System and method for measuring a level of a liquid in a container
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsWilliam F. Seely, Jonathan C. Thatcher, Steve W. Backman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate a physics based approach (hereinafter “model”) to determine the level of the liquid. The model may incorporate the physical properties of the fluids within the container, and measurements of the fluid under consideration. The model may also incorporate data from measuring devices, such as, but not limiting of, a delta-pressure (DP) transmitter. The model may then calculate, within a reasonable level of accuracy, the level of the fluid within the container.
Claims20
A system configured for determining a level of a liquid within a container, the system comprising:
- a container adapted for holding multiple fluids, wherein the container comprises:
- a cavity for receiving and discharging the multiple fluids, wherein the cavity comprises:
- an upper portion, and a lower portion;
- a reference line for use in determining a level of a liquid within the container, wherein the reference fine holds a portion of the liquid;
- and wherein the reference line is positioned external to the container and is in fluid communication with the container;
- a bypass line for supplying the reference line with the liquid, wherein the bypass line is in fluid communication with the reference line and with a liquid fuel supply;
- and
- a measurement device configured for use in measuring a physical properly of the liquid within the container, wherein the measurement device is in fluid communication with both the lower portion of the cavity and the reference line;
- and
- a processor for determining the level of the liquid within the cavity, wherein the processor receives data from the measurement device.
A method of determining a level of a liquid within a container, the method comprising:
- providing a liquid measurement system, wherein the liquid measurement system comprises:
- a container adapted for holding multiple fluids, wherein the container comprises:
- a cavity for receiving and discharging the multiple fluids, and wherein the cavity comprises:
- an upper portion, and a lower portion;
- a reference line for use in determining a level of a liquid within the container, wherein the reference line is positioned external to the container and is in fluid communication with the container;
- a bypass line for supplying the reference line with the liquid, wherein the bypass line is in fluid communication with the reference line and with a liquid supply;
- and
- a measurement device configured for use in determining the level of the liquid within the container, wherein the measurement device is in fluid communication with both the lower portion of the cavity and the reference line;
- and
- receiving data on a reference height;
- receiving data on a physical property of the liquid within the container;
- and
- determining the level of the liquid within the container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.