be changed manually or automatically.
  • a sub-area of process automation in the industrial environment concerns the logistics automation of systems and the logistics automation of supply chains.
  • processes inside or outside a building or within a single logistics facility are automated in the field of logistics automation.
  • Typical applications include logistics automation systems in the area of baggage and freight handling at airports, in the area of traffic monitoring (toll systems), in retail, in parcel distribution or in the area of building security (access control).
  • presence detection in combination with precise measurement of the size and position of an object is required by the respective application.
  • Sensors based on optical measuring methods using lasers, LEDs, 2D cameras or 3D cameras that measure distances according to the time of flight (ToF) principle can be used for this.
  • factory-to-production automation Another area of process automation in the industrial environment is factory-to-production automation. Applications for this can be found in a wide variety of industries such as automobile manufacturing, food production, the pharmaceutical industry or in the packaging sector in general.
  • the aim of factory automation is to automate the production of goods using machines, production lines and/or robots, i.e. to allow it to run without human involvement.
  • the sensors used and the specific requirements with regard to measurement accuracy when recording the position and size of an object are comparable to those in the previous example of logistics automation.
  • the phrase "at least one of A, B and C" is to be understood as one or more elements from a group of elements consisting of A, B and C, and not to be interpreted as requiring at least one of each of the listed elements A, B and C, whether A, B and C are related as categories or in some other way.
  • the mention of "A, B and/or C" or "at least one of A, B or C” should be construed to include any single entity of the listed elements, e.g. A, any subset of the listed elements, e.g. A and B, or the entire list of elements A, B and C.
  • the waveguide is designed as a (flexible) standpipe with an opening at the lower end for the entry of liquid gas and with one or more vent holes for pressure equalization.
  • the level radar device comprises an antenna connected to the waveguide via a second interface at a second end of the waveguide opposite the first end.
  • the waveguide is made of temperature-insulating material or comprises such a temperature-insulating material.
  • suitable plastics are used here. These should be flexible and have low attenuation at the frequency used.
  • the waveguide has an inner diameter of less than 6.5 mm.
  • the diameter depends on the frequency used. If the diameter is too small, the attenuation values are too high. If it is too large, higher order modes are formed that interfere with the signal and thus limit the accuracy of the measurement.
  • An inner diameter of 6.5 mm is suitable for an operating frequency of 80 GHz.
  • the waveguide is designed as a hollow guide.
  • a further aspect of the present disclosure relates to the use of a flexible, windable waveguide for determining the fill level in the liquid gas tank.
  • the waveguide can be connected to an electronic circuit of a fill level radar device via a first interface at a first end of the waveguide and is intended for at least partial installation in the wall of the liquid gas tank.
  • the electronic circuit of the fill level radar device can thus be connected to it outside the liquid gas tank.
  • a further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a liquid gas tank comprising a flexible, windable waveguide which can be connected to an electronic circuit of a level radar device via a first interface at a first end of the waveguide and is located at least partially in the wall of a liquid gas tank, so that the electronic circuit of the level radar device can be connected thereto outside the liquid gas tank.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a LPG tank with a
  • Level radar device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a LPG tank with a
  • Level radar device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a LPG tank with a level radar device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • Fig. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a liquid gas tank 105 with a level radar device 100 installed in it.
  • a level radar device 100 When measuring the level in containers, especially gas tanks, it has proven to be very complex and expensive to install standpipes for level measurement. These must be lined up next to one another and the connection points must not have any mechanical elevations, as these can cause reflections.
  • liquefied natural gas is stored in highly insulated tanks.
  • a standpipe that runs a short distance through the insulation weakens the insulation.
  • the liquefied natural gas is transported at a low overpressure (membrane tank, for example, maximum 230 mbar) and a temperature of -164°C to -161°C.
  • Liquid hydrogen is transported at -253°C. Good insulation is very important because a reliquefaction plant is not provided for when transporting on ships, as this cannot be operated economically.
  • a level radar device 100 whose electronic circuit 106 is arranged outside the liquid gas tank 105.
  • An antenna 103 is arranged inside the liquid gas tank 105 and can be attached to the inner wall of the container 105.
