DE202021106006U1 - System for determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material - Google Patents

Abstract

System (100), in particular for determining the volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior space of a first measuring cell (400A) with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall (401), the has a surface directed into the interior, comprising:- at least one first antenna (202) which is used to emit a transmission signal (702, 704) in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume (700A) defined by the interior of a first measurement cell (400A) is formed, wherein the first antenna (202) has at least one disc-shaped carrier substrate (205) with a first surface directed towards a first side and a second surface directed opposite to the first surface, which forms an outside of the antenna, wherein the system (100 ) further comprises a first sensor (200) and an evaluation module (201) and is configured such that- the carrier substrate (205) can be arranged in the interior of the first measuring cell (400A) at a distance from the measuring cell wall (401) or can be installed in the measuring cell wall (401) in such a way that part of the surface of the measuring cell wall (401 ) can be replaced by the second surface of the carrier substrate (205), - the first antenna (202) with radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate (205) or in the carrier substrate (205) as an electric a short antenna with an at least essentially hemispherical radiation characteristic is set up to emit the transmission signal (702, 704) into the measurement volume (700A), - the first sensor (200) is designed to receive a transit time-based radiation signal (703, 705), - the evaluation module (201) is designed to evaluate the runtime-based radiation signal (703, 705) received from the first sensor (200), characterized in that the system (100) further comprises a second sensor (300), which is designed to receive a measurement signal relating to a filling level and/or a volume within a cell delimited from the interior of the first measuring cell (400A), in particular for exchanging bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) connected interior of a second measuring cell (400B), wherein the evaluation module (201) or another evaluation module (301) included in the system (100) for evaluating the measurement signal received from the second sensor (300). and the system (100) is also set up to determine the volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) made of dielectric and/or conductive material within the interior of the first measuring cell (400A) and put both evaluated signals into a functional relationship with one another to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) within the interior of the first measuring cell (400A).

Description

The invention relates to a system for determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior space of a first measuring cell with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall, which has a surface facing into the interior space.

In particular, in the course of the trend towards intelligent factories as part of the future project Industry 4.0, manufacturing companies are faced with considerable tasks. Among other things, greater flexibility is required, the products must be customizable, and at the same time the products and manufacturing processes are becoming more complex. Individual production also goes hand in hand with lower production quantities from batch size 1, which necessitate more flexible production systems. In order to achieve consistently high production quality even with small consumption quantities and dynamic processes, all relevant control variables must be permanently available. This also includes the filling quantities and material distributions of liquids, viscose substances and free-flowing bulk materials in an increasing number of small storage and process containers, which must be continuously recorded by sensors.

In the future, for example, sensors will also be required that provide contactless information on volumetric filling material distribution and/or are suitable for level measurements through layers of material.

Level measurements are nowadays implemented using a wide variety of measuring methods, with a fundamental distinction being made between point level measurement and continuous measurement. For limit level measurements, several sensors are usually installed at defined height positions in the container wall or vertically from above, so that they usually only serve to avoid overfilling or emptying. On the other hand, continuous level measurements provide much more dedicated information and are advantageous, for example, if several limit levels are to be generated above the level. In the case of continuous level sensors, a distinction is made, as is known, between sensors that come into contact with the product and sensors that measure without contact. In the case of all types of sensors that come into contact with the product, the measuring electrodes extend over a defined filling level in the container and are always in contact with the product, i.e. they must meet the environmental conditions in the container. Complicated container geometries, such as corners, slopes, changes in diameter, or fixtures such as filling/heating devices and/or agitators, atmospheric interference and chemical and physical properties of the medium, such as viscosity, vapor, foam, reactivity, density changes, can impair the measurement or even make it impossible.

Ideally, every measurement should therefore take place from the outside, at least without contact with the product. Non-contact measuring sensors work, for example, on the basis of ultrasound, microwaves, radiometry or radar. With pulse radar, for example, short pulses are sent from above into the container and when they hit the boundary surface of the medium, part of the energy is reflected and can be detected as an echo. The distance to the sensor is then determined from the transit time of the signal received and the fill level is finally calculated using the specified container height. Traditionally, radar systems with a beam lobe that is as narrow as possible are used to detect only reflections from the surface of the filling material. However, this usually means that strongly focusing antennas are used, which, however, only lead to practicable sizes at high frequencies and can then only detect a small area of the surface, which can lead to considerable differences between the measured value and the actual filling quantity in the case of existing material cones. Due to the generally narrow radiation lobes or small opening angles of today's radar sensors, material cones are usually not detected outside of the radiation lobe and can consequently lead to a considerable difference between the measured level and the actual filling quantity. These sensors also have a dead zone, especially in the field area close to the antenna, in which the measurement accuracy decreases significantly and the existing container volume can therefore only be used to an incomplete extent.

The DE 10 2006 019 688 B4 describes, for example, a planar antenna for a level radar for sensory level detection, with a glass or ceramic disc being provided for process separation, on the back of which, ie on the side facing away from the level area to be detected by sensors, at least one planar radiator element is applied and spaced therefrom, also on on the side facing away from the fill level area to be detected by sensors, a metal wall is also provided as a ground plane for the radiator element. The planar antenna structure applied by the at least one emitter element is made of a conductive material and can be an individual patch emitter or an array of several individual patches. With this, an electromagnetic high-frequency transmission signal with a wavelength λ is generated and radiated through the disc to the filling material, which has a thickness of one to minimize the interference multiples of λ/2. In addition, to maximize the bandwidth of the antenna, a gas, e.g. B. air, or a vacuum with low dielectric constant. Furthermore, according to DE 10 2006 019 688 B4 It is envisaged that such a planar antenna, which is additionally designed with process separation, will in turn be used in particular within a horn antenna or for installation in a waveguide.

Aside from the thus in the DE 10 2006 019 688 B4 proposed non-contact measurement, in which at least all electronic components of the sensors are located outside of the fill level range to be detected by sensors, a wider beam lobe would still be significantly more advantageous, however, especially for filling goods or object detection in more complex container structures.

With the applicant's European patent application EP20174239.2, filed on May 12, 2020, a system for the detection and/or volume determination of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior of a measuring cell with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall was developed , which has a surface directed into the interior, which comprises an ultra-wideband microwave unit and at least one ultra-wideband antenna with at least one disc-shaped carrier substrate with a first surface directed towards a first side and a second surface directed opposite to the first surface, which has a Forms the outside of the antenna, with the carrier substrate being arranged and intended to replace part of the surface of the measuring cell wall directed into the interior during operation or to extend in the interior at a distance from the measuring cell wall, and wherein the Ultra-broadband antenna is set up with arranged on or in the carrier substrate radiator elements as an electrically short antenna with an at least substantially hemispherical radiation pattern, for covering a volumetric measurement field. In this way, a non-contact measurement within a measuring cell could be improved in such a way that even geometrically complicated measuring cell volumes can be detected essentially completely and thus in particular without dead areas with regard to bodies or substances with a cost-effective structure.

In many applications, however, it is also necessary to remove filling material from a container previously filled with filling material. For certain areas of application, it may be necessary to only remove filling material from the container that has a predetermined material property, for example a particle size that does not exceed a predetermined maximum value, or filling material in a specific, e.g. liquid or gaseous, aggregate state. In such applications, it is of great interest to obtain knowledge both of the volume of the filling material which does not or not yet have the predetermined material property and of the filling level and/or the volume of the filling material having the predetermined material property.

Against this background, the task arises, in particular in a further development of EP20174239.2, to provide a system which, in addition to an improved non-contact measurement of filling material within a first measuring cell, also has a separate second measurement for determining the filling level and/or volume of filling material within a second measuring cell, which comprises an interior space delimited from the interior space of the first measuring cell. The solution of the present invention is given by a system with the features according to claim 1. Expedient developments are the subject of the subclaims.

According to the invention, a system is therefore provided, in particular for determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior space of a first measuring cell with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall, which has a surface directed into the interior space, which is as follows is set up.

