Patent Application
20140294606
The present invention pertains to fluid level sensing and additive dispensing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser.
Many automobiles and trucks today employ a float arm or similar device to send a resistive signal of said fluid levels in a tank. The float or float arm follows the fluid level in a tank, which changes the resistance within the sender. This method has a number of moving parts that fail after a period of time and use. Further, these kind of mechanical senders are limited in accuracy and as they age the accuracy is diminished.
This presents a technical problem for which a technical solution using a technical means is needed.
Ultrasonic sensors have been used by some to read fluid levels. The problem with ultrasonic sensors is that they reflect off of the first thing they come in contact with. This means that foam on the surface of the fluid will be read as fluid and give a false reading.
This presents a technical problem for which a technical solution using a technical means is needed.
The invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings.
The invention in one embodiment is used in fluid systems and more particularly is an apparatus and method for sensing fluid levels in fluid systems and adding an additional gas or fluid based on the level or change in level of the liquid.
In one embodiment of the invention there is a fluid level sensing device and an additive dispensing controller.
In one embodiment the invention is an apparatus and method for measuring fluid levels in a fluid tank during a refueling event and dispensing a fuel additive in measured amounts. The apparatus comprises a hollow sensing tube sealed to a pressure sensor. The pressure sensor measures air column pressure as a function of hydrostatic pressure within the fluid tanks. By adding an air pumping device in adjunct to hollow hydrostatic to displace fluid in the hollow tube, increases the accuracy of the fluid level measurements. Once the fluid level is established, other actions can now be completed. Such as, but not limited to, adding fuel additive during a refueling event; fuel additive can automatically be added during a refueling event by tracking the rise in fuel level in the fuel tank and then the controller can automatically add a prescribed amount of fuel additive while the fuel is being delivered into the fuel tank for a better mix.
One embodiment of this invention can be mounted to the container holding fluid or can be remotely mounted. In many cases this fluid level sensor may be replacing a standard fuel tank sender that has a SAE 5 hold bolt pattern (SAE denotes Society of Automotive Engineers). For holding tanks it may be mounted to a large threaded pipe fitting. For example, in one embodiment, the hydrostatic sensing tube and optionally the atmosphere line (e.g. 306, 310) may be mounted using a NPT fitting (e.g. ½″) (NPT denotes National Pipe Thread). In one embodiment this invention can also be mounted remotely and connected by two tubes that are in gaseous communication with said fluid container. In one embodiment the hydrostatic sensing tube may be mounted in a ½″ NPT fitting designated for a pressure vent.
In one embodiment, the invention uses a fluid level sender without moving parts to increase accuracy and reliability. Hydrostatic senders utilize a pressure sensor connected to a hollow tube that is inserted into the fluid tank to a position near the bottom of the tank. The air column pressure in the tube will be equal to the hydrostatic pressure caused by the fluid. The height of the fluid can be determined by the pressure reading if the density of the fluid is known. The height that is being measured is the distance between the fluid surface and the meniscus level inside the sensing tube. Because the meniscus level may change, for example, as a function of leakage in the tube/ sensor connection, fluid absorbing the air, temperature fluctuations, altitude, compressibility of the air column in the sensing tube, and / or the tilt angle of the tube a novel approach is used to lessen and/or eliminate these factors by purging the sensing tube prior to measurement.
For example, in one embodiment of the invention, to eliminate the effect of temperature, altitude and atmospheric fluctuations that vary the meniscus level in the sensing tube, a fluid level sensing device has an auto purge capability to keep the hydrostatic pressure sensing tube full of air or other gas to insure an accurate fluid level reading. Additionally, in one embodiment of the invention, the sensor is in communication with a microcontroller or other digital device to add further functionality. In one embodiment, the invention solves the problem of the column of air or gases being absorbed into the liquid or during a change in atmospheric pressure such as a change in altitude or during a change in temperature when the air that is trapped in the tube may expand and be expelled out the bottom of the tube. When the fluid cools or the altitude or atmospheric pressure or temperature lowers or cools the result will be an inaccurate fluid level measurement due to the air or gas volume being reduced.
In one embodiment the invention includes a pressure sensor in gaseous communication with a pressure transducer or sensor, with the inclusion of a small air pump in gaseous communication with the hydrostatic tube. This air pump is programmed to turn on at certain intervals to add air to the hydrostatic sensing tube that will blow air or other gases into the hydrostatic sensing tube and will overwhelm this sensing tube as to ensure all fluid is pushed and purged out of this hydrostatic sensing tube. In one embodiment of the invention it only takes fluid readings during or after the purge cycle was initiated. This will accurately measure the fluid level in a fluid container.
In one embodiment of the invention, the atmospheric port on the pressure sensor is in gaseous communication with the fluid container. This solves a problem with inaccurate fluid level readings if the tank is pressurized such as when the fluid container is being filled with fluid. Air pressure or gaseous pressure is created within said container during a refilling or refueling event. This will enable the pressure sensor to properly display the real fluid level as a fluid differential pressure without being affected by pressure build up in the fluid container.
In one embodiment the invention precisely injects, pumps or flows fuel additives into the fuel tanks being refueled to better mix fuel additives and eliminates human error. This invention, in one embodiment, keeps track of the refueling event and reports the amount of fuel that was added to a fuel tank and also reports how much fuel additive was added by way of a cell phone, cell card or other wireless device to other devices or cell phones.
In one embodiment of the invention it uses the following components:
In one embodiment, the invention monitors fuel levels and automatically injects a fuel additive when the tank is filled. The system has a sensor that is installed into the vent fitting of a fuel tank. This sensor has 1) a pressure sensor 2) a hollow tube entering the tank through the vent fitting and extending close to the bottom of the tank, and 3) an air pump. The air pump blows through a check valve into the tube to clear any fluid that may have entered due to compression, absorption or leaks. Once the fluid is fully evacuated the pressure inside the hollow tube is read. This pressure is then used to calculate the height of the fluid in the tank. This height is then converted to volume based on the dimensions of the tank.
In one embodiment of the invention the air pump runs for a predetermined time to purge the hollow tube of any liquid.
In one embodiment of the invention, a controller monitors the level of fuel in a tank and maintains a baseline reading of the fuel level. When the fuel level starts to rise the controller starts a “Fueling Event”. When the fuel level stops rising the controller calculates the amount of fuel added by subtracting the new fuel amount from the baseline.
In one embodiment, once the amount of new fuel is calculated the unit pumps the proper amount of additive from the additive reservoir into the fuel tank. The controller can be configured to adjust the ratio of additive to be applied based on the additive manufacturer's recommendation.
In one embodiment of the invention after a “Fueling Event” the system transmits the event data to a database using a cellular modem. This information can then be viewed by customers, for example, by using a web portal. The system can be used on any shape or size of tank and can be configured for vehicles with one or multiple tanks.
In one embodiment of the invention, the system monitors fluid levels and automatically injects the proper amount of additive when new fluid is added. One application is for adding fuel additive, however the invention is not so limited, and could be used to dose any type of fluid such as adding chlorine to water or any other chemical to a fluid. In one embodiment, the current system is a self contained system that attaches to the frame of a truck. This unit contains an additive reservoir, fuel level sensors, an additive pump with solenoids and electronics used for logic and to transmit data to an external database. Other applications include marine applications, locomotives, generators, industrial equipment, bulk storage such as gas stations or any other application requiring additives or chemical dosing.
Thus a Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser has been described.
Illustrated generally at 1. An apparatus comprising a hydrostatic tube having a first end and a second end wherein said first end is in liquid communication with a liquid and said second end is in gaseous communication with a pressure sensor and a gaseous pump.
Illustrated generally at 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an additive pump having an input and an output, said additive pump input in communication with an additive tank, and said additive pump output in communication with a vessel containing said liquid.
Illustrated generally at 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an entity selected from the group consisting of a mounting plate having a SAE 5-Bolt pattern wherein said hydrostatic tube said first end is distal to said SAE 5-Bolt pattern, and a NPT fitting wherein said hydrostatic tube said first end is distal to said NPT fitting.
Illustrated generally at 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said gaseous pump has a check valve on its output.
Illustrated generally at 5. A method comprising pumping air into a hydrostatic sensing tube for a predetermined time to purge said hydrostatic tube of a liquid, and measuring pressure in said hydrostatic sensing tube after said predetermined time.
Illustrated generally at 6. The method of claim 5 further comprising: transforming said measured pressure into an indicator of a liquid level; comparing said liquid level to a predetermined liquid level; transforming said comparison into one of several control states; and communicating said control state to an additive pump.
Illustrated generally at 7. The method of claim 6 wherein said one of several control states is transformed by said additive pump into dispensing an additive into said liquid.
Illustrated generally at 8. The method of claim 7 wherein said dispensing is selected at a time consisting of during a refueling event, and after a refueling event.
Illustrated generally at 9. The method of claim 8 wherein after said refueling event information regarding said dispensing said additive into said liquid is reported wirelessly.
Illustrated generally at 10. The method of claim 7 further comprising sensing via a GPS unit when said vessel is in motion above a predetermined rate and when said vessel is in motion above said predetermined rate performing said dispensing.
Illustrated generally at 11. The method of claim 5 wherein said pumping air into said hydrostatic sensing tube is at an air pressure greater than a hydrostatic pressure of said liquid.
Illustrated generally at 12. The method of claim 6 wherein said indicator of said liquid level is transformed into a volume said transformation based in part on one or more dimensions of a tank holding said liquid, and wherein said volume determines said dispensing said additive into said liquid.
Illustrated generally at 13. The method of claim 8 further comprising sensing via a GPS unit a location for said refueling event and reporting said location wirelessly.
Illustrated generally at 14. An apparatus comprising: one or more tanks, said one or more tanks each having a hydrostatic measuring port and an additive port; one or more additive pumps said one or more additive pumps coupled to said additive port and to one or more additive tanks; and one or more gaseous pumps said one or more gaseous pumps coupled to said hydrostatic port.
