System for Detecting Cryogenic Liquid Level with Multi-Axis Magnetometer

Abstract

A system provides a level detector with a multi-axis magnetometer sensor that senses movement of a magnet connected to a float within a vessel. A temperature sensor may assist in compensating for changes to the magnetic field due to ambient temperature. Output from the sensor is provided to a local data processing unit which provides level data to a local display. The local data processing unit sends data through a communications port to a remote system which can track level remotely as well as assimilate and uniquely characterize data from other vessels to provide more accurate level measurement by the local processing unit.

Claims

1. A device for liquid level within a vessel having a float assembly shaft extending from the container, comprising: a multi-axis magnetometer sensor, said multi-axis magnetometer sensor measuring magnetic forces of a magnet connected to a float assembly shaft extending from a vessel along x, y and z dimensional axes and provides an output; a local data processing device receiving the output from the multi-axis magnetometer sensor assembly; a local display providing an indication of liquid level in the vessel based on the output from the multi-axis magnetometer sensor; and a communications port directing data from one of the local data processing device and the multi-axis magnetometer sensor to a remote data and analytics platform, said data and analytics platform at least monitoring liquid level inside the vessel for reporting remotely.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the magnet is located at the upper end of the float assembly shaft of the cryogenic vessel.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the local data processing device receives input from the communications port to assist in providing a liquid level output.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the liquid level output is directed to the local display.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the claim 1 wherein said multi-axis magnetometer sensor provides the output based on magneto-impedance and a magnetoresistive physical principal.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the claim 1 wherein said multi-axis magnetometer sensor is mounted onto an external portion of the vessel.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the multi-axis magnetometer sensor is aligned relative to a center of a float of the float assembly.

8. The device of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor providing temperature data.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the temperature data is sent through the communications port to the remote data and analytics platform.

10. The device of claim 8 wherein the temperature data automatically compensates for variations in magnetic field related to changes in ambient temperature as sensed by the multi-axis magnetometer sensor before providing as output to the local data processing device.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein said display is a digital electrochromic display.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said digital electrochromic display is printed on a plastic substrate.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the remote data and analytics platform is hosted in the cloud and compiles data from multiple sensors to uniquely characterize data from each sensor and increase accuracy of cryogenic liquid level measurements inside various vessels.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the remote data and analytics platform applies Artificial Intelligence data processing with strapping charts to more accurately predict liquid levels in the vessel.

15. The device of claim 1 in combination with a mobile/web App enabled on local user mobile device, said mobile/web App remotely connecting to the remote data and analytics platform.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the mobile/web App provides a display of liquid level in the vessel.

17. The device of claim 15 wherein the mobile/web App is notified of a low level condition in the vessel.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein the Mobile/web App assists in scheduling refilling of the vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the architecture of a presently preferred embodiment of the system.

[0026] FIG. 2. shows a front view of exemplary installation of multi-axis magnetometer on a cryogenic vessel.

[0027] FIG. 3. shows a detailed view of exemplary installation of multi-axis magnetometer on a cryogenic vessel with high-sensitivity magnetometer sensor dimensional axis aligned with the internal float center.

[0028] FIG. 4. shows a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of multi-axis sensor unit with electrochromic (e-paper) display, mounted on the external element of the cryogenic liquid vessel's internal float assembly.

[0029] FIG. 5. shows graphs of an exemplary embodiment of data processing output from the cloud data and analytics platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention is directed to system for detecting cryogenic liquid level with high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer.

[0031] In a presently preferred embodiment, the system or device is made up of the following components: high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1 likely based on the magneto-impedance or magneto-resistive physical principle, coupled with embedded temperature sensing such as a temperature sensor 11; data processing device 2 possibly powered by battery 13 and potentially paired with solar energy through a solar panel 15 or otherwise as an option; a display 10, such as electrochromic (e-paper) display connected to or embedded into or with the multi-axis sensor 1 for local on-site visual notification; AI-driven (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms and mathematical software models to process sensor data in the cloud data and analytics platform 3; and mobile App 4 for user interaction.

[0032] At least some of these components may be combined together to create an architecture for the system or device 20 that may have both local and remote technology components together comprising a highly integrated, automated cryogenic liquid level detection system. Magneto-impedance or magneto-resistive high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1 with integrated temperature sensor 11 is preferably installed locally on the monitored cryogenic liquid vessel 5, on the exterior surface 7 of the vessel 5 relative to a magnet 14 of the internal float shaft assembly 6 which is normally externally disposed relative to the vessel 5 at an upper end of a shaft 19. Local data processing device 3 (that is powered by battery 13 and/or solar energy 15, unless connected to building power, which is certainly an option) may be connected to the high-sensitivity magnetometer sensor 1, supplying it with power for operation, and potentially enabling bi-directional communication with the sensor 1 for collection, control and local visualization (with digital electrochromic display 10) of sensor characteristics, cryogenic liquid level, and/or system operation.

[0033] Furthermore, data processing device 2 also aggregates corresponding sensor data and exchanges data with remote cloud data and analytics platform 16 for further processing, analysis and interactions for at least some embodiments. Data processing device 2 also may have embedded display 10 (e.g. LCD or electrochromic display) for local notification of other related information. Additionally, data processing device 2 may be wirelessly connected to a separate external wireless speaker 17, that may provide audible alerts and/or voice messages remotely generated by the cloud data and analytics platform 16 and transmitted to the data processing device 2 for playback unless generated at the data processing device 2 independently of data from the cloud data and analytics platform 16. Remote cloud data and analytics platform 16 may host AI-driven data processing algorithms and/or mathematical software models to potentially automatically and intelligently characterize multi-axis high-sensitivity magnetometer sensor data for each monitored cryogenic liquid vessel 5; to assist in accurately, reliably, and/or efficiently calculating level of cryogenic liquid based on the measurement of magnetic field magnitude and/or vector components relative to the change against the uniquely defined baseline, also taking into account possible angular movements of float assemblies 6. Remote cloud data and analytics platform 3, 16 also may assist in enabling automatic improvements of liquid level calculation accuracy, self-calibration functionality, and/or scalable in-depth analysis of cryogenic liquid vessel characteristics. System also may include a mobile/web App 4 enabled on local users' mobile devices 18 and/or computer devices 22. Such App 4 may remotely connect to the cloud data and analytics platform 3 for visualization and interaction with related aggregated cryogenic liquid vessel data, and also may have functionality to wirelessly connect locally to the data processing device 2 for visualization, configuration, and/or interactions.

[0034] It should further be noted that: high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1 is installed by simply affixing it via a simple snap-on process or other connection method to the external element of the existing float assembly 6. There is no need to empty the vessel 5, reduce pressure, temporarily suspend/modify its operation, or move vessel or its components in any way for many embodiments. Utilization of magneto-impedance or magneto-resistive sensing functionality in the high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1, in combination with a local display 10, particularly an electrochromic (e-paper) display enables the sensor 1 to be very small, minimize power consumption, and achieve extremely high sensitivity along with extended measurement range and accuracy with minimal distortion from change in external temperatures and magnetic interference/noise. Additionally, embedded multiple axis sensing capabilities of the high-sensitivity multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1 allow precise measurement of magnetic forces along all dimensional axes (X, Y, and Z axes), and calculation of additional magnetic field dimensional parameters (e.g. magnetic field azimuth and inclination, magnetic field vector, etc.) of the magnet 14 located at the upper end of the cryogenic vessel float assembly shaft 19.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the architecture of system for detecting cryogenic liquid level with a multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1. High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 at least provides an output to a local data processing device 2, if not exchanging its performance data and is being controlled by Data Processing Device 2 that may communicate with Cloud Data and Analytics Platform 3 through a port 21, which is a communications port, which could employ wi-fi, Bluetooth, cellular data, or be wired as would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Users may be able to access information with Mobile App, Audio/Video Notification Device, Web Dashboard, API Interface 4 (or other similar functional process).

[0036] FIG. 2 shows one particular exemplary embodiment of High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 installed on the vessel 5, illustrated as Cryogenic Tank, with internal Float Assembly 6. Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 is demonstrated mounted on the external part or exterior surface 7 of the Float Assembly 6, with wired connection to the Data Processing Device 2.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows one particular exemplary embodiment of High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 installed on the Cryogenic Tank or vessel 5 with internal Float Assembly 6. High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 is demonstrated located inside the Sensor Enclosure 8, mounted on or at the Knuckle Plug 7, that is part of the Float Assembly 6. High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 may have wired connection to the Data Processing Device 2, possibly with an embedded display 10 and audio/visual notification capability. High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 may be precisely aligned (horizontally and vertically) with the center of internal Float Assembly 6, enabling precise measurement of its dimensional magnetic field forces and vector components as demonstrated on the Sensor Coordinate System Schematic 9.

[0038] FIG. 4 shows one particular exemplary embodiment of High-sensitivity Multi-Axis Magnetometer Sensor 1 located inside the Sensor Enclosure 8, mounted on the top of the Knuckle Plug 7, that is external part of the Float Assembly 6. Digital Electrochromic Display 10 may be embedded into Sensor Enclosure 8, or connected thereto, such as through the data processing device 2 and is locally visualizing the level of cryogenic liquid inside the Cryogenic Tank. The display 10 provides an indication of liquid level in the vessel 5 based on the output from the multi-axis magnetometer sensor 1.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows one particular exemplary embodiment of data processing output from the mathematical software model hosted on the Cloud Data and Analytics platform 3. Aggregated data from a plurality of high-sensitivity multi-axis sensors 1 installed on the exemplary cryogenic liquid vessels 5 may be processed and visualized by the platform 3,16 to represent multiple dimensional parameters of the cryogenic liquid internal floats 6 (e.g. magnetic field for X, Y, Z axes; magnetic field azimuth and inclination; magnetic field vector, etc.) and to assist in calculating the precise level of cryogenic liquid inside the vessel 5 by communicating data and/or instructions back through the port 21 to the local data processing device 2.

[0040] Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.