The system comprises at least one first antenna, which is designed to emit a transmission signal in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume defined by the interior of a first measurement cell. The first antenna comprises at least one disk-shaped carrier substrate with a first surface directed towards a first side and a second surface directed opposite to the first surface, which forms an outside of the first antenna. In other words, the first surface directed towards the first side is expediently located on the side facing away from the fill level area to be detected by sensors. In addition, the system includes a first sensor and an evaluation module. The system is configured in such a way that the carrier substrate can be arranged in the interior of the first measuring cell at a distance from the measuring cell wall or can be installed in the measuring cell wall in such a way that part of the surface of the measuring cell wall directed into the interior of the first measuring cell can be replaced by the second surface of the carrier substrate . Furthermore, the system is configured such that the first antenna on the second surface of the carrier substrate or emitter elements arranged in the carrier substrate as an electrically short antenna with an at least essentially hemispherical radiation characteristic for emitting the transmission signal into the measurement volume, that the first sensor is designed to receive a propagation-time-based radiation signal and that the evaluation module is designed to evaluate the propagation-time-based signal received from the first sensor Radiation signal is formed.

The system according to the invention is further characterized in that it has a second sensor which is used to receive a measurement signal relating to a filling level and/or a volume within a cell that is delimited from the interior of the first measuring cell and is in particular connected to it for the exchange of bodies or substances , Interior of a second measuring cell is formed. The evaluation module or another evaluation module included in the system is designed to evaluate the measurement signal received from the second sensor. Furthermore, the system is set up to determine the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material within the interior of the first measuring cell, by functionally relating the two evaluated signals to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances within the interior of the first measuring cell.

Such a system can thus contribute with the help of the first sensor and the evaluation module to the volume determination of bodies or substances in the first measuring cell and with the help of a second sensor independent of the first sensor and the evaluation module or a further evaluation module in a second measuring cell for level and/or or contribute to volume determination. The first and the second measuring cell are expediently arranged in a common container, but can also be arranged in different containers. The inner space of the second measuring cell is delimited from the inner space of the first measuring cell, in particular spatially delimited in such a way that the respective inner spaces are connected to one another for the exchange of bodies or substances. Bodies or substances can thus, for example, get from the interior of the first measuring cell into the interior of the second measuring cell. If no further filling material is filled into at least one of the two measuring cells and no filling material is removed from it, the system is then set up in such a way that the first sensor receives a measuring signal which essentially corresponds to the proportion of bodies or Substances corresponds to a reduced measurement signal, and that the second sensor receives a measurement signal which, however, corresponds to a measurement signal which is increased essentially by the proportion of bodies or substances that have passed from the interior of the first measurement cell into the interior of the second measurement cell. After the evaluation of the two measurement signals by the evaluation module or modules, the system can use the two evaluated measurement signals to determine the volume of bodies or substances inside the interior of the first measuring cell by functionally relating the evaluated measurement signals to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances inside of the interior of the first measuring cell, for example a volume taken up immediately after the first measuring cell has been filled, also called the initial filling volume. The additional measurement for determining the fill level and/or volume of bodies or substances within the interior of the second measuring cell allows the system to provide a more accurate measurement result with regard to the non-contact measurement within the interior of the first measuring cell. In addition, the system enables a separate determination of the volume of bodies or substances in the first measuring cell and the filling level and/or the volume of bodies or substances in the second measuring cell.

The measurement signals received from the first and the second sensor can be transmitted to the evaluation module or to the further evaluation module, in which they can then be processed and evaluated, in particular by downstream digital algorithms, depending on the application. By means of a signal evaluation that has been shifted to digital algorithms, the system according to the invention can take measurements down to the bottom and in a wide variety of areas including the corners of at least the first measuring cell, i.e. in particular up to a container bottom and into the corners of a container containing the first measuring cell, in particular under Consideration of transit time and signal shape analysis, especially in the presence of multiple reflections of the measurement volume, can be carried out extremely precisely.

Furthermore, since the carrier substrate of the first antenna replaces part of the surface of the measuring cell wall directed into the interior space or extends in the interior space at a distance from the measuring cell wall and the radiator elements arranged on or in it have an at least essentially hemispherical radiation characteristic, dead zones can be essentially completely avoided and the system can thus also be used for measurements in the vicinity of the first antenna.

The system according to the invention preferably comprises the first measuring cell, the second measuring cell and also a separating layer. The separating layer is designed to delimit the interior of the first measuring cell from the interior of the second measuring cell in such a way that the separating layer is permeable to bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material which have at least one predetermined material property. Such a further developed system makes it possible for filling material in the form of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material to be divided up and, to a certain extent, selected in the first measuring cell. Bodies or substances that have a predetermined material property can pass through the separating layer and get into the interior of the second measuring cell due to this predetermined material property. On the other hand, the bodies or substances that do not have the predetermined material property remain in the interior of the first measuring cell, since these bodies or substances cannot pass through the separating layer. The system is thus set up to use the first sensor and the evaluation module to determine the filling volume of the bodies or substances that do not have the predetermined material property in the first measuring cell and also to use the second sensor and the evaluation module or a further evaluation module to determine the fill level and/or or to determine the filling volume of the bodies or substances that have the predetermined substance property in the second measuring cell. The system can therefore be used to determine at any time what filling volume and/or what level bodies or substances occupy depending on the predetermined substance property, and thus in particular how large the proportion of bodies or substances in the predetermined substance property is in relation to an adjustable reference volume or reference value is.

The separating layer can in particular be designed as a metallic lattice, which preferably has a predetermined lattice spacing, so that the metallic lattice is permeable to bodies or substances which, as a predetermined material property, have a particle size essentially smaller than the lattice spacing of the lattice. Thus, bodies or substances whose particle size is essentially smaller than the lattice spacing of the metallic lattice can pass through this lattice and get into the interior of the second measuring cell. Bodies and substances whose particle size exceeds the grid spacing of the grid cannot pass through the grid and remain in the interior of the first measuring cell. The metallic grid can in particular be a heating grid which is designed to heat, in particular to melt, bodies and substances located within the interior of the first measuring cell, and which is also particularly permeable to molten and/or liquid bodies or substances.

As an alternative to a metallic grid, however, the separating layer can also be designed as a membrane which is permeable to bodies and substances with a predetermined material property. In this case, the membrane is preferably selected on the basis of the predetermined material property.

The second sensor of the system according to the invention can be, for example, a capacitive sensor, in particular a capacitive sensor based on the three-electrode measuring principle, with at least one measuring electrode for capacitive level measurement of the bodies and substances that have entered the second measuring cell, with a counter-electrode being attached to a measuring cell wall of the second measuring cell or at least part of the measuring cell wall of the second measuring cell serves as a counter electrode. The second sensor thus receives a level measurement signal, which is evaluated by the evaluation module or by the further evaluation module.

Alternatively, the second sensor of the system according to the invention can be, for example, a runtime-based radiation sensor, which is designed for the volumetric detection of bodies or substances in the second measuring cell and is in particular a runtime-based radiation sensor designed in accordance with the first sensor. The system also includes a second antenna for emitting a second transmission signal in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume defined by the interior of the second measurement cell, with the second antenna preferably being designed essentially in accordance with the first antenna.

In a preferred development, at least the first antenna is designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna. In addition to emitting the transmission signal, the emitter elements are also set up to receive a reception signal and to transmit the reception signal to the first sensor. The received signal is present in particular in the form of a transmitted signal reflected by the bodies or substances to be measured in volume and/or a transmitted signal reflected on the measuring cell wall of the first measuring cell. The received signal transmitted to the first sensor corresponds to the received propagation time-based radiation signal.

In addition, the system expediently also has a transmission module for generating the transmission signal and a cable connection electrically connected to the transmission module and to the radiating elements of at least the first antenna for wired transmission of the transmission signal generated to the radiating elements of the first antenna.

It has been shown that particularly useful radiation characteristics can be set up if the system has two planar radiator elements arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate or in the carrier substrate and preferably horizontally and/or vertically parallel to these two planar radiator elements at least two more on the second surface of the carrier substrate or has planar radiator elements arranged in the carrier substrate. The two planar radiator elements and, if present, two of these at least two further planar radiator elements, extending essentially parallel to the carrier substrate and held by it in a common plane, together form a flat antenna structure, for example as a planar dipole. The advantage is that the radiator elements can in principle be of any shape in order to form a large number of possible antenna structures, such as circular, elliptical and ring structures or butterfly structures, fly structures, ie “bow tie” structures, and so-called Batwing structures.

Furthermore, in a supplementary and/or alternative embodiment, it is provided that at least the first antenna comprises a shielding arranged at a distance from the carrier substrate on the side of the carrier element facing away from the measurement volume. A wave propagation of the transmission signal in this direction can thus be avoided in a simple manner and the field propagation behind the first antenna can be minimized. The shielding can be formed in particular by a metal measuring cell wall or by a metal cover of the first antenna.

In addition and/or as an alternative to the shielding, a surface next to the carrier substrate facing the first side can also be arranged as a protective layer, a non-conductive layer, in particular for covering, and/or an absorber layer, in particular for electromagnetic absorption. With at least one such layer designed for covering and/or absorption, additional reflections on rear-side layers, in particular also layers grounded to ground, can thus be avoided in a simple manner.

A multi-layer circuit board can also be used as the carrier substrate and/or the radiator elements can be embedded in the carrier substrate.

In addition or as an alternative to this, the carrier substrate can be part of an integrated circuit. In addition or as an alternative to this, the system can also have at least one matching element and in particular at least one cable connection connected to the radiator elements via the matching element, it also being possible for the matching element to be part of an integrated circuit.

• 1 eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Volumenbestimmung von Körpern oder Stoffen in einer ersten Messzelle und zumindest zur Füllstandbestimmung von Füllgut in einer zweiten Messzelle,
• 2 eine zweite Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Volumenbestimmung von Körpern oder Stoffen in einer ersten Messzelle und zumindest zur Füllstandbestimmung von Füllgut in einer zweiten Messzelle,
• 3 eine dritte Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zur Volumenbestimmung von Körpern oder Stoffen in einer ersten und einer zweiten Messzelle,
• 4 in Draufsicht eine erste Ausführungsform einer als Dipolantenne ausgeführten Platinenantenne für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 5 in Querschnittsansicht eine zweite Ausführung einer Platinenantenne mit eingebetteten Strahlerelementen für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 6 in Draufsicht eine dritte Ausführung einer als Dipolantenne ausgeführten Platinenantenne, insbesondere für bi-statische Messungen für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 7 in Querschnittsansicht eine vierte Ausführung einer Platinenantenne mit eingebetteten Strahlerelementen für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 8 in Querschnittsansicht eine fünfte Ausführung einer Platinenantenne mit eingebetteten Strahlerelementen und rückseitiger Abschirmung für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 9 in Querschnittsansicht eine sechste Ausführung einer Platinenantenne mit eingebetteten Strahlerelementen für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 10 in Querschnittsansicht eine siebte Ausführung einer Platinenantenne mit eingebetteten Strahlerelementen für den Einsatz innerhalb eines Systems gemäß der Erfindung,
• 11 im Querschnitt ein Messsystem nach dem Stand der Technik mit bündelnden Hochfrequenzantennen bei der Füllstanderfassung in einem Behälter,
• 12 im Querschnitt das Messsystem nach dem Stand der Technik mit bündelnden Hochfrequenzantennen bei der Objekterfassung in einem Behälter, und
• 13 im Querschnitt das Messsystem nach dem Stand der Technik mit bündelnden Hochfrequenzantennen bei der Objekterfassung in einem anderen Behälter.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description of some preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. The drawings each show a sketch in a greatly simplified representation that is not true to scale:

• 1 a first embodiment of a system according to the invention for determining the volume of bodies or substances in a first measuring cell and at least for determining the filling level of filling material in a second measuring cell,
• 2 a second embodiment of a system according to the invention for determining the volume of bodies or substances in a first measuring cell and at least for determining the filling level of filling material in a second measuring cell,
• 3 a third embodiment of a system according to the invention for determining the volume of bodies or substances in a first and a second measuring cell,
• 4 in plan view a first embodiment of a circuit board antenna designed as a dipole antenna for use within a system according to the invention,
• 5 in a cross-sectional view a second embodiment of a board antenna with embedded radiating elements for use within a system according to the invention,
• 6 a top view of a third embodiment of a circuit board antenna designed as a dipole antenna, in particular for bistatic measurements for use within a system according to the invention,
• 7 in cross-sectional view a fourth embodiment of a board antenna with embedded radiating elements for use within a system according to the invention,
• 8th in cross-sectional view a fifth embodiment of a circuit board antenna with embedded radiating elements and rear shielding for use within a system according to the invention,
• 9 in cross-sectional view a sixth embodiment of a circuit board antenna with embedded radiating elements for use within a system according to the invention,
• 10 in cross-sectional view a seventh embodiment of a circuit board antenna with embedded radiating elements for use within a system according to the invention,
• 11 in cross section, a measuring system according to the prior art with bundling high-frequency antennas for level detection in a container,
• 12 in cross section, the measuring system according to the prior art with bundling high-frequency antennas when detecting an object in a container, and
• 13 in cross section, the measuring system according to the prior art with bundling high-frequency antennas when detecting an object in another container.

In the following, reference is made to the figures for the further description of some preferred embodiments of the invention 11 until 13 systems shown is discussed, which show measuring systems according to the prior art with bundling high-frequency antennas for level and object detection in different containers.

In particular, the 11 until 13 systems shown in cross-section each have a filling level radar 10 with antennas (or an antenna) 12 that focus high-frequency beams. The respective antenna structure of the focussing antenna 12 can be made of a conductive material, not shown in detail, and in particular can be made up of a single patch radiator or an array of several individual patches be, such as in the DE 10 2006 019 688 B4 described. The bundling antennas 12 are each electrically conductively connected to a rear side, i.e. on the side facing away from the fill level area to be detected by sensors, with a ground surface or reflector layer 13, with a high-frequency connection 14 leading from the bundling antenna 12 to microwave electronics 11. According to the 11 and 12 a "rectangular" or "cylindrical" container 30 is shown in each case with a container wall 31, through which a measuring cell is defined. In other words, the container wall 31 forms the measuring cell wall, so that the surface of the container wall 31 directed into the interior ultimately defines the fill level range to be detected by sensors. Such a fill level area is consequently essentially “hollow cuboid” or also “hollow cylindrical” in shape. As a modification to the 11 and 12 is at 13 not just a “rectangular” or “cylindrical” container, but a container 40 with essentially any structure, in particular any complex structure, which consequently also includes a container wall 41 following this any structure. A measuring cell defined in this way, and thus also the fill level area to be detected by sensors, which is defined by the surface of the container wall 41 directed into the interior, is consequently also not just “hollow cuboid” or “hollow cylindrical” in shape, but can have shoulders, corners, slopes and the like include.

A measuring field 60 generated by means of the bundling antenna 12 is equally in the 11 until 13 sketched. As can be seen, the generated measuring field 60 is a bundled measuring field and consequently has a correspondingly bundled directional lobe 61, which delimits the area in which a transmission signal 62 with a specific minimum field strength can be generated or a reception signal 63 with a specific minimum signal strength can be received .

Located in container 30 according to 11 as a filling material 500, for example, a liquid or a bulk material, so that the filling level area and thus the interior of the measuring cell is filled essentially homogeneously from the bottom upwards with the liquid or the bulk material 11 shown measuring system according to the prior art can be carried out essentially satisfactorily, since in such a case of a homogeneous filling material distribution a bundled directional lobe 61 usually has no negative effects on the measurement result.

