LIQUID LEVEL MONITORING SYSTEM

• US 20110175740A1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Miner Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Miner Products, LLC
• Inventors: Miner, Todd A.
• Application Number:
  US13/004,479
• Publication Number:
  US 20110175740A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/242 Mounting arrangements for electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/243 Schematic arrangements of probes combined with measuring circuits

Abstract

A liquid level monitoring system is configured for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold a liquid. The system includes a housing attachable to the stem of the plant. The housing may include an aperture for receiving some of the liquid in the reservoir. A circuit board is coupled to or positioned within the housing and includes a microprocessor. A sensor may be located within the housing or attached externally thereto. The sensor is operable to transmit a signal to the processor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir. And, an indicator is in communication with the processor to provide at least one human perceptible signal that correlates with a liquid level in the reservoir.

Claims

1. A liquid level monitoring system for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold a liquid, the system comprising:

a housing attachable to the stem of the plant;

a circuit board positioned within the housing, the circuit board having a microprocessor;

a sensor coupled to one of the housing or circuit board, the sensor operable to transmit a signal to the processor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir; and

an indicator in communication with the processor, the indicator configured to provide at least one human perceptible signal that correlates with a liquid level in the reservoir.

2. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the plant is a Christmas tree.

3. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the liquid is water.

4. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an extended tongue.

5. The monitoring system of claim 4, wherein the tongue is positionable adjacent a bottom surface of the stem and attachable thereto using a fastening device.

6. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the housing includes an aperture for receiving some of the liquid in the reservoir.

7. The monitoring system of claim 6, wherein the aperture for receiving some of the liquid in the reservoir is configured to permit water into a sealed channel formed by the housing.

8. The monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the sensor is located within the sealed channel.

9. The monitoring system of claim 7, wherein the aperture is arranged proximate a bottom portion of the sealed channel.

10. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is located external to the housing.

11. The monitoring system of claim 1, further comprising a removable battery coupled to the circuit board and configured to provide power to the microprocessor.

12. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a buzzer that provides a first audible tone at a first frequency when the water level drops below a first threshold in the reservoir.

13. The monitoring system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a second sensor positioned to detect a different liquid level of the reservoir.

14. A method for monitoring a liquid level in a reservoir configured to receive a wood-stemmed plant, the method comprising:

placing a liquid level monitoring system into the reservoir, the system affixed to a stem of the plant;

arranging the system to bring a plurality of sensors into contact with at least some of the liquid;

transmitting signals to a microprocessor of the system from the plurality of sensors, the sensors arranged in a gravitational direction with each sensor operable to transmit a low-liquid signal to the microprocessor when the sensor becomes exposed primarily to air instead of the liquid in the reservoir; and

providing at least one human perceptible signal from the system that correlates with a level of the liquid in the reservoir.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein placing the liquid level monitoring system into the reservoir includes tacking a tongue extending from the housing into a bottom surface of the stem.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein arranging the system to bring the plurality of sensors into contact with at least some of the liquid includes permitting the liquid to enter an aperture formed in the system.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising submerging the aperture below a desired liquid level as to prevent the transmission of the low-liquid signal to the microprocessor.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein transmitting the signals includes measuring a resistance between two electrical contacts within the housing.

19. A liquid level monitoring system for a wood-stemmed plant in which the stem is receivable by a reservoir configured to hold water, the system comprising:

a housing attachable to the stem of the plant, the housing having an aperture for receiving an amount of the water in the reservoir;

an electronic circuit located within the housing;

a processor located within the housing;

a plurality of sensors positioned within the housing, each sensor operable to transmit a signal through the circuit to the processor if a water level of the reservoir drops below a predetermined level relative to the sensor; and

a transmitter in communication with the processor, the transmitter operable to provide a signal that correlates with the water level in the reservoir.

20. The monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the predetermined level is when the sensor becomes out of contact with the water.

21. The monitoring system of claim 19, wherein the transmitter is a wireless transmitter operable to transmit a wireless signal to a computing device.

22. The monitoring system of claim 21, wherein the computing device is a cellular phone that provides a human perceptible output based on the transmitted wireless signal.