Automatic delivery/drain detection using a level monitoring system

• US 7,298,278 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Miller, Wojtek, Evans, John O'Brien II
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass; Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAU, HOI CHING
• Application Number:
  US11/199,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20060032863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 833 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568, 340/612, 340/613, 340/614, 340/618, 340/623, 340/603, 340/625, 340/539.1, 340/539.22
• US Class Current: 340/603
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/802 Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment

Abstract

A system for monitoring a level of product in a tank to detect one of a delivery and a drain operation is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operably coupled to the tank and adapted to detect the level of product in the tank at a first rate and at a second rate. The data center is in communication with the monitor and adapted to receive a user inputtable threshold level of change. The monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the first rate until the threshold level of change is detected. Thereafter, the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the second rate. The data center generates an alarm signal to indicate that one of the delivery and the drain has occurred.

Claims

1. A method of detecting at least one of a delivery and a drain of product in a storage tank, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring at a first rate a product level in the tank;

determining that at least one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

monitoring at a second rate the product level in the tank;

determining that the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended; and

transmitting information related to an amount of product delivered or drained during the at least one of the delivery or drain of the product; and

wherein the step of determining that at least one of a delivery or drain of product has begun comprises the steps of;

reading a first product level at the first rate before the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

reading a second product level at the first rate;

determining a difference between the first product level and the second product level; and

indicating at least one of a delivery or drain of product has begun when the difference exceeds a threshold level of change.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a user-selected threshold level of change.

3. A method of detecting at least one of a delivery and a drain of product in a storage tank, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring at a first rate a product level in the tank;

determining that at lease one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

monitoring at a second rate the product level in the tank;

determining that the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended; and

transmitting information related to an amount of product delivered or drained during the at least one of the delivery or drain of the product; and

wherein the step of determining that at least one of a delivery or drain of product has ended comprises the steps of;

reading a first product level at the second rate after the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

reading at least a second product level at the second rate;

determining at least a difference between the first product level and the at least second product level; and

indicating at least one of a delivery or drain of product has ended when the difference between the first product level and the at least second product level no longer exceeds a threshold level of change.

4. A method of detecting at least one of a delivery and a drain of product in a storage tank, the method comprising the steps of:

monitoring at a first rate a product level in the tank;

determining that at least one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

monitoring at a second rate the product in the tank;

determining that the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended; and

transmitting information related to an amount of product delivered or drained during the at least one of the delivery or drain of the product; and

wherein the step of transmitting information related to an amount of product delivered or drained during the at least one of the delivery or drain of the product comprises the steps of;

storing a first product level reading monitored immediately before the step of determining that at least one of the delivery or drain of product has begun;

storing a second product level reading monitored immediately before the step of determining that at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended; and

transmitting the first product level reading and the second product level reading.

5. A method of detecting at least one of a delivery and a drain of product to and from a storage tank, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying a user interface having user selectable options presented thereon;

receiving at least one of a delivery function selection and a user drain function selection;

receiving a user input threshold level of change for the at least one of the delivery function selection and the user drain function selection;

initiating tank level monitoring at a first rate until the at least one of the delivery or drain functions is detected;

initiating tank level monitoring at a second rate until the at least one of the delivery or drain functions has ended; and

providing an alarm to indicate that the at least one selected function occurred.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of reporting an initial tank level corresponding to the tank level at the start of the at least one selected function and a final tank level corresponding to the tank level at the end of the at least one selected function.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of receiving at least one of the delivery function selection and the user drain function selection comprises the step of receiving the delivery function selection, and wherein the step of initiating tank level monitoring at the first rate until the at least one of the delivery or drain functions is detected comprises the step of detecting an increase in the product level in the tank greater than the user input threshold level of change.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of receiving at least one of the delivery function selection and the user drain function selection comprises the step of receiving the drain function selection, and wherein the step of initiating tank level monitoring at the first rate until the at least one of the delivery or drain functions is detected comprises the step of detecting a decrease in the product level in the tank greater than the user input threshold level of change.