Located in container 30 according to 12 and 13 However, if there are several bodies or substances as filling material, such as those marked with 502 and 503, which do not fill the filling level area and therefore the interior of the measuring cell homogeneously from the bottom up or are arranged distributed from one another inside the measuring cell, the bundled directional lobe 61 can consequently lead to this That only a part of the bodies or substances or only individual bodies or substances within the range of the directional lobe 61 is detected by sensors, ie can be recognized. So will at 13 For example, only the body marked 502 is detected by sensors, but not the filling material marked 500 that is outside of the directional lobe 61, for example a liquid or bulk material with homogeneous distribution from the bottom of the interior of the measuring cell upwards, or others outside the directional lobe that are not shown 61 located bodies. At 12 In addition to the body marked 502 , the filling material surface 501 of the filling material 500 is also detected by sensors, but not the further body marked 503 , which is located outside of the directional lobe 61 . But also a filling level measurement based on a recognized body or according to 12 and 13 a volume determination of the body 502 can already lead to different results in these exemplary embodiments. Lies as with 12 to see, for example, the body 502 on the If the bottom of the container, which is "rectangular" or "cylindrical" there, extends within the directional lobe 61 around the body 502 to the surface 501 of the filling material 500, then based on the body surface 504 of the body 502 and the Filling material surface 501 of the filling material 500, in addition to the pure detection of the body 502, a volume determination of the body 502 can generally also be carried out using appropriate electronics. However, the volume determination becomes less precise due to the filling material 500 surrounding the body 502 than would be the case without the filling material 500 surrounding the body 502 . On the other hand, if the body is in the near field of antenna 12, such as body 502 at 13 , is consequently with the at 13 shown measurement system according to the prior art only a part of the body 502 detected. Consequently, although the body 502 can in principle be recognized on the basis of the body surface 504 of the body 502 detected by sensors, the volume of the body can generally no longer be determined. In addition, it has a negative effect if the body, such as the body 502 at 13 does not lie on the bottom of a container that is merely “rectangular” or also “cylindrical” in shape, but rather, for example, on a shoulder or on other, further distributed bodies that are located individually under the body. In such a case, the body surface 504 of the body 502 detected by sensors can reflect an incorrect fill level.

Above all, however, this enables the 12 and 13 The measuring system 10 shown does not measure the body 502 on the one hand and the filling material 500 on the other hand separately. Rather, a sensory detection of the body surface 504 of the body 502 and the filling material surface 501 of the filling material 500 carried out with the same sensor, as in 12 , lead to significant and sometimes even unacceptable measurement inaccuracies. If, on the other hand, the measurement volume to be recorded is restricted, for example correspondingly 13 , only the body 502 located within the directional lobe 61 can be detected by sensors, but without being able to determine its volume. The in the 11-13 The measuring systems of the prior art shown usually quickly reach their limits in terms of their measuring accuracy if there are different filling goods with different material properties, for example very different particle sizes, physical state, chemical composition, etc., in the measuring cell and these different filling goods 500, 502, 503 separately are to be detected by sensors from one another.

In contrast, the 1 until 3 in a greatly simplified representation, different measuring systems according to the invention. In particular, three different embodiments compared to the measuring system 10 of FIG 11-13 improved system 100 according to the invention for determining the volume of bodies or substances in a first measuring cell 400A of an arbitrarily structured container 900, which comprises a second measuring cell 400B in addition to the first measuring cell 400A. The first and second measuring cells 400A, 400B do not necessarily have to be included in a common container 900, but can alternatively each be included in their own container.

As can be seen below, such a system 100 according to the invention is suitable for determining the volume of bodies or substances made of dielectric and/or conductive material 500, 502, 503, 504 within an interior of the first measuring cell 400A with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall 401, which has a has directed into the interior surface. In 1-3 For example, parts of the container wall of container 900 form measuring cell wall 401 of first measuring cell 400A and also of second measuring cell 400B. The interior of the first measuring cell 400A defines the measuring area to be detected by a first sensor 200 or a first measuring volume 700A to be detected by sensors, while the interior of the second measuring cell 400B defines the measuring area to be detected by a second sensor 300 or a second sensory sensing measurement volume 700B defined. The measuring volumes 700A, 700B do not just have to be “hollow cuboid” or “hollow cylindrical” in shape, but can include shoulders, corners, bevels and the like, as is shown in FIGS 1 until 3 can be seen with respect to the measurement volume 700A.

The system 100 according to the invention has at least one first antenna 202, as in FIG 1-3 evident. The first antenna 202 is designed to emit at least one transmission signal 702, 704 in the form of electromagnetic radiation into the measurement volume 700A of the first measurement cell 400A and comprises at least one disc-shaped, i.e. planar, carrier substrate 205 with a first surface directed towards a first side and an opposite one first surface directed second surface. This second surface forms an outside of the first antenna 202. The system 100 according to the invention is shown in FIGS 1-3 configured for example in such a way that the carrier substrate 205 can be installed in the measuring cell wall 401 so that a part of the surface of the measuring cell wall 401 directed into the interior of the first measuring cell 400A can be replaced by the second surface of the carrier substrate 205 . Alternatively, the carrier substrate can also be of the measuring be spaced apart from the cell wall and extend in the interior of the measuring cell 400A.

In addition, the system 100 is always configured so that the first antenna 202 arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate 205 or in the carrier substrate 205 radiator elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b, such as the 4 until 10 can be seen, as an electrically short antenna is set up with an at least substantially hemispherical radiation pattern to transmit the signal 702, 704 over a solid angle of at least 2π and thus in the measurement volume 700A, such as the 1 until 3 taken as an example to radiate.

It is known that an antenna is electrically short if the electrical conductor of the antenna is much smaller than half the operating wavelength λ. For example, if the antenna emits an ultra-wideband signal, i.e. a signal in particular within a frequency range between 0.1 and 6 GHz, this corresponds to a wavelength range between approximately 30dm and 5cm. Depending on the desired application, half the operating wavelength is preferably between 15 dm and 2.5 cm, and the electrical conductor or the conductor structure of the radiating elements that make up the antenna must be adjusted accordingly as far as possible. In particular, it is provided that the electrical conductor or the conductor structure of the radiator elements as defined in "Textbook of High Frequency Technology", first volume, second edition, page 261, chapter 6.2.2, from 1973, ISBN 3-540-05974-1, to set up of an electrically short antenna is less than or equal to λ/8.

The first antenna 202 can be, for example, an ultra-wideband antenna, as described in EP20174239.2, which is suitable for emitting transmission signals in the form of ultra-wideband signals with low frequencies, since ultra-wideband signals can penetrate a wide variety of dielectric materials particularly well. In addition, ultra-broadband antennas are particularly suitable for small measuring cells, since correspondingly small antennas with radiating elements in the centimeter range are required. When considering the entire usable frequency range of an ultra-broadband antenna, by definition, these are electrically short antennas that have little or no directivity and therefore expediently emit transmission signals into an at least essentially hemispherical measurement volume.

Due to the previously described radiation characteristics of the first antenna 202, which is set up as an electrically short antenna, in contrast to the prior art described above according to FIG 11-13 with a system 100 according to the invention, even in geometrically complex measuring cells, for example with shoulders, corners, bevels and the like, and correspondingly geometrically complex measuring volumes, dead areas are essentially completely avoided due to the covering of a measuring volume 700A over a solid angle of at least 2π. Furthermore, the system 100 can thus also be used for measurements, in particular radar measurements, but also LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) measurements with a corresponding geometry of the first measuring cell 400A, for determining the volume of bodies or substances in the vicinity of the first antenna.

If the carrier substrate is not as in 1-3 , but in the interior of the first measuring cell 400A at a distance from the measuring cell wall 401, the first antenna 202 can have a radiation characteristic with which the transmission signal 702 over a solid angle of far more than 2n up to 4π, i.e. up to an essentially full spherical Radiation characteristics, can be radiated.

The system 100 according to the invention expediently has a transmission module 800 for generating the transmission signal 702 to be emitted at least by the first antenna 202 and a transmission module 800 and the emitter elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b (see 4-10 ) at least the first antenna 202 electrically connected cable connector 203, such as in 1 and 3 shown. The cable connection 203 is used for wired transmission of the transmission signal 702 generated by the transmission module 800 to the radiating elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b of the first antenna 202.

The transmission signals 702 radiated from the first antenna 202 into the measurement volume 700A of the first measurement cell 400A usually either directly impinge on the body surface 504 of bodies 502, 503 located therein or on the filling material surface 501 of a, for example liquid, filling material 500 or but first on the measuring cell wall 401, from which they are reflected.

Such reflected transmission signals are in 1 and 2 Eg marked with 704. The transmission signals 702, 704 impinging on a body surface 504 and/or filling material surface 501 are reflected by the respective body surface 504 of the body 502, 503 and/or filling material surface 501 of the filling material 500, the signals then reflected being referred to below as received signals. Received signals that are based on transmitted signals that have already been reflected and/or after reflection from the respective body surface 504 or the filling material surface 501 are reflected again on the measuring cell wall 401 are in 2 eg marked with 705. All other received signals are marked with 703 in the figures.

