Tank fluid parameter monitoring device and method

• US 20050120793A1
• Filed: 12/05/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Accu-Break Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Accu-Break Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Windsor, Alton E. Jr., Cochran, Edward R. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US10/729,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20050120793A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/313
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/60 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/62 using magnetically actuated indicating means

Abstract

The invention is a tank fluid parameter monitoring device with at least one tank having at least one tank fluid parameter, at least one tank fluid parameter sensor, and at least one smart transceiver in communication with at least one tank fluid parameter sensor. The smart transceiver further has a means for determining if at least one tank fluid parameter is within a predetermined range and a means for two-way transceiving at least one tank fluid parameter over wireless telemetry.

Claims

1. A tank fluid parameter monitoring device comprising;

at least one tank having at least one tank fluid parameter,

at least one tank fluid parameter sensor, said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprising one linear hall effect sensor in magnetic communication with a magnet, said hall effect sensor aligned essentially in the upward and downward travel plane of said magnet, said magnet disposed proportional to said tank fluid parameter, said hall effect sensor inducing a voltage signal in ratiometric proportion to the proximate magnetic field created by said magnet traveling in said upward and downward travel plane,

at least one smart transceiver in communication with at least one said tank fluid parameter sensor,

wherein said smart transceiver further comprises a means for determining if said at least one tank fluid parameter is within a predetermined range and a means for two-way transceiving said at least one tank fluid parameter over wireless telemetry.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said tank fluid parameter is liquid level.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said at least one tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises;

a potentiometer,

a float magnet disposed proportional to the liquid level tank fluid parameter,

a follower magnet assembly disposed in relation to said float magnet,

wherein said potentiometer is in mechanical communication with said follower magnet assembly and said follower magnet assembly is in magnetic communication with said float magnet

5. The device of claim 2 wherein said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises;

a pad for sensing the weight of said tank,

a capacitance sensor disposed in said pad, and

a capacitance to voltage conversion circuit.

7. The device of claim 4 wherein said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises a pressure transducer.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry further comprises a paging network.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein said wireless telemetry further comprises a cellular network.

3. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

11. A method for monitoring a tank fluid parameter comprising;

providing at least one tank having at least one tank fluid parameter,

measuring at least one tank fluid parameter with a tank fluid parameter sensor, said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprising one linear hall effect sensor in magnetic communication with a magnet, said hall effect sensor aligned essentially in the upward and downward travel plane of said magnet, said magnet disposed proportional to said tank fluid parameter, said hall effect sensor inducing a voltage signal in ratiometric proportion to the proximate magnetic field created by said magnet traveling in said upward and downward travel plane, and

transceiving said tank fluid parameter using at least one smart transceiver in communication with at least one said tank fluid parameter sensor, wherein said smart transceiver further comprises a means for determining if said at least one tank fluid parameter is within a predetermined range and a means for two-way transceiving said at least one tank fluid parameter over wireless telemetry.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said tank fluid parameter is liquid level.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein said at least one tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises;

a potentiometer,

a float magnet disposed proportional to the liquid level tank fluid parameter,

a follower magnet assembly disposed in relation to said float magnet,

wherein said potentiometer is in mechanical communication with said follower magnet assembly and said follower magnet assembly is in magnetic communication with said float magnet.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises;

a pad for sensing the weight of said tank,

a capacitance sensor disposed in said pad, and

a capacitance to voltage conversion circuit.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises a pressure transducer.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said tank fluid parameter sensor further comprises a pressure transducer.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein said wireless telemetry further comprises a paging network.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said wireless telemetry further comprises a cellular network.

13. (canceled)

16. (canceled)