System and method for determining volume of fluid in a tank

• US 9,557,207 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2014
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S1 Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: S1 Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Stevenson, David L., Bones, Sarah
• Primary Examiner(s): Zeender, Ryan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Amsdell, Dana
• Application Number:
  US14/529,118
• Publication Number:
  US 20150120515A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 22/02 involving measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/14 by measurement of pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4016 involving fraud or risk level assessment in transaction processing
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 13/025 wherein the volume is determined during delivery
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 19/02 Alarm responsive to formation or anticipated formation of ice

Abstract

Volume of a fluid in a tank is determined by measuring the pressure of fluid proximate to the bottom of the tank. The depth of the fluid is then determined from the pressure and density of the fluid. Fluid volume is then determined mathematically or from charts given the depth as well as the size and shape of a tank. Multiple pressure readings may be taken along the bottom of a tank, and an average pressure determined that may be used to calculate volume. Pressure readings may be taken at different heights to determine fluid density used to calculate volume. Pressure readings may be adjusted for atmospheric pressure. Volume increases or decreases exceeding a respective predetermined threshold may be flagged and alerts generated. Volume calculations may be recorded for comparing against a volume of fluid recorded as being purchased.

Claims

1. A system for determining volume of fluid in at least one tank, the system comprising:

at least one tank mounted on a vehicle, the at least one tank being capable of storing a volume of fluid;

at least one sensor positioned within the at least one tank, and submersed in fluid when fluid is in the at least one tank, the at least one sensor being configured for measuring pressure of fluid proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank;

at least one vent line operably connected to the at least one sensor, the at least one vent line having a single end through which air may flow and atmospheric pressure may be communicated to the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor being further configured for adjusting a fluid pressure reading by the communicated atmospheric pressure;

a first at least one processor positioned within the at least one sensor, and a first at least one memory coupled to the first at least one processor, the first at least one memory including computer program code executable by the first at least one processor for generating pressure signals indicative of fluid pressure adjusted by atmospheric pressure; and

means for determining the volume of fluid from the pressure signals.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is also configured for measuring temperature of the fluid and generating a signal indicative of the temperature to ascertain whether fuel frost or freeze event could occur.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the means comprises:

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter mounted on the vehicle configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS being configured for receiving and processing the data signals.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and for generating an alert if it is determined that fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has decreased more than a predetermined threshold and for generating an alert if it is determined that fuel volume has decreased more than a predetermined threshold.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and for recording the volume subsequent to the increase if it is determined that fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure by averaging the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the average pressure to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and, if it has, for recording the volume subsequent to the increase and comparing the volume with a volume indicated on a bank charge card to identify discrepancies between the volume calculated and the volume purchased.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the pressure measured by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the determined density of the fluid.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a third at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first and second at least one sensors, the third at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor;

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the average pressure and the pressure measured by the third at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the determined density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

12. A system for determining volume of fluid in at least one tank, the system comprising:

at least one tank capable of storing a volume of fluid;

at least one sensor positioned within the at least one tank, and submersed in fluid when fluid is in the at least one tank, the at least one sensor being configured for measuring pressure of fluid proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and for adjusting a measurement of fluid pressure by atmospheric pressure;

a first at least one processor positioned within the at least one sensor, and a first at least one memory coupled to the first at least one processor, the first at least one memory including computer program code executable by the first at least one processor for generating pressure signals indicative of fluid pressure adjusted by atmospheric pressure; and

means for determining the volume of fluid from the pressure signals.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is also configured for measuring temperature of the fluid and generating a signal indicative of the temperature to ascertain whether fuel frost or freeze event could occur.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the means comprises:

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a transmitter mounted on the vehicle configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS being configured for receiving and processing the data signals.

16. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and for generating an alert if it is determined that fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold.

17. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has decreased more than a predetermined threshold and for generating an alert if it is determined that fuel volume has decreased more than a predetermined threshold.

18. The system of claim 12 further comprising:

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure and the density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the volume of fluid to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and for recording the volume subsequent to the increase if it is determined that fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid.

20. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure by averaging the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the average pressure to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and, if it has, for recording the volume subsequent to the increase and comparing the volume with a volume indicated on a bank charge card to identify discrepancies between the volume calculated and the volume purchased.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the pressure measured by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the determined density of the fluid.

22. The system of claim 12 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a third at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first and second at least one sensors, the third at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the average pressure and the pressure measured by the third at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the determined density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

23. The system of claim 12 further comprising a dry box attached the at least one vent line to aid in absorbing moisture and keeping air in the at least one vent line dry.

24. The system of claim 12 further comprising a dry box coupled in fluid communication to the at least one sensor to aid in absorbing moisture and keeping air communicated to the at least one sensor dry.

25. A system for determining volume of fluid in at least one tank, the system comprising:

at least one tank mounted on a vehicle, the at least one tank being capable of storing a volume of fluid;

at least one sensor positioned within the at least one tank, and submersed in fluid when fluid is in the at least one tank, the at least one sensor being configured for measuring pressure of fluid proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank;

at least one vent line operably connected to the at least one sensor, the at least one vent line having a single end through which air may flow and atmospheric pressure may be communicated to the at least one sensor, the at least one sensor being further configured for adjusting a fluid pressure reading by the communicated atmospheric pressure;

a dry box attached the at least one vent line to aid in absorbing moisture and keeping air in the at least one vent line dry;

a first processor positioned within and coupled to the at least one sensor; and

a first memory positioned within the at least one sensor and coupled to the first processor, the first memory including computer program code executable by the first processor for determining volume of fluid with reference to the pressure of fluid as adjusted by atmospheric pressure, the density of the fluid, and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a transmitter configured for transmitting data signals to a remote inventory management server (RIMS);

a second processor coupled to the at least one sensor and the transmitter; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure by averaging the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor;

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank; and

causing the transmitter to transmit data signals indicative of the average pressure to the RIMS, the RIMS including a third processor and third memory coupled to the third processor, the third memory including computer program code executable by the third processor for determining if fuel volume has increased more than a predetermined threshold and, if it has, for recording the volume subsequent to the increase and comparing the volume with a volume indicated on a bank charge card to identify discrepancies between the volume calculated and the volume indicated on a bank charge card as being purchased for insertion in the at least one tank.

28. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the pressure measured by the second at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the pressure measured by the first at least one sensor and the determined density of the fluid.

29. The system of claim 25 wherein the at least one sensor is a first at least one sensor and the system further comprises:

a second at least one sensor positioned proximate to the bottom of the at least one tank and spaced apart from the first at least one sensor, the second at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid;

a third at least one sensor positioned higher in the at least one tank by a predetermined space than the first and second at least one sensors, the third at least one sensor being configured for measuring the pressure of the fluid; and

a second processor coupled to the first at least one sensor and the second at least one sensor; and

a second memory coupled to the second processor, the second memory including computer program code executable by the second processor for;

determining an average pressure equal to an average of the pressure sensed by the first at least one sensor and the pressure sensed by the second at least one sensor;

determining the density of the fluid with reference to the average pressure and the pressure measured by the third at least one sensor; and

determining the volume of fluid with reference to the average pressure and the determined density of the fluid and the size and shape of the at least one tank.

30. The system of claim 25 wherein the fluid is fuel, and the system further comprises at least one fuel quality sensor coupled to the second processor, the at least one fuel quality sensor being configured to measure the quality of fuel in the at least one tank.