US 6,711,949 B1 · Remote fluid level detection system

Abstract

A remote two-module electronic fluid monitoring system to be used as an agricultural aid in the application of a fluid to a field. A tank module sits atop a field tank and monitors internal fluid level. Fluid level detection is achieved by tracking the position of an embedded permanent magnet associated with a given internal fluid level within an existing float gauge mechanism. An integrated circuit capable of precisely detecting the orientation of magnetic fields senses the angular position of an existing magnet and outputs an angular field reading to an interfaced microcontroller which then translates angular reading to fluid level. The tank module contains a radio frequency transmitter which then sends fluid level information to a display module mounted within the tractor cab. The display module receives the signal from the tank module and reports to the user the present fluid level remaining in tank via a liquid crystal display.

Claims41

Dependent claims

A fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:

a tank module means for detecting the fluid level within the tank and displaying the fluid level information, the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a display means which receives the fluid level value transmitted by the microcontroller means and displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, microcontroller means, and display means;
wherein the tank module means is mounted to a gauge of the magnetic float gauge assembly;
and
wherein the tank module means further comprises an electronic inclinometer means for determining the angular orientation of the tank, and transmitting the angular orientation to the tank module microcontroller means, wherein the tank module microcontroller further receives the angular orientation from the inclinometer means, and calculates the fluid level value to a corrected fluid level value.

5 more elements

A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:

a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;
and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising;
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
a housing means for enclosing the battery means, the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising;
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
a housing means for enclosing the display module battery means, the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
and
wherein the tank module means further comprises an electronic inclinometer means for determining the angular orientation of the tank, and transmitting the angular orientation to the tank module microcontroller means, wherein the tank module microcontroller means receives the angular orientation from the inclinometer means, and calculates the fluid level value to a corrected fluid level value.

14 more elements

A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:

a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;
and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
a housing means for enclosing the battery means, the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising;
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
a housing means for enclosing the display module battery means, the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
and
wherein the display module means further comprises an audio means for emitting an audible warning.

14 more elements

A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized tank containing a fluid, comprising:

a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;
and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
a housing means for enclosing the battery means, the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising:
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a battery means for powering the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
a housing means for enclosing the display module battery means, the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
and
wherein the display module further comprises a tractor ground speed connector means for connecting and receiving tractor ground speed information from a tractor ground speed indicator and transmitting the tractor ground speed information to the display module microcontroller means.

14 more elements

A remote fluid level detection system for use with a pressurized towed tank comprising:

a tank module comprising a housing, a magnetic sensor, a microcontroller, a battery, an attachment band, an RF transmitter, an electronic inclinometer, and a display;
and
a display module comprising a housing, a microcontroller, a display, an RF receiver, and an audio transducer;
wherein the tank module housing encloses the tank module microcontroller, magnetic sensor, tank module battery, RF transmitter;
electronic inclinometer, and tank module display;
and is connected to the attachment band;
wherein the magnetic sensor, tank module battery, RF transmitter, tank module display, and electronic inclinometer are each connected to the tank module microcontroller;
wherein the display module housing encloses the display module microcontroller, display module display, RF receiver, and audio transducer;
and
wherein the display module display, RF receiver, and audio transducer are each connected to the display module microcontroller;
and
wherein the tank module housing is mounted over a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly without interfering with the operation of the gauge.

9 more elements

A method of detecting and displaying the level of anhydrous ammonia remaining in a pressurized tank using a remote fluid level detection system comprising a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;

and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising:
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
the steps comprising:
detecting, by the use of the magnetic sensor, the angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from the magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank;
and
transmitting the angular position of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the tank module microcontroller;
determining the anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank by the use of the tank module microcontroller, based on the angular position of the magnetic field detected;
and
displaying the anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank on the tank module display connected to the microcontroller.

16 more elements

A method of remote detection and display of anhydrous ammonia remaining in a pressurized tank using a remote fluid level detection system comprising a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;

and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising:
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
the steps comprising:
detecting, by the use of the magnetic sensor, the angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from the magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank;
and
transmitting the angular position of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the tank module microcontroller;
determining the anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank by the use of the tank module microcontroller, based on the angular position of the magnetic field detected;
transmitting the anhydrous ammonia level determined by the tank module microcontroller to the display module microcontroller by the use of a radio frequency transmission;
and
displaying the anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank on the display module display connected to the display module microcontroller.

17 more elements

A method of determining the application rate of anhydrous ammonia from a pressurized tank using the remote fluid level detection system comprising a tank module means for detecting a fluid level within the tank and transmitting the fluid level information;

and
a display module means for receiving the fluid level information transmitted by the tank module means, and displaying the fluid level information;
the tank module means comprising:
a magnetic sensing means for determining an angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank and transmitting the angular position;
a microcontroller means for receiving the angular position information transmitted by the magnetic sensing means and translating it to a fluid level value that corresponds to a percentage of fluid remaining in the tank, and transmitting the fluid level value;
a radio transmitting means for receiving the fluid level value from the tank module microcontroller means, and broadcasting the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the magnetic sensing means, tank module microcontroller means, and radio transmitting means;
the tank module means being mounted to a gauge of a magnetic float gauge assembly;
the display module means comprising:
a radio receiving means for receiving the broadcast fluid level value from the radio transmitting means and transmitting the fluid level value;
a microcontroller means for receiving the fluid level value from the radio receiving means and transmitting the fluid level value to a display means which displays the fluid level value;
a housing means for enclosing the radio receiving means, the display module microcontroller means, and the display means;
the steps comprising:
detecting, by the use of the magnetic sensor, a first angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from the magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank;
transmitting the first angular position of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the tank module microcontroller;
determining a first anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank by the use of the tank module microcontroller, based on the first angular position of the magnetic field detected;
transmitting the first anhydrous ammonia level determined by the tank module microcontroller to the display module microcontroller by the use of a radio frequency transmission;
storing the first anhydrous ammonia level in the display module microcontroller;
waiting a predetermined period of time before a second angular position of the magnetic field is detected by the magnetic sensor;
detecting, by the use of an electronic magnetic sensor, a second angular position of a magnetic field of a magnet from a magnetic float gauge assembly connected to the tank;
transmitting the second angular position of the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the tank module microcontroller;
determining a second anhydrous ammonia level remaining in the tank by the use of the tank module microcontroller, based on the second angular position of the magnetic field detected;
transmitting the second anhydrous ammonia level determined by the tank module microcontroller to the display module microcontroller by the use of a radio frequency transmission;
storing the second anhydrous ammonia level in the display module microcontroller;
determining the period of time between the obtained of first anhydrous ammonia level and the second anhydrous ammonia level by the use of the microcontroller;
and
determining the application rate of anhydrous ammonia by the use of the microcontroller.

24 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote fluid level detection system

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Remote fluid level detection system

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Abstract

Claims41