In order to receive the received signals 703, 705, the system 100 according to the invention has a first sensor 200 designed to receive a transit time-based radiation signal, as shown in FIG 1-3 shown. This first sensor 200 is at least suitable for receiving radiation signals in a frequency range in which the transmission signals 702, 704 emitted by the first antenna 202 lie. In order to evaluate the transit time-based radiation signal received from the first sensor 200, the system 100 according to the invention comprises according to FIG 1-3 an evaluation module 201. It goes without saying that the evaluation module 201 is likewise at least suitable for evaluating radiation signals in a frequency range in which the radiation signals 703, 705 received by the first sensor 200 lie. The evaluation module 201 can use digital algorithms to determine the volume of bodies or substances for signal evaluation, in particular depending on the application-specific further configuration. in the in 1 shown embodiment, the evaluation module 201 is electrically connected to the first sensor 200, while in 2 and 3 is, for example, comprised by the first sensor 200 and is therefore part of the first sensor 200 .

At least in the first measuring cell 400A, measurements, in particular radar measurements or LiDAR measurements, can be carried out down to the ground and in the most diverse areas of the first measuring cell 400A using reflected signals and extremely precisely, taking into account runtime analyzes and multiple reflections, in particular using digital Algorithms to be evaluated. However, it should be noted here that the signal evaluation itself, in particular when using appropriate algorithms, is not the subject of the invention and is therefore not discussed further.

Like the 1-3 It can also be seen that the system 100, in contrast to that in 11-13 shown prior art and compared to EP20174239.2 also a second sensor 300. The second sensor 300 is for receiving a measurement signal relating to a fill level (see 1 and 2 ) and/or a volume (see 3 ) within an interior space of the second measurement cell 400B of the container 900 that is delimited from the interior space of the first measurement cell 400A (see FIG 1 ) educated. The interior of the second measuring cell 400B is according to 1-3 delimited from the interior of the first measuring cell 400A in such a way that it communicates with the interior of the first measuring cell 400A for the exchange of bodies or substances.

That in the 1-3 The system 100 according to the invention shown comprises in particular the first measuring cell 400A, the second measuring cell 400B and a separating layer 600. The separating layer 600 is designed to delimit the interior of the first measuring cell 400A from the interior of the second measuring cell 400B in such a way that it is suitable for the detecting bodies or substances 500, 502, 503, which have at least one predetermined material property, is permeable. This has the advantage that the bodies or substances can be separated or selectively divided between the first and second measuring cells 400A, 400B depending on a predetermined material property of the bodies or substances. For example, only the bodies and substances that have a predetermined substance property can be removed from the interior of the second measuring cell 400B. In this case, the separating layer is designed in such a way that it is only permeable to bodies and substances with these predetermined substance properties.

The evaluation module 201 (see 1 and 3 ) or another evaluation module 301 included in the system 100 (see 2 ) is designed to evaluate the measurement signal received from the second sensor 300 .

The system 100 according to the invention is always set up to determine the volume of bodies or substances 502, 503, 500 made of dielectric and/or conductive material within the interior of the first measuring cell 400A. Both evaluated signals are functionally related to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances within of the interior of the first measuring cell 400A. The adjustable reference volume serves as a reference value and can, for example, correspond to a volume occupied by bodies or substances immediately after the first measuring cell 400A has been filled, i.e. an initial filling volume, or for example to the measuring volume 700A.

If, after the first measuring cell 400A has been filled with filling material or bodies or substances, neither further filling material is refilled nor filling material removed from the first and/or second measuring cell 400B, so that a unit consisting of the first and second measuring cell 400A, 400B forms an essentially closed system, must an increase in a received from the second sensor 300, evaluated measurement signal essentially in a corresponding decrease in the first sensor 200 received, evaluated radiation signal to determine the volume of the bodies located in the interior of the first measuring cell 400A. The evaluated measurement signal received by the second sensor 300 can thus be used in such a case to check the evaluated radiation signal received by the first sensor 200, at least with regard to the entire volume occupied by the bodies located in the interior of the first measuring cell 400A, or to check it improve. Consequently, the system 100 according to the invention can provide a more accurate measurement result with regard to the non-contact measurement within the interior of the first measuring cell through the additional measurement for determining the fill level and/or volume of bodies or substances within the interior of the second measuring cell 400B, which represents the total volume of the bodies or substances located in the measurement volume 700A. In addition, the system 100 enables a separate determination of the volume of bodies or substances in the first measuring cell 400A and the fill level and/or the volume of bodies or substances in the second measuring cell 400B. This is particularly advantageous when separating filling material as a function of a predetermined material property.

The individual differences between the in 1-3 embodiments shown explained in more detail.

This in 1 The system 100 shown is configured such that the first antenna 202 is designed purely as a transmitting antenna, ie the first antenna 202 of a system 100 according to the invention does not necessarily have to be designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna. A transmission module 800 electrically connected to the first antenna 202 via a cable connection 203 is set up to generate the transmission signal 702, with the cable connection 203 being used for wired transmission of the transmission signal 702 generated to the first antenna 202 or its radiating elements. The first sensor 200 of the system 100 is for directly receiving time-of-flight based radiation signals, including the. in 1 received signals 703 shown, formed within the measurement volume 700A. In 1 For example, the first sensor 200 is arranged on the measuring cell wall 401 of the first measuring cell 400A, so that it extends into the interior of the first measuring cell 400A. As an alternative to this, the first sensor 200 could also be installed in the measuring cell wall 401 corresponding to the carrier substrate 205 of the first antenna 202 . For example, the first sensor 200 can be embodied as a receiving antenna and, in particular, can be embodied in accordance with the first antenna 202 . In an embodiment that is not shown, the system can also include a receiving antenna or even multiple receiving antennas in addition to the first antenna 202 as a transmitting antenna and the first sensor 200, with the receiving antenna(s) then transmitting the received radiation signals to the first sensor 200, for example.

The interior of the second measuring cell 400B is delimited from the interior of the first measuring cell 400A by a separating layer 600, which in 1 is formed, for example, as a membrane which is particularly liquid-permeable. Thus, liquid filling material 500 can get from the interior of the first measuring cell 400A through the membrane into the interior of the second measuring cell 400B. and are thus separated from the bodies 502, 503 in the interior of the first measuring cell 400A.

The second sensor 300 included in the system 100 is in 1 For example, a capacitive sensor based on the three-electrode measuring principle with at least one measuring electrode (not shown for the sake of clarity) for capacitive level measurement of the bodies and substances that have entered the second measuring cell 400B or of the liquid filling material 500 that has entered the second measuring cell 400B. A counter-electrode (not shown) attached to a measuring cell wall 401 of the second measuring cell 400B or at least part of the measuring cell wall 401 serves as a counter electrode.

A central evaluation module 201 included in system 100 and electrically connected to first sensor 200 and to second sensor 300 is designed to evaluate the propagation-time-based radiation signal received from first sensor 200 and the measurement signal received from second sensor 300 . In addition, the evaluation module 201 assumes the function of functionally relating the two evaluated signals to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances within the interior of the first measuring cell 400A.

This in 1 The system shown has the particular advantage that liquid filling material 500 is separated from filling material in the form of solid bodies 502, 503, but above all separately from one another in measuring cells 400A, 400B that are spatially delimited from one another and have two different sensors 200, 300 that are suitable for the respective application can be measured. For example, a capacitive sensor for level measurement can preferably be used as the second sensor 300 for the detection of liquid filling material 500, while a transit time-based radiation sensor is used as the first sensor 200 for the volume determination of solid bodies 502, 503, as in 1 shown.

The system 100 according to the invention according to in 2 The embodiment shown includes a first antenna 202, which is designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna. Their radiator elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b (see 4-10 ) are set up not only to emit the transmission signal 702, 704 but also to receive the reception signal 703, 705 and to transmit the reception signal 703, 705 to the first sensor 200. The received signal 703, 705 transmitted to the first sensor 200 corresponds to the received transit time-based radiation signal and is in particular in the form of a transmitted signal 702 reflected by the bodies 502, 503 or substances 500 and/or a transmitted signal 704 reflected on the measuring cell wall 401 of the first measuring cell 400A before. The first antenna 202 comprises according to 2 a shield 402 arranged at a distance from the carrier substrate 205 on the side of the carrier element 205 facing away from the measurement volume 700A. The shield 402 is in 2 embodied as a metallic cover of the first antenna 202, for example, but can alternatively also be embodied by a metallic measuring cell wall 401 of the first measuring cell 400A. The first sensor 200 includes in 2 an evaluation module 201, which is designed to evaluate the transit time-based radiation signal received from the first sensor 200, ie the received signals 703, 705.

