Fluid monitoring apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A liquid monitoring apparatus comprising:
- a first sensor for detecting a depth of total liquid in an enclosed space;
said total liquid comprising at least a first type of liquid; and
a second sensor comprises a plurality of parallel metallic plates for detecting the presence of a second type of liquid in the enclosed space and a depth of such second type of liquid up to a threshold depth, wherein the first and second types of liquids make up at least a portion of the depth of total liquid and have different specific gravities, wherein said second sensor is disposed within a barge capable of floating within said first type of liquid but not said second type of liquid, wherein the first sensor is a sonar, pressure, optical or thermal device located above and not in contact with the total liquid and the second sensor contacts either the first type of liquid, the second type of liquid or the total liquid.
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Abstract
A fluid monitoring apparatus and method is disclosed for use in an underground utility vault. Specifically, a system utilizing multiple sensors to determine the total amount and type of fluid present in a utility vault is disclosed. A first sensor located above the fluid detects and determines the overall depth of fluid present. A second sensor, relying on specific properties of the fluid(s) present, is located in contact with the fluids present. The information regarding specific fluid level and type is conveyed to a central location for monitoring.
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8 Claims
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1. A liquid monitoring apparatus comprising:
a first sensor for detecting a depth of total liquid in an enclosed space;
said total liquid comprising at least a first type of liquid; and
a second sensor comprises a plurality of parallel metallic plates for detecting the presence of a second type of liquid in the enclosed space and a depth of such second type of liquid up to a threshold depth, wherein the first and second types of liquids make up at least a portion of the depth of total liquid and have different specific gravities, wherein said second sensor is disposed within a barge capable of floating within said first type of liquid but not said second type of liquid, wherein the first sensor is a sonar, pressure, optical or thermal device located above and not in contact with the total liquid and the second sensor contacts either the first type of liquid, the second type of liquid or the total liquid.- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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