System and method for measuring a liquid level and estimating cooling capacity of a cold storage container

Abstract

A method and system for measuring a liquid level within a cold storage container and/or determining its cooling capacity based on the liquid level includes a sensor column. The sensor column has a plurality of resistive temperature detectors (RTDs) positioned along its length. A central controller is coupled to the plurality of RTDs. A cold storage container receives the sensor column, wherein the central controller may determine a liquid level of a cryogenic liquid held within the cold storage container using the RTDs. And based on the liquid level determined, the central controller determines a remaining cooling capacity of the cold storage container as the cryogenic liquid evaporates/changes phase over time. The central controller may also detect other conditions of the container, such as, but not limited to, a tilt position, an opened state, and/or presence of the container on a moving vehicle.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.