Abstract: A field device for measuring a filling level, a pressure or a density of a medium in a container includes data memory with two memory areas that are separated from one another. First data for safety-critical program modules is stored in the first memory area. Second data for safety-uncritical program modules is stored in the second memory area. The two memory areas are separated from one another. All access to these memory areas is controlled by a memory management unit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid levels in a tank. A first step involves modelling the tank to identify fluid zones of fluids having differing densities, the heat retention characteristics of each the fluid zones and the relative relationships between each of the fluid zones. A second step involves obtaining a heat profile of the tank. A third step involves analyzing the heat profile based upon the modelling to generate relative fluid level data for the tank.

Abstract: A method of gravimetric volume determination is described in which a load cell can be calibrated either outside of an analytic analyzer for gravimetric calibration of said analyzer, or in a fully automated manner inside said analyzer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating probe signal level readings in a manner that allows a low water detector to distinguish between a probe that is under a fluid level, or is above the fluid level and either being splashed or is within a foam. Low water detectors which utilize these systems and methods are also provided. The detectors generally utilize a representative probe reading, and a dynamic indicator between probe readings, for a set of probe readings taken in a time period to detect low water levels, foam, or surge.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a methods and a system for measuring liquid volumes and controlling a pipetting process.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring a level of a conductive liquid, is provided. The sensor includes at least two electrodes that can be positioned in a holding tank so as to be partially submerged in the conductive liquid, sensor leads coupled to the at least two electrodes, and circuitry and a controller for determining the properties of the electrolyte, the circuitry being coupled to the at least two electrodes via the sensor leads, and the controller being coupled to the circuitry. The sensor may be used as an electrolyte level sensor in a flow battery system.

Abstract: A sensor includes a first set of electrodes, a second set of electrodes, and at least one electrical circuit. The first set of electrodes is completely submergible in a fluid. The second set of electrodes is partially submergible in the fluid. The at least one electrical circuit is configured to measure resistance of the fluid between the first set of electrodes and configured to measure resistance of the fluid between the second set of electrodes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for collecting and communicating temperature and volume data directly from a dispenser for use during a book to physical reconciliation process. The temperature and volume readings can be received directly from a dispenser by at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system. The method can include collecting flow data indicative of a volume of a liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at a plurality of times during a defined time interval and collecting temperature data indicative of a temperature of the liquid product dispensed from the dispenser at the plurality of times during the defined interval. Once collected, the temperature data and the flow data can be transmitted to at least one of a retail system and a central inventory management system.

Abstract: A water level measuring apparatus and a water level measuring method, in which a water level L0 of a liquid is read from a water level indicator secured to a liquid tank, and a filter value FLT is calculated by applying a filter with a time constant greater than one second to the water level L0, and the filter value FLT is output as a final water level L. Accordingly, even if the surface sloshes and the water level L0 fluctuates up and down, the water level L0 is smoothed by the filter. Hence there is little influence of the liquid sloshing, and the water level measurement accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: A method for designing an absorbent article. The steps of the method are generating a physical spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a physical test environment, generating a virtual spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a virtual test environment, identifying absorbent-fluid interaction properties for the absorbent such that the virtual spatial map of saturation approximates the physical spatial map of saturation, inputting the absorbent-fluid interaction properties into a virtual model of the absorbent article to produce a representation of at least one feature of the absorbent article, evaluating the virtual model of the absorbent article to determine the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article, modifying the design of the absorbent article in response to the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article determined from the virtual model of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting wireless signals towards a material in a tank and receiving wireless signals reflected off the material. The method also includes calculating a phase velocity of the wireless signals reflected off the material and identifying a level of the material in the tank using the phase velocity. Calculating the phase velocity of the wireless signals could include identifying a plurality of linearly-spaced frequencies and performing linear interpolation using the data identifying the wireless signals to identify data points at the linearly-spaced frequencies. The identification of the data points at the linearly-spaced frequencies could represent the only interpolation operation performed during the calculation of the phase velocity and the identification of the level of the material. Moreover, a mismatch could exist between an inner diameter of a stillpipe through which the wireless signals are transmitted and a diameter of an antenna used to receive the wireless signals.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving at least one first measurement associated with material in a tank from a memory at a level gauge. The method also includes comparing the at least one first measurement to at least one second measurement associated with the material in the tank. The method further includes determining whether a difference between the at least one first measurement and the at least one second measurement exceeds a threshold. In addition, the method includes identifying a current level of the material in the tank in a first manner if the difference does not exceed the threshold or a second manner if the difference does exceed the threshold. The first manner could include correcting a level measurement using the difference between the at least one first measurement and the at least one second measurement. The second manner could include identifying an offset value based on differences between pairs of level measurements.

