Wireless lpg tank level monitor

The monitor 60 will show the tanks 14 that it has heard from in the tank list. Johansson Profiler v Документ александритовый лазер дзержинский сша страницы. A user-defined radial wireless lpg tank level monitor can also be selected for entering a liquid not listed along wireless lpg tank level monitor its specific gravity at lineand optionally other information about the liquid. Информация о продукте. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the base unit comprises a power supply, a controller connected to the power supply, a transmission receive element connected to the controller for receiving information 4d аппарат узи the transmission unit, and a telephone line interface connected to the controller and adapted for connection to a telephone line for sending and receiving information to and from the host unit.

Monitoring technology

The measurement optics are configured to emit light and detect returned light. The insertion probe includes a chamber, the chamber being configured to permit the sample to enter the chamber, an insertion tip at a distal end of the insertion probe, and a retro-reflective optic adjacent the insertion tip. The retro-reflective optic is configured to return the light from the measurement optics through the chamber to the measurement optics. The insertion probe is configured to be remotely located from the measurement optics. A remote sampling sensor for determining characteristics of a sample, comprising: measurement optics, the measurement optics being configured to emit light and detect returned light; and.

The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the insertion tip is disposable and is replaceable with another disposable insertion tip to permit measurement of fluid without contamination from a previous measurement. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is an adjustable measurement chamber. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics further comprise a light guide configured to transmit the light to the chamber, wherein the light guide is solid. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics further comprise a light guide configured to transmit the light to the chamber, wherein the light guide comprises a hollow conduit.

The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , comprising a fiber optic cable configured to return the light to the measurement optics. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics comprises a light source and at least one detector element having an optical filter configured to detect a pre-determined wavelength intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by the light source. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics comprises a broadband light source.

The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics comprises a detector system configured to have multi-wavelength detection. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics comprises a light emitter configured to emit a wavelength between about 10 nm and about nm. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling apparatus configured to couple the light from the measurement optics to the chamber. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , wherein the measurement optics comprises a light source and a detector system having a plurality of detector elements, each element having a unique optical filter configured to detect a unique wavelength intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by the light source.

The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of milk. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of dairy products. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of an oil. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of a seed oil or a vegetable oil. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of olive oil. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of alcohol. The remote sampling sensor of claim 1 , configured for sensing a property of a drug.

A remote sampling sensor for determining characteristics of a sample, comprising: measurement optics, the measurement optics being configured to emit light and detect returned light, wherein the measurement optics are remote and isolated from the sample; and. Provisional Patent Application No. This invention relates generally to optical sensors, spectroscopy, and associated systems. More particularly, it relates to optical sensors and systems that may be used, for example, for the analysis and characterization of fluids. These methods are labor intensive and have a significant cost burden because they require the need for reagents, solvent and eventual waste disposal. While these methods are common, and in many cases required for regulatory or reference measurement reasons, they are considered undesirable and there is a general movement away from them.

Optical spectral measurements for the monitoring of static and dynamic fluid systems is well established in the field of spectroscopy. Traditional systems may include the use of a spectrometric measurement system, such as a spectrometer or photometer, optically interfaced to a fluid stream, such as a liquid or gas. In the case of spectrometer systems, commercial dispersive near-infrared NIR or Fourier transform infrared FTIR, near- and mid-IR instruments are usually used in transmission, specular reflectance, transflectance a combination of transmittance and reflectance and internal reflectance modes of operation.

These are very different approaches insofar as the spectroscopy method relies on measuring the spectra of the key components and then relying on spectral resolution or mathematics to separate and measure the individual contributions from the components. Other traditional methods of analysis of multi-component gas and vapor monitoring include gas chromatography GC. Gas chromatography physically separates the components by the chromatograph and the separated components are measured directly from the chromatogram by a suitable detection system; such as a flame ionization detection FID system. This method can be very expensive and may generate a significant service or operating overhead when implemented in a continuous monitoring system, particularly because GC requires the use of high purity compressed gases.

This method is also costly and hard to reduce to a scalable sensor that can be used for commercial sensing applications. These examples feature near infrared light-emitting diodes LEDs that are used for oil condition soot level and urea solution quality measurements. The soot measurement is a simple photometric measurement with one primary wavelength nm , while the urea quality sensor is a true spectral measurement with a three- or four-point determination having two or three analytical wavelengths, with about nm and about nm, being the most critical for water and urea, and one wavelength as a reference or baseline, about nm.

