Fluid level sensing systems, method, and apparatus

A fluid level monitoring and control system for sensing the level of fluid within a fixed vessel comprising:

• a container assembly adapted to contain fluid;
• a fluid control device capable of controlling flow of fluid;
• a sensor float assembly comprising
• a float enclosure defining a float chamber and a float axis,
• an accelerometer arranged within the float chamber in a fixed orientation relative to the float axis, where
• the accelerometer is capable of determining movement in at least first, second, and third reference axes of a three-axis coordinate system, and
• the first reference axes is in a predetermined relationship with the float axis,
• a float processor operatively connected to the accelerometer;
• a sensor control module comprising a sensor processor;
• a sensor cable operatively connected between the float processor and the sensor processor;
• and
• a reference point defined relative to the fixed vessel;
• wherein
• during operation of the fluid level monitoring and control system, a position of the reference point within the three-axis coordinate system is fixed;
• a first portion of the sensor cable is arranged at the reference point and a second portion of the sensor cable is fixed relative to the float enclosure such that the sensor cable
• tethers the float enclosure to the reference point, and
• allows movement of the float enclosure such that the float axis is movable relative to the first, second, and third axes of the three-axis coordinate system;
• the accelerometer generates and transfers to the float processor
• a first set of data representative of movement along the first reference axis,
• a second set of data representative of movement along the second reference axis, and
• a third set of data representative of movement along the third reference axis;
• the float processor generates and transfers to the sensor processor pitch data associated with the float enclosure based on the first, second, and third sets of data;
• the sensor processor generates at least one of a status signal and a control signal based on the pitch data generated by the float processor;
• and
• the fluid control device is operated based on the control signal.

A method of sensing fluid level within a fixed vessel comprising the steps of:

• providing a sensor float assembly comprising
• a float enclosure defining a float chamber and a float axis,
• an accelerometer arranged within the float chamber in a fixed orientation relative to the float axis, where
• the accelerometer is capable of determining movement in first, second, and third reference axes of a three-axis coordinate system, and
• the first reference axes is in a predetermined relationship with the float axis, and
• a float processor operatively connected to the accelerometer;
• providing a sensor control module comprising a sensor processor;
• and
• operatively connecting a sensor cable between the float processor and the sensor processor;
• defining a reference point relative to the fixed vessel;
• during operation of the fluid level sensing system, fixing a position of the reference point within the three-axis coordinate system;
• arranging a first portion of the sensor cable at the reference point;
• fixing a second portion of the sensor cable relative to the float enclosure such that the sensor cable
• tethers the float enclosure relative to the reference point, and
• allows movement of the float enclosure such that the float axis is movable relative to the first, second, and third axes of the three-axis coordinate system;
• causing the accelerometer to generate and transfer to the float processor
• a first set of data representative of movement along the first reference axis,
• a second set of data representative of movement along the second reference axis, and
• a third set of data representative of movement along the third reference axis;
• causing the float processor to generate and transfer to the sensor processor pitch data associated with the float enclosure based on the first, second, and third sets of data;
• and
• causing the sensor processor to generate at least one of a status signal and a control signal based on the pitch data generated by the float processor.