Remote fluid level detection system
First Claim
1. A fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:
- a tank module means for detecting the fluid level within the tank and displaying the fluid level information, the tank module means comprising;
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a display means which receives the fluid level value transmitted by the microcontroller means and displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, microcontroller means, and display means; and
wherein the tank module means is mounted to a gauge of the magnetic float gauge assembly.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote two-module electronic fluid monitoring system to be used as an agricultural aid in the application of a fluid to a field. A tank module sits atop a field tank and monitors internal fluid level. Fluid level detection is achieved by tracking the position of an embedded permanent magnet associated with a given internal fluid level within an existing float gauge mechanism. An integrated circuit capable of precisely detecting the orientation of magnetic fields senses the angular position of an existing magnet and outputs an angular field reading to an interfaced microcontroller which then translates angular reading to fluid level. The tank module contains a radio frequency transmitter which then sends fluid level information to a display module mounted within the tractor cab. The display module receives the signal from the tank module and reports to the user the present fluid level remaining in tank via a liquid crystal display.
59 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:
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a tank module means for detecting the fluid level within the tank and displaying the fluid level information, the tank module means comprising;
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a display means which receives the fluid level value transmitted by the microcontroller means and displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, microcontroller means, and display means; and
wherein the tank module means is mounted to a gauge of the magnetic float gauge assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:
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a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information; and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising;
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
a housing means for enclosing the battery means, the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising;
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
a housing means for enclosing the display module battery means, the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized towed tank comprising;
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a tank module comprising a housing, a magnetic sensor, a microcontroller, a battery, an attachment band, and an RF transmitter;
a display module comprising a housing, a microcontroller, a display, and an RF receiver;
wherein the tank module housing encloses the tank module microcontroller, magnetic sensor, tank module battery, and RF transmitter; and
is attached to the attachment band;
wherein the magnetic sensor, tank module battery, and RF transmitter are each connected to the tank module microcontroller;
wherein the display module housing encloses the display module microcontroller, display module display, and the RF receiver; and
wherein the display module display and the RF receiver are each connected to the display module microcontroller. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized towed tank comprising;
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a tank module comprising a housing, a magnetic sensor, a microcontroller, a battery, an attachment band, an RF transmitter, an electronic inclinometer, and a display; and
a display module comprising a housing, a microcontroller, a display, an RF receiver, and an audio transducer;
wherein the tank module housing encloses the tank module microcontroller, magnetic sensor, tank module battery, RF transmitter;
electronic inclinometer, and tank module display; and
is connected to the attachment band;
wherein the magnetic sensor, tank module battery, RF transmitter, tank module display, and electronic inclinometer are each connected to the tank module microcontroller;
wherein the display module housing encloses the display module microcontroller, display module display, RF receiver, and audio transducer; and
wherein the display module display, RF receiver, and audio transducer are each connected to the display module microcontroller; and
wherein the tank module housing is mounted over a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly without interfering with the operation of the gauge. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification