SENSOR FOR REMOTE MEASUREMENT OF FLUID DEPTH IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

Abstract

A pneumatic depth sensor system for remotely reporting on a depth of a body of fluid is provided. The system comprises a regulated source of compressed gas, a first pressure sensor upstream from a normally-closed electronic solenoid valve, a second pressure sensor downstream from the electronic solenoid valve and a bubbler outlet downstream from the second pressure sensor, the bubbler outlet for locating at a bottom of the body of fluid, the depth sensor system under control of a microprocessor, the microprocessor in electronic communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the normally-closed electronic solenoid valve, and configured to instruct the normally-closed electronic solenoid valve to be in a fully open position or a fully closed position and to rapidly change position in response to a pressure reading from the second pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A differential pressure depth sensor, for use with a regulated source of a compressed gas and a power source, for measuring depth of a fluid in a remote location, the depth sensor comprising a supply gas line, a first pressure sensor line, a first pressure sensor, a differential pressure, rapidly oscillating electronic solenoid valve, a bubbler gas line, a second pressure sensor line, a second pressure sensor and a microprocessor, the supply gas line in fluid communication with the first pressure sensor line, and the electronic solenoid valve, the bubbler gas line in fluid communication with the electronic solenoid valve and with the second pressure sensor line, and terminating in a bubbler outlet, the first and second pressure sensor lines in fluid communication with the first and second pressure sensors, respectively, the first pressure sensor upstream from the electronic solenoid valve, the second pressure sensor downstream from the electronic solenoid valve, the microprocessor in electronic communication with the first and the second pressure sensors and the electronic solenoid valve, the microprocessor configured to: modulate pressure and flow rate of the compressed gas by instructing the electronic solenoid valve to oscillate rapidly between an opened and a closed position, to provide a differential pressure over the electronic solenoid valve; and to measure the differential pressure between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor.

2. The depth sensor of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to instruct the electronic solenoid valve to operate at a frequency and a duty cycle in response to a pressure reading by the second pressure sensor in relation to a time.

3. The depth sensor of claim 2, wherein the electronic solenoid valve has a response time between the opened and the closed position of about 1 to about 10 milliseconds.

4. The depth sensor of claim 3, further comprising a check valve in the supply gas line.

5. The depth sensor of claim 4, further comprising an expansion tank, the expansion tank in fluid communication with the gas supply line.

6. The depth sensor of claim 5, wherein the electronic solenoid valve has an orifice with an inside diameter of about 0.635 mm inside diameter to about 3 mm inside diameter.

7. A pneumatic differential pressure depth sensor system for use with a power source, the sensor system for remotely reporting on a depth of a body of fluid, the system comprising a regulated source of compressed gas, a first pressure sensor upstream from a differential pressure, rapidly oscillating electronic solenoid valve, a second pressure sensor downstream from the electronic solenoid valve and a bubbler outlet downstream from the second pressure sensor, the bubbler outlet for locating at a bottom of the body of fluid, the depth sensor system under control of a microprocessor, the microprocessor in electronic communication with the first and second pressure sensors and the electronic solenoid valve, and configured to instruct the electronic solenoid valve to oscillate rapidly between an opened and a closed position, to provide a differential pressure over the electronic solenoid valve; to measure the differential pressure between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor; and to rapidly change position in response to a pressure reading from the second pressure sensor.

8. The pneumatic depth sensor system of claim 7, further comprising an expansion tank, the expansion tank upstream from the first pressure sensor.

9. The pneumatic depth sensor system of claim 8, wherein the pressure sensors are piezo-resistive differential pressure sensors.

10. The pneumatic depth sensor system of claim 9, wherein the regulated source of compressed gas is an air compressor.

11. The pneumatic depth sensor system of claim 10, further comprising an air dryer upstream of the compressor.

12. The pneumatic depth sensor system of claim 11, wherein the bubbler outlet has an inside diameter of about 1.58 mm to about 12.7 mm.

13. The depth sensor system of claim 12, wherein the electronic solenoid valve has a response time between the fully opened and the fully closed position of about 1 to about 10 milliseconds.