Illustrated generally at 15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising one or more check valves, said one or more check valves coupled between said one or more gaseous pumps and said hydrostatic port.
Illustrated generally at 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said one or more additive tanks have a hydrostatic measuring port and do not have an additive port.
Illustrated generally at 17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said one or more additive pumps are controlled by one or more first connections to a control module, and said one or more gaseous pumps are controlled by one or more seconds connection to a control module.
Illustrated generally at 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising one or more differential pressure sensors one side of which is coupled to said one or more hydrostatic measuring port.
Illustrated generally at 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said other side or said one or more differential pressure sensors is coupled to a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks.
Illustrated generally at 20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said other side or said one or more differential pressure sensors is coupled to an entity consisting of atmospheric pressure, a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks, and atmospheric pressure and a tank pressure port on said one or more tanks.
Thus an Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser have been described.
Because of various considerations in embodiments of the present invention (for example, multiple pump and pressure sensors) specialized hardware is required.
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For purposes of discussing and understanding the invention, it is to be understood that various terms are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe techniques and approaches. Furthermore, in the description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Some portions of the description may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on, for example, data bits within a system memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are used by those of ordinary skill in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of acts leading to a desired result. The acts are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic non-transitory signals capable of being transformed, stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these non-transitory signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.
It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate non-transitory physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, can refer to the action and processes of a system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the system memories or registers or other such information storage, non-transitory transmission, or display devices.
An apparatus for performing the operations herein can implement the present invention. This apparatus is specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose controller, selectively activated or reconfigured by a program stored in the system, however it is not software alone. Such a program may be stored in a non-transitory readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, compact disk- read only memories (CD-ROMs), and magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROM)s, electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), FLASH memories, magnetic or optical cards, etc., or any type of non-transitory media suitable for storing electronic instructions either local to the system or remote to the system.
The techniques presented herein are specifically related to a particular system or other apparatus. A specialized apparatus to perform the required methods is required. For example, any of the methods according to the present invention can be implemented in hard-wired circuitry specifically designed for the functionality disclosed, or by programming special hardware having, for example, in one embodiment, a particular machine such as a CPU specifically designed with a 16 bit or greater barrel shift register and a carry look ahead arithmetic logic unit. As disclosed Applicant submits that any results are tied to a particular machine or apparatus and/or transform a particular article into a different non-transitory state or thing and that such particulars and/or things are non-trivial. For example, in
The methods of the invention may be implemented using specialized hardware as noted supra. The methods of the invention cannot be implemented in software per se. If written in a programming language conforming to a recognized standard, sequences of instructions designed to implement the methods on specialized hardware can be compiled for execution on the specialized hardware. In addition, the present invention is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the invention on specialized hardware as described herein. Furthermore, it is common in the art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, application, driver, . . . ), as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a shorthand way of saying that execution of the software by specialized hardware causes, for example, a system to perform an action and produce a tangible concrete non-transitory result.
It is to be understood that various terms and techniques are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe communications, protocols, applications, implementations, mechanisms, etc. One such technique is the description of an implementation of a technique in terms of an algorithm or mathematical expression. That is, while the technique may be, for example, implemented as executing code on a specialized system, the expression of that technique may be more aptly and succinctly conveyed and communicated as a formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression. Thus, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize a block denoting A+B=C as an additive function whose implementation in hardware would take two inputs (A and B) and produce a summation output (C). Thus, the use of formula, algorithm, or mathematical expression as descriptions is to be understood as having a physical embodiment in at least hardware (such as a specialized system in which the techniques of the present invention may be practiced as well as implemented as an embodiment).
A machine-readable medium is understood to include any non-transitory mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine. For example, a non-transitory machine-readable medium includes read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; and devices having non-transitory storage.
As used in this description, “substantially” or “substantially equal” or similar phrases are used to indicate that the items are very close or similar. Since two physical entities can never be exactly equal, a phrase such as “”substantially equal” is used to indicate that they are for all practical purposes equal.
As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or similar phrases means that the feature(s) being described are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. References to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive. Nor does “one embodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment of the invention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in “one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, the invention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
It is to be understood that in any one or more embodiments of the invention where alternative approaches or techniques are discussed that any and all such combinations as may be possible are hereby disclosed. For example, if there are five techniques discussed that are all possible, then denoting each technique as follows: A, B, C, D, E, each technique may be either present or not present with every other technique, thus yielding 2̂5 or 32 combinations, in binary order ranging from not A and not B and not C and not D and not E to A and B and C and D and E. Applicant(s) hereby claims all such possible combinations. Applicant(s) hereby submit that the foregoing combinations comply with applicable EP (European Patent) standards. No preference is given any combination.
Applicant has availed himself of the legal right to be his own lexicographer and such terms as, but not limited to, hydrostatic sensing tube, etc. have specific meanings as denoted and/or explained.
Thus while particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations which will be apparent to one of skill in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
Thus a Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser has been described.
The present Application for Patent is claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 61/806,369 titled “Automatic Fuel Additive Controller and Dispenser” filed Mar. 28, 2013, pending, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61806369 | Mar 2013 | US |
