Patents by Inventor Kelvin L. Woltring

Kelvin L. Woltring has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8412473
    Abstract: According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schmitt Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn
  • Publication number: 20120259560
    Abstract: According to various embodiments disclosed herein, battery power may be conserved by reducing the number of transmissions made by a liquid level monitoring system. The efficiency of a liquid level monitoring system may also be improved by reducing or avoiding fuel outages and unnecessary replenishment. Certain embodiments may be configured according to a schedule for making measurements. The measurement may then be compared against one or more thresholds to determine whether to transmit the measurements. A variety of thresholds may be specified and utilized to determine when it is appropriate to transmit the measurements. Further, various embodiments may be configured to detect a change in a monitored condition. Upon the detection of a change in the monitored condition, a measurement may be made and compared to an established threshold for a tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: SCHMITT INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn
  • Patent number: 8104341
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is externally mountable to a tank. An ultrasonic emitter may generate an ultrasonic beam and receive an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface inside a tank. An acoustic lens is coupled to the ultrasonic emitter to shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. An acoustic coupler may be disposed between the acoustic lens and the tank wall to improve the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic emitter and the tank wall. The system determines a time-of-flight between generating the ultrasonic beam and receiving the echo. Using the time-of-flight and geometry of a tank, the system may calculate the liquid volume inside the tank. The time-of-flight may be transmitted via a satellite data link or a local data link. The local data link may further be used to configure and maintain the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Lagergren, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn, Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case
  • Publication number: 20100242593
    Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid level monitoring system includes an ultrasonic transducer unit that is externally mountable to a tank. An ultrasonic emitter may generate an ultrasonic beam and receive an echo of the ultrasonic beam off a liquid surface inside a tank. An acoustic lens is coupled to the ultrasonic emitter to shape the ultrasonic beam to compensate for lensing effects of the tank wall. An acoustic coupler may be disposed between the acoustic lens and the tank wall to improve the acoustic coupling between the ultrasonic emitter and the tank wall. The system determines a time-of-flight between generating the ultrasonic beam and receiving the echo. Using the time-of-flight and geometry of a tank, the system may calculate the liquid volume inside the tank. The time-of-flight may be transmitted via a satellite data link or a local data link. The local data link may further be used to configure and maintain the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Peter J. Lagergren, Christian N. Staats, Kenneth M. Wegrzyn, Kelvin L. Woltring, Wayne A. Case