In both cases attenuation of signal intensity is used to compute the infrared near-infrared absorption, which is correlated to the concentrations of soot in oil and the relative concentrations of water and urea in the binary mixture or solution. However, these sensors are still limited in spectral range by the wavelength specific LEDs. Additionally, these embodiments require longer path lengths to efficiently and accurately measure the samples, which requires the sensor package to be large and can require a larger sample.

These larger packages make it harder to implement in certain applications, and may suffer from added environmental interference with the sample. For example, a fluid sample may freeze under certain conditions due to the larger quantity of fluid needed to measure the sample. More generally, optical spectroscopy, such as infrared spectroscopy is a recognized technique for the analysis and characterization of various types of fluids used in industrial, environmental, automotive and transportation applications, including solvents, fuels, lubricants, functional fluids, coolants and diesel emission fluids such as aqueous urea solutions.

Such spectroscopic measurements can provide meaningful data about the condition of the fluid and the fluid-mechanical system during service. Infrared spectroscopy, as used and understood herein, can provide measurement of fluid quality and other particular properties. For example, fluids such as fuel or coolant may be measured for properties such as oxidation, coolant contamination, fuel dilution, and soot content. In most cases, this information is derived directly as a measure of the chemical functionality, as defined by the characteristic vibrational group frequencies observed in the various forms of infrared spectra.

While the infrared spectral region is definitive in terms of the measurement of materials as chemical entities, the measurements can be difficult to implement in terms of the materials used. More specifically, the optics and associated materials used in these measuring devices are relatively expensive and do not always lend themselves to easy replication for production scale analysis.

Moreover, when multiple devices are implemented into a larger monitoring system used in, for example, industrial process or automotive monitoring applications, these systems often become prohibitively large, complex, and expensive. Another factor to consider is the operating environment. If a monitoring system is to be used in a relatively benign environment, such as in a laboratory under standard ambient conditions or in a climate conditioned indoor facility, then the known construction may be appropriate.

However, if there is a requirement to measure a fluid system in a harsher environment, such as on a process line indoors or outdoors , on a vehicle, or a mobile or fixed piece of equipment, then it is necessary to utilize a more robust system capable of operating under such conditions. This may include considering the temperature sensitivity of the components, as well as their resilience to long-term exposure to continuous vibrations.

Additional factors for consideration include size, thermal stability, vibration immunity, spectral range, and cost. Alternative fluid measurement systems and techniques for fluid, gas, and vapor sensing and monitoring that address one or more of these considerations are desired. There exists a need for a more compact sensor that can operate within a broader spectral range for vapors, gases, liquid, and other materials, including solids or mixed phase forms e.

The present invention can be used in a wide variety of industries where liquid, gas and vapor sensing and monitoring is critical, especially related to the analysis, in applications requiring environmental, safety, and process considerations. In one aspect, this disclosure is related to a system for determining in a sample the composition or concentration of a component or components of said sample, comprising an integrated light source; a detector system, wherein said detector system comprises at least one detector element having an optical filter configured to detect a pre-determined wavelength intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by said light source; a coupling apparatus; and integrated electronics, wherein the integrated electronics comprise a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor configured to calculate, based on the detected pre-determined wavelength a value of the concentration of the component in the sample.

In another aspect this disclosure is related to a system for determining in a sample the characteristics of components of said sample, comprising an integrated light source; a detector system, wherein said detector system comprising at least one detector element having an optical filter configured to detect a pre-determined wavelength intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by said light source; a chamber wherein said light source is positioned across from said detector system and said sample passes through said chamber between said light source and said detector system; a coupling apparatus configured to couple said light source and said detector system to the chamber; and integrated electronic, wherein said integrated electronics comprises a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor configured to calculate, based on the detected pre-determined wavelength a value of the concentration of the component in the sample.

In yet another aspect this disclosure relates to a method for determining the component characteristics of a sample, comprising emitting at least one wavelength radiation by a broadband emitting source. Detecting at least one intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by the source of at least one reference wavelength. Determining the characteristics of the components of a sample based at least in part on the at least one detected intensity.

