Low fluid level indicator for hydration bladder
First Claim
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1. In a personal hydration system of the type to be worn or carried by a person, the hydration system comprising a flexible, refillable bladder for holding a consumable liquid and a flexible drinking tube connected to the bladder to allow for the consumption of the liquid, the improvement comprising:
- a first sensor coupled to the hydration system, the first sensor outputting a signal in response to changes in the flexible bladder'"'"'s geometry resulting from consumption of the liquid; and
a monitoring device, the monitoring device receiving the signal from the first sensor and providing an indication based on the signal that relates to the amount of liquid remaining in the flexible bladder.
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Abstract
A method for indicating the relative fluid level of a personal hydration bladder, and for alerting the user that the bladder has been depleted to a predetermined level or levels. A non-invasive sensor detects changes in the bladder geometry and transmits the information to a indicating unit worn by the user.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. In a personal hydration system of the type to be worn or carried by a person, the hydration system comprising a flexible, refillable bladder for holding a consumable liquid and a flexible drinking tube connected to the bladder to allow for the consumption of the liquid, the improvement comprising:
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a first sensor coupled to the hydration system, the first sensor outputting a signal in response to changes in the flexible bladder'"'"'s geometry resulting from consumption of the liquid; and a monitoring device, the monitoring device receiving the signal from the first sensor and providing an indication based on the signal that relates to the amount of liquid remaining in the flexible bladder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. In a personal hydration system of the type to be worn or carried by a person, the hydration system comprising a flexible, refillable bladder for holding a consumable liquid and a flexible drinking tube connected to the bladder to allow for the consumption of the liquid, the improvement comprising:
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a plurality of sensors coupled to the hydration system, each of the plurality of sensors being spaced along a length of the hydration system and wherein each of the plurality of sensors are capable of outputting a signal in response to changes in the flexible bladder'"'"'s geometry resulting from consumption of the liquid; and a monitoring device, the monitoring device receiving the signals from each of the plurality of sensors and providing an indication based on the signals that relates to the amount of liquid remaining in the flexible bladder. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. In a personal hydration system of the type to be worn or carried by a person, the hydration system comprising a flexible, refillable bladder for holding a consumable liquid and a flexible drinking tube connected to the bladder to allow for the consumption of the liquid, the improvement comprising:
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an angular displacement variable resistor coupled to the hydration system'"'"'s bladder that is capable of outputting a signal in response to changes in the flexible bladder'"'"'s geometry resulting from consumption of the liquid; and a monitoring device, the monitoring device receiving a signal from the angular displacement variable resistor and providing an indication based on the signal that relates to the amount of liquid remaining in the flexible bladder. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification