Apparatus for gauging liquid or solid mass contained in a vessel and method for using same

    公开(公告)号:US10139328B2

    公开(公告)日:2018-11-27

    申请号:US13999664

    申请日:2014-03-14

    Abstract: The invention enables determination of an unknown fluid mass contained within a vessel by measuring the resonant frequency response of the vessel and its support structure when an excitation source is activated. The excitation produces a relative displacement between the fluid containment vessel and its support structure which comprise a spring/mass system. The displacement produces signal voltages in one or more attached sensors. The frequency and amplitude of the sensor signals vary in accordance with physical principles that relate the amplitude and the frequency of vibrations to the masses and spring constants of the spring/mass system. Alternatively, determination of the resonant frequency from measurements of the relative displacement of the vessel and its support structure vs. time using a positioning device can be used to determine the unknown mass. For a given mass of fluid the resulting amplitudes and resonant frequency modes are identical even if the fluid secondary properties are different.

    Concentrated solar thermoelectric power system and numerical design model
    2.
    发明授权
    Concentrated solar thermoelectric power system and numerical design model 有权
    集中太阳能热电发电系统及数值设计模式

    公开(公告)号:US08975505B2

    公开(公告)日:2015-03-10

    申请号:US12924484

    申请日:2010-09-28

    Abstract: The invention, the Concentrated Solar Thermoelectric Power System, herein abbreviated as C-STEPS, is a thermo-optical system configuration for the purpose of achieving a high solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency based on thermoelectric (TE) devices that use the Seebeck effect. It does so by implementing a system for concentrated solar energy using a design that combines a dual-function reflector/radiator component with an active or passive heat convection mechanism to ensure that TE module operation is maintained in a safe elevated temperature range with respect to the ambient temperature. Unsafe module temperatures are avoided by automatically adjusting the TE module hot side temperature directly or indirectly by regulating the TE cold side temperature using a variety of passive or active mechanisms, including the reflector/radiator component, phase change material, or convection/conduction mechanisms. A Numerical Design Model is used to optimize the configuration geometry and performance in various terrestrial and space applications and it is a central feature of the invention.

    Abstract translation: 本发明的浓缩太阳能热电系统(以下简称为C-STEPS)是一种热光系统配置,其目的是实现基于热电(TE)器件的高能量 - 电转换效率,该器件使用Seebeck 影响。 它通过使用将双功能反射器/散热器部件与主动或被动热对流机构相结合的设计实现集中太阳能系统来实现,以确保TE模块操作在相对于 环境温度。 通过使用各种被动或主动机构(包括反射器/散热器部件,相变材料或对流/传导机构)通过调节TE冷侧温度直接或间接地自动调节TE模块热侧温度来避免不安全的模块温度。 数字设计模型用于优化各种陆地和空间应用中的配置几何和性能,这是本发明的核心特征。

    Apparatus for gauging liquid or solid mass contained in a vessel and method for using same

    公开(公告)号:US20140260622A1

    公开(公告)日:2014-09-18

    申请号:US13999664

    申请日:2014-03-14

    CPC classification number: G01N9/002 G01F15/007 G01F15/18 G01H3/08 G01H13/00

    Abstract: The basic physical principle of the Apparatus for Gauging Liquid or Solid Mass Contained in a Vessel and Method for Using Same (MAGA) is the detection of a resonant frequency vibration mode or modes associated with the spring/mass system comprising the vessel/fluid, vessel support structure, and physical supports, when an excitation source is present. The excitation produces a relative displacement between the fluid containment vessel and its support frame or other fixture to which it is fastened. The displacement produces a signal voltage in one or more of the sensors, such as strain gauge devices or accelerometers, which are attached to the fluid containment vessel, its physical supports, or the support structure, shell or frame. The frequency and amplitude of the sensor signal varies in accordance with known physical principles that relate the amplitude of vibration and the frequency of vibration to the masses and spring constants of the spring/mass system. Either the amplitude or frequency of the resonant vibrations or both amplitude and frequency can be used to determine the unknown quantity or mass of the fluid in the fluid containment vessel. Alternatively, a means for determining the resonant frequency as measured from the observation of the relative displacement of the vessel and its support structure vs. time, for example, using a laser positioning device, can be used to determine the unknown quantity or mass of the fluid in the fluid containment vessel. In contrast with other low-g mass gauging methods that typically require an accurate knowledge of the secondary properties of the fluid, the present method uses fundamental physical principles that relate the observed resonant vibration modes directly to the system masses. Therefore, for a given mass of fluid in the fluid containment vessel, the resulting amplitudes and resonant frequency modes are identical even if the fluid secondary properties, such as density, viscosity, and surface tension, are substantially different. This differentiates MAGA from similar mass gauging systems that a) depend on a precise knowledge of fluid secondary properties that may vary with temperature and/or pressure; or b) require external hardware apparatus or test masses to determine the unknown fluid mass.

    Concentrated solar thermoelectric power system and numerical design model
    4.
    发明申请
    Concentrated solar thermoelectric power system and numerical design model 有权
    集中太阳能热电发电系统及数值设计模式

    公开(公告)号:US20110073149A1

    公开(公告)日:2011-03-31

    申请号:US12924484

    申请日:2010-09-28

    Abstract: The invention, the Concentrated Solar Thermoelectric Power System, herein abbreviated as C-STEPS, is a thermo-optical system configuration for the purpose of achieving a high solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency based on thermoelectric (TE) devices that use the Seebeck effect. It does so by implementing a system for concentrated solar energy using a design that combines a dual-function reflector/radiator component with an active or passive heat convection mechanism to ensure that TE module operation is maintained in a safe elevated temperature range with respect to the ambient temperature. Unsafe module temperatures are avoided by automatically adjusting the TE module hot side temperature directly or indirectly by regulating the TE cold side temperature using a variety of passive or active mechanisms, including the reflector/radiator component, phase change material, or convection/conduction mechanisms. A Numerical Design Model is used to optimize the configuration geometry and performance in various terrestrial and space applications and it is a central feature of the invention.

    Abstract translation: 本发明的浓缩太阳能热电系统(以下简称为C-STEPS)是一种热光系统配置,其目的是实现基于热电(TE)器件的高能量 - 电转换效率,该器件使用Seebeck 影响。 它通过使用将双功能反射器/散热器部件与主动或被动热对流机构相结合的设计实现集中太阳能系统来实现,以确保TE模块操作在相对于 环境温度。 通过使用各种被动或主动机构(包括反射器/散热器部件,相变材料或对流/传导机构)通过调节TE冷侧温度直接或间接地自动调节TE模块热侧温度来避免不安全的模块温度。 数字设计模型用于优化各种陆地和空间应用中的配置几何和性能,这是本发明的核心特征。

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