Non-linear ultrasound method and apparatus for quantitative detection of materials

Abstract

Systems and methods for determining a fill level of a fluid within a fluid vessel, an identity of the fluid, and/or a condition of the vessel wall are disclosed. To determine a fluid fill level, at least one acoustic sensor is positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of a vessel containing fluid. A computerized device is in communication with the at least one acoustic sensor. A processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the at least one acoustic sensor and communicates an alert of the detection signal, which can be used to identify a fill level of the fluid. The detection signal, along with other measured information, can be used to identify the material type of the fluid. A condition of the vessel wall may be determined based on an attenuation signal when two acoustic sensors are used, one being positioned angular to the vessel wall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for determining a condition of a vessel wall, the system comprising:
 a vessel containing a fluid;   first and second acoustic sensors positionable substantially on an exterior sidewall of the vessel, wherein first and second sensors are positioned at a predetermined height on the vessel, and wherein the second acoustic sensor is positioned angularly relative to the vessel wall; and   a computerized device in communication with the two acoustic sensors, wherein a processor of the computerized device receives a detection signal from the first and second acoustic sensors, wherein the detection signal from the first acoustic sensor is used to determine a vessel wall thickness and the detection signal from the second acoustic sensor provides an attenuated signal, wherein the condition of the vessel wall is determinable based on the wall thickness and an amount of attenuation in the attenuated signal.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the condition of the vessel wall comprises at least one of: a detected change in vessel wall thickness; an identification of material build-up on the vessel wall; and a structural deterioration condition of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of first and second signals are received by the computerized device over a period of time, wherein a change of the condition of the vessel wall is determined over the period of time. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computerized device determines a volume of the fluid based on at least one of a strapping table of the vessel or volumetric data on the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computerized device calculates a weight of the fluid based on the volume of the fluid, a sensed temperature of the fluid, and at least one of: a fluid identity or a fluid density. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second acoustic sensor is mounted on an angle block mounted to an exterior surface of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the detection signal from the second acoustic sensor moves through the vessel wall, reflecting off an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         8 . A method for determining a condition of a vessel wall, the system comprising:
 providing a vessel containing a fluid;   positioning first and second acoustic sensors substantially on an exterior sidewall of the vessel, wherein first and second sensors are positioned at a predetermined height on the vessel, and wherein the second acoustic sensor is positioned angularly relative to the vessel wall; and   receiving a detection signal from the first and second acoustic sensors within a processor of a computerized device in communication with the two acoustic sensors;   determining, with the processor of the computerized device, a vessel wall thickness from the detection signal or the first acoustic sensor; and   deriving, with the processor of the computerized device, an attenuated signal from the detection signal of the second acoustic sensor, wherein the condition of the vessel wall is determinable based on the wall thickness and an amount of attenuation in the attenuated signal.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the condition of the vessel wall comprises at least one of: a detected change in vessel wall thickness; an identification of material build-up on the vessel wall; and a structural deterioration condition of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of first and second signals are received by the computerized device over a period of time, wherein a change of the condition of the vessel wall is determined over the period of time. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the computerized device determines a volume of the fluid based on at least one of a strapping table of the vessel or volumetric data on the vessel. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising calculating, with the processor of the computerized device, a weight of the fluid based on the volume of the fluid, a sensed temperature of the fluid, and at least one of: a fluid identity or a fluid density. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second acoustic sensor is mounted on an angle block mounted to an exterior surface of the vessel wall. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the detection signal from the second acoustic sensor moves through the vessel wall, reflecting off an inner sidewall surface and an outer sidewall surface of the vessel wall.