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US 6,619,118 B1Granted
Monitoring system
AssigneeSepSensor Inc.
InventorJames C. Keck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A monitoring system such as a septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank with an elongate sensing probe for being disposed in the septic tank, a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, and a remote monitor operably associated with the plurality of sensors for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors so that a septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
Claims44
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- wherein the elongate sensing probe comprises an elongate member and a retaining member slidably associated with the elongate member and a means for biasing the retaining member to an extended position wherein a distal end of the retaining member comprises the first end of the elongate sensing probe and a distal end of the elongate member comprises the second end of the elongate sensing probe whereby the elongate sensing probe can be inserted into and retained within the septic tank by compressing the retaining member relative to the elongate member, orienting the elongate sensing probe in the septic tank, and allowing the retaining member to decompress relative to the elongate tube whereby elongate sensing probe can be frictionally retained in the septic tank with the first end of the elongate sensing probe frictionally engaging a first boundary of the septic tank and the second end of the elongate sensing probe frictionally engaging a second boundary of the septic tank;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
3 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises a hemispherical sensor electrode for providing a potential based on a conductivity of at least one of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and/or any intervening liquid zone;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
2 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises a ring electrode for providing a potential based on a conductivity of at least one of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and/or any intervening liquid zone;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layers, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
2 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank wherein one of the plurality of sensors comprises a reference sensor whereby locations of remaining sensors and material disposed in proximity thereto can be measured based on a distance of each remaining sensor from the reference sensor;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
2 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank;
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- a tank electronics unit coupled to the elongate sensing probe wherein each of the plurality of sensors is electrically coupled to the tank electronics unit and wherein the tank electronics unit is operably associated with the remote monitor wherein the tank electronics unit is operably associated with the remote monitor by an interconnecting cable for traveling from the septic tank to the remote monitor;
- and
- a cover plate for being disposed over the interconnecting cable as the interconnecting cable exits the septic tank for shielding the interconnecting cable from damage;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
4 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- and
- a microcontroller operably associated with each of the plurality of sensors for providing each sensor with a high frequency alternating current flow;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
4 more elements
A septic tank monitoring system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of a sedimentary layer, a scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in a septic tank, the septic tank monitoring system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the septic tank;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, or any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises an electrode for providing a signal representative of the electrical potential of a material disposed adjacent to each sensor;
- and
- a remote monitor for being operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication to a septic tank operator of the location of the sedimentary layer, the scum layer, and any intervening liquid zone in the septic tank based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby the septic tank operator can monitor the contents and condition of the septic tank without a need for excavating and physically inspecting the septic tank.
2 more elements
A system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of stratified layers in a container, the system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the container wherein the elongate sensing probe comprises an elongate member and a retaining member slidably associated with the elongate member and a means for biasing the retaining member to an extended position wherein a distal end of the retaining member comprises the first end of the elongate sensing probe and a distal end of the elongate member comprises the second end of the elongate sensing probe whereby the elongate sensing probe can be inserted into and retained within the container by compressing the retaining member relative to the elongate member, orienting the elongate sensing probe in the container, and allowing the retaining member to decompress relative to the elongate tube whereby elongate sensing probe can be frictionally retained in the container with the first end of the elongate sensing probe frictionally engaging a first boundary of the container and the second end of the elongate sensing probe frictionally engaging a second boundary of the container;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to a given layer of material in the container;
- and
- a remote monitor operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication of the location of layers in the container based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby a material condition in the container can be perceived.
2 more elements
A system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of stratified layers in a container, the system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the container;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to a given layer of material in the container wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises a hemispherical sensor electrode for providing a potential based on a conductivity of at least one stratified layer in the container;
- and
- a remote monitor operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication of the location of layers in the container based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby a material condition in the container can be perceived.
2 more elements
A system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of stratified layers in a container, the system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the container;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to a given layer of material in the container wherein one of the plurality of sensors comprises a reference sensor whereby the locations of remaining sensors and material disposed in proximity thereto can be measured based on a distance of each of remaining sensor from the reference sensor;
- and
- a remote monitor operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication of the location of layers in the container based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- whereby a material condition in the container can be perceived.
2 more elements
A system for distinguishing between and identifying the location of stratified layers in a container, the system comprising:
- an elongate sensing probe with a first end and a second end for being disposed in the container;
- a plurality of sensors disposed along the sensing probe, the plurality of sensors each including a means for providing a signal that enables a determination of whether the sensor is disposed proximal to a given layer of material in the container;
- a remote monitor operably associated with the plurality of sensors wherein the remote monitor has a means for providing a remote indication of the location of layers in the container based on the signals from the plurality of sensors;
- and
- a microcontroller operably associated with each of the plurality of sensors for providing each sensor with a high frequency alternating current flow;
- whereby a material condition in the container can be perceived.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.