# US 8,464,590 B2 · Pressure sensor configuration for pressurized tank > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,464,590 B2 - Document ID: US8464590B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/884,757 - Filed: 2010-09-17 - Published: 2012-03-22 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-17 - Assignees: Cameron International Corporation - Applicants: Mark Stanley Waldrop; James Lee Geer - Inventors: Mark Stanley Waldrop; James Lee Geer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8464590B2 ## CPC - G01F 23/802: {Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment} - G01F 22/02: involving measurement of pressure - G01F 23/14: by measurement of pressure - G01F 23/164: {using a diaphragm, bellow as transmitting element} - G01F 23/18: Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically - G01L 19/0015: {using switching means} - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) ## Abstract In at least some embodiments, a pressure sensor configuration includes a pressure sensor and a switchable valve coupled to the pressure sensor. The switchable valve enables the pressure sensor to measure pressure at multiple ports of a pressurized tank. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure sensor configuration, comprising: a pressure sensor; and a switchable valve coupled to the pressure sensor, the switchable valve enabling the pressure sensor to measure pressure at multiple ports of a pressurized tank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 wherein the switchable valve comprises a solenoid valve. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller receives pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and stores the pressure measurements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller receives pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and calculates a differential pressure for the pressurized tank. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller receives pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and calculates a volume of liquid for the pressurized tank. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the switchable valve, wherein the controller selectively directs the switchable valve to switch between a first pressure piping connection and a second pressure piping connection. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller calculates a differential pressure between HI and LO ports of the pressurized tank based on measurements from the pressure sensor and transmits the calculated differential pressure to a remote computing system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 7 wherein the controller calculates at a volume of liquid stored by the pressurized tank based on the differential pressure calculation and transmits the calculated volume to a remote computing system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor configuration is part of a switchable pressure sensor (SPS) unit with electronics to control the switchable valve and determine a differential pressure for the pressurized tank. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor configuration of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor configuration is part of a remote telemetry unit (RTU) with electronics to control the switchable valve and determine a differential pressure for the pressurized tank. ### Claim 11 A remote telemetry unit (RTU), comprising: a pressure sensor; and a solenoid valve coupled to the pressure sensor, wherein the RTU operates the solenoid valve in conjunction with measurements of the pressure sensor to determine a differential pressure of a pressurized tank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The RTU of claim 11 further comprising a controller in communication with the pressure sensor, wherein the controller receives pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and calculates the differential pressure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The RTU of claim 12 wherein the controller calculates a volume of liquid in the pressurized tank based on the calculated differential pressure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The RTU of claim 13 further comprising a display coupled to the controller, wherein the controller causes the calculated volume to be displayed on the display. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The RTU of claim 12 further comprising a first pressure piping connection and a second pressure piping connection, wherein the controller selectively directs the solenoid valve to switch between the first and second pressure piping connections. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The RTU of claim 12 wherein the controller calculates the differential pressure between HI and LO ports of the pressurized tank based on measurements from the pressure sensor and transmits the calculated differential pressure to a remote computing system. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The RTU of claim 11 wherein RTU features are configurable from a remote computing system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The RTU of claim 17 wherein the RTU features comprise an alarm activated if a parameter monitored by the RTU falls below a user-specified threshold. ### Claim 19 A method, comprising: receiving, by a switchable pressure sensor (SPS) unit, a first measurement from a pressure sensor while connected to a first pressure pipe connection; receiving, by the SPS unit, a second measurement from the pressure sensor while connected to a second pressure pipe connection; and calculating a differential pressure based on the first and second measurements. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein said calculating is preformed by the SPS unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein said calculating is performed by a remote telemetry unit (RTU) in communication with the SPS unit. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 wherein switching the pressure sensor connection comprises operating a solenoid valve after the first measurement and before the second measurement.