  • a flexible, windable waveguide 101 is provided between the antenna 103 and the electronic circuit 106, which has a first interface 102 at an upper end of the waveguide 101, to which the electronic circuit 106 of the level radar device 100 is connected.
  • the flexible, windable waveguide 101 can also be a rigid waveguide.
  • the electronic circuit 106 of the level radar device 100 can be removed.
  • the flexible, windable waveguide 101 and the antenna 103 are installed during the manufacturing process of the LPG tank 105. Once the tank has been brought onto the ship, the electronic circuit 106 of the level radar device 100 can then be connected.
  • the level radar device can have an operating frequency of 60 GHz or more and be designed for measurement in a temperature range of -150°C or below. In particular, so-called explosion protection can be provided to prevent the risk of fire or explosion.
  • the level radar device 100 of Fig. 1 measures without contact, so that the antenna 103 can be mounted in the inner container on its upper side and is thus at a distance from the surface of the liquid gas 107.
  • the radar antenna 103 is mounted on the inside of the insulated double-walled container 105.
  • the sensor electronics are mounted on the outside or through a maintenance hatch in the container.
  • the waveguide or hollow conductor 101 connects the two units 103, 106 to one another.
  • Appropriate interfaces 102, 104 are used for these connections. These interfaces 102, 104 meet the necessary requirements with regard to length compensation, angle adjustment and have very good high-frequency properties.
  • a deflection unit for example in the form of metallic radar mirrors, to deflect the radar signals towards the bottom of the container.
  • These mirrors can be attached to the antenna or to the container (not shown in the figures).
  • Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a liquid gas tank 105 with a level radar device 100 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the waveguide 101 which can be designed as a hollow conductor, is also flexible and "off the roll" so that it can be installed on site.
  • the waveguide 101 In order not to thermally short-circuit the insulation of the liquid gas tank 105, it is possible to manufacture the waveguide 101 from a material that is as thermally insulating as possible.
  • the length of the waveguide 101 in the insulation layer of the tank can also be increased (as shown in Fig. 2) in order to increase the temperature resistance over the length of the waveguide within the insulation.
  • This flexible waveguide or hollow conductor can be used in the structure described above.
  • a waveguide has very high requirements for the surface inside the waveguide.
  • the required surface roughness in waveguides is not directly related to the wavelength, but rather to the depth of penetration of the field into the wall. This in turn depends on the specific resistance of the material used and on the frequency.
  • Fig. 3 shows a liquid gas tank 105 with a level radar device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the level radar device has an electronic circuit 106 that is connected to a waveguide in the form of a standpipe.
  • the standpipe runs from the electronic circuit 106 initially horizontally through the container wall and then bends vertically downwards to the container bottom or until just before the container bottom. It is loosely attached to the container wall and threaded through, for example, appropriate suspensions or clamps. It is important that the attachment has sufficient play so that the standpipe can contract or expand depending on the temperature.
  • a "tube from a roll" can be used for the flexible, windable waveguide 101 in order to be attached on site with a corresponding interface to the electronic circuit 106 of the level radar device. The actual level measurement takes place in this tube.
  • one or more openings must be provided to enable pressure equalization. This pressure equalization can also be installed in the interface in order to avoid unwanted reflections elsewhere.
  • a standpipe is fed via a suitable antenna, which radiates the measurement signal into the standpipe.
  • the standpipe has a diameter of approximately 48 to 50 mm.
  • the pulse-shaped measurement signal is emitted directly from the electronics into the pipe.
  • pipe diameters of 20 mm are often used.
  • the inner diameter of the tube is approximately 6.5 mm, and correspondingly less for higher frequencies.
  • the number and size of the ventilation holes and the number and strength of the bends must be selected appropriately. There can only be a single ventilation hole at the very top of the tube (but still inside the container) if the tube is open at the bottom.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage conçu pour une automatisation de processus dans un environnement industriel, comprenant un guide d'ondes flexible qui peut être enroulé et dont une première extrémité est connectée à un circuit électronique du dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage par l'intermédiaire d'une première interface.
PCT/EP2024/061204 2023-06-12 2024-04-24 Dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage et réservoir de gaz liquide Ceased WO2024256073A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN202480038824.XA CN121311743A (zh) 2023-06-12 2024-04-24 液位雷达装置和液化气罐
EP24722170.8A EP4724779A1 (fr) 2023-06-12 2024-04-24 Dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage et réservoir de gaz liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102023205428.0A DE102023205428A1 (de) 2023-06-12 2023-06-12 Füllstandradargerät und Flüssiggas-Tank
DE102023205428.0 2023-06-12

