METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC SEDIMENT OR SLUDGE DETECTION, MONITORING, AND INSPECTION IN OIL STORAGE AND OTHER FACILITIES
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- receiving an image of a storage tank at a processing system, the storage tank capable of storing one or more materials; and
processing the image to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method includes receiving an image of a storage tank at a processing system, where the storage tank is capable of storing one or more materials. The method also includes processing the image to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank. Processing the image could include segmenting the image into multiple segments and using the segments to identify a non-linearity in the image. The image could be segmented into segments having different grey levels using grey level values associated with previously-identified sediment or sludge. The identified level or amount of sludge or sediment could be used to automatically schedule maintenance for the storage tank.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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receiving an image of a storage tank at a processing system, the storage tank capable of storing one or more materials; and processing the image to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus comprising:
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an interface configured to receive an image of a storage tank, the storage tank capable of storing one or more materials; and a processing device configured to process the image and to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A computer readable medium embodying a computer program, the computer program comprising:
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computer readable program code for receiving an image of a storage tank, the storage tank capable of storing one or more materials; and computer readable program code for processing the image to identify a level, profile, or amount of sludge or sediment present in the storage tank. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification