# US 2015/0101408 A1 · Monitoring capsule configured for measuring a property of a fluid within a vessel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2015/0101408 A1 - Document ID: US20150101408A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/051,608 - Filed: 2013-10-11 - Published: 2015-04-16 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-11 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Jerry D. Loman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20150101408A1 ## CPC - G01N 9/12: by observing the depth of immersion of the bodies, e.g. hydrometers - G01F 23/72: using magnetically actuated indicating means - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME ## Abstract A monitoring system is configured for monitoring a property of a fluid. The monitoring system includes a vessel and a monitoring capsule. The vessel is configured for holding a volume of the fluid therein. The monitoring capsule is configured for disposition within the vessel. The monitoring capsule includes a housing, a hydrometer, and a sensor. The hydrometer is movably disposed within the housing. The hydrometer is configured to measure the property of the fluid. The sensor is operatively attached to the housing and configured to sense the measured property of the fluid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A monitoring capsule configured for measuring a property of a fluid within a vessel, the monitoring capsule comprising: a housing; a hydrometer movably disposed within the housing; wherein the hydrometer is configured to measure the property of the fluid; and a sensor operatively attached to the housing and configured to sense the measured property of the fluid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a wall that extends between a first end and a second end; wherein the wall defines a passage and the hydrometer is movably disposed within the passage. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the passage is tubular. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the housing defines at least one opening to the passage; wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow the fluid to enter the passage. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 1 further comprising an indicator operatively disposed on the hydrometer; wherein the sensor is configured to sense the measured property of the fluid as a function of a proximity of the indicator to the sensor. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 1, further including: an orientation device operatively attached to the housing; wherein the orientation device is configured to orient the housing, relative to the fluid, within the vessel. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the orientation device is configured to float within the fluid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A monitoring capsule, as set forth in claim 8, wherein the hydrometer includes a magnet; wherein the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a proximity of the magnet. ### Claim 10 A monitoring system configured for monitoring a property of a fluid, the system comprising: a vessel configured for holding a volume of the fluid therein; a monitoring capsule configured for disposition within the vessel, the monitoring capsule including: a housing; a hydrometer movably disposed within the housing; wherein the hydrometer is configured to measure the property of the fluid; and a sensor operatively attached to the housing and configured to sense the measured property of the fluid. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the housing includes a wall that extends between a first end and a second end; wherein the wall defines a passage and the hydrometer is movably disposed within the passage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A system, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the passage is tubular. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A system, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the housing defines at least one opening to the passage; wherein the at least one opening is configured to allow the fluid to enter the passage. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) A system, as set forth in claim 10, further comprising an indicator operatively disposed on the hydrometer; wherein the sensor is configured to sense the measured property of the fluid as a function of a proximity of the indicator to the sensor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) A system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the monitoring capsule further includes: an orientation device operatively attached to the housing; wherein the orientation device is configured to orient the housing, relative to the fluid, within the vessel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) A system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the orientation device is configured to float within the fluid. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) A system, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the sensor is a Hall effect sensor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) A system, as set forth in claim 16, wherein the hydrometer includes a magnet; wherein the Hall effect sensor is configured to sense a proximity of the magnet. ### Claim 19 A vehicle comprising: a vessel configured for holding a volume of the fluid therein; a monitoring capsule configured for disposition within the vessel, the monitoring capsule including: a housing; a hydrometer movably disposed within the housing; wherein the hydrometer is configured to measure the property of the fluid; a sensor operatively attached to the housing and configured to sense the measured property of the fluid; a transmitter operatively connected to the sensor and configured for transmitting a signal corresponding to the measured property of the fluid; a receiver configured for receiving the signal from the transmitter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A vehicle, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the transmitter is a radio frequency transmitter.