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024256073A1 true WO2024256073A1 (fr) 2024-12-19

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2024/061204 Ceased WO2024256073A1 (fr) 2023-06-12 2024-04-24 Dispositif radar de niveau de remplissage et réservoir de gaz liquide

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Country Link
EP (1) EP4724779A1 (fr)
CN (1) CN121311743A (fr)
DE (1) DE102023205428A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2024256073A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102023205428A1 (de) 2023-06-12 2024-12-12 Vega Grieshaber Kg Füllstandradargerät und Flüssiggas-Tank

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10051025A1 (de) * 2000-10-14 2002-04-18 Endress Hauser Gmbh Co Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Füllstands eines Füllguts in einem Behälter
DE112004000368T5 (de) * 2003-03-04 2006-03-16 Saab Rosemount Tank Radar Ab Verfahren und Vorrichtung für ein Radarfüllstandsmesssystem
EP2154496A1 (fr) * 2008-08-15 2010-02-17 Sick Ag Capteur et procédé de mesure
EP2631611A1 (fr) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-28 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Agencement pour mesurer le niveau d'une surface d'un produit de remplissage
US20150293039A1 (en) * 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Texas Instruments Incorporated Material Detection and Analysis Using a Dielectric Waveguide
EP1422503B1 (fr) * 2002-11-20 2016-04-27 Rosemount Tank Radar AB Appareil et méthode pour mesure de niveau par radar
EP3473988B1 (fr) * 2017-10-17 2020-04-29 VEGA Grieshaber KG Dispositif de mesure d'un niveau de remplissage doté de guides d'ondes d'émission et de réception tubulaires et flexibles
DE102023205428A1 (de) 2023-06-12 2024-12-12 Vega Grieshaber Kg Füllstandradargerät und Flüssiggas-Tank

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20230077375A1 (en) * 2021-07-24 2023-03-16 Rochester Sensors, Llc Device, system and method for rodless guided microwave radiation

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10051025A1 (de) * 2000-10-14 2002-04-18 Endress Hauser Gmbh Co Vorrichtung zur Bestimmung des Füllstands eines Füllguts in einem Behälter
EP1422503B1 (fr) * 2002-11-20 2016-04-27 Rosemount Tank Radar AB Appareil et méthode pour mesure de niveau par radar
DE112004000368T5 (de) * 2003-03-04 2006-03-16 Saab Rosemount Tank Radar Ab Verfahren und Vorrichtung für ein Radarfüllstandsmesssystem
EP2154496A1 (fr) * 2008-08-15 2010-02-17 Sick Ag Capteur et procédé de mesure
EP2631611A1 (fr) * 2012-02-24 2013-08-28 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Agencement pour mesurer le niveau d'une surface d'un produit de remplissage
US20150293039A1 (en) * 2014-04-09 2015-10-15 Texas Instruments Incorporated Material Detection and Analysis Using a Dielectric Waveguide
EP3473988B1 (fr) * 2017-10-17 2020-04-29 VEGA Grieshaber KG Dispositif de mesure d'un niveau de remplissage doté de guides d'ondes d'émission et de réception tubulaires et flexibles
DE102023205428A1 (de) 2023-06-12 2024-12-12 Vega Grieshaber Kg Füllstandradargerät und Flüssiggas-Tank

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP4724779A1 (fr) 2026-04-15
DE102023205428A1 (de) 2024-12-12
CN121311743A (zh) 2026-01-09

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