A LIQUID LEVEL MEASURING DEVICE

Abstract

A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level in a container, the device including a housing, a spool means mounted to the housing and movable during operation, a line attached to the spool means, the line windable onto and from the spool means, a float attached to the end or adjacent the end of the line, a sensor to detect a change in the tension in the line, the sensor is mounted to the housing and is operatively associated with the line, and a measuring means to measure the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected, the predetermined change is when the float has reached the liquid level in the container, wherein in use, the line is unspooled from the spool means causing the float to move away from the housing, and wherein when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected the measuring means measures the length of line that has unspooled from the spool means.

Claims

1. A liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level in a container, the device including a housing; a spool means mounted to the housing and movable during operation; a line attached to the spool means, the line windable onto and from the spool means; a float attached to the end or adjacent the end of the line; a sensor to detect a change in the tension in the line, the sensor is mounted to the housing and is operatively associated with the line; and a measuring means to measure the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected, the predetermined change is when the float has reached the liquid level in the container, wherein in use, the line is unspooled from the spool means causing the float to move away from the housing, and wherein when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected the measuring means measures the length of line that has unspooled from the spool means.

2. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid level measuring device is attached near a top of the container and the float lowers towards the liquid level when the line is unspooled from the spool means.

3. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid level measuring device is attached near a lower portion of the container and the float floats towards the liquid level when the line is unspooled from the spool means.

4. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes one or more micro switches actuated when the tension in the line reaches a predetermined amount, or an accelerometer operatively in contact with the line, to detect a change in the tension in the line.

5. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor detects a predetermined change in the speed of movement of the spool to detect a change in the tension in the line.

6. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid level measuring device is attached to a lid or hatch of the container.

7. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the liquid level measuring device further includes an accelerometer and/or a tilt switch to indicate whether the lid or hatch is open or closed, and prevent the line from unspooling from the spool means when the lid or hatch is open.

8. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, further including a temperature sensor to measure the temperature in the container, and a humidity sensor to measure the humidity in the container.

9. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, further including an oxygen sensor to measure a concentration of oxygen in the container, and a dissolved oxygen sensor to measure the dissolved oxygen in the liquid in the container.

10. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, further including a CO.sub.2 sensor to measure a concentration of CO.sub.2 in the container, and a H.sub.2S sensor to measure a concentration of H.sub.2S in the container.

11. A liquid level measuring device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the liquid level measuring device is at least partially located within a hatch adapted to cover an opening of the container

12. A method of measuring a liquid level in a container, including the steps of unspooling a line from a spool means, the line having a float attached to the end or adjacent the end thereof, such that the line moves towards the liquid level; detecting with a sensor a change in the tension in the line; and measuring with a measuring means the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means when a predetermined change in tension is detected, the predetermined change is when the float has reached the liquid level in the container.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of winding the line onto the spool means after the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means has been measured.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of measuring with a temperature sensor the temperature in the container, and measuring with a humidity sensor the humidity in the container.

15. A method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of measuring with an oxygen sensor the concentration of oxygen in the container, and measuring with a dissolved oxygen sensor the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the liquid.

16. A method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of measuring with a CO.sub.2 sensor the concentration of CO.sub.2 in the container, and measuring with a H.sub.2S sensor the concentration of H.sub.2S in the container.

17. A method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of transmitting the measurement(s) to a remote device.

18. A tank for storing a liquid, the tank including a liquid level measuring device for measuring a liquid level in the tank, the device including a housing; a spool means mounted to the housing and movable during operation; a line attached to the spool means, the line windable onto and from the spool means; a float attached to the end or adjacent the end of the line; a sensor to detect a change in the tension in the line, the sensor is mounted to the housing and is operatively associated with the line; and a measuring means to measure the length of the line that is unspooled from the spool means when a predetermined change in tension in the line is detected, the predetermined change is when the float has reached the liquid level in the tank.

19. A tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tank is a stainless steel tank.

20. A tank as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tank is a fermentation tank for wine or a storage tank for wine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0074] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

[0075] FIG. 1A is a rear perspective view of a liquid measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 1B is a plan view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 1A;

[0077] FIG. 10 is a left side view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 1A;

[0078] FIG. 1D is a rear view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 1A;

[0079] FIG. 1E is a right side view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 1A;

[0080] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a liquid measuring device having a cover;

[0081] FIG. 2B is a plan view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 2A;

[0082] FIG. 2C is a left side view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 2A;

[0083] FIG. 2D is a rear view of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 2A;

[0084] FIG. 3 is a perspective partially sectioned view of a liquid measuring device, according to another embodiment of the present invention, attached to a hatch of a container;

[0085] FIG. 4 is perspective view of a CO.sub.2 sensor assembly of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 3; and

[0086] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the disc float of the liquid measuring device of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 1A to 1E there is shown a liquid measuring device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid measuring device 10 has a housing 12. A spool means in the form of a spool 14 is mounted to the housing 12. A line 16 is attached to the spool 14. The line 16 is windable onto and from the spool 14. The spool 14 is driven by an electric motor 18 via a worm gear 20 and a gear 22 which is attached to the spool 14.

[0088] A float 24 is attached to the end of the line 16. The float 24 is made from stainless steel and is hollow so that it can float in liquid.

[0089] The liquid measuring device 10 has pulleys 26, 28 which help guide the line 16.

[0090] The liquid measuring device 10 has a sensor 30 to detect a change in the tension in the line 16. The sensor 30 has a pulley 32 which engages with the line 16. The sensor 30 is pivotably mounted to the housing 12 and biased so that the pulley 32 engages with the line 16. When the tension in the line 16 changes, the sensor 30 pivots. A micro switch 34 associated with the sensor 30 engages when the tension in the line 16 increases by a predetermined amount and another micro switch 36 associated with the sensor 30 engages when the tension in the line 16 decreases by a predetermined amount.

[0091] The liquid measuring device 10 has a measuring means in the form of an encoder (not shown) associated with the spool 14. The encoder (not shown) measures the number of times that the spool 14 rotates, this equates to the length of the line 16 that is unspooled from the spool 14.

[0092] The liquid measuring device 10 also includes a controller (not shown) which receives output signals from the micro switches 34,36 and the encoder (not shown). The controller (not shown) controls the electric motor 18 to control the rotation of the spool 14.

[0093] With reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D there is shown a liquid measuring device 10 having a cover 38. The cover 38 is made from stainless steel and protects the internal parts of the liquid measuring device 10.

[0094] The cover 38 also enables the liquid measuring device 10 to be attached to a lid of a container (not shown).

[0095] The liquid measuring device 10 has an antenna 40 which enables the controller (not shown) to communicate with a remote server (not shown).

[0096] The liquid measuring device 10 has a connector 42. The connector 42 enables the liquid measuring device 10 to be connected to an external power supply (not shown). The connector 42 also enables the liquid measuring device 10 to be connected to sensors (not shown) such as a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, oxygen sensor, and/or a CO.sub.2 sensor. The liquid measuring device 10 can relay the readings from the sensors (not shown) to the remote server (not shown)

[0097] In use, with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2D, initially the float 24 is located adjacent the cover 38 (as seen in FIGS. 2A to 2D). When the controller (not shown) is sent a signal from a remote server (not shown) to measure the liquid level of a tank (not shown) to which the liquid measuring device 10 is attached, the controller engages the electric motor 18 to rotate the spool 14 so that the line 16 is unspooled from the spool 14.

[0098] As the line 16 is being unspooled from the spool 14 and the float 24 is moving away from the housing 12 of the liquid measuring device 10, the sensor 30 which is biased towards and engages with the line 16 detects the tension in the line 16. As the line 16 is being unspooled from the spool 14, the encoder (not shown) measures the number of times that the spool 14 rotates. When the float 24 reaches the liquid level of the tank (not shown), the tension in the line 16 is reduced. The reduction in the tension of the line causes the sensor 30 to pivot, which causes micro switch 36 to activate. On receiving the activation signal (output signal) from the micro switch 36, the controller (not shown) stops the electric motor 18. The controller (not shown) relays the output from the encoder (not shown) to the remote server (not shown). The remote server (not shown) converts the output from the encoder to a length of the line 16 that has unspooled from the spool means 14. To determine the level of the liquid in the tank (not shown), the remote server (not shown) subtracts the length of the line 16 that has unspooled from the spool means 14 from a predefined distance between the bottom of the tank and the liquid level measuring device 10.

[0099] After receiving the activation signal (output signal) from the micro switch 36, the controller (not shown) activates the electric motor 18 to rotate the spool 14 so that the line 16 is wound onto the spool 14. As the line 16 is being wound onto the spool 14 and the float 24 is moving towards the housing 12 of the liquid measuring device 10, the sensor 30 which is biased towards and engages with the line 16 detects the tension in the line 16. When the float 24 abuts the cover 38, the tension in the line 16 increases. The increase in the tension of the line causes the sensor 30 to pivot, which causes the micro switch 34 to activate. On receiving the activation signal (output signal) from the micro switch 34, the controller (not shown) stops the electric motor 18.

[0100] With reference to FIG. 3 there is shown a liquid measuring device 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The liquid measuring device 100 has a housing 112. The housing 112 is attached to a hatch 114 of a container (not shown). The hatch 114 is shown as partially sectioned. A line (not shown) extends from the housing 112 through the surface of the hatch 114. A float in the form of a flat disc 116 is attached to the line (not shown). An inlet/outlet portion 118 of a CO.sub.2 sensor assembly (best seen in FIG. 4) is attached to the hatch 114 and remote from the housing 112. Part of the inlet/outlet portion 118 extends through the hatch 114 so that air to be sampled is drawn from and returned to below the hatch 114. Inlet tube 120 and outlet tube 122 extend from the inlet/outlet portion 118 into the housing 112.

[0101] With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown a CO.sub.2 sensor assembly 130. The inlet/outlet portion 118 is connected to a manifold 132 by inlet tube 120. A CO.sub.2 sensor 134 is in fluid communication with the manifold 132 and measures the CO.sub.2 concentration of the gas that passes through the manifold 132. The CO.sub.2 sensor assembly 130 further includes a solenoid valve 136 and a pump 138 to move the gas from the inlet outlet portion 118 through the inlet tube 120, through the manifold 132 so that the gas can be measured by the CO.sub.2 sensor 134, and back towards the inlet outlet portion 118 through the outlet tube 122.

[0102] With reference to FIG. 5, there is shown a detailed view of the disc 116. The disc 116 is not designed to float in a liquid in a container (not shown), instead, when the disc 116 reaches the liquid level of the container (not shown), the tension in the line (not shown) is reduced, which can be detected as a reduction in the tension of the line and/or a reduction in the speed of the line.

Advantages

[0103] An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the liquid level measuring device includes that the level of liquid in a container can be established without manual intervention. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the liquid level measuring device includes that level of liquid in a container can be established for liquids that are covered by a layer of foam. An advantage of including CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S sensors is that measuring CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2S levels can provide an indication of whether a wine tank requires dry icing to reduce oxygen levels with an intent to minimise the risk of harmful bacteria growing in the tank. An advantage of including an accelerometer and/or a tilt switch is that the accelerometer and/or the tilt switch can assist in determining if the lid of the container has inadvertently been left open. An advantage of detecting a predetermined change in the speed of movement of the spool is that the float does not need to be buoyant.

Variations

[0104] While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

[0105] Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.