Remote Monitoring of Fluid Storage Tanks

• US 20080236275A1
• Filed: 10/01/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,819,003 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/290V
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/015 Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/28 Seats readily mountable on, and dismountable from, existing seats or other parts of the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2806 for securing the child seat to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2863 backward facing
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/829 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/853 characterised by their adjusting mechanisms, e.g. electric motors
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/888 with arrangements for protecting against abnormal g-forces, e.g. by displacement of the head-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/41 preceding vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/42 : oncoming vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 : for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 : with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 : with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 : Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 : monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 : specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 : characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 : comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 : by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 : with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 : with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 : for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 : responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/015 : including means for detecting the presence or position of passengers, passenger seats or child seats , and the related safety parameters therefor, e.g. speed or timing of airbag inflation in relation to occupant position or seat belt use
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 : using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 : using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/304 : Boats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/04 : operating on the propulsion system, e.g. engine or drive motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/102 : a signal being sent to a remote location, e.g. a radio signal being transmitted to a police station, a security company or the owner
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/2081 : combined with personal settings of other vehicle devices, e.g. mirrors, seats, steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/305 : using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/04 : Systems determining presence of a target based on relative movement of target G01S13/56
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/04 : Systems determining presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/06 : Systems determining the position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/42 : Simultaneous measurement of distance and other co-ordinates indirect measurement G01S15/46
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/87 : Combinations of sonar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/88 : Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting G01V1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 : Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/88 : Lidar systems specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/89 : for mapping or imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 : Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/417 : involving the use of neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4802 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/539 : using analysis of echo signal for target characterisation; Target signature; Target cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 : inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/103 : Static body considered as a whole, e.g. static pedestrian or occupant recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 : with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/225 : used in level-measurement devices, e.g. for level gauge measurement
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Arrangement and method for monitoring a fluid storage tank which includes a housing defining an interior receivable of a removable fluid. An interior sensor system is arranged on the housing to obtain information about any fluid in the interior of the housing different than the location of the tank. A location determining system is arranged on the housing to monitor the location of the tank, and a communication system is coupled to the interior sensor system and the location determining system and which is arranged to transmit the information about the fluid in the interior of the housing and the location of the tank to one or more remote facilities. The communication system may be arranged on the housing itself, which is especially applicable when the housing is movable, for example, such as the housing of a Frac tank. The location and condition of the fluid in the tank can thus be known at all times.

Claims

1. A fluid storage tank including an arrangement for monitoring the tank, comprising:

a housing defining an interior receivable of a removable fluid;

an interior sensor system arranged on or in said housing, said interior sensor system being arranged to obtain information about any fluid in the interior of said housing different than the location of the tank;

a location determining system arranged on said housing, said location determining system being arranged to monitor the location of the tank; and

a communication system coupled to said interior sensor system and said location determining system, said communication system being arranged to transmit the information about the fluid in the interior of said housing and the location of the tank to a remote facility.

2. The tank of claim 1, wherein said communication system is arranged on said housing.

3. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises at least one wave transmitter/receiver arranged to direct waves at an upper surface of the fluid when present in the interior of said housing, further comprising a processor arranged to analyze waves received by said at least one wave transmitter/receiver and obtain information about the fluid in the interior of said housing based on the analysis of the waves received by said at least one wave transmitter/receiver.

4. The tank of claim 3, wherein said processor is arranged to compensate for gas density gradients in the interior of said housing.

5. The tank of claim 3, further comprising at least one reference target arranged in the interior of said housing each at a known distance from said at least one transmitter/receiver and in a field of transmission of said at least one transmitter/receiver, said at least one transmitter/receiver being arranged to receive waves from the upper surface of the fluid and from said at least one reference target, said processor being arranged to analyze the waves and determine the level of fluid in the interior of said housing knowing the distance between said at least one transmitter/receiver and said at least one reference target.

6. The tank of claim 3, wherein said interior sensor system comprises at least one wave transmitter/receiver arranged to direct waves from a top of said housing downward toward a bottom of said housing, said processor being arranged to compare waves received by said at least one wave transmitter/receiver at different times and obtain information about the fluid in the interior of said housing based on the comparison of the waves received by said at least one wave transmitter/receiver at different times.

