Fiber optic flammable liquid measuring system

An optical liquid measuring device for determining the amount of flammable liquid in a storage tank that also contains water and/or other contaminant liquids, the optical liquid measuring device comprising:

• a first encoder disk;
• a first optical encoder reader head adjacent the first encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the first encoder disk;
• a first float having a density that is greater than the flammable liquid but less than the water;
• first pulley means associated with the first float and operatively connected to the first encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the first float to the first encoder disk;
• a CPU capable of receiving signals;
• optical fibers connected to the first optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• a second encoder disk;
• a second optical encoder reader head adjacent the second encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the second encoder disk;
• a second float having a density that is less than the flammable liquid;
• second pulley means associated with the second float and operatively connected to the second encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the second float to the first encoder disk;
• optical fibers associated with the second optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• computing means for determining the amount of flammable liquid and water in the storage tank;
• and
• a telescoping brace having a bottom, wherein at least one of the first or second pulley means is attached proximate to the bottom of the telescoping brace.

An optical liquid measuring device for determining the amount of flammable liquid in a storage tank that also contains water and/or other contaminant liquids, the optical liquid measuring device comprising:

• a first encoder disk;
• a first optical encoder reader head adjacent the first encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the first encoder disk;
• a first float having a density that is greater than the flammable liquid but less than the water;
• first pulley means associated with the first float and operatively connected to the first encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the first float to the first encoder disk;
• a CPU capable of receiving signals;
• optical fibers connected to the first optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• a second encoder disk;
• a second optical encoder reader head adjacent the second encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the second encoder disk;
• a second float having a density that is less than the flammable liquid;
• second pulley means associated with the second float and operatively connected to the second encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the second float to the first encoder disk;
• optical fibers associated with the second optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• computing means for determining the amount of flammable liquid and water in the storage tank;
• wherein the storage tank has a top and a bottom, and the first pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float;
• and
• the second pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float.

An optical liquid measuring device for determining the amount of flammable liquid in a storage tank that also contains water and/or other contaminant liquids, the optical liquid measuring device comprising:

• a first encoder disk;
• a first optical encoder reader head adjacent the first encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the first encoder disk;
• a first float having a density that is greater than the flammable liquid but less than the water;
• first pulley means associated with the first float and operatively connected to the first encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the first float to the first encoder disk;
• a CPU capable of receiving signals;
• optical fibers connected to the first optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• a second encoder disk;
• a second optical encoder reader head adjacent the second encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the second encoder disk;
• a second float having a density that is less than the flammable liquid;
• second pulley means associated with the second float and operatively connected to the second encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the second float to the first encoder disk;
• optical fibers associated with the second optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• computing means for determining the amount of flammable liquid and water in the storage tank;
• and,
• wherein the storage tank has a top and a bottom, and the first pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• a chain having a first end and a second end, wherein the chain engages the first sprocket and extends downward and around the second sprocket, and wherein the second end is attached to the first float;
• and
• spring means that bias the chain toward the first sprocket;
• and the second pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• a chain having a first end and a second end, wherein the chain engages the first sprocket and extends downward and around the second sprocket and wherein the second end is attached to the second float;
• and
• spring means that bias the chain toward the first sprocket.

An optical liquid measuring device for determining the amount of liquid in a storage tank, the optical liquid measuring device comprising:

• a float having a density that is less than the liquid;
• means to convert, the vertical displacement of the float inside the storage tank into digital signals;
• a CPU capable of receiving the digital signals;
• an optical connector for receiving flue digital signals;
• optical fibers for transmitting the digital signals to the CPU;
• computing means for determining the amount of liquid in the storage tank;
• wherein the storage tank has a top and a bottom, and the first pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float;
• and
• the second pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank:
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float.

An optical liquid measuring device for determining the amount of liquid in a storage tank, the optical liquid measuring device comprising:

• a first encoder disk;
• a first optical encoder reader head adjacent the first encoder disk for receiving light that is reflected by or transmitted through the first encoder disk;
• a first float having a density that is less than the liquid;
• first pulley means associated with the first float and operatively connected to the first encoder disk for translating the vertical movement of the first float to the first encoder disk;
• a CPU capable of receiving signals;
• optical fibers connected to the first optical encoder reader head for transmitting signals to the CPU;
• computing means for determining the amount of liquid and in the storage tank;
• wherein the storage tank has a top and a bottom, and the first pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float;
• and
• the second pulley means comprises:
• a first sprocket located proximate the top of the storage tank;
• a second sprocket located proximate the bottom of the storage tank;
• and
• a chain that forms a loop about the first and second sprockets and which is attached to the first float.