Automatic delivery/drain detection using a level monitoring system

• US 8,378,833 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• 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): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US11/773,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20070251951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,058 Days
• Field of Search: 340/603, 340/612, 340/618, 340/568, 340/613, 340/614, 340/623, 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 system for monitoring a level of product in a tank to detect at least one of a delivery and a drain operation, the system comprising:

a monitor operably coupled to the tank, the monitor adapted to detect the level of product in the tank at a first rate and at a second rate; and

a data center in communication with the monitor, the data center adapted to receive a user inputtable threshold level of change; and

wherein the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the first rate until the threshold level of change is detected whereupon the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the second rate; and

wherein the data center generates an alarm signal when the threshold level of change is detected to indicate that at least one of the delivery and the drain has occurred.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor reports an initial tank level reading and a final tank level reading to the data center.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitor detects the level of product in the tank at the first rate when the threshold level of change is no longer detected.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first rate is slower than the second rate.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data center includes a user interface comprising user selectable options for detection of at least one of a delivery and a drain operation, for providing the threshold level of change, and enabling and disabling the at least one delivery and drain operation, the user interface further comprising a visual indication of an alarm status.

6. 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 by a monitor operably coupled to the storage 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 by the monitor;

determining by the monitor 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.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving a user selection to determine delivery of product, and wherein the step of determining that at least one of a delivery or drain of product has begun comprises the step of detecting an increase in the product level in the tank.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of determining that the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended comprises the step of detecting at least one of a decrease in the product level in the tank or no further increase in the product level in the tank for at least two readings.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of receiving a user selection to determine drain of product, and wherein the step of determining that at least one of a delivery or drain of product has begun comprises the step of detecting a decrease in the product level in the tank.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of determining that the at least one of the delivery or drain of product has ended comprises the step of detecting at least one of an increase in the product level in the tank or no further decrease in the product level in the tank for at least two readings.

11. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of producing an alarm signal to indicate that at least one of the delivery and the drain has been detected.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein step of monitoring at a second rate the product level in the tank comprises the step of monitoring the product level in the tank at a second rate that is faster than the first rate.