# US 10,371,566 B1 · Load cell failure detection and delayed repair

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- Number: US 10,371,566 B1
- Document ID: US10371566B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 15/394,966
- Filed: 2016-12-30
- Granted: 2019-08-06
- Earliest claimed: 2016-12-30
- Assignees: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP
- Applicants: Air Liquide Electronics U.S. LP
- Inventors: Bryan L. Smith; Mark Stang; Mike Miano; Billy W. Luetkahans; Daniel J. Fuchs; Matt Kelly; Bryon Perkins; Justin Gauthier; Kevin T. O'Dougherty
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371566B1

## CPC

- G01G 23/01: Testing or calibrating of weighing apparatus
- G01G 17/04: for weighing fluids, e.g. gases, pastes
- G01G: WEIGHING (sorting by weighing B07C5/16)

## Abstract

Liquid tank measuring systems that weigh/measure the amount of liquid in a fixed tank/vessel are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods that provide load cell failure detection of the liquid tank measuring system and the ability to continue operations post load cell failure detection.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method to detect a load cell failure in a liquid tank measuring system, the liquid tank measuring system comprising:
i. three or more load cells,
ii. a load cell transmitter communicating a signal from each of the three or more load cells to a programmable logic controller;
iii. a weighing platform connected to each of the three or more load cells;
iv. a tank located on the weighing platform; and
v. the programmable logic controller which receives communication from the load cell transmitter; the method comprising:
a. calibrating the three or more load cells to measure a total weight on the platform;
b. adding a processing liquid to the tank;
c. monitoring each of the three or more load cells to determine whether a weight determined by one of the three or more load cells deviates from a weight determined by a remaining amount of the three or more load cells;
d. scheduling repair of a load cell when the weight determined by that load cell deviates from the weight determined by the remaining amount of the three or more load cells; and
e. monitoring the remaining amount of the three or more load cells for weight consistency until the load cell is repaired.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the calibration step comprises determining a weight at each load cell of an empty tank and at least two known volumes of calibration liquid in the tank.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the calibration liquid is the same as the processing liquid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising cleaning the tank prior to the calibration step.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the calibration step is performed after a system failure or physical event disrupts the liquid tank measuring system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid tank measuring system comprises 3 load cells.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid tank measuring system comprises 4 load cells.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid tank measuring system comprises 10 load cells.

### Claim 9

A method to detect a load cell failure in a liquid tank measuring system, the liquid tank measuring system comprising:
i. three or more load cells,
ii. a load cell transmitter communicating a signal from each of the three or more load cells to a programmable logic controller;
iii. a weighing platform connected to each of the three or more load cells;
iv. a tank located on the weighing platform; and
v. the programmable logic controller which receives communication from the load cell transmitter; the method comprising:
a. calibrating each of the three or more load cells to measure a total weight on the platform;
b. adding a processing liquid to the tank;
c. monitoring each of the three or more load cells to determine whether a weight determined by one of the three or more load cells deviates from a weight determined by a remaining amount of the three or more load cells;
d. scheduling repair of a load cell when the weight determined by that load cell deviates from the weight determined by the remaining amount of the three or more load cells; and
e. monitoring the remaining amount of the three or more load cells for weight consistency until the load cell is repaired.