Systems and methods for receptacle auto fill using inductive sensing
First Claim
1. A system for automatically filling a receptacle, the system comprising:
- a dispensing system capable of dispensing liquid;
a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a coil positioned adjacent to a dispensing area of the dispensing system;
the receptacle, the receptacle comprising;
a structure that defines a volume capable of holding the liquid;
a floating object positioned within the structure, wherein the floating object is permitted to move upwards and downwards through the at least a portion of a fill range of the receptacle, wherein the floating object comprises a conductive strip that has at least two different impedances respectively at at least two different vertical positions of the conductive strip; and
a guide attached to an inside wall of the structure, wherein the guide maintains an orientation of the floating object and guides the floating object as it moves upwards and downwards, the guide configured such that at least a portion of the floating object remains in a position proximate to the sensor irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the guide further comprises a barrier that confines at least one of the upward and downward movements of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the barrier comprises a ceiling that confines the upward movement of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle; and
a controller configured to control the dispensing system based at least in part on an amount of inductance exhibited between the coil and the conductive strip.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for receptacle auto fill using inductive sensing are provided. One example system includes a dispensing system capable of dispensing liquid. The system includes a sensor. The sensor includes a coil positioned adjacent to a dispensing area of the dispensing system. The system includes a receptacle capable of holding a volume of liquid. The system includes a floating object positioned within the receptacle and permitted to move upwards and downwards based on a liquid fill level of the receptacle. The floating object includes a conductive strip providing a first impedance at a first vertical position of the strip and a second impedance at a second vertical position of the strip. The first impedance is different than the second impedance. The system includes a controller configured to control the dispensing system based at least in part on an amount of inductance exhibited between the coil and the conductive strip.
78 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for automatically filling a receptacle, the system comprising:
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a dispensing system capable of dispensing liquid; a sensor, wherein the sensor comprises a coil positioned adjacent to a dispensing area of the dispensing system; the receptacle, the receptacle comprising; a structure that defines a volume capable of holding the liquid; a floating object positioned within the structure, wherein the floating object is permitted to move upwards and downwards through the at least a portion of a fill range of the receptacle, wherein the floating object comprises a conductive strip that has at least two different impedances respectively at at least two different vertical positions of the conductive strip; and a guide attached to an inside wall of the structure, wherein the guide maintains an orientation of the floating object and guides the floating object as it moves upwards and downwards, the guide configured such that at least a portion of the floating object remains in a position proximate to the sensor irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the guide further comprises a barrier that confines at least one of the upward and downward movements of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the barrier comprises a ceiling that confines the upward movement of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle; and a controller configured to control the dispensing system based at least in part on an amount of inductance exhibited between the coil and the conductive strip. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A receptacle for use with an automatic filling system, the receptacle comprising:
a structure that defines a volume capable of holding the liquid; a floating object positioned within the structure, wherein the floating object is permitted to move upwards and downwards through the at least a portion of a fill range of the receptacle, wherein the floating object comprises a conductive strip that has at least two different impedances respectively at at least two different vertical positions of the conductive strip; and a guide attached to an inside wall of the structure, wherein the guide maintains an orientation of the floating object and guides the floating object as it moves upwards and downwards, the guide configured such that at least a portion of the floating object remains in a position proximate to the sensor irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the guide further comprises a barrier that confines at least one of the upward and downward movements of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle, wherein the barrier comprises a ceiling that confines the upward movement of the floating object irrespective of the volume of liquid in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
Specification