System and method for verifying installation of a tank level monitor

• US 20060036386A1
• Filed: 08/09/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Cupples, Kenneth Alan, Carl, Richard L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,298,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/100
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/20 of apparatus for measuring liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/14 checking the detection circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C

Abstract

A system and method of verifying the installation and data path used by a tank level monitor is provided. Once an installer completes the installation of the tank level monitor, the monitor is activated. The monitor performs a self test and transmits information to a data center. Preferably, the transmission is via a cellular communication network. Once the data center receives the information from the newly installed tank level monitor, the data center generates a text based message that is sent to the installer to verify that the installation was successful. The message from the data center is preferably an email message that can be delivered to a wireless messaging device held by the installer. The generation and transmission of the verification message should be approximately immediate, and certainly within five minutes to provide rapid feed back to the installer.

Claims

1. A method of verifying installation and data path integrity of a tank level monitor, comprising the steps of:

installing the tank level monitor on a storage tank;

activating the tank level monitor; and

awaiting a verification message from a data center.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving the verification message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of receiving the verification message comprises the step of receiving a text based verification message, the method further comprising the step of reading the text based verification message to ensure proper installation and data path integrity of the tank level monitor.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of receiving the verification message comprises the step of receiving an email containing the verification message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining that the installation or data path integrity is bad after awaiting the verification message for a first period without receiving the verification message.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of determining that the installation or data path integrity is bad comprises the step of determining that the installation or data path integrity is bad after awaiting the verification message for approximately five minutes.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of repeating the steps of installing, activating and awaiting.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of troubleshooting the installation of the tank level monitor.

9. A method of verifying installation and data path integrity of a tank level monitor, comprising the steps of:

receiving an activation message from the tank level monitor

verifying the activation message;

generating a verification message; and

transmitting the verification message to an installer.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of generating a verification message comprises the step of generating a text based verification message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of generating a text based verification message comprises the step of generating a text based email verification message, and wherein the step of transmitting the verification message comprises the step of mailing the text based email verification message to the installer.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a problem from information in the activation message;

generating a troubleshooting message; and

transmitting the troubleshooting message to the installer.

13. A tank level monitoring system, comprising:

a tank level monitor installed on a storage tank to measure the level of product therein;

a data center adapted to receive transmissions from the monitor; and

wherein the tank level monitor transmits an activation message to the data center upon activation thereof; and

wherein the data center verifies information in the activation message, generates a verification message, and transmits the verification message to an installer of the tank level monitor.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the tank level monitor is activated by a magnet.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the tank level monitor is configured to run a self test upon activation, to sense information regarding a tank on which it is installed, and to include such information and results of the self test in the activation message.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the tank level monitor is a cellular monitor and wherein the tank level monitor transmits the activation message over a cellular communication network.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the verification message is a text based email message.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein the installer has a wireless messaging device, and wherein the data center transmits the verification message to the wireless messaging device.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the data center verifies information in the activation message, generates a verification message, and transmits the verification message to an installer of the tank level monitor without delay.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the tank level monitor is a battery powered cellular monitor.