SOLICITATION NOTICE
A -- Sidewall-Mounted Non-Invasive Ultrasonic Liquid Level Sensor
- Notice Date
- 3/24/2004
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 562998
— All Other Miscellaneous Waste Management Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of Energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - Battelle (DOE Contractor), PNNL Licensing, PO Box 999, MSIN K9-78, Richland, WA, 99352
- ZIP Code
- 99352
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-Repost-13377-B
- Response Due
- 1/12/2004
- Archive Date
- 4/27/2004
- Point of Contact
- Nikki Avery, Administrative Assistant for IP Development and Licensing, Phone 509/375-6428, Fax 509/372-4589,
- E-Mail Address
-
nikki.avery@pnl.gov
- Description
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), operated by Battelle Memorial Institute under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy, solicits interest from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. PNNL may also be available to licensee(s) to assist in further research and development of the technology under a sponsored research agreement or CRADA program. The technology is a low-cost and non-invasive liquid level sensor that can be easily installed, operated, and maintained. The liquid level sensor comprises a single transducer mounted to the outside surface of a storage container. The single transducer employs either multiple piezoelectric elements or mechanical impactors to generate acoustic burst signals with transverse or oblique propagation paths. The transverse propagation path is directed across the tank at the height of the transducer location. The time-of-flight of this echo depends mainly upon the transverse distance (e.g., vessel diameter), the liquid temperature, and the acoustic properties of the liquid. The oblique paths are directed at angles toward the top of the tank so that they reflect off the liquid surface in order to return to the transducer. Accordingly, the time-of-flights of these oblique echoes depend upon the height of the liquid surface above the transducer. The liquid level, and its precision, is estimated from these time-of-flights using a physical model and rigorous mathematical algorithms. The level of the liquid is estimated by comparing the ultrasonic traces from one or more oblique paths to the ultrasonic trace from the transverse path, and in particular, by comparing the distinct burst travel times from the oblique and transverse paths. Preliminary laboratory studies show a fill level accuracy of 2 to 5%. The technology is patent pending. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Any company interested in licensing this technology must respond with a letter of interest (may be submitted by e-mail) no later than 60 days from the publication date of this Notice summarizing the company?s business and technical expertise and motivation for pursuing this opportunity. Companies deemed appropriate will be provided with further information on the technology. Such information may require an executed Nondisclosure Agreement. Respondents wishing to enter into negotiations for a commercial license will be required to submit a business plan for the commercialization of the technology prior to licensee(s) selection and negotiations. Please send letters of interest to the attention of the POC identified within this Notice.
- Record
- SN00553058-W 20040326/040324224029 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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