In another aspect this disclosure relates to a remote sampling sensor for determining the characteristics of a sample, comprising a sample interface, wherein said sample interface if remotely located from said light emitter and detector system and said sample interface has a retro-reflective optic; a light emitter configured to emit a broadband wavelength of light; a light guide configured to transmit emitted light to and from the sample interface; a detector system, wherein said detector system comprises at least one detector element having an optical filter configured to detect a pre-determined wavelength intensity of radiation transmitted through the sample by said light emitter; and integrated electronics, wherein said integrated electronics comprise a processor in communication with the at least one sensor, the processor configured to calculate, based on the detected pre-determined wavelength a value of the concentration of the component in the sample.

The features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will be more apparent and better understood by reference to the following descriptions of the disclosed system and process, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:. It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in fluid measuring systems, including those utilizing spectroscopy.

However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. The disclosure herein is directed to all such variations and modifications known to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different, are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Furthermore, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described herein in connection with one embodiment may be implemented within other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, it is to be understood that the location or arrangement of individual elements within each disclosed embodiment may be modified without departing from the scope of the invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, appropriately interpreted, along with the full range of equivalents to which the claims are entitled.

In the drawings, like numerals refer to the same or similar functionality throughout several views. The CPU may generally include an arithmetic logic unit ALU , which performs arithmetic and logical operations, and a control unit, which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary. Processors may take the form of a microprocessor, and may be a low power CMOS processor with an embedded analog to digital converter, by way of non-limiting example only.

The present invention is operable with computer storage products or computer readable media that contain program code for performing the various computer-implemented operations. The non-transitory computer-readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read or accessed by a computer system component such as a microprocessor. The media and program code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known to those of ordinary skill in the computer software arts.

Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media; solid-state storage devices and specially configured hardware devices such as application-specific integrated circuits ASICs , programmable logic devices PLDs , and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of program code include both machine code, as produced, for example, by a compiler, or files containing higher-level code that may be executed using an interpreter. The detectors and emitters of all embodiments disclosed herein may be integrated into and integrally formed with electronic packages, such as on printed circuit boards such as control boards of such packages.

Alternatively, the detectors and emitters may be configured to be mounted separately from control boards and other electronic devices. Sensors and monitoring systems according to embodiments of the present disclosure may simplify the complex arrangements of the prior art by providing a broadband wavelength light or energy source or sources , a device for interfacing with the sample, and one or more detectors.

These systems may include the use of tungsten incandescent light bulbs, gas discharge lamps, or solid-state light emitters e. LEDs or MEMs devices , low-cost, solid state detectors, integrated with opto-electronics that reduce temperature dependency effects, low-cost optics that may be mass-produced such as by molding techniques if required , and low-cost packaging. Residual temperature effects may be handled by thermal modeling and the application of compensation algorithms. The sensor devices described in this disclosure may be implemented as monitoring devices for water-based fluids, such as aqueous urea solutions and coolants, in addition to fuels, lubricants and other functional fluids used in automotive vehicles, heavy equipment, and various forms of transportation that involve dynamic fluid lubricant and power conversion systems.

They may include sensor devices for monitoring industrial processes and maintenance, monitoring engine oils, transmission oils, hydraulic oils and fluids, turbine oils, coolants and any fluid system that protects mechanical moving parts or transmits power to moving parts. Throughout the disclosure, the term fluid is considered in the broadest sense, and can include gases and vapors, which include off-gassing vapors from fuels, slip and bypass gases from combustion zones, and exhaust gases. In one or more configurations, the sensor can be operated immersed in the fluid, and measurements can be made in a static environment such as a tank or storage vessel, or in a moving environment, such as a fuel line or exhaust pipe.

It is understood that the period of measurement may vary from less than a second, to a few seconds, to periods of days or longer, such as for systems where the change in fluid composition chemistry changes slowly, if at all. When used for fluid quality assessment the sensor is intended to monitor for changes in composition, including contamination from the use of an incorrect fluid. The concept represented here can be applied at very low cost with a reduced number of optical and mechanical components featuring a light source, an optical interface with the sample, and the custom detector system.

Some exemplary embodiments of the broad band light source can include a tungsten light bulb, a composite broad band LED such as a white LED or a gas discharge such as a xenon, krypton, neon, deuterium or mercury light source. The wavelengths can be defined by a custom, multi-element detector system, where each detector element of the detector system is combined with a light selecting element, such as a bandpass filter or even a variable filter, as in the case of a multi-element filter-detector combination. The light selecting element can select for a pre-determined wavelength of interest.