Apparatus and methods for monitoring quantities of fluid in a container
First Claim
1. A volumetric measurement device for monitoring the volume of fluid within a container, said volumetric measurement device comprising:
- a) at least one accelerometer detecting the angle of tilt of the container;
b) a flow-rate processor for calculating a flow rate value of the fluid poured from the container;
c) a volume processor for calculating the volume of the fluid within the container;
d) a fluid property processor providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid stored in said container,d) a calibration processor for determining an initial volume of fluid within the container; and
e) a central processor for monitoring the interaction between the accelerometer, the flow-rate processor and the volume processor;
wherein said volumetric measurement device is configured for attachment to the container, wherein said container is a 55-gallon drum, and further wherein, when said container is tipped for pouring, the flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based at least in part on the angle of tilt of the container, the at least one fluidic property value of the fluid within the container, and the volume of fluid within the container.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present technology relates to a volumetric measurement device and various methods for operation of the device. The device comprises at least one accelerometer for detecting the angle of tilt/tip of a container. The device also comprises at least one fluid property processor capable of providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid, a flow-rate processor capable of continuously calculating the present flow rate of the fluid when poured from the container, and a volume processor capable of continuously calculating the present volume of the fluid within the container. The flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based on the angle of tilt/tip of the apparatus, the at least one fluid property value, and the present volume of fluid within the container.
17 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A volumetric measurement device for monitoring the volume of fluid within a container, said volumetric measurement device comprising:
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a) at least one accelerometer detecting the angle of tilt of the container; b) a flow-rate processor for calculating a flow rate value of the fluid poured from the container; c) a volume processor for calculating the volume of the fluid within the container; d) a fluid property processor providing at least one fluidic property value of a fluid stored in said container, d) a calibration processor for determining an initial volume of fluid within the container; and e) a central processor for monitoring the interaction between the accelerometer, the flow-rate processor and the volume processor; wherein said volumetric measurement device is configured for attachment to the container, wherein said container is a 55-gallon drum, and further wherein, when said container is tipped for pouring, the flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based at least in part on the angle of tilt of the container, the at least one fluidic property value of the fluid within the container, and the volume of fluid within the container. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for measuring the volume of fluid poured from a 55-gallon drum comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a monitor comprising an accelerometer and at least one processor; b) attaching the accelerometer to the 55-gallon drum at a location about the tipping axis of the 55-gallon drum; c) determining the initial volume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum; d) tilting the 55-gallon drum along the tipping axis; e) measuring the angle of tilt of the 55-gallon drum using said monitor; f) monitoring the duration of the pour; g) calculating the rate of flow of fluid poured from the 55-gallon drum with said at least one processor based at least in part on i) the angle of tilt measured by said monitor; and ii) the determined initial volume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum; h) calculating the present volume of fluid remaining in the 55-gallon drum with said at least one processor based at least in part on said initial volume, said calculated rate of flow and said duration of the pour; and i) updating the rate of flow and the present volume of fluid in the 55-gallon drum. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A fluid storage system for monitoring the volume of fluid in a container, the system comprising:
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a) a container capable of storing a fluid; b) at least one pouring monitor comprising; i) at least one accelerometer attached to said container for detecting the angle of tilt of the container; ii) at least one fluid property processor providing at least one fluidic property value of the fluid in the container; iii) at least one flow-rate processor for calculating a flow rate value of the fluid poured from the container; iv) at least one volume processor for calculating the volume of fluid within the container; v) at least one calibration processor for determining an initial volume of fluid within the container; and vi) at least one central processor for monitoring of the interaction between the at least one accelerometer, the at least one fluid property processor, the at least one flow-rate processor and the at least one volume processor; wherein said container is a 55-gallon drum and further wherein, when said container is tipped for pouring, the flow-rate processor calculates the rate of flow of the fluid poured from the container based at least in part on the angle of tilt of the container, the at least one fluidic property value of the fluid within the container, and the volume of fluid within the container. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification