DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING TANK CONTENT LEVELS

• US 20100001867A1
• Filed: 12/24/2008
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Isaac Horn, James V. Masi, Matthew Rodrigue, William Sulinski
• Original Assignee: Isaac Horn, James V. Masi, Matthew Rodrigue, William Sulinski
• Inventors: Horn, Isaac, Rodrigue, Matthew, Masi, James V., Sulinski, William
• Application Number:
  US12/343,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20100001867A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/62 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/802 Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system for determining content level in a fluid holding tank and requesting refills. One embodiment of the system comprises a magnet that produces a magnetic flux around a housing for an existing content level gauge, a Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit disposed on the housing and having at least one current detecting loop therein for detecting any variation in a magnetic field created by the magnet, and a metal content level gauge disposed within the housing. The degree of variation corresponds to a measured content level as indicated by a position of the metal content level gauge. The system further comprises a base station receiver transmitter unit for receiving a signal from the Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit and forwarding that signal to a remote registry.

Claims

1. A minimally intrusive system for determining content level in a fluid holding tank, the system comprising:

a. a magnet disposed around the base of a housing for an existing content level gauge, wherein the magnet produces a magnetic flux around the housing;

b. a Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit disposed on the housing and having at least one current detecting loop therein for detecting any variation in a magnetic field created by the magnet and a metal content level gauge disposed within the housing, wherein the degree of variation corresponds to a measured content level as indicated by a position of the metal content level gauge; and

c. a base station receiver transmitter unit for receiving a signal from the Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit and forwarding that signal to a remote registry, wherein the signal comprises data comprising at least the measured content level and a corresponding specific fluid holding tank identifier.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit communicates with the base station via wired means.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit communicates with the base station via wireless means.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit has a substantially conical shape for engaging the housing.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the metal content level gauge comprises a metal rod.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the metal rod is iron.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the metal rod is steel.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the metal rod comprises an iron cap.

9. A system for determining content level in a fluid holding tank, the system comprising:

a. a linear Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit disposed on a housing for an existing content level gauge for detecting any variation in a magnetic field created by a magnet disposed on the content level gauge disposed within the housing, wherein the degree of variation corresponds to a measured content level as indicated by a position of the magnet; and

b. a base station receiver transmitter unit for receiving a signal from the linear Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit and forwarding that signal to a remote registry, wherein the signal comprises data comprising at least the measured content level and a corresponding specific fluid holding tank identifier.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the linear Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit communicates with the base station via wired means.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the linear Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit communicates with the base station via wireless means.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the linear Hall Effect sensor transmitter unit has a substantially conical shape for engaging the housing.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the magnet is a rare earth metal permanent magnet.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the magnet is made of an alloy containing iron.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the magnet is made of neodymium.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein the linear Hall Effect sensor is a ratiometric sensor that provides a voltage output that is proportional to an applied magnetic field of the magnet.