초록 ▼

A storage tank level monitoring apparatus and method for determining fluid levels in a storage tank. The apparatus of the present invention includes a magnet coated with rubber for holding a pivotally mounted housing to the interior of the storage tank and an ultrasonic transducer contained within t

A storage tank level monitoring apparatus and method for determining fluid levels in a storage tank. The apparatus of the present invention includes a magnet coated with rubber for holding a pivotally mounted housing to the interior of the storage tank and an ultrasonic transducer contained within the housing for generating acoustic pulses and for receiving reflections of the acoustic pulses for producing an analog signal proportional to the reflections, a string carrying a number of reference disks vertically oriented below the housing for producing a series of reflected acoustic signals from each reference disk, and a processor connected to the ultrasonic transducer for activating the transducer and for analyzing the reflected pulses for calibrating the apparatus for environmental changes in the atmosphere above the stored fluid and for determining the level of the stored fluid in the tank. The method of the present invention includes the steps of receiving reflected pulses from each reference disk only during certain window time intervals and to calibrate the system by adjusting for environmental conditions between the transducer and the fluid level.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for determining the level of fluid in a storage tank holding said fluid, said apparatus comprising: means attached to the underside of the roof of said storage tank for directing acoustic pulses in a direction substantially normal to said level of said fluid, said directing means being

An apparatus for determining the level of fluid in a storage tank holding said fluid, said apparatus comprising: means attached to the underside of the roof of said storage tank for directing acoustic pulses in a direction substantially normal to said level of said fluid, said directing means being further capable of receiving any reflections of said acoustic pulses from said fluid level and generating an analog signal proportional to said level, means attached to said directing means and depending downardly, substantially the height of said tank, for suspendedly providing a plurality of reference disks at predetermined fixed spacings, each of said reference disks being capable of reflecting said acoustic pulses, and means connected to said directing means for activating said directing means to provide a first acoustic pulse, said activating means being receptive of each successive analog signal from said directing means corresponding to the successive first acoustic pulse reflection from each lower reference disk for determining a calibration value compensating for the effects of the atmospheric conditions in the tank above the fluid level, said activating means being capable of activating said directing means to provide a second acoustic pulse, said activating means being receptive of the reflection of said second acoustic pulse from the upper surface of said fluid and of said calibration value for determining the actual level of the fluid in said storage tank.