In contrast to 1 the interior of the second measuring cell 400B is delimited from the interior of the first measuring cell 400A by a separating layer 600, which is present, for example, as a metallic grid in the form of a heating grid. In particular, the heating grid can heat and even melt the filling material that is in direct contact with it, such as the bodies 502, 503 within the first measuring cell 400A, so that melted filling material can get through the heating grid into the interior of the second measuring cell 400B, e.g eg the filling material 500 located in the second measuring cell 400B. Thus, melted filling material 500 can differ from non-melted filling material, ie the in 2 bodies 502, 503 shown are separated. An optional removal of only melted filling material 500 is thus facilitated in that it can be removed from the second measuring cell 200B. Above all, however, melted filling material 500 and non-melted material can be measured separately from one another, ie in measuring cells 400A, 400B that are spatially separated from one another and with two different sensors 200, 300 that are suitable for the respective application, as already mentioned with regard to 1 described.

The second sensor 300 of the system 100 is in 2 as well as in 1 a capacitive sensor for level measurement of molten filling material 500. The second sensor 300 is electrically connected to a further evaluation module 301, which according to the embodiment of FIG 2 is used to evaluate the measurement signal detected by the second sensor 300 and to transmit the evaluated measurement signal to the evaluation module 201 of the first sensor 200 . The latter assumes the task of functionally relating the two evaluated signals to an adjustable reference volume.

3 shows an inventive system 100, in which the first antenna 202 accordingly 2 is designed, for example, as a transmitting and receiving antenna. The radiator elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b (see 4-10 ) of the first antenna 202 are thus also for receiving a received signal (in 3 not shown) and for transmitting the received signal to the first sensor 200 . In addition to the first antenna 202, the 3 system 100 shown has another transmitting antenna 212 with a carrier substrate (not shown for the sake of clarity). In alternative embodiments, the system can also include a number of other such transmission antennas 212, each with a carrier substrate. With emitter elements arranged at distributed locations of the first measuring cell 400A on the second surface of the respective carrier substrate or in the respective carrier substrate, a radar measurement with support points at different locations within the measuring cell can therefore be carried out, for example, which reflects the possible structural complexity of the measuring volume 700A to be detected by sensors in the applicability the subject of the invention is essentially no longer limits. The first sensor 200 includes in 3 , as well as in 2 , an evaluation module 201 for evaluating the transit time-based radiation signal received via the antenna 202 designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna.

In a non-illustrated embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first sensor, in contrast to the 2 and/or 3 in particular also be designed as a receiving part of the first antenna designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna and thus be encompassed by the first antenna. In this case, the first antenna is expediently electrically connected to an evaluation module for evaluating the propagation-time-based radiation signal received by the first antenna.

This in 3 The system shown comprises a separating layer 600 designed as a metallic lattice. The metallic lattice has a predetermined lattice spacing 601, so that it is suitable for bodies or substances as a predetermined material property having a particle size substantially smaller than this lattice spacing 601 is permeable. As in 3 outlined, the bodies marked with 503 could obviously pass through the metallic grid with grid spacing 601 and get from the interior of the first measuring cell 400A into the interior of the second measuring cell 400B. The metallic grid thus has a sieve-like function and enables the filling material to be separated depending on the respective particle size of the individual bodies or substances. Due to its metallic property, the grid ensures that the measurement volumes 700A, 700B are shielded from one another in terms of measurement technology.

The second sensor 300 of the system 100 is in 3 a transit time-based radiation sensor, in particular corresponding to the first sensor 200, which is designed for the volumetric detection of bodies or substances in the second measuring cell 400B. The system 100 also includes a second antenna 302 for emitting a second transmission signal 312 in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume 700B defined by the interior of the second measurement cell 400B. In this case, the second antenna 302 is designed in particular essentially in accordance with the first antenna 202 . The second sensor 300 is also electrically connected to the evaluation module 201 of the first sensor 200, so that a runtime-based radiation signal received by the second sensor 300 can be transmitted directly as a measurement signal to the evaluation module 201 in order to be evaluated by it. In addition, the evaluation module 201 of the first sensor 201 in 3 Furthermore, the task of putting the two evaluated signals together in a functional relationship to an adjustable reference volume.

To generate the transmission signals 702, 312 to be emitted by the first antenna 202 and by the second antenna 302, the system 100 has in 3 expediently a transmitter module 800 and a cable connection 203 electrically connected to the transmitter module 800 and to the radiator elements of the first antenna 202 and to the radiator elements of the second antenna 302 for wired transmission of the respectively generated transmission signal 702, 312 to the corresponding radiator elements. In order to generate a further transmission signal, which is to be radiated from the further transmission antenna 212 into the measurement volume 700A, the system 100 expediently also has a further transmission module 800'. The transmission module 800 is designed to generate radiation signals in the radio and/or microwave range, while the transmission module 800` is designed to generate radiation signals in the infrared range and/or in the optical range, ie in the range of visible light.

In the following, individual preferred embodiments are discussed in particular in connection with radiator elements arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate 205 or in the carrier substrate 205, which are connected to a cable connection 203, e.g. a coaxial cable connection, which is used for wired transmission of the transmission signal 702 generated by a transmission module 800 , 312 to the radiating elements is also connected to the transmitter module 800 .

Before doing this in particular to the with 4-10 represented embodiments reference is briefly noted that these 4-10 although essentially the 4-10 correspond to EP20174239.2, but as a further supplement to the embodiments described in EP20174239.2 also represent embodiments which, in addition to the use of ultra-wideband signals, additionally or alternatively also allow the use of other electromagnetic signals, ie electromagnetic signals which are in another Frequency range are located and / or can be detected, for example, by means of radar and lidar measurement described above.

Like with 4 sketched using a first embodiment of a board antenna in plan view, at least two planar radiator elements 206a, 206b are expediently arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate 205 or in the carrier substrate 205 of the first antenna 202. The planar radiator elements 206a, 206b extend essentially parallel to the carrier substrate 205, are held by the carrier substrate 205 in a common plane, i.e. in particular a common planar plane spanned by the planar radiator elements 206a, 206b consequently extends essentially parallel to one of the carrier substrate 205 spanned level, and together form a flat antenna structure in the form of a planar dipole. Due to the design of the first antenna 202 as an electrically short antenna, a correspondingly designed flat antenna structure is consequently not adapted to the excitation frequencies. The emitter elements 206a, 206b also expediently also have a horizontal extension to the plane of the carrier substrate.

As also in 4 shown, the cable connection 203 is designed as a high-frequency connection, for example, and is connected to the radiator elements 206a, 206b forming this flat antenna structure via an adapter element 204, which is expediently included in the system. In this way, in particular, impedance conversions between the line-bound asymmetrical transmission path of the transmission signals and the associated electromagnetic signal waves of the flat antenna structure as well as the transmission path of the transmission signals based in the interior of the at least first measuring cell, i.e. in particular based on the medium of air or, generally speaking, cable-free transmission path of the transmission signals and the associated electromagnetic signal waves, as it is known per se for a person skilled in the art . In this case, the matching element 204 can in particular be part of an integrated circuit.

The first antenna 202 according to FIG 4 can consequently be designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna, in particular monostatic. In this case, the first antenna 202 and, according to the present example, the two radiator elements 206a, 206b, expediently with a transmission module for generating a transmission signal used for the measurement and at the same time with an evaluation module comprised by the first sensor for evaluating a signal from the first sensor connected via the first antenna 202 received radiation signal, which is not shown in detail for reasons of clarity.

Alternatively or in addition to this outlined 5 in cross-sectional view, an embodiment of a circuit board antenna as the first antenna with radiating elements 206a, 206b embedded in the carrier substrate 205 for use within a system according to the invention.

