SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING PROPANE OR OTHER CONSUMABLE LIQUID TO REMOTELY LOCATED STORAGE TANKS

• US 20080033668A1
• Filed: 10/18/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NAS Corp.
• Original Assignee: NAS Corp.
• Inventors: HUMPHREY, RICHARD
• Granted Patent: US 7,512,488 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/55
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/061 for remote indication
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/38 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08355 Routing methods

Abstract

An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account. The system can calendar required inspections of customer tanks, homes, and appliances, and data can be combined with accounts receivable information. Remote monitoring of customer tanks can be combined with other products using similar equipment to provide additional non-seasonal revenue streams.

Claims

1. A system for coordinating the delivery of a consumable liquid to two or more remotely located storage tanks at several different locations comprising:

at least one monitoring unit associated with each storage tank to be in close proximity to the storage tank and communicatively linked with a sensor that provides fluid level information indicative of the amount of fluid in the storage tank, wherein each monitoring unit includes at least one processor to receive and process the received fluid level information;

at least one central server remotely located from the two or more storage tanks to be communicatively linked with each monitoring unit;

wherein each monitoring unit is capable of processing fluid level information to determine whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred and, if so, send notice to the at least one central server; and

the at least one central server to process received fluid level information (i) to provide displayable fluid level data, (ii) to forecast future fluid levels utilizing at least stored fluid level data, (iii) to determine a delivery schedule based at least on tank capacities, fluid levels, and an inventory of one or more delivery vehicles, and (iv) to provide one or more routes for the delivery vehicles to reach the storage tanks based at least on tank location and an amount of fluid to be delivered.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a graphical user interface configured to download information to be displayed and to allow user input.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the graphical user interface is an Internet web browser.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein an adaptive algorithm is used to generate an optimal delivery schedule and optimal routing for delivery vehicles based at least upon fluid level information from remotely located storage tanks.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the generation of an optimal delivery schedule and optimal routing for delivery vehicles is also based at least upon maximizing the number of fluid gallons delivered per mile traveled by delivery vehicles executing a route.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said communications link comprises a cellular modem, a satellite communication system, a modem and telephone line, or an RF transmitter/receiver.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said communications link comprises a primary communications link and a backup communications link to be used if the primary communications link is not operable.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said determining whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred comprises comparing current fluid level to predefined thresholds or stored historic fluid levels to determine whether fluid levels are too high, too low, or whether fluid levels are falling too fast or not falling fast enough.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

one or more secondary sensors for detecting the occurrence of a local phenomena and transmitting a detection signal to at least one monitoring unit;

one or more of the monitoring units being capable of receiving a detection signal from secondary sensors, processing the signal, and sending data concerning the detection signal through a communications link to the central server.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising an audible alarm that sounds when said detection signal is transmitted by a secondary sensor.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said one or more secondary sensors are capable of detecting local temperature, the presence of propane gas, or higher than normal levels of carbon monoxide.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein one or more secondary sensors transmit data to a monitoring unit via X-10, radio frequency, infrared signals, or hard-wired connection.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein data to be sent from the monitoring unit to the central server is queued until a predetermined connect time.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein said central server comprises one or more computers at one or more physical locations executing software.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein information concerning fluid level data is organized and displayed graphically.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein displaying information graphically comprises displaying a tank inventory listing customers and corresponding fluid levels with levels above or below predetermined thresholds color-coded so that particular fluid ranges can be easily identified.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein displaying information graphically comprises displaying alarm messages whenever a remote monitoring unit has notified the central server that a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising sending alarm messages via pager, text messages, or email whenever a remote monitoring unit has notified the central server that a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred.

19-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A system for coordinating the delivery of propane to two or more remotely located storage tanks at several different locations via delivery vehicles, comprising:

at least one monitoring unit associated with each storage tank to be in close proximity to the storage tank and communicatively linked with a sensor that provides fluid level information indicative of the amount of propane in the storage tank, wherein each monitoring unit includes at least one processor to receive and process the received fluid level information;

at least one central server remotely located from the two or more storage tanks to be communicatively linked with each monitoring unit;

one or more secondary sensors capable of detecting local temperature, the presence of propane gas, or higher than normal levels of carbon monoxide and transmitting a detection signal to at least one monitoring unit;

wherein at least one monitoring unit is capable of (i) processing propane level information to determine whether a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred and, if so, sending notice to the at least one central server, (ii) receiving a detection signal from a secondary sensor, processing the signal to determine whether the value is outside a predetermined range and, if so, sending data concerning the detection signal through a communications link to the central server;

the at least one central server to;

(a) process received propane level information to provide displayable fluid level data,

(b) forecast future propane levels utilizing at least stored historic propane level data,

(c) determine based at least upon propane level information from remotely located storage tanks and maximizing the number of propane gallons delivered per mile traveled by delivery vehicles (i) an optimum delivery schedule also based at least on tank capacities, propane levels, and an inventory of one or more delivery vehicles, and (ii) one or more optimum routes for the delivery vehicles to reach the storage tanks also based at least on delivery vehicle capacity, tank location, and an amount of propane to be delivered;

a graphical user interface connected to the at least one central server via the Internet and configured to allow user input and to download information to be displayed so that (i) information concerning propane level data is organized and displayed graphically, (ii) information is at least displayed as a tank inventory listing customers and corresponding propane levels with levels above or below predetermined thresholds color-coded so that particular propane ranges can be easily identified, and (iii) alarm messages are displayed whenever a remote monitoring unit has notified the central server that a predefined out-of-ordinary event has occurred or that a secondary sensor has detected a value is outside a predetermined range.

22. An apparatus for coordinating the delivery of a consumable liquid to two or more remotely located storage tanks at several different locations via delivery vehicles, comprising:

a means for obtaining data indicative of the amount of fluid in a storage tank;

a means for locally processing the data to determine whether predefined conditions are met;

a means for transferring the data to a central location;

a means for processing the data at the central location to (i) to provide displayable fluid level data, (ii) to forecast future fluid levels utilizing at least stored fluid level data, (iii) to determine a delivery schedule based at least on tank capacities, fluid levels, and an inventory of one or more delivery vehicles, and (iv) to provide one or more routes for the delivery vehicles to reach the storage tanks based at least on tank location and an amount of fluid to be delivered.