Wireless tank monitoring system having satellite communications capability
First Claim
1. A tank level monitoring system for communicating remote tank level information via a satellite communications link to a client, comprising:
- a plurality of tank level monitors having wireless communications capability;
a satellite communications gateway in wireless communication with the plurality of tank level monitors, the satellite communications gateway configured to wirelessly receive tank level information from each of the tank level monitors, programmed to package the tank level information from all of the tank level monitors into a single transmission package, and configured to transmit the single transmission package to the satellite communications link for delivery to the client.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A wireless tank monitoring system for remotely monitoring a plurality of storage tanks is provided. This tank monitoring system utilizes wireless communication from individual tank level monitors to a single SatComm Gateway. The SatComm Gateway then utilizes a low-Earth Orbit satellite constellation to transmit information to a central data collection center. The data collection center then provides access to this information to clients. These clients also have the capability of controlling individual monitors via the bi-directional communications path through the satellite link to the SatComm Gateway to the individual monitors. The SatComm Gateway packages the information from each of the monitors to optimize the communications through the satellite link to decrease the cost of transmission. Intrinsic safety is provided by each of the individual tank level monitors.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A tank level monitoring system for communicating remote tank level information via a satellite communications link to a client, comprising:
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a plurality of tank level monitors having wireless communications capability;
a satellite communications gateway in wireless communication with the plurality of tank level monitors, the satellite communications gateway configured to wirelessly receive tank level information from each of the tank level monitors, programmed to package the tank level information from all of the tank level monitors into a single transmission package, and configured to transmit the single transmission package to the satellite communications link for delivery to the client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A tank level monitoring system, comprising:
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at least one tank level monitor having wireless communications capability;
a satellite communications gateway in wireless communication with the at least one tank level monitor;
a constellation of low earth orbit (LEO) satellites;
a plurality of gateway earth stations (GESs) in communication with the LEO satellites;
a gateway control center (GCC) in communication with the plurality of GESs;
a data collection center in communication with the GCC; and
wherein the satellite communications gateway is configured to wirelessly receive tank level information from the at least one tank level monitor, programmed to package the tank level information from the at least one tank level monitor into a single transmission package, and configured to transmit the single transmission package to the satellite communications link for delivery to the data collection center. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of providing tank level information to a client, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a tank level by a wireless tank level monitor;
wirelessly transmitting information regarding the tank level to a satellite communication gateway;
packaging the information for transmission to a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite within the satellite communication gateway;
transmitting by the satellite communication gateway the information packaged for transmission to the LEO satellite;
receiving the information at a data collection center from a ground control center (GCC) that receives the information from gateway earth stations (GES) in communication with the LEO satellite;
processing the information; and
providing the client access to the information via the data collection center. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method of controlling remote tank level monitors, comprising the steps of:
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electronically communicating a command to a ground control center for transmission via a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite;
receiving the command at a satellite communication gateway from the LEO satellite; and
wirelessly transmitting the command from the satellite communication gateway to the tank level monitors. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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Specification