Method and apparatus for measuring characteristics of fluid in a reservoir

An apparatus for evaluating fluid within a tank, comprising:

• a support assembly to extend through at least a portion of the depth of the tank and comprising an elongated support member and at least one deformable member coupled to the support member that deforms in response to pressure;
• a first plurality of sensors supported at essentially fixed locations spaced along the support assembly and at least one sensor coupled to the deformable member, the sensors responsive to parameters associated with the pressure of fluid within the tank;
• a control assembly coupled to the first plurality of sensors and operable to receive signals from the individual sensors and to correlate the signals to identify at least one characteristic of the fluid in the tank other than fluid level;
• and
• wherein the deformable member is configured to oscillate to liquefy the fluid proximate the sensors.

A method of evaluating fluid within a tank, comprising:

• controlling a plurality of sensors secured in spaced relation to one another at respective depths within the tank and coupled to a deformable member that deforms in response to pressure, each sensor arranged to be responsive to the fluid within the tank to generate a measurement in response to the fluid;
• receiving measurements from at least a portion of the plurality of sensors;
• correlating the received measurements to identify a characteristic of the fluid within the tank other than fluid level;
• and
• oscillating the deformable member to liquefy the fluid proximate the sensors.