Method for controlling LP gas inventory

• US 5,265,032 A
• Filed: 02/18/1993
• Issued: 11/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Naresh P. Patel
• Original Assignee: Naresh P. Patel
• Inventors: Patel, Naresh P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, Jack B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Application Number:
  US08/020,262
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 364/509, 364/510, 364/569, 364/464.24, 364/465, 340/625, 379/106, 73/317
• US Class Current: 702/188
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/021 having the height as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2221/035 Propane butane, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0153 Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/033 Small pressure, e.g. for liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0413 with floats
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/024 Improving metering
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/32 using rotatable arms or other pivotable transmission elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/38 using magnetically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/80 Arrangements for signal processing

Abstract

A computerized method for sensing the level of liquefied gas in a tank at a remote location and transmitting data between the location of the tank and the computer to maintain files for inventory control. A microprocessor collects electrical signals from a tank mounted transducer, which is actuated by a float gauge, and periodically sends data over telephone lines to a computer located remotely from the tank. The computer receives and processes data during time windows established for each of a group of tanks to provide current data regarding the supply of liquefied gas in the tanks.

Claims

1. A method of collecting information for controlling LP gas inventory comprising the steps of:

providing sender means to generate a signal indicating the level of LP gas in a tank;

storing said signal;

programming clock means located at the location of the sender means to establish a time window during which the sender means is enabled to receive a telephone call from a remote computer whereby said sender means does not respond to incoming telephone calls that fall outside of the predetermined time window;

programming said remote computer to communicate with said sender means during the time window; and

transmitting said stored signal from said sender means to said remote computer.

2. The method of claim 1, said step of storing said signal comprising:

providing a microprocessor;

storing said signal in said microprocessor; and

connecting said clock means to said microprocessor such that the clock means turns on the microprocessor during the time window.

3. The method of claim 2, with the addition of the step of providing an autodialer and modem;

connecting said autodialer and modem to said microprocessor; and

causing said clock means to actuate said autodialer and said modem during said time window if said stored signal indicates that the level of LP gas in the tank is outside of a predetermined volume.

4. A method of collecting information for controlling LP gas inventory in tanks at multiple locations comprising the steps of:

providing sender means associated with each tank to generate signals indicating the volume of LP gas in each particular tank;

storing said signals;

programming clock means located at the location of each sender means to establish predetermined time windows during which each sender means is enabled to receive a telephone call from a remote computer whereby the sender means does not respond to incoming telephone calls that fall outside of the predetermined time window;

programming the remote computer to communicate with each of said sender means during a predetermined time window; and

transmitting said stored signals from said particular sender means to said remote computer during the predetermined time window.

5. The method of claim 4, the step of programming clock means located at the location of each sender means to establish a time window during which each sender means is enabled to receive a telephone call from the remote computer, including the step of:

preventing communication between each sender means and the remote computer except during each predetermined time window.

6. A method of collecting information for controlling LP gas inventory in tanks at multiple remote locations comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a sensor associated with each tank to generate signals indicating the amount of LP gas in each particular tank;

(b) providing a sender for receiving and storing signals from at least one sensor;

(c) providing a remote computer to communicate with each of said senders during a predetermined time window;

(d) providing a programmable clock to establish predetermined time windows during which each sender is enabled to receive a telephone call from the remote computer whereby the sender does not respond to incoming telephone calls that fall outside of the predetermined time windows; and

(e) transmitting the stored signals from the sender to the remote computer when the sender receives a telephone call from the remote computer.