7. The tank of claim 3, wherein said at least one transmitter/receiver is arranged to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.

8. The tank of claim 1, further comprising at least one tilt sensor arranged on said housing to determine an inclination of said housing, further comprising a control unit coupled to said interior sensor system and to said at least one tilt sensor and arranged to determine information about the fluid in the interior of said housing based in part on the determined inclination of said housing.

9. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system further comprises at least one chemical sensor for monitoring the chemical nature of the fluid in the interior of said housing such that the information about the fluid includes information about the chemical nature of the fluid.

10. The tank of claim 1, further comprising an exterior monitoring system for monitoring an environment around said housing to obtain information about the environment around said housing, said communication system being coupled to said exterior monitoring and arranged to transmit the information about the environment around said housing to a remote facility.

11. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system further comprises an initiation device for periodically initiating said interior sensor system to obtain information about the fluid in the interior of said housing, further comprising a wakeup sensor system for detecting the occurrence of an internal or external event, or the absence of an event for a time period, requiring a change in the frequency of monitoring of the interior of said housing, said initiation device being coupled to said wakeup sensor system and being arranged to change the rate at which it initiates said interior sensor system to obtain information about the fluid in the interior of said housing in response to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event by said wakeup sensor system.

12. The tank of claim 1, further comprising a motion or vibration detection system arranged to detect motion or vibration of the tank or a part thereof, said interior sensor system being coupled to said motion or vibration detection system and being arranged to obtain information about the fluid of the interior of said housing only after the tank or a part thereof is determined to have moved from a stationary position or vibrated.

13. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises at least one optical sensor arranged to obtain images of the interior of said housing and extract from said images information about the fluid in said housing.

14. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises at least one ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver arranged to obtain information about a level of fluid in the interior of said housing and at least one optical sensor arranged to obtain information about the chemical nature of the fluid in the interior of said housing.

15. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises a single ultrasonic transducer arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves toward a bottom of the interior of said housing, further comprising:

a two axis angle sensor arranged on said housing to determine an inclination of said housing about two axes; and

a control unit coupled to said interior sensor system and said angle sensor and arranged to determine a level of fluid in the interior of said housing based in part on the determined inclination of said housing about two axes provided by said angle sensor and a distance between an upper surface of the fluid and said ultrasonic transducer as provided by said ultrasonic transducer.

16. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises an optical sensor system arranged to project scales at least three different locations on an inner surface of said housing, obtain images including the projected scales and extract from said images a level of the fluid in said housing.

17. The tank of claim 1, wherein said interior sensor system comprises a buoyant housing arranged to float on liquid in the interior of said housing, at least one transducer arranged in said housing in a position in which it directs waves at a top or bottom of said housing and receives reflected waves, and a processor arranged to determine the level of liquid in said housing based on the received reflected waves.

18. A method for monitoring fluid in a fluid storage tank, comprising:

arranging an interior sensor system on or in a housing of the tank to obtain information about any fluid in the interior of the housing;

monitoring the location of the tank via a location determining system arranged on the tank; and

periodically transmitting the information about the fluid in the interior of the housing and the location of the tank to a remote facility.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining an inclination of the housing via at least one tilt sensor arrange don the housing; and

determining a quantity of fluid in the tank based in part on the determined inclination of the housing.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising monitoring the chemical nature of the fluid in the interior of the housing such that the chemical nature of the fluid is part of the information about the fluid being periodically transmitted to the remote facility.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

monitoring an environment around the housing to obtain information about the environment around the housing; and

transmitting the information about the environment around the housing to the remote facility along with the information about the fluid in the interior of the housing and the location of the tank.

22. The method of claim 18, further comprising periodically initiating the interior sensor system to obtain information about the fluid in the interior of the housing.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

detecting the occurrence of an internal or external event, or the absence of an event for a time period, requiring a change in the frequency of monitoring of the interior of the housing;

changing the rate at which the interior sensor system obtains information about the fluid in the interior of the housing in response to the detected occurrence of an internal or external event.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the tank is a movable tank, further comprising:

detecting motion or vibration of the tank or a part thereof; and

obtaining information about the fluid in the interior of the housing only after motion or vibration of the tank or part thereof is detected.