Abstract: Method for simulating the gauging of a hollow body intended to contain a liquid and that comprises the following steps: for several different partial filling volumes of said hollow body, calculating the centre of mass of the corresponding free liquid surface; and generating a gauging curve that passes substantially through each of said centres of mass.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data identifying wireless signals including wireless signals reflected off a surface of material in a tank and detecting a plurality of reflection peaks associated with the wireless signals. The method also includes classifying at least some of the detected reflection peaks and tracking at least some of the classified reflection peaks. The method further includes identifying a level of the material using at least one of the tracked reflection peaks. The classified peaks could include main-mode and/or high-mode reflection peaks, where the material level is identified using the main-mode peak or using an estimated location of the main-mode peak based on the high-mode peak. The classified peaks could also include level, bottom, and obstruction peaks, where the material level is identified by using a known permittivity, the bottom peak, and a tank height to estimate a location of the level peak when the level peak is lost or obscured.

Abstract: The transmission power of a fill level radar is varied in that the transmission power is switched, by a signal switch, from a first transmission power to a second transmission power. This switching takes place, for example, by bypassing the high-frequency amplifier or by switching off a drain voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for measurement of flow velocity using the transmission of a sequence of coherent pulsed ultrasonic signals into the flow, and sampling the received response signal at a predetermined delay time relative to the pulse transmission that does not correspond to the signal transmission time. The sampling may be coherent with a frequency offset from the coherency frequency of the pulses. The received signal samples are then spectrally processed, typically by a Fourier process, to generate a frequency domain data set. A threshold technique is used on the frequency domain data set to determine a peak Doppler shift. Average velocity is then obtained by multiplying the peak Doppler shift by a factor, for example, 0.90. In one embodiment, the transmit pulse and receive samples are interleaved by alternating between transmitting a pulse and, after a delay, sampling the received signal.

Abstract: A fuel measuring device, for mounting on the inlet to a vehicle fuel tank, has a sensor for recording a flow rate of fuel flowing through the inlet into the vehicle fuel tank. A processor for integrating the fuel flow rate to determine amount of fuel supplied to the fuel tank and a data storage device, for storing data indicative of the volume of fuel supplied to the vehicle fuel tank, are provided. A connector, for enabling the stored data on fuel volume to be transferred from the fuel measuring device on the vehicle to another device separate from the vehicle. A signal from a sender unit of a vehicle fuel tank may be used. A related method enables fuel usage to be tracked by, for example, the renter of a vehicle, and a further related method provides improved fuel gauges for use in fleets of rental cars.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an optical fuel detection system. The optical fuel detection system comprises an outer tube, and inner tube, and a set of optical fibers. The outer tube has a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and is configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located. The inner tube is located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface. The set of optical fibers are mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. Each optical fiber has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus is provided for monitoring the height of contents of a moving container, such as a beverage can 24 on a conveyor 14. The apparatus comprises non-contact ultrasonic wave generation means comprising a first electromagnetic acoustic transducer 16 disposed to one side of a container 24 being monitored and adapted to produce an ultrasonic wave pulse in the container, and non-contact ultrasonic wave detector means comprising a second electromagnetic acoustic transducer 18 adapted to detect an ultrasonic signal and to generate a detection signal dependent upon the ultrasonic signal which is detected, the detector means being disposed at a different position to the side of a container 24 from the generation means. The apparatus further including signal processing means 20 adapted to process the detection signal generated by the ultrasonic wave detector means using the difference in transit times for two waves to provide an indication of the level of the contents in the container 24.

Abstract: A total capacitance is measured between an inner electrode disposed in a dielectric sleeve and an outer electrode surrounding the sleeve, with a fluid chamber being established between the sleeve and outer electrode. The total capacitance is correlated to a level (l) of fluid in the chamber using an electrode length, a unit length capacitance associated with the sleeve, and a unit length capacitance associated with the fluid chamber when no fluid is in the chamber.

Abstract: In fill-level measuring devices that operate according to the FMCW principle, nonlinearity of the sensor signal depending on the time can result in measuring inaccuracies. The fill-level measuring device that operates according to the FMCW principle comprises a correction unit for the mathematical correction of the amplitude values or for calculating points in time of scanning the amplitude values on the basis of a reference correlation determined at the factory. In this way intermediate-frequency values that are identical to those of an ideal sensor can be derived.

