Optically-based method and system for measuring liquids in tanks
OwnerElwin G. Huntinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method for determining a liquid level in a storage tank includes the use of a laser range finding device. The laser range finding device emits a signal that is reflected off of a top surface of the liquid and then detected by a sensor. The time between the signal emission and detection is utilized to determine a distance to the surface of the liquid. This distance is then utilized to determine an amount of liquid in the tank. The liquid may comprise any liquid with sufficient reflectivity to reflect the signal from the range finding device. The system and method is particularly suited for determining the amount of milk in storage tanks associated with dairy operations.
Claims20
A system for determining an amount of liquid in a storage tank, the storage tank comprising a sidewall that defines a liquid reservoir, the system comprising:
- a laser range finding device having an emitter for emitting signals and a sensor for detecting reflections of the signals off of a liquid in the storage tank, the laser range finding device further having a microprocessor for determining distance data based upon a time between the emission of the signals and detection of reflections of the signals;
- and
- a control device having a microprocessor operable to determine an amount of liquid in the storage tank based upon the distance data provided by the laser range finding device;
- wherein the laser range finding device transmits the distance data to the control device over an electronic communications path.
A liquid storage system comprising:
- a storage tank comprising a sidewall that defines a liquid reservoir;
- a laser range finding device coupled to the sidewall of the storage tank, the laser range finding device having an emitter for emitting signals and a sensor for detecting reflections of the signals off of a liquid in the storage tank, the laser range finding device further having a microprocessor for determining distance data based upon a time between the emission of the signals and the return of the reflected signals;
- a control device having a microprocessor operable to determine an amount of liquid in the storage tank based upon the distance data provided by the laser range finding device;
- and
- an electronic communications path between the laser range finding device and the control device;
- wherein the laser range finding device transmits that distance data to the control device over the electronic communications path.
A method for determining an amount of milk in a milk storage tank, said method comprising:
- filling the milk storage tank with milk;
- determining a distance between a top surface of the milk and a laser range finding device using signals emitted from the laser range finding device;
- and
- determining an amount of milk in the storage tank based upon the distance determined by the laser range finding device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.