VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR KONTROLLE DES FUELLSTANDES VON PULVER IN EINEM BEHAELTER

The device comprises a differential thermocouple having two hot welds (4, 6) spaced from one another over the height of the thermocouple. One of the hot welds (6) is located at the end of the thermocouple, the second (4) being surrounded by a sheath having thermal inertia (8). It also comprises means for supporting the thermocouple in relation to the container (40) in such a position that the hot welds are located inside the container at the level desired for filling, and means for measuring the variations of the voltage supplied by the thermocouple as a function of time. Preferably, the thermocouple is fixed to a tube (10) sliding in a passage for translational movement (12). Gaskets (14, 16) are provided between the tube (10) and the passage. A powder inlet conduit (30) opens into a chamber (28) surrounding the tube and is connected to the container to be filled. An anti-vibration concertina (22) is mounted between the chamber (28) and the passage (12).