Excessive product usage detection using a level monitoring system
AssigneeRobertshaw Controls Company
InventorWojtek Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank is provided. The system comprises a monitor and a data center. The monitor is operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein. The data center is in communication with the monitor. The data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage has been detected.
Claims17
A system for detecting excessive usage of product in a storage tank, the system comprising:
- a monitor operatively coupled to the tank for monitoring a level of product stored therein;
- a data center in communication with the monitor;
- wherein the data center generates an alarm signal when excessive product usage, defined as a difference between a first monitored level of product and a second monitored level of product equaling or exceeding a threshold level of change, has been detected;
- and
- wherein the monitor is configured to monitor the product level at a first rate and to transmit product level information to the data center at a second rate, and wherein the monitor immediately transmits product level information to the data center when the monitor determines that an excessive usage of product has occurred.
A method of detecting an excessive usage of product stored in a storage tank, comprising the steps of:
- taking an initial reading of a product level in the storage tank;
- taking a later reading of the product level in the tank;
- comparing the initial reading with the later reading;
- generating an alarm signal when the initial reading and the later reading differ by at least a threshold level of change to indicate that the excessive usage has been detected;
- reporting information related to the product level in the storage tank at a second rate;
- and
- wherein the step of generating an alarm signal comprises the step of reporting information related to the product level immediately upon generating the alarm signal.
A method of detecting an excessive usage of product in a storage tank, comprising the steps of:
- displaying a user interface having a plurality of user selectable options and a threshold level of change input window;
- receiving user input to select at least one of a level rise and a level drop excessive product usage function;
- receiving a user selected threshold level of change;
- receiving first information relating to the level of product in the storage tank;
- receiving second information relating to the level of product in the storage tank;
- comparing the first information and the second information;
- generating an alarm signal when the step of comparing indicates that the user selected threshold level of change has been exceeded;
- transmitting the user input and the user selected threshold level of change to a tank level monitor;
- and
- receiving an alarm signal from the tank level monitor indicating that user selected threshold level of change has been exceeded.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.