Abstract: A system for detecting a presence of a liquid within a receptacle includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor includes a transmitting probe and a receiving probe positioned within the liquid receptacle. The transmitting probe includes a first transducer and the receiving probe includes a second transducer. The processor is in electrical communication with the first and second transducers and monitors the first and second transducers to determine the presence and level of the liquid within the liquid receptacle based on a time between generation of a first extensional wave by the first transducer and reception of a second extensional wave by the second transducer.

Abstract: Analyzing the pressure profile generated during a limited period of time immediately prior to the end of a liquid aspiration process and comparing the standard deviation of the residuals to a critical value to determine if the liquid was of a desired sufficient volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating probe signal level readings in a manner that allows a low water detector to distinguish between a probe that is under a fluid level, or is above the fluid level and either being splashed or is within a foam. Low water detectors which utilize these systems and methods are also provided. The detectors generally utilize a representative probe reading, and a dynamic indicator between probe readings, for a set of probe readings taken in a time period to detect low water levels, foam, or surge.

Abstract: A transit-time fill-level measuring device for measuring the fill level of a filling material in a container is stated, in which transit-time fill-level measuring device information about the topography of the filling material surface is determined on the basis of the shape of a single echo curve of the receiving signal. From this the fill volume can then be derived.

Abstract: Continuous volume detection for a reservoir in a fluid circuit of a medical system is described. Volume detection is based on a pressure measurement that is manipulated via application of fluid mechanics. Next-generation medical system controllers may use this data to control the volume contained in the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved system for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to remotely located storage tanks including a novel combination of remote monitoring of customer tanks and an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to optimally schedule deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a controller 100 of this remaining liquid amount meter 200 performs cumulative processing that increases a cumulative value T when a display level (Rm1) specified based on the liquid surface level detected by a first detection section 141 is higher than a display level (Rm) displayed by the remaining liquid amount meter 200, and that decreases the cumulative value (T) when the display level (Rm1) is lower than the display level (Rm) (S9 to S15). Then, when the cumulative value (T) becomes larger than a predetermined threshold value (Tc), the controller 100 performs display processing that changes the display level (Rm) displayed by the remaining liquid amount meter 200 (S16 to S19).

Abstract: An engine oil change notification system is disclosed for an engine-driven electrical generator (e.g., welder/generator). The system may include an engine, an electrical generator, and an oil system configured to provide oil for lubrication of the engine. The system may further include a plurality of sensors coupled to the engine, the generator, and the oil system. The plurality of sensors may be configured to detect and measure operating parameters that are indicative of the quality of oil. The system may also include a processor configured to process the signals received from the plurality of sensors. Further, the processor may time stamp the signals and store data in a memory. The memory may include criteria data for determining the quality of the oil. Finally, the system may include a control panel that is coupled to the processor and configured to communicate the quality of the oil.

Abstract: A multiple-sensor device for a gauging system including: an insert configured to be inserted along an axis in a capacitive probe so as to assume a predetermined axial position with regard to the probe; a support on which a plurality of sensors are mounted; and a retaining mechanism to maintain the support at a predetermined distance from the insert along the axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, which is capable of, even under a microgravity environment, detecting a position of a surface of a liquid, such as liquid fuel, contained in a tank, and determining a volume of the liquid, in a simple and accurate manner. The apparatus comprises a vessel adapted to contain therein a liquid, heating means provided on a wall surface of the vessel to heat the liquid contained in the vessel, temperature measuring means provided adjacent to the heating means to measure a temperature change occurring due to the heating by the heating means, and processing means operable, based on the temperature change measured by the temperature measuring means, to calculate a volume of the liquid contained in the vessel.

Abstract: Improved methods and systems for estimating material weight, mass and volume in real-time are disclosed. The amount of material in the container is measured. An estimate of the amount of material in the container is then obtained using the measured amount of material in the container, a desired rate of change of material, and a container system model. The estimate of the amount of material in the container is then adjusted based on the difference between the estimated and measured amount of material in the container.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the amount of water in a high water cut crude petroleum flow stream exiting from a hydrocarbon well. Electrical property measurements such as permittivity measurements are collected with a microwave analyzer system as high water cut oil exits from a well. Collection is continued until the span of the measurements of at least one property reaches at least a characteristic pre-determined value. A heuristic salinity of the water phase of the crude oil can then be determined based on the span statistics and reference equations and/or reference data. The flow-weighted average water content of the oil can then be determined using the heuristic salinity to correct for salinity variation as the output of the well changes over time.

