Method and apparatus for monitoring liquid level in a container
OwnerJohn M. Kellerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for remote monitoring of liquid level 21 within a container 12, such as the level of fuel within a propane cylinder. A magnetic float 20 disposed within the container 12 floats on the liquid 21, and lowers with the liquid level as fuel is consumed. Magnetic sensors 22 outside the container 12 sense the float 20 as it passes in the proximity of one of the sensors 22. A controller 26 receives output signals from the sensors 22 and transmits level indicating signals to a gauge 28 or other indicator for remote indication of the corresponding liquid level. The indicator 28 can be located proximal the user's direct line of sight, to remind the user to periodically monitor the fuel level to prevent running out of fuel.
Claims40
A system for remote monitoring of a level of a liquid within a container, said system comprising:
- one or more magnetic proximity sensors disposed external of and adjacent to said container;
- at least one magnetic float disposed within said container and free-floating on said liquid surface so that said float is not constrained from lateral movement moves laterally into and out of proximity with said sensors in response to movement of said container, wherein said magnetic float is sensible by said sensors only when said float is in proximity with said sensors;
- an indicator disposed remote from said container and having one or more liquid level indicators each corresponding to one of said sensors;
- and
- a controller for receiving one or more input signals from each said sensor and communicating one or more corresponding output signals to said corresponding level indicator, wherein said level indicators indicate said level of said liquid within said container.
A machine for use with a removable and replaceable liquid container having a magnetic float disposed therein, said machine comprising:
- a machine frame;
- a mount for securing said container to said machine frame and selectively releasing said container for removal;
- one or more magnetic proximity sensors disposed on or adjacent to said mount, wherein said sensors are disposed at least close enough to said container that said sensors can sense the proximity of said magnetic float, and wherein said sensors are not affixed directly to said container so that said container is removable for refilling without decoupling said sensors from said container;
- an indicator mounted to said machine frame at a position remote from said mount and having one or more liquid level indicators each corresponding to one of said sensors;
- and
- a controller for receiving one or more input signals from each said sensor when said float moves laterally into proximity with said sensor in response to movement of said container, and communicating one or more output signals to said corresponding level indicator, wherein said level indicators indicate said level of said liquid within said container.
A method for retrofitting a pre-existing liquid level indicator on a vehicle to provide for remote liquid level monitoring, said method comprising:
- providing one or more magnetic proximity sensors;
- mounting said sensors to said vehicle;
- providing a liquid container;
- providing at least one magnetic float;
- inserting said float into said container so that said float is not constrained from lateral movement and moves laterally into and out of proximity with the sensors in response to movement of said container when mounted to said vehicle;
- mounting said container to said vehicle;
- providing at least one controller configured for receiving input signals from said sensors and transmitting output signals to said pre-existing indicator;
- mounting said controller to said vehicle;
- connecting said sensors to said controller;
- and
- connecting said controller to said pre-existing indicator.
A container for a liquid, said container for use with a remote liquid level monitoring system having one or more magnetic proximity sensors, said liquid container comprising:
- a shell bounding a contained volume;
- at least one opening defined in said shell and communicating with said contained volume, wherein said liquid can be added or removed from said container through said opening;
- and
- a magnetic float disposed within said contained volume without being constrained from lateral movement and sized sufficiently small relative to said contained volume that it moves laterally in response to movement of said shell, wherein said magnetic float comprises an elongate body that is buoyant in said liquid, wherein said elongate body has at least two portions comprising a magnetic material with one of said magnetic portions positioned at an end of said elongate body and configured in an axial direction and another of said magnetic portions positioned at a side of said elongate body and configured in a radial direction, where said magnetic portions are sensible by said sensors.
A magnetic float for use within a container for a liquid, said container for use with a remote liquid level monitoring system having one or more magnetic proximity sensors, said float comprising:
- a body that is buoyant in said liquid and that has at least two portions comprising a magnetic material;
- wherein said float body is elongate and one of said magnetic portions is positioned at an end of said elongate body and configured in an axial orientation and another of said magnetic portions is positioned at a side of said elongate body and configured in a radial orientation generally perpendicular to said axial magnet;
- and
- wherein said float body is sized sufficiently small relative to said container that the body is not constrained from lateral movement within the container and moves laterally in response to movement of said container, wherein said magnetic float is sensible by said sensors.
A container for a liquid, said container for use with a remote liquid level monitoring system having one or more magnetic proximity sensors, said liquid container comprising:
- a shell bounding a contained volume;
- at least one opening defined in said shell and communicating with said contained volume, wherein said liquid can be added or removed from said container through said opening;
- and
- a magnetic float disposed within said contained volume without being constrained from lateral movement and sized sufficiently small relative to said contained volume that it moves laterally into and out of proximity with the sensors in response to movement of said shell, wherein said magnetic float is sensible by said sensors only when said magnetic float is in proximity with said sensors.
A controller for use in a system for remotely monitoring a liquid level, said system comprising a container for said liquid, a float within said container, one or more proximity sensors adjacent said container, and a indicator, said controller comprising:
- a computer processor configured for communication with said proximity sensors and said indicator;
- wherein said processor is programmed to receive one or more input hit signals corresponding to a particular one of said sensors in response to said float drifting laterally into proximity with said particular sensor, to count said input hit signals, and to send an output signal corresponding to said particular sensor to said indicator to indicate said level of said liquid in said container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.