FLUID LEVEL MEASURING METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREFOR

摘要

An ultrasound system for measuring the fluid level in a tank includes means for emitting an ultrasound detecting beam towards a surface of the fluid in the tank from a first position relative to the tank, yielding at least a portion of a path of the ultrasound detecting beam being generally perpendicular to the bottom of the tank and defining an axis intersecting the bottom of the tank, the first position being adjacent the bottom of the tank; means for receiving echoes from the ultrasound detecting beam reflected from the surface of the fluid in the tank at a second position biased from the first position; and means for determining the fluid level using the echoes received from the ultrasound detecting beam and a distance between the first and second positions. Such a system allows eliminating the limitation caused by the transducers' dead zone without requiring the use of a waveguide. A reference target can be used to calibrate the system for the speed of sound of the fluid mixture in the tank and for measuring the fluid mixture density.