Abstract: A method for checking the appropriateness of an aircraft ground mass value Ms, communicated to a flight management system of the aircraft by a crew member of the aircraft or by an airline operating the aircraft, the communication taking place before a takeoff of the aircraft from a departure airport to a destination airport. The method includes two checking phases. A first direct appropriateness check, based on a cross-check of independent information related to the mass of the aircraft. A second indirect appropriateness check based on a comparison between values of performance parameters calculated on the basis of the mass value of the aircraft Ms and of the values of the same performance parameters provided by a manufacturer of the aircraft.

Abstract: We describe a fuel monitoring system, comprising: an evanescent wave fuel sensor for monitoring said fuel, the sensor comprising a light source and a transducer for providing an electrical signal in response to light from said light source, and having a light path between said light source and said transducer including an evanescent wave sensing region; and a processor coupled to said fuel sensor, for converting said electrical signal from said transducer into a signal characterising said monitored fuel; and an output coupled to said processor, for outputting a signal responsive to said fuel characterising signal. We further describe apparatus for jointly determining depth of fluid in a tank and characterising the fluid according to depth, and a fluid storage tank having a three dimensional structure for containing fluid, and a three-dimensional array of fibre-optic sensors integrated into said tank structure. Embodiments may use cavity ring-down spectroscopy.

Abstract: Water measurement auto-networks and methods of operation are disclosed herein. An exemplary method may include determining a water level at a first water measurement station in an auto-network. The method may also include reducing power to at least a transmitter at the first water measurement station to conserve battery power during an inactive state. The method may further include increasing power to the transmitter only at predetermined times to communicate the water measurement data to a second water measurement station in the auto-network.

Abstract: A water level measuring apparatus and a water level measuring method, in which a water level L0 of a liquid is read from a water level indicator secured to a liquid tank, and a filter value FLT is calculated by applying a filter with a time constant greater than one second to the water level L0. Furthermore when the filter value FLT is less than a minimum value Min, the minimum value Min is sequentially updated with the filter value FLT. Then the minimum value Min is output as the final water level L. Accordingly, even if the surface sloshes and the water level L0 fluctuates up and down, by adopting the minimum value that utilizes the characteristic of the surface fluctuations, as the final water level L, there is little influence of the liquid sloshing, and the water level measurement accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic system for monitoring the mixing of conglomerates. The inventive system can be used to monitor and measure the volume of a conglomerate, i.e. a concrete, mortar or other similar product, and the conditions in which the conglomerate is being mixed inside a mixer. The invention is characterised in that the system is provided with a sensor which rotates integrally with the mixer and which is fitted with a blade that is sensitive to the stresses exerted by the conglomerate thereon. The invention is also characterised in that the aforementioned information is transmitted to one or more terminals, by means of radio communication or other similar wireless communication means, for use in industrial processes.

