Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for determining the filling level of a material in a container, comprising; a vibration structure including inner and outer vibration elements which vibrate at the same resonant frequency in opposing directions, said elements being arranged coaxially to each other, at least one of said elements being set in the center of a membrane which acts as a return spring, the vibrations of the outer one of said elements being muffled when the material in the container touches the same, said outer vibration element surrounding the inner vibration element, said vibration elements (10, 12) having a common pivotal point (20), said pivotal point (20) being situated in the center of said membrane (14) which serves as the return spring for the outer vibration element, said inner vibration element being rod-shaped (12) and having, in the region of the pivotal point (20), a tapered area (17) that serves as a return spring therefor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for determining the filling level of a material in a container, comprising; a vibration structure including inner and outer vibration elements which vibrate at the same resonant frequency in opposing directions, said elements being arranged coaxially to each other, at least one of said elements being set in the center of a membrane which acts as a return spring, the vibrations of the outer one of said elements being muffled when the material in the container touches the same, said outer vibration element surrounding the inner vibration element, said vibration elements (10, 12) having a common pivotal point (20), said pivotal point (20) being situated in the center of said membrane (14) which serves as the return spring for the outer vibration element, said inner vibration element being rod-shaped (12) and having, in the region of the pivotal point (20), a tapered area (17) that serves as a return spring therefor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said vibration elements (10, 12) have the same mass and a common center of gravity (22) which moves on a common radius.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the spring resistances of the membrane (14) and the tapered area (17) eliminate the torque on the vibration elements about the pivotal point (20).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1, including means for driving the vibration structure as well as registering the vibration amplitude comprising electromechanical transformers in the form of piezoelectric elements (23, 24) which are attached to said membrane, diametrically to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said outer vibration element (10) is arranged in the shape of a tube, at least in the area thereof surrounding the inner vibration element (12) and includes a paddle shaped portion at its free end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said membrane (14) and at least that part (18) of the inner vibration element (12) above the tapered area (17) is firmly connected to the container by means of a screwed socket (16, 38).