# US 11,029,184 B2 · System and methods for field monitoring of stationary assets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,029,184 B2 - Document ID: US11029184B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/842,513 - Filed: 2017-12-14 - Published: 2019-06-20 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-14 - Applicants: E. Strode Pennebaker, III - Inventors: E. Strode Pennebaker, III - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029184B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/80: Arrangements for signal processing - G01F 23/14: by measurement of pressure - H01F 7/0252: {PM holding devices (H01F7/021, H01F7/0215, H01F7/0226 take precedence)} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - H01F: MAGNETS; INDUCTANCES; TRANSFORMERS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR MAGNETIC PROPERTIES ## Abstract A system for monitoring a fill level of a container includes a wireless module disposed on the container including an enclosure, a processor and a wireless transceiver disposed within the enclosure, and a cable mounted to the enclosure. A first pressure sensor is attached to an end of the cable distal from the enclosure and a second pressure sensor is attached to an opposite end within the enclosure. The enclosure is mounted outside of the container. The cable is inserted into the container such that the first pressure sensor is disposed near a bottom of the container. The first pressure sensor measures a pressure at the bottom of the container. The second pressure sensor measures a pressure outside of the container. The readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are cross-correlated to determine a net pressure for use in calculating the fill level of the container. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for monitoring a fill level of a container, the system comprising: an environmentally-isolated enclosure; a processor disposed within the enclosure; a wireless transceiver disposed within the enclosure; and a cable connected to the processor and extends out of the enclosure; a first pressure sensor attached to an end of the cable that is distal from the enclosure; a second pressure sensor connected to the processor and disposed within the enclosure; and a solar panel disposed on an outer surface the enclosure that powers a battery connected to the processor, first pressure sensor, second pressure sensor, and the wireless transceiver; wherein the enclosure is mounted to an outside of the container, wherein the enclosure is a distance away from an opening in the container, wherein the cable is inserted into the container via the opening such that the first pressure sensor is disposed within a fluid inside the container, wherein the first pressure sensor measures a pressure at a depth within the fluid inside the container, wherein the second pressure sensor measures a pressure outside of the container, wherein the processor is configured to cross-correlate readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a net pressure for use in calculating the fill level of the container, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to wireless relay data from the processor, and wherein the enclosure further comprises: an indicator unit operably connected to the processor; a memory, the memory comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor in response to an output signal from the indicator unit cause the indicator unit to produce a signal that corresponds to a status of the enclosure; a location acquisition unit configured to acquire a location item identifying a location of the enclosure, wherein the memory further comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor in response to a power enable signal cause the location acquisition unit to automatically acquire the location item and cause the enclosure to transmit the location item, via the wireless transceiver, to a remote server; and a proximity sensor operably connected to the processor. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the cable is a flexible, outer jacket cable with a braided inner layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the enclosure further comprises a hole and a hydrophobic vent cover to allow equalization of a pressure inside the enclosure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor are digital microelectromechanical sensors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprising software for optimization of the readings of first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a hatch cover to close the opening of the container with the cable in the opening of the container. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid is fuel oil, or water. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to compensate the cross-correlate readings based on a barometric pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring a fill level of a container of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet embedded into a wall of the enclosure, wherein the enclosure is secured to the outside of the container by an attractive force of the magnet. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring a fill level of a container of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is secured to the outside of the container by one selected from a group consisting of: a magnet, an adhesive, a weld, a screw, and a tape. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system for monitoring a fill level of a container of claim 1, wherein the enclosure is square or rectangular with a maximum width and length dimension of six inches. ### Claim 12 A system for monitoring a fill level of a container, the system comprising: an environmentally-isolated enclosure; a processor disposed within the enclosure; a wireless transceiver disposed within the enclosure; a cable connected to the processor and extends out of the enclosure; a first pressure sensor attached to an end of the cable that is distal from the enclosure; a second pressure sensor connected to the processor and disposed within the enclosure; and a battery disposed within the enclosure and connected to the processor, first pressure sensor, second pressure sensor, and the wireless transceiver; wherein the enclosure is mounted to an outside of the container, wherein the enclosure is a distance away from an opening in the container, wherein the cable is inserted into the container via the opening such that the first pressure sensor is disposed within a fluid inside the container, wherein the first pressure sensor measures a pressure at a depth within the fluid inside the container, wherein the second pressure sensor measures a pressure outside of the container, wherein the processor is configured to cross-correlate readings from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor to determine a net pressure for use in calculating the fill level of the container, wherein the wireless transceiver is configured to wireless relay data from the processor, and wherein the enclosure further comprises: an indicator unit operably connected to the processor; and a memory, the memory comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor in response to an output signal from the indicator unit cause the indicator unit to produce a signal that corresponds to a status of the enclosure; a location acquisition unit configured to acquire a location item identifying a location of the enclosure, wherein the memory further comprises computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor in response to a power enable signal cause the location acquisition unit to automatically acquire the location item and cause the enclosure to transmit the location item, via the wireless transceiver, to a remote server; and a proximity sensor operably connected to the processor.