Multi-level probe and system for measurement of physical conditions in liquid-containing tanks

Claim 1

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a vertical support; sonic transducer means for transmitting a beam of sonic energy upwardly along the support and for receiving downwardly reflected portions of the beam; and a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged coaxially about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed upwardly along the axis while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam.

Claim 2

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a vertical support; sonic transducer means for transmitting a beam of sonic energy upwardly along the support and for receiving downwardly reflected portions of the beam; and a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged coaxially about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed upwardly along the axis while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam.

Claim 3

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, at least some of the openings being bounded by a periphery including a transversely rounded reflective surface.

Claim 4

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, at least some of the openings being bounded by a periphery including a transversely rounded reflective surface.

Claim 5

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced aprat from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, at least some of the openings being bounded by a circular periphery coaxially positioned about the axis and including a transversely rounded reflective surface.

Claim 6

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced aprat from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, at least some of the openings being bounded by a circular periphery coaxially positioned about the axis and including a transversely rounded reflective surface.

Claim 7

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, each reflector being an annular ring having a toroidal surface area serving as it reflective surface.

Claim 8

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: a support; a plurality of transverse reflectors spaced apart from one another along an axis on the support, the reflectors each including an opening arranged about the axis for permitting passage through the opening of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the axis while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, each reflector being an annular ring having a toroidal surface area serving as it reflective surface.

Claim 9

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in an upwardly-directed, conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned downwardly to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed downwardly toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam; and support means carrying both the sonic transducer means and the reflectors for positioning the reflectors above the sonic transducer means in vertical alignment along the reference axis.

Claim 10

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in an upwardly-directed, conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned downwardly to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed downwardly toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam; and support means carrying both the sonic transducer means and the reflectors for positioning the reflectors above the sonic transducer means in vertical alignment along the reference axis.

Claim 11

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; and a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, the reflective surface of each reflector being transversely rounded.

Claim 12

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; and a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, the reflective surface of each reflector being transversely rounded.

Claim 13

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU5## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 14

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU5## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 15

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU6## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 16

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU6## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 17

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU7## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.p =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 18

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU7## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.p =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 19

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU8## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 20

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU8## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 21

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physcial conditions with a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU9## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 22

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physcial conditions with a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU9## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 23

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU10## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.p =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 24

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: sonic transducer means for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the sonic transducer means; a plurality of reflectors each having an opening centered about the reference axis and bounded by a peripheral reflective surface, the reflectors being transversely positioned at preselected locations along the reference axis with their reflective surfaces directed toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU10## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.p =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 25

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated upright support; sonic transducer means mounted to the lower end of the support for transmitting energy upwardly in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing downwardly toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam.

Claim 26

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated upright support; sonic transducer means mounted to the lower end of the support for transmitting energy upwardly in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing downwardly toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also downwardly reflecting outer portions of the beam.

Claim 27

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, the reflective surfaces of the reflector rings being transversely rounded.

Claim 28

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam, the reflective surfaces of the reflector rings being transversely rounded.

Claim 29

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; the support comprising a plurality of elongated posts fixed to the reflector rings; the reflector rings being arranged along the reference axis in equally spaced parallel positions and with each reflector ring being perpendicular to the reference axis.

Claim 30

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; and a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; the support comprising a plurality of elongated posts fixed to the reflector rings; the reflector rings being arranged along the reference axis in equally spaced parallel positions and with each reflector ring being perpendicular to the reference axis.

Claim 32

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU11## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 33

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the sonic transducer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . . , x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU11## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 36

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU13## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.P =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 37

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU13## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.P =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 38

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU14## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 39

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU14## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy.

Claim 40

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected every being represented by x i , x i+i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU15## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 41

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected every being represented by x i , x i+i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU15## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; and determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle.

Claim 42

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU16## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.P =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 43

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: an elongated support; sonic transducer means mounted to the support for transmitting energy in a conically shaped beam centered about a reference axis and for producing output signals as a function of reflected energy returned to the transducer means as an echo; a plurality of reflector rings mounted to the support at preselected spaced locations along the reference axis relative to the sonic transducer means, the reflector rings each including a reflective surface surrounding an opening formed through it and centered about the reference axis, the reflector rings being positioned along the support with their reflective surfaces facing toward the sonic transducer means for permitting passage through the openings of a substantial percentage of a conically shaped beam of sonic energy directed along the reference axis by the sonic transducer means while also reflecting outer portions of the beam; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted energy and the reflected energy by the equation: ##EQU16## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted energy; determining the quadrant of θ from the signs of the numerator and denominator in the equation used to determine the phase angle; determining the number of integral periods T which elapsed from the first peak of the transmitted energy to the first peak of the reflected energy, the number of integral periods being designated as β; and calculating the propagation time of the output signals by the equation: t.sub.P =T(β+θ/2π).

Claim 44

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: transducer means for transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase for a predetermined duration; reflector means for reflecting the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer as a reflected burst; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring, at a rate greater than 2/T, the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU17## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 45

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: transducer means for transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase for a predetermined duration; reflector means for reflecting the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer as a reflected burst; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring, at a rate greater than 2/T, the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU17## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 46

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: transducer means for transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase for a predetermined duration; reflector means for reflecting the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer as a reflected burst; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU18## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 47

An apparatus for sonic measurement of physical conditions within a liquid, comprising: transducer means for transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase for a predetermined duration; reflector means for reflecting the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer as a reflected burst; and signal processor means for: repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU18## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 48

A method of analyzing the propagation of a sinusoidal burst from a source transducer to a reflecting surface and back to the source transducer, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase from a source transducer for a predetermined duration, the transmitted burst being approximated by the equation: y.sub.t =k cos(ωt), where y t is the instantaneous intensity of the transmitted burst at time t, ω=32π/T is the frequency of the transmitted burst, and k is a modulating function that is zero until the start of the burst, increases in amplitude over the next several cycles, remains constant for the duration of the burst, and then returns to zero; reflecting at least part of the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer from a reflective surface as a reflected burst; repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU19## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 49

A method of analyzing the propagation of a sinusoidal burst from a source transducer to a reflecting surface and back to the source transducer, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase from a source transducer for a predetermined duration, the transmitted burst being approximated by the equation: y.sub.t =k cos(ωt), where y t is the instantaneous intensity of the transmitted burst at time t, ω=32π/T is the frequency of the transmitted burst, and k is a modulating function that is zero until the start of the burst, increases in amplitude over the next several cycles, remains constant for the duration of the burst, and then returns to zero; reflecting at least part of the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer from a reflective surface as a reflected burst; repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected burst at the source transducer, the values of the reflected burst's instantaneous amplitude being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU19## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 53

A method of analyzing the propagation of a sinusoidal burst from a source transducer to a reflecting surface and back to the source transducer, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase from a source transducer for a predetermined duration, the transmitted burst being approximated by the equation: y.sub.t =k cos(ωt), where y t is the instantaneous intensity of the transmitted burst at time t, ω=2π/T is the frequency of the transmitted burst, and k is a modulating function that is zero until the start of the burst, increases in amplitude over the next several cycles, remains constant for the duration of the burst, and then returns to zero; reflecting at least part of the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer from a reflective surface as a reflected burst; repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU20## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.

Claim 54

A method of analyzing the propagation of a sinusoidal burst from a source transducer to a reflecting surface and back to the source transducer, comprising the steps of: transmitting a sinusoidal burst of known period T and phase from a source transducer for a predetermined duration, the transmitted burst being approximated by the equation: y.sub.t =k cos(ωt), where y t is the instantaneous intensity of the transmitted burst at time t, ω=2π/T is the frequency of the transmitted burst, and k is a modulating function that is zero until the start of the burst, increases in amplitude over the next several cycles, remains constant for the duration of the burst, and then returns to zero; reflecting at least part of the transmitted burst back toward the source transducer from a reflective surface as a reflected burst; repetitively measuring the value of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy at the source transducer for a duration of cT, where c is an integer, the values of the instantaneous amplitude of the reflected energy being represented by x i , x i+1 , . . ., x i+n , where n+1 represents the total number of values measured and n+1=cm, where m equals the number of samples taken during each period T; and determining the phase angle θ between the transmitted burst and the reflected burst by the equation: ##EQU20## where t j represents the time when the value x j was measured and ω=2π/T is the radian frequency of the transmitted burst.