Will call wireless tank level monitoring system

• US 7,441,569 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Invensys Systems Incorporated (Invensys PLC)
• Original Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Company (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Lease, Benjamin N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUST, TIMOTHY LEWIS
• Application Number:
  US11/117,099
• Publication Number:
  US 20060243345A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 141/2, 141/4, 141/83, 141/94, 141/95, 141/192, 137/386, 137/551, 137/558, 73/17.3, 734/47, 732/90.R, 73D/IG.5
• US Class Current: 141/95
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/802 Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8342 Liquid level responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A wireless tank level monitoring system is provided. The system includes a transmitter that is located in close proximity to the storage tank. The transmitter is coupled to a remote-ready tank level gauge, which provides a ratio-metric voltage output proportional to the liquid volume inside the tank. The transmitter periodically monitors the output from the level gauge and transmits the information to a base station located remotely from the storage tank. The base station displays the tank level numerically in percent full, graphically with a bar chart, or both. A conspicuous visual indication is provided by the base station when the tank level drops below a predetermined set point. In battery powered applications, the base station also reads and provides a visual indication of a low battery condition for both the transmitter and base station.

Claims

1. A remote tank level display system for displaying a tank level at a remote location, the tank having a level sensing apparatus installed thereon, comprising:

a transmitter module adapted to be positioned in proximity to the tank, the transmitter module in communication with the level sensing apparatus to receive tank level information therefrom;

a base station adapted to be mounted on a wall and in wireless radio frequency (RF) communication with the transmitter module, the base station including a fixed segment liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the tank level received from the transmitter module; and

a mounting holster affixed to the tank and adapted to removably secure the transmitter module therein.

2. A remote tank level display system for displaying a tank level at a remote location, the tank having a level sensing apparatus installed thereon, comprising:

a transmitter module adapted to be positioned in proximity to the tank, the transmitter module in communication with the level sensing apparatus to receive tank level information therefrom;

a base station adapted to be mounted on a wall and in wireless radio frequency (RF) communication with the transmitter module, the base station including a fixed segment liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the tank level received from the transmitter module; and

a transducer affixed to the level sensing apparatus, the transducer providing a ratiometric voltage output to indicate tank level.

8. The system of claim 2, wherein the LCD provides a visual indication of a low tank level condition.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the visual indication includes flashing the tank level displayed on the LCD.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the visual indication includes illumination of a backlight of the LCD.

3. A remote tank level display system for displaying a tank level at a remote location, the tank having a level sensing apparatus installed thereon, comprising:

a transmitter module adapted to be positioned in proximity to the tank, the transmitter module in communication with the level sensing apparatus to receive tank level information therefrom;

a base station adapted to be mounted on a wall and in wireless radio frequency (RF) communication with the transmitter module, the base station including a fixed segment liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the tank level received from the transmitter module;

a transducer affixed to the level sensing apparatus, the transducer providing a ratiometric voltage output to indicate tank level; and

wherein the transmitter module includes a tank orientation switch and the transducer includes a Hall effect module that generates the ratiometric voltage output, and wherein the transmitter module calculates the tank level based on the ratiometric voltage output of the Hall effect module and a position of the tank orientation switch.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module periodically reads and transmits the tank level to the base station.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the transmitter module enters a sleep mode between periodically reading and transmitting the tank level to the base station.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module is battery powered, wherein the transmitter module transmits low battery information to the base station, and wherein the base station displays the low battery information from the transmitter on the display.

7. The system of claim 3, wherein the LCD displays a segmented chart that varies to correspond to the tank level.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein the LCD of the base station displays the tank level in numeric form as a percent full.

12. The system of claim 3, wherein the LCD of the base station displays the tank level in graphic form.

13. The system of claim 3, wherein the LCD of the base station displays the tank level in numeric form as a percent full and in graphic form.

14. The system of claim 3, wherein the base station is battery powered, and wherein the base station displays a low battery condition indication when a low battery condition is detected.

15. The system of claim 3, wherein the transmitter module receives commands from the base station.

16. A method of displaying a level of a tank at a remote location, comprising the steps of:

monitoring a tank level in proximity to the tank;

wirelessly transmitting information regarding the tank level using a radio frequency (RE) transmitter;

receiving the information at the remote location using a RE receiver; and

displaying the information on a fixed segment liquid crystal display (LCD) for a user utilizing the tank; and

wherein the step of monitoring comprises the steps of;

generating a ratiometric voltage proportional to the level of the tank;

determining an orientation of the tank;

calculating the information regarding the tank level based on the ratiometric voltage and the orientation of the tank.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of displaying the information comprises the step of displaying the information in numeric form as a percent frill and in graphic form.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a visual indication of a low tank condition.

19. A remote tank level display system for displaying a level of a propane tank at a remote location, the tank having a tank level monitor installed thereon, comprising:

a Hall effect module in magnetic communication with the tank level monitor;

a transmitter module coupled to the Hall effect module and receiving a ratiometric voltage therefrom, the transmitter module including a tank orientation switch, and wherein the transmitter module calculates the tank level based on the ratiometric voltage and a position of the tank orientation switch; and

a base station in wireless communication with the transmitter module, the base station including a fixed segment liquid crystal display for displaying information indicative of the tank level received from the transmitter module.