Method and arrangement for indirectly determining fill characteristics of a fluid tank on a marine vessel
First Claim
1. A method for accommodating indirect ascertainment of fill-characteristics of fluid tanks on marine vessels, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an experientially-based mapping of volume characteristics of a fluid tank positioned on a marine vessel correlated with respect to measurable fluid surface positions within the fluid tank; and
outputting fluid fill condition information for operator use based on quantification of a parameter other than sensed fluid level in the fluid tank based on a function of that other parameter being compared to the experientially-based mapping of volume.
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Abstract
Method and arrangement for accommodating indirect ascertainment of fill-characteristics of fluid tanks on marine vessels. The invention includes providing an experientially-based mapping of volume characteristics of a fluid tank positioned on a marine vessel that are correlated with respect to measurable fluid surface positions within the fluid tank. In consideration of this volume characteristic mapping, fluid fill condition information is output for operator use based on quantification of a parameter other than sensed fluid level in the fluid tank. While it is contemplated that the other parameter may be any characteristic that readily reads back to the volume characteristic mapping, it is particularly advantageous, and a preferred embodiment of the invention, that the other parameter be a volumetric quantification of fluid consumed out of the tank that can be compared to an earlier ascertained tank volume.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method for accommodating indirect ascertainment of fill-characteristics of fluid tanks on marine vessels, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an experientially-based mapping of volume characteristics of a fluid tank positioned on a marine vessel correlated with respect to measurable fluid surface positions within the fluid tank; and
outputting fluid fill condition information for operator use based on quantification of a parameter other than sensed fluid level in the fluid tank based on a function of that other parameter being compared to the experientially-based mapping of volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for accommodating indirect ascertainment of fill-characteristics of fluid tanks on marine vessels, the method comprising the steps of:
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mapping volume characteristics, that have been obtained on an experiential basis, of a fluid tank positioned on a marine vessel; and
outputting fluid fill condition information for operator use based on quantification of a parameter other than sensed fluid level in the fluid tank based on a function of that other parameter being compared to the experientially-based mapping of volume. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A calibrating liquid-level measurement arrangement for a marine vessel comprising:
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a liquid storage tank positioned on a marine vessel;
a liquid surface position sensing device in communication with a processor and adapted to provide position-indicating data regarding a sensed position of a liquid surface in said liquid storage tank to said processor;
an operator input to said processor adapted to accept quantitative information regarding liquid amounts added to said liquid storage tank;
a liquid withdrawal arrangement in fluid communication with said liquid storage tank, said liquid withdrawal arrangement having a capability for measuring a volumetric amount of liquid withdrawn from said liquid storage tank via said liquid withdrawal arrangement; and
said processor adapted to compare the sensed position of the liquid surface in said liquid storage tank with the measured volumetric amount withdrawn from said tank thereby enabling correlation between an amount of liquid stored in said liquid storage tank and a corresponding sensed position by said liquid surface position sensing device.
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20. A method for calibrating a liquid-level measurement arrangement for a marine vessel comprising:
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sensing an initial position of a liquid surface in a marine vessel'"'"'s liquid storage tank that is at least partially filled with an amount of liquid;
measuring an amount of liquid withdrawn from said liquid storage tank and sensing a subsequent position of the liquid surface in said liquid storage tank thereby enabling an assignment of the volume of liquid stored in said liquid storage tank defined between said initial and subsequent positions; and
repeating a series of such sensing and measuring steps thereby enabling a mapping of stored liquid volume inside said liquid storage tank with respect to an axis defined by a series of detectable liquid top surface position. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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Specification