Topology determination of a filling material surface with uniform line scanning
A fill level measurement device for determining a topology of a filling material surface is provided, including an antenna apparatus including an array of radiator elements and a rotatable mount configured to rotate the antenna apparatus about an axis that is in parallel with the array, such that a plurality of emission angles of the antenna apparatus are electronically and mechanically settable relative to the filling material surface without local overscanning occurring.
1. A fill level measurement device for determining a topology of a filling material surface, comprising:
an antenna apparatus comprising an array of radiator elements configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals, wherein the array is a unidimensional array that extends in a longitudinal direction; and
a first rotatable mount configured to rotate the antenna apparatus about a non-vertical axis, wherein the non-vertical axis is in parallel with the longitudinal direction,
wherein the device is configured to electronically and mechanically set a plurality of emission angles and/or receiving angles of the antenna apparatus relative to the filling material surface in order to scan the filling material surface line-by-line.
2. The fill level measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the non-vertical axis is in parallel with the array.
3. The fill level measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to set the plurality of emission angles and/or receiving angles electronically by digital beam-forming processes.
4. The till level measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the device is further configured to set the plurality of emission angles and/or receiving angles electronically by analogue phase shifters and/or by analogue switches.
5. The fill level measurement device according to claim 1 , further comprising an additional rotatable mount configured to rotate the antenna apparatus about a shaft that is not in parallel with the array.
6. The till level measurement device according to claim 5 , wherein the additional shaft is a vertical shaft.
7. The till level measurement device according to claim 1 , wherein the antenna apparatus is inclined in a longitudinal extension direction thereof relative to a horizontal direction, such that an angle between the longitudinal extension direction of the antenna apparatus and the horizontal direction is not equal to 0°.
8. The fill level measurement device according to claim 1 , further comprising a power supply and a communications interface configured to connect the fill level measurement device to a two-wire line, by which interface the fill level measurement device is supplied with power for measurement operation and by which measured data is transmittable to a remote control unit.
9. A method for determining a topology of a filling material surface, comprising:
providing a fill level measurement device;
electronically and mechanically setting a first emission angle of an antenna apparatus of the fill level measurement device, the antenna apparatus comprising an array of radiator elements configured to transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signals, wherein the array is a unidimensional array that extends in a longitudinal direction;
detecting an echo curve at the first emission angle;
rotating the antenna apparatus about a non-vertical axis in parallel with the array, wherein the non-vertical axis is in parallel with the longitudinal direction;
detecting another echo curve at a second emission angle; and
determining the topology of the filling material surface by scanning the filling material surface line-by-line.
10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising determining, by the fill level measurement device, a viscosity of a moving liquid.
11. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising determining, by the fill level measurement device, a mass or a volume of a medium.