As a modification to the 4 and 5 sketched 6 in plan view an embodiment of a circuit board antenna as the first antenna, in particular for bistatic measurements for use within a system according to the invention. In addition to the two planar radiator elements 206a, 206b, namely horizontally parallel to these two planar radiator elements 206a, 206b, at least two further planar radiator elements, in the example shown two further planar radiator elements 207a, 207b, are comprised by the first antenna 202. In each case two 207a, 207b of such at least two further planar radiator elements extending essentially parallel to the carrier substrate 205 are held by this in a common plane to one another and also together form a flat antenna structure. Furthermore, a cable connection 203 designed in particular as a coaxial conductor connection is provided for line-based transmission of a transmission signal from the transmission module, which is expediently electrically connected to the cable connection 203, to these radiator elements 207a, 207b. Since in the example shown a separate cable connection 203 is connected to each of the radiator elements 206a, 206b and to the radiator elements 207a, 207b, again in an expedient embodiment via a separate adapter element 204, the first antenna 202 can in this case also be set up for bistatic measurement, i.e. two of the antenna elements forming a flat antenna structure, e.g. the antenna elements 206a, 206b, are set up to emit a radiation signal used for the measurement, in particular an ultra wideband signal, and are therefore expediently equipped with at least one transmission module for generating the for the Measurement used radiation signal connected and two other, a flat antenna structure forming radiating elements, such as the radiating elements 207a, 207b, are set up to receive the radiation signal used for the measurement and thus expediently with an evaluation module comprised by the first sensor l connected to evaluate the received radiation signal. As can also be seen, the emitter elements each forming a common flat antenna structure can share a common carrier substrate, ie they are arranged on the second surface of the same carrier substrate or in the same carrier substrate 205 . Alternatively, however, the arrangement on basically a divided carrier substrate would also be considered, ie the radiating elements forming a common flat antenna structure are each arranged on a partial carrier substrate.

Similar to 5 sketched 7 A cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a circuit board antenna with radiating elements embedded in the carrier substrate 205 for use within a system according to the invention. In a further modification to 5 and also to 6 are in accordance with the embodiment 7 however, in addition to the two planar radiating elements 206a, 206b, and specifically vertically parallel to these two planar radiating elements 206a, 206b, at least two further planar radiating elements, in the example shown the two further planar radiating elements 207a, 207b of the first antenna 202. In this case, these two further planar radiator elements, which extend essentially parallel to the carrier substrate 205, are also held by the same in a common plane with respect to one another and, together, fundamentally form a flat antenna structure. Since in the example shown all four illustrated two 207a, 207b of such at least two further planar radiator elements are shown embedded in the carrier substrate 205, it can be seen that such a carrier substrate 205 can also be embodied as a multi-layer circuit board, for example. This also has the advantage, for example, of being able to produce, in a simple manner, the desired embedding of radiator elements parallel to one another vertically. However, a multi-layer circuit board as the carrier substrate 205 can Of course, they can also be used without embedded radiator elements.

Furthermore, the carrier substrate 205 can be part of an integrated circuit. In addition or as an alternative to this, the adapter element 204, via which at least the radiator elements 206a, 206b in 7 are expediently connected to a cable connection, not shown, be part of an integrated circuit.

Furthermore, in one embodiment 7 According to one variant, it can be provided that a separate cable connection 203, in particular a high-frequency connection, is connected to the radiator elements 206a, 206b and to the radiator elements 207a, 207b, again in an expedient embodiment via a separate adapter element 204, which for reasons of clarity however, is not shown. In an alternative variant, however, provision can also be made for the radiator elements 206a, 206b and the radiator elements 207a, 207b to be connected to a common cable connection 203, in particular a high-frequency connection. In this case, each of the radiating elements 206a, 206b, which together form a flat antenna structure, is expediently electrically connected to a different radiating element 207a, 207b, which together form a further flat antenna structure. According to 7 ie in particular the radiator element 206a is electrically connected to the radiator element 207a and the radiator element 206b is electrically connected to the radiator element 207b. However, this variant is also not shown for reasons of clarity.

The respective application-specific device of the first antenna 202, i.e. in particular for bistatic or monostatic measurements and as a transmitting and/or receiving antenna, is consequently extremely flexible within the scope and when using the invention. It should be pointed out that mixed forms of further planar radiator elements arranged horizontally and vertically parallel to the two planar radiator elements 206a, 206b are also within the scope of the invention, for example two further planar ones arranged horizontally and two vertically parallel to the two planar radiator elements 206a, 206b radiator elements.

8th sketches a further embodiment of a first antenna according to the invention in a cross-sectional view, in the example shown a circuit board antenna with two radiator elements 206a, 206b embedded in the carrier substrate 205, with a rear shielding 402, i.e. on the side facing away from the fill level area to be detected by sensors, also being included, as also in 2 shown. It has proven to be expedient if the shielding 402 is formed by the metallic measuring cell wall itself or by a metallic cover of the first antenna 202. A rear wave propagation of the transmission signal can thus be avoided in a simple manner, but at least reduced.

As can also be seen, the shielding 402 is therefore arranged on the first side, viewed from the carrier substrate 205 , and expediently spaced apart from the carrier substrate 205 . As shown, an inserted matching element 204 can also be expediently arranged between the shielding 402 and the carrier substrate 205 . Consequently, in a practical embodiment, a cavern 210 is also present between shielding 402 and carrier substrate 205 . Depending on the application, this can also be filled with a suitable gas (e.g. air) or vacuum, in particular in order to provide further dielectric properties that are desired in each case to improve the radar measurement.

At the in 9 in cross-sectional view outlined embodiment of the first antenna according to the invention, in the example shown a circuit board antenna with two embedded in the carrier substrate 205 radiator elements 206a, 206b, is in modification to 8th A protective layer 209 is arranged in particular adjacent to the carrier substrate 205 and the first surface directed towards the first side, which protective layer is expediently formed by a non-conductive layer, in particular for covering purposes, and/or by an absorber layer. Even with at least one such protective layer designed for covering and/or absorption, additional reflections on layers on the rear side, in particular also layers grounded to ground, can thus be avoided in a simple manner. A broadband HF material in the form of a film or a foam, for example, has also proven to be particularly expedient as such a protective layer 209 . As shown, an adapter element 204 used within the scope of the invention can be embedded in the protective layer 209 and/or used within a cavern 210 formed in the protective layer 209 . In the latter case, an existing free space in the cavity 210 between the adapter element 204 and the protective layer 209 can also be filled with a suitable gas (eg air) or vacuum, depending on the application.

At the in 10 in cross-sectional view sketched version is a hybrid of the in the 8th and 9 outlined versions shown.

It is advantageous that the radiator elements 206a, 206b, 207a, 207b described above can in principle be of any shape. Depending on the requirement or application-specific Consequently, a large number of possible antenna structures can be used for a particularly suitable design of a respective flat antenna structure constructed by the radiating elements. Radiating elements have proven themselves within the scope of the invention, for example for forming circular, elliptical and ring structures or also with butterfly structures, fly structures, ie "bow tie" structures, and so-called batwing structures.

In recognition of the above description, it can thus be summarized that the invention creates an industrial-grade sensor system for detecting the presence of filling goods in two, in particular, complicatedly structured measuring cells with interior spaces that are separated from one another, in particular for empty detection, for filling level measurement and/or for determining the volume of filling goods. If the filling material is selectively divided between the first and second measuring cell, for example depending on a predetermined material property of the filling material such as the state of aggregation or particle size, the system according to the invention can carry out a separate measurement of the filling material in the first measuring cell and a filling material in the second measuring cell by means of a first and second sensor that is respectively suitable for this purpose. The evaluated measurement signals can be functionally related to one another to a reference value, so that in particular a more accurate measurement result with regard to the non-contact measurement is provided at least within the first measurement cell.

Because at least one first antenna is set up as an electrically short antenna with at least essentially hemispherical radiation characteristics for emitting a transmission signal into the interior of the first measuring cell, dead zones can also be largely avoided in geometrically complex measurement volumes and measurements in the vicinity of the first antenna are also made possible become. A second antenna designed according to the first antenna can also be used for corresponding measurements in the second measuring cell. With an overall cost-effective construction, measurements up to the bottom of the container and into the corners of a container are possible.

