Multi-path acoustic signal improvement for material detection

Abstract

A multi-path acoustic signal apparatus, system, and apparatus for use in material detection are provided. The method includes transmitting at least one acoustic signal from each of a plurality of acoustic transceivers positioned along a first portion of the fluid container. The at least one transmitted acoustic signal is received with at least one additional acoustic transceiver positioned along a second portion of the fluid container, wherein the second portion is substantially opposite the first portion of the fluid container. A composition of the physical material within the fluid container is determined based on the at least one received acoustic signal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting a physical material within a fluid container, comprising the following steps:
 transmitting at least one acoustic signal from each of a plurality of acoustic transceivers positioned along a first portion of the fluid container;   receiving, with at least one additional acoustic transceiver positioned along a second portion of the fluid container, the at least one transmitted acoustic signal, wherein the second portion is substantially opposite the first portion of the fluid container; and   determining, based on the at least one received acoustic signal, a composition of the physical material within the fluid container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 receiving, with at least one of the plurality of acoustic transceivers positioned along the first portion of the fluid container, at least one reflected acoustic signal generated from an impedance barrier between the fluid container and the physical material; and   determining, based on the at least one received acoustic signal and the at least one reflected acoustic signal, a composition of the physical material within the fluid container.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a frequency different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a pulse length different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a propagation direction through the fluid container different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a phase of at least two of the transmitted acoustic signals is synchronized between the signals. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of receiving, with a temperature sensor in communication with the physical material, a temperature of the physical material, wherein the determination of the composition of the physical material is made based at least partially on the temperature of the physical material. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals travels through a distance of a diameter of the fluid container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the at least one additional acoustic transceiver along a plane tangential to a sidewall of the fluid container. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional acoustic transceiver comprises an array of acoustic transceivers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising moving the acoustic transceivers in the array about an exterior sidewall of the fluid container. 
     
     
         12 . A method for detecting a physical material within a fluid container, comprising the steps:
 transmitting at least one acoustic signal from each of a plurality of acoustic transceivers positioned along a first portion of the fluid container;   receiving, with at least one additional acoustic transceiver positioned along a second portion of the fluid container, the at least one transmitted acoustic signal, wherein the second portion is substantially opposite the first portion of the fluid container;   determining, based on the at least one received acoustic signal, a composition of the physical material within the fluid container;   receiving, with at least one of the plurality of acoustic transceivers positioned along the first portion of the fluid container, at least one reflected acoustic signal generated from an impedance barrier between the fluid container and the physical material; and   determining, based on the at least one received acoustic signal and the at least one reflected acoustic signal, a composition of the physical material within the fluid container.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a frequency different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a pulse length different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals has a propagation direction through the fluid container different from another transmitted acoustic signal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a phase of at least two of the transmitted acoustic signals is synchronized between the signals. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of receiving, with a temperature sensor in communication with the physical material, a temperature of the physical material, wherein the determination of the composition of the physical material is made based at least partially on the temperature of the physical material. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the transmitted acoustic signals travels through a distance of a diameter of the fluid container. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising moving the at least one additional acoustic transceiver along a plane tangential to a sidewall of the fluid container. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one additional acoustic transceiver comprises an array of acoustic transceivers.