Abstract: A fill level measuring device for measuring the fill level of liquid food in a container is provided which includes a sensor unit and a processing unit. The processing unit being is connected to the sensor unit and embodied such that the processing unit determines the fill level of the liquid food in the container depending on the measuring signals of the sensor unit, with the sensor unit comprising a container pressure sensor. The container pressure sensor is effectively connected with the liquid food in the container in order to measure the fluid pressure of the liquid food in the container and the processing unit is embodied such that it determines the fill level of the liquid food in the container depending on a difference of the fluid pressure measured in reference to the environmental pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for setting threshold values for use by a radar level transmitter to detect reflected wave pulses corresponding to portions of a transmitted microwave pulse which reflect from interfaces contained in a container. The present invention estimates these threshold values based upon various parameters. Some of these parameters can relate to properties of the materials forming the interfaces while others relate to properties of the antenna and user-defined parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for balancing net inventory using a dynamic expansion coefficient of liquid product relative to the temperature changes with density. The method can include receiving an API gravity report that includes a measurement of a specific gravity and a temperature of the product reported at a rack. Utilizing the API gravity report, the method can include maintaining correct densities of the liquid product by utilizing a plurality of expansion coefficients to dynamically convert a gross volume measurement to a net volume measurement for transactions of liquid product in a tank and at a dispenser in order to maintain a net perpetual book balance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipe assembly (102) for use in a boiler. The pipe assembly (102) comprises a pipe (104) having an outer wall (106) adapted for heat exchange. The pipe (104) having heat sensing means (116) located in a recess section of the outer wall (106) thereof, wherein an internal bore (108) of the pipe (104) has a substantially constant cross section in the region of the heat sensing means (116).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for detecting the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen stored in a hydrogen storage device. In this system, the remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen is calculated accurately without being affected by the previous state in a tank. The internal pressure of the tank is detected. A fixed heat quantity is applied into the liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the tank after the application of heat quantity is detected. The volume of phase-transited hydrogen gas is calculated based on the heat quantity applied into the tank. The change amount of pressure in the tank before and after the application of heat quantity is calculated based on the pressure and the pressure. The remaining quantity of liquid hydrogen in the tank is calculated based on the volume of hydrogen gas and the change amount of pressure.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method are provided to determine pressure in an unfired cylinder of an internal combustion engine. The cylinder comprises a variable volume combustion chamber defined by a piston reciprocating within a cylinder between top-dead center and bottom-dead center points and an intake valve and an exhaust valve controlled during repetitive, sequential exhaust, intake, compression and expansion strokes of said piston. The code is executed to determine volume of the combustion chamber, and determine positions of the intake and exhaust valves. A parametric value for cylinder pressure is determined at each valve transition. Cylinder pressure is estimated based upon the combustion chamber volume, positions of the intake and exhaust valves, and the cylinder pressure at the most recently occurring valve transition.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining the magnitude of linear and rotational acceleration of an impact to a body part. The apparatus can be used with protective sports equipment, such as a sports helmet, wherein the apparatus includes a battery, a number of accelerometers positioned proximate to the outer surface of the head, and an electronic device with a processor and a transmitter to transmit data received from the accelerometers. To maximize the battery life and minimize power consumption by the electronic device, the apparatus includes a power management system with a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly sends a first signal to the electronic device to initiate operation when the sensor assembly detects the presence of an object with the helmet, and a second signal to the electronic device to cease operation when the sensor assembly detects the absence of the object.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a simple and reliable method of measuring the quality of a fluid (2), in particular an oil or fat. This is achieved by a dielectric measurement in conjunction with a temperature measurement, which are carried out in situ by means of a measuring assembly and a sensor assembly (1) used with the latter, whereby the sensor assembly is submerged in the fluid. This permits information concerning the condition of the fluid, in particular concerning the age of the frying oil or fat, to be obtained in a rapid, low-cost manner.

Abstract: To provide a simpler and less expensive system for multipoint level measurement, the level measurement system comprises at least two sensor devices operating in accordance with the pulse-echo principle and being connected via a communication network to a signal processing device. The computation-intensive evaluation of echo profiles for calculating distances or ranges is thus shifted from the sensor devices at the measurement locations or sites to the central signal processing device. A clean copy of the Abstract that incorporates the above amendments is provided herewith on a separate page.

Abstract: This invention relates to a controller for a pumping installation using a combined pressure sensor and fluid level sensor arrangement. The controller includes a processor responsive to measurements from the sensor arrangement, as well as memory for storing a set of instructions for execution by the processor to correlate initial measurements taken by the sensors. The instructions allows the controller to monitor a fluid level in a well with the combined arrangement to compile a history of respective measurements for both sensors, and, in the event of an unexpected discrepancy between the measurements, to automatically calibrate the sensor arrangement according to the history of respective measurements to re-establish a correlation between the sensors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an optical fuel detection system. The optical fuel detection system comprises an outer tube, and inner tube, and a set of optical fibers. The outer tube has a reflective inner surface capable of reflecting light and is configured to allow a liquid fuel to enter an interior of the outer tube on which the reflective inner surface is located. The inner tube is located within the outer tube in which an area is present between the reflective inner surface. The set of optical fibers are mounted to an outer surface of the inner tube. Each optical fiber has a core that is exposed on each part of an optical fiber opposite to the reflective inner surface and the optical fiber has a refractive index that is lower that the liquid fuel but higher than a gaseous form of any gas that may enter the area.

Abstract: A system and method for readily generating radial clearance data for a radial clearance between locations on at least two parts in a rotating machine includes rendering an image of a cross section view of at least a portion of the machine on a display. The locations on the two parts are identified on the rendered cross section, and a radial stack path between the identified locations is automatically determined. The radial clearance between the identified locations when the machine is not operating is determined, based at least in part on the determined radial stack path. Data generated by a deflection analysis model of the machine are used to determine radial deflections of the identified locations during machine operation at one or more machine operating conditions. Data representative of the radial clearance between the identified locations during the machine operation at the one or more machine operating conditions are generated.