Patent classifications
B65D90/48
Silo dynamic vibration attenuation system and method
Provided is a dynamic vibration attenuation system 10 for a granular material silo 8. The system 10 comprises a sensor arrangement 12, a processor 16, and a damping arrangement 24. The sensor arrangement 12 is configured for operatively sensing, over a period comprising a plurality of instances of time, a displacement of the silo 8, a weight of granular material in the silo 8, and a flow rate of granular material discharged from the silo 8. The processor 16 is arranged in signal communication with the sensor arrangement 12 and is configured to calculate, at each instance of time, a resultant dynamic force from the sensed displacement, weight and flow rate. System 10 further includes damping arrangement 24 which is operatively responsive to the processor 16 and is configured to dynamically dampen the resultant dynamic force in order to maintain vibration amplitudes in the silo structure 9 below a user-selectable threshold.
Sequencing bulk material containers for continuous material usage
In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.
Sequencing bulk material containers for continuous material usage
In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PERFORMING REAL-TIME MONITORING OF A CONTAINER CONTAINING A NON-GASEOUS FLUID SUBSTANCE
The disclosure relates to method and system for performing real-time monitoring of a container containing a non-gaseous fluid substance. The method includes receiving, from a sensing device installed in the container and by a monitoring device, a dataset corresponding to the container and to a non-gaseous fluid substance in the container. The dataset may be acquired and transmitted by the sensing device at a preconfigured time-interval and may include level data corresponding to a level of the non-gaseous fluid substance in the container, temperature data corresponding to a temperature inside the container, and movement data corresponding to movement of the container or a lid of the container. The method further includes performing, by the monitoring device, a time-series analysis on the dataset for determining an anomaly; and generating, by the monitoring device, a graded alert based on the anomaly.
Silo system and bulk material management system
A silo system includes a storage chamber, an intake pathway associated with the chamber, and a discharge pathway associated with the chamber. The system further includes one or more material sensors associated with the chamber, a plurality of actuators, and a controller that is communicatively coupled to the one or more material sensors and to the one or more actuators. The plurality of actuators enable a deposit of additional material from a transport container into the chamber through the intake pathway at least partially simultaneous with a discharge of material from the chamber through the discharge pathway into an operational silo. The material sensors provide indications of the amount of bulk material in the chamber and the controller is configured to control the one or more actuators in response to sensor data from the one or more material sensors to provide for deposit of material simultaneous with discharge of material.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND VERIFYING AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANOMALY USING MULTIPLE COMMAND NODES
A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.
SYSTEMS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND VERIFYING AN ENVIRONMENTAL ANOMALY USING MULTIPLE COMMAND NODES
A system for detecting and verifying an environmental anomaly within a shipping container (transported on a transit vehicle having an external transceiver) has wireless sensor-based ID nodes at different locations within the container and multiple command nodes mounted to the container. A first command node is programmatically configured to be operative to detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; responsively identify the anomaly based upon the sensor data detected by that command node; and transmit a validation request to another command node. The other command node is configured to be operative to also detect the sensor data broadcasted from the ID nodes; receive the validation request from the first command node; verify the anomaly in response to the validation request and based upon the sensor data detected by the second command node; and broadcast a verification message based upon whether the anomaly for the shipping container is verified.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING FLOATING ROOF LEVEL TILT AND CHARACTERIZING RUNOFF
Floating roof storage tank systems and related methods are disclosed. The disclosed systems include a storage tank, a floating roof, and a plurality of acoustic sensors. The storage tank has one or more walls defining an interior space and the floating roof is configured to move vertically within the interior space. The acoustic sensors are levelly mounted along a horizontal plane on the one or more walls of the storage tank. One or more signals received by at least a portion of the plurality of acoustic sensors are used to determine a tilt angle of the floating roof.
Transport of powders
A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.
Transport of powders
A powder container (10) comprising a pressure vessel (12) for containing a quantity of powder (14) and a quantity of pressurised gas (32), an outlet through which, in use, the powder (14) can flow out of the pressure vessel (12), and an outlet valve (24) for selectively opening and closing the outlet, wherein the container (10) further comprises a data sensing and/or logging means (56, 58, 60, 62, 64) adapted to monitor and/or log various parameters of the powder (14) and/or the pressurised gas (32) and further comprising a control unit (54) adapted record and log the sensor readings either continuously, or at intervals, the control unit (54) comprising a communications module adapted to relay sensor readings, or log files, to a remote monitoring station.