Based on the system according to the invention, a large number of digital algorithms can then be used for the subsequent signal evaluation and data analysis relating to the presence detection and calculation of the physical properties of the filling material, e.g. using a time-based impedance jump detection, including using AI ( artificial intelligence) including machine learning, a sub-area of artificial intelligence in which a system is able to perform independent analyzes and problem-solving by recognizing patterns in existing databases.

• - einen zweiten Sensor 300 umfasst, der zum Empfangen eines Messsignals betreffend einen Füllstand und/oder ein Volumen innerhalb eines von dem Innenraum der ersten Messzelle 400A abgegrenzten Innenraums einer zweiten Messzelle 400B ausgebildet ist, und
• - nach dem Auswerten auch des vom zweiten Sensor 300 empfangenen Messsignals zu der Volumenbestimmung von Körpern oder Stoffen 500, 502, 503, 504 innerhalb des Innenraums der ersten Messzelle 400A beide ausgewertete Signale miteinander in funktionale Beziehung zu einem einstellbaren Referenzvolumen von Körpern oder Stoffen 500, 502, 503, 504 innerhalb des Innenraums der ersten Messzelle 400A setzt.

Based on the above description, it can be seen that with the invention, a system according to the European patent application EP20174239.2 filed on May 12, 2020 has been further developed at least to the extent that a system within the scope of the invention is now

• comprises a second sensor 300, which is designed to receive a measurement signal relating to a fill level and/or a volume within an interior space of a second measurement cell 400B that is delimited from the interior space of the first measurement cell 400A, and
• - After evaluating the measurement signal received from the second sensor 300 for determining the volume of bodies or substances 500, 502, 503, 504 within the interior of the first measuring cell 400A, both evaluated signals are functionally related to one another to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances 500, 502, 503, 504 within the interior of the first measuring cell 400A.

Reference List

10

State of the art system

11

microwave electronics

12

Focusing antenna

13

Ground plane or reflector layer

14

high frequency connector

30

container

31

container wall

40

other container

41

container wall

60

Bundled measuring field

61

directional mace

62

transmission signal

63

receiving signal

100

Measuring system according to the invention

200

first sensor

201

evaluation module

202

first antenna

203

cable connection

205

carrier substrate

206

Radiating element of the flat antenna structure

207

Radiating element of another flat antenna structure

209

protective layer

210

cavern

212

another antenna

300

second sensor

301

further evaluation module

302

second antenna

312

second transmission signal

400A

first measuring cell

400B

second measuring cell

401

measuring cell wall

402

shielding

500

contents

501

product surface

502

dielectric body or substance

503

nth dielectric body or substance

504

surface of a body or substance

600

release layer

601

grid spacing

700A

Measuring volume of the first measuring cell

700B

Measuring volume of the second measuring cell

702

transmission signal

703

receiving signal

704

reflected transmission signal

705

reflected received signal

800

transmitter module

900

container

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102006019688 B4 [0006, 0007, 0031]

Claims (10)

System (100), in particular for determining the volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) made of dielectric and/or conductive material within an interior space of a first measuring cell (400A) with a conductive and/or non-conductive measuring cell wall (401), the has a surface directed into the interior, comprising: - at least one first antenna (202) which is used to emit a transmission signal (702, 704) in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume (700A) defined by the interior of a first measurement cell (400A) is formed, wherein the first antenna (202) has at least one disc-shaped carrier substrate (205) with a first surface directed towards a first side and a second surface directed opposite to the first surface, which forms an outside of the antenna, wherein the system (100 ) further comprises a first sensor (200) and an evaluation module (201) and is configured such that - the carrier Subtra t (205) can be arranged in the interior of the first measuring cell (400A) at a distance from the measuring cell wall (401) or can be installed in the measuring cell wall (401) in such a way that a part of the surface of the measuring cell wall ( 401) can be replaced by the second surface of the carrier substrate (205), - the first antenna (202) with radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) arranged on the second surface of the carrier substrate (205) or in the carrier substrate (205) as one an electrically short antenna with an at least essentially hemispherical radiation characteristic is set up to emit the transmission signal (702, 704) into the measurement volume (700A), - the first sensor (200) is designed to receive a transit time-based radiation signal (703, 705), - the Evaluation module (201) for evaluating the time-based radiation signal (703, 705) received from the first sensor (200), characterized in that the system (100) further comprises a second sensor (300), which is designed to receive a measurement signal relating to a fill level and/or a volume within a cell delimited by the interior of the first measurement cell (400A), in particular for exchanging bodies or substances with it (500, 502, 503, 504) connected interior of a second measuring cell (400B), wherein the evaluation module (201) or another evaluation module (301) included in the system (100) for evaluating the second sensor (300 ) received measurement signal and furthermore the system (100) is set up to determine the volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) made of dielectric and/or conductive material within the interior of the first measuring cell (400A) both evaluated signals with each other to be functionally related to an adjustable reference volume of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) within the interior of the first measuring cell (400A). system (100) after claim 1 , wherein the system (100) comprises the first measuring cell (400A), the second measuring cell (400B) and also a separating layer (600), wherein the separating layer (600) is designed to delimit the interior of the first measuring cell (400A) from the interior the second measuring cell (400B) in such a way that the separating layer (600) is permeable to bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) made of dielectric and/or conductive material, which have at least one predetermined material property. system (100) after claim 2 , wherein the separating layer (600) is designed as a metallic lattice, which in particular has a predetermined lattice spacing (601), so that the metallic lattice for bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) that have a particle size as a predetermined material property essentially have smaller than this grid spacing (601), is permeable. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sensor (300) is a capacitive sensor, in particular a capacitive sensor based on the three-electrode measuring principle, with at least one measuring electrode for capacitive level measurement of the bodies and substances (500 , 502, 503, 504), wherein a counter-electrode is attached to a measuring cell wall (401) of the second measuring cell (400B) or at least part of the measuring cell wall (401) serves as a counter-electrode. System (100) according to one of Claims 1 - 3 , wherein the second sensor (300) is a time-of-flight-based radiation sensor, which is designed for the volumetric detection of bodies or substances (500, 502, 503, 504) in the second measuring cell (400B), in particular one designed in accordance with the first sensor (200). propagation-time-based radiation sensor, the system (100) further comprising a second antenna (302) for emitting a second transmission signal (312) in the form of electromagnetic radiation into a measurement volume (700B) defined by the interior of the second measurement cell (400B), wherein the second antenna (302) is preferably formed substantially corresponding to the first antenna (202). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first antenna (202) is designed as a transmitting and receiving antenna and the radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) are also set up in addition to radiating the transmission signal (702, 704). for receiving a received signal (703, 705), in particular in the form of a transmitted signal ( 702, 704), and for transmitting the received signal (703, 705) to the first sensor (200), wherein the received signal (703, 705) transmitted to the first sensor (200) corresponds to the received propagation-time-based radiation signal (703, 705). System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (100) further comprises a transmission module (800) for generating the transmission signal (702, 704) and one with the transmission module (800) and with the radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) at least the first antenna (202) electrically connected cable connection (203) for wired transmission of the generated transmission signal (702, 704) to the radiating elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) of the first antenna (202). System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein on the second surface of the carrier substrate (205) or in the carrier substrate (205) there are two planar radiator elements (206a, 206b), and preferably horizontally and/or vertically parallel to these two planar radiator elements (206a , 206b) at least two further planar radiator elements (207a, 207b) are arranged, wherein the two planar radiator elements (206a, 206b) and, if present, two of these at least two further planar radiator elements (207a, 207b) are essentially parallel to the Support substrate (205) are held extending from this in a common plane and together form a flat antenna structure. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the first antenna (202) comprises a shield (402) arranged at a distance from the carrier substrate (205) on the side of the carrier element (205) facing away from the measurement volume (700A), the shield (402) is formed in particular by a metal measuring cell wall (401) of the first measuring cell (400A) or a metal cover of the first antenna (202). System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier substrate (205) is a multi-layer circuit board, and/or wherein the radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b) are embedded in the carrier substrate (205), and/or wherein the Carrier substrate (205) is part of an integrated circuit, and/or wherein the system also has at least one matching element (204), in particular a matching element, which is part of an integrated circuit, and/or wherein the radiator elements (206a, 206b, 207a, 207b ) are connected to a cable connection (203) via an adapter (204).

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