14. The depth sensor system of claim 13, further comprising the power source.

15. The depth sensor system of claim 14, wherein the power source is at least one solar panel.

16. The depth sensor system of claim 15, wherein the power source further comprises at least one battery.

17. A method of remotely measuring the depth of a body of fluid, the method comprising: utilizing a regulated source of pressurized gas, a gas supply system, the gas supply system including: a supply gas line; a bubbler gas line terminating in a bubbler outlet; a first pressure sensor in fluid communication with the supply gas line; a second pressure sensor in fluid communication with the bubbler gas line; and a differential pressure, rapidly oscillating electronic solenoid valve in fluid communication with and located between the supply gas line and the bubbler gas line, downstream from the first pressure sensor and upstream from the second pressure sensor, and a microprocessor in electronic communication with the gas supply system; locating the bubbler outlet at the bottom of the body of fluid; pressurizing the gas supply system to expel a stream of bubbles from the bubbler outlet; rapidly modulating, under control of the microprocessor, the electronic solenoid valve between a fully open position and a fully closed position; measuring a pressure differential between the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor; and calculating a depth of the body of fluid.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein an output from the second pressure sensor is measured periodically by the microprocessor to determine the depth of the body of fluid.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising reporting the depth of the body of fluid.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein reporting is to a logging and telemetry system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electronic solenoid valve has an orifice with an inside diameter of about 0.635 mm inside diameter to about 3 mm inside diameter.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the electronic solenoid valve cycles between the fully open position and the fully closed position in about 5 milliseconds to about 10 milliseconds.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the electronic solenoid valve is in the open position for about 10 milliseconds to about 250 milliseconds.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the electronic solenoid valve is in the open position for about 10 milliseconds.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the body of fluid is a body of water.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the body of water is a river, a stream, a lake, a pond, a swamp or a bog.

Description

FIGURES

[0041] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of the remote depth sensor system of the present technology;

[0042] FIG. 1B shows a cross section at line B1; FIG. 1C shows a cross section at line C1; and FIG. 1D shows a cross section at line D1.

[0043] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the depth sensor of the present technology.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the gas supply system of the present technology.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the present technology.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another alternative embodiment of the present technology.

[0047] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the method of the present technology.

DESCRIPTION

Definitions

[0048] Normally-closedin the context of the present technology, a normally closed valve is one that has a fast response time, in the order of 1 to 5 or 10 milliseconds (msec) such that unless it is open, it is closed, with virtually no time between the open and the closed position.

System

[0049] A pneumatic depth sensor system for remotely sensing the depth of bodies of water, including, for example, but not limited to, lakes, rivers, streams, reservoirs, ponds, tailing ponds, treatment plant ponds, bogs, and swamps, generally referred to as 10 is shown in FIG. 1A. A regulated source of pressured gas 12, preferably an air compressor 13, is preferably powered by solar panels 14 or a combination of batteries 16 and solar panels 14. An air dryer 18 provides a dry source of air to the compressor 13 through an ambient gas line 20. A supply gas line 22 delivers compressed air to a check valve 24 and is therefore in fluid communication with the check valve 24. The supply gas line 22 delivers the compressed air, and is therefore in fluid communication with an expansion tank line 28, a first pressure sensor line 30, which is downstream from the expansion tank line 28, an optional snubber valve 32, which is downstream from the first pressure sensor line 30, and a modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34, which is downstream from the snubber valve 32. The snubber valve 32 can contribute to providing a fixed volume of gas to the modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34.

[0050] The expansion tank line 28 delivers compressed air to an expansion tank 40, which is at the terminus 29 of the expansion tank line 28 and is therefore in fluid communication with the expansion tank line 28. Similarly, the first pressure sensor line 30 delivers compressed air to a first pressure sensor 42, which is at the terminus 31 of the first pressure sensor line 30 and is therefore in fluid communication with the first pressure sensor 42.

[0051] A bubbler gas line 50 is in fluid communication with the modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34 and a second pressure sensor line 52, which is downstream from the modulated pneumatic solenoid valve 34. The bubbler outlet 54 of the bubbler gas line 50 is in fluid communication with the ambient environment 56. The second pressure sensor line 52 delivers compressed air to a second pressure sensor 58, which is at the terminus 51 of the second pressure sensor line 52 and is therefore in fluid communication with the second pressure sensor 58. There is an optional fluid pressure sensor 62 attached to the bubbler gas line 50 in the vicinity of the bubbler outlet 54. The optional fluid pressure sensor 62 is a lower accuracy, fast response pressure sensor used for controlling the airflow to assist in controlling the modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34 in conditions where a fast response time is desirable. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C, the bubbler outlet 54 has the same inside diameter 57 as the gas line 22, 50 inside diameter 59.

[0052] Each of the air compressor 13, the first and second pressure sensors 42, 58, and the modulated pneumatic solenoid valve 34 are in electronic communication with a microprocessor 80. The air compressor 13 is preferably a 12 Volt Direct Current (DC), 8 Amp, 10% duty cycle (1 minute on, 9 minute off), 40 to +70 degree C. operating range compressor. The gas lines are preferably about 3.175 mm inside diameter tubes, but can range from about 1.58 mm to about 12.7 mm and all diameters in between. The expansion tank 40 is preferably a one liter expansion tank 40, but could range from about 0.25 L to about 5 L and all volumes in between. The pressure sensors 42, 58 are preferably piezo-resistive transducers, 0-700 kPa (0-101.5 PSI), 0.2-4.7 Volt DC output, differential pressure, dual port pressure sensors Model MPX5700DP from Freescale. The modulated pneumatic solenoid valve is preferably corrosion resistant, with 0.110 spade terminals, normally closed, 2 way, manifold mount, 12 Volt DC, silicone seals, #10-32 threaded port electronic pneumatic solenoid valve Model CR-ET-2M-12-S from Clippard. The modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34 has a large orifice 88 (about 0.635 mm inside diameter to about 3 mm inside diameter) (see FIG. 1D) with a rapid response time of about 5 to about 10 milliseconds (msec). This is a normally-closed valve. Without being bound to theory, a response time of 10 msec or less (about 1 msec) allows the valve 34 to be modulated to provide the desired flow rate for producing bubbles. Hence, a rapid response time, or rapidly oscillating, or rapidly changing position refers to a time of less than about 10 milliseconds. The large diameter of the orifice 88 greatly reduces the chance of it being partially or completely occluded. The rapid response time allows for the modulated pneumatic normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34 to be virtually either open or closed as the rate of opening and closing is very high. The rapidity at which it opens and closes allows gas flow to be regulated thereby overcoming the shortcomings in accuracy normally provided by a large orifice. The use of this valve reduces or eliminates the need for calibration of the air flow because the controlling element is a modulated normally-closed solenoid valve rather than a very fine fixed orifice. The solenoid open/close duty cycle is what determines the air flow and it can be precisely controlled by the micro-controller.

[0053] The depth sensor component of the system 10, generally referred to as 90 is shown in FIG. 2. It includes the supply gas line 22, check valve 24, the first pressure sensor line 30, the first pressure sensor 42, the normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34, the bubbler gas line 50 with its bubbler outlet 54, the second pressure sensor line 52, the second pressure sensor 58, the microprocessor 80 and the optional snubber valve 32. Again, there is an optional fluid pressure sensor 62 attached to the bubbler gas line 50 in the vicinity of the bubbler outlet 54.

[0054] The gas supply system, generally referred to as 92 is shown in FIG. 3. It includes the supply gas line 22, the check valve 24, the first pressure sensor 42, the optional snubber valve 32, the normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34, the bubbler gas line 50 with its bubbler outlet 54, and the second pressure sensor 58.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the air compressor 13, dryer 18, check valve 24 and expansion tank 40 are replaced with a tank of compressed gas 94 and a regulator 96. The remainder of the depth sensor system 10 is the same as for the first embodiment i.e. the rest of the depth sensor component 90 and the rest of the gas supply system 92 is the same as for the first embodiment.

[0056] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the normally-closed electronic solenoid valve 34 and optional snubber valve 32 are replaced with an electronic needle valve 134. An optional flow sensor 136 is downstream in the bubbler gas line 50. Both the electronic needle valve 134 and the flow sensor 136 are in electronic communication with the microprocessor 80, as is the first pressure sensor 42. This embodiment may include the air compressor 13 or the source of compressed gas 94 and regulator 96.

Method of Operation

[0057] In general, the methodology, as shown in FIG. 6, utilizes a regulated source of pressurized gas on the surface of the body of water (or proximate to the body of water), gas lines, pressure sensors and a modulated normally-closed electronic solenoid valve, with at least the bubbler outlet retained at the bottom of the body of water. The depth sensor is pressurized 200 until gas starts to bubble 202 out of the bubbler outlet. At that point the pressure at the second pressure sensor is the pressure at the bottom of the pond. From this, the depth of the liquid can be determined, assuming that the density of the fluid is known. The second pressure sensor output is measured 206 periodically by the microprocessor and the liquid depth is calculated 208 and made available 210 to logging and telemetry systems by electronic serial data interface.

[0058] In the preferred embodiment, the regulated source of pressurized gas is an air compressor under control of the microprocessor. Gas pressure is modulated by the modulated normally-closed electronic solenoid pneumatic valve under control of the microprocessor. The pressure is modulated by opening and closing the orifice. As noted above, it is, for all intents and purposes, strictly open or strictly closed. The time frame in which the orifice is open can be varied with the software. The shorter the duty cycle, the lower the gas flow and the more accurate the measurement. The time open is between about 10 to about 250 milliseconds, with about 10 milliseconds providing the greatest accuracy. If the water level is changing quickly the open time and the closed time can be changed to accurately track the depth changes on the fly.

[0059] Initially the expansion tank is at atmospheric pressure. At start up the microcontroller measures pressures at the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor and controls the air compressor to maintain a constant differential pressure P1P2, where P1 is the pressure measured at the first pressure sensor and P2 is the pressure measured at the second pressure sensor. The differential pressure is maintained between about 3 pounds per square inch (PSI) and about 7 PSI and all pressures therebetween. The maximum operating absolute pressure of the system is limited by the pressure rating of the first and second pressure sensors and other components. Using the disclosed components, the system can operate at up to about 101.5 PSI allowing water depth measurements of up to about 71.3 m. Greater depths could be measured if components with greater pressure ratings are used.

[0060] When a suitable pressure differential is achieved the microcontroller begins to modulate the open and close times of solenoid valve to adjust air flow to the bubbler outlet. An algorithm is used to determine the frequency and duty cycle of the modulation based on value of Pressure 2 and delta Pressure 2/delta time. This allows for rapid adjustment of the pressure in the gas lines, which in turn, allows for rapid reaction to changes in the depth of the fluid being measured.

[0061] While example embodiments have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be an example of a possible most practical and/or suitable embodiment, it is to be understood that the descriptions are not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the example embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific example embodiments specifically described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed in the scope of the claims, if appended hereto or subsequently filed.