A level gauge probe
By setting multiple pressure and temperature sensors on the level gauge probe and combining them with density calculation, the problems of measurement accuracy and management complexity of existing probes in complex environments are solved, and high reliability and high accuracy of oil volume measurement are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VEEDER-ROOT PETROLEUM EQUIP (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing level gauge probes suffer from reduced measurement accuracy when encountering impurities, oil crystallization, or wax formation. They also cannot cope with the liquid miscibility of alcohol-based gasoline, resulting in large measurement errors, complex product configurations, high management costs, and limitations imposed by the manufacturing capabilities of waveguide wire materials.
Multiple pressure and temperature sensors are arranged on the probe to accurately measure the oil volume by measuring the pressure and temperature inside the oil storage tank and combining the density calculation formula. This method requires no moving structure and avoids environmental impact.
It enables high-precision oil volume measurement in complex environments, reduces measurement errors, improves probe reliability and ease of management, and reduces product configuration complexity.
Smart Images
Figure CN224317114U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to oil metering equipment, and in particular to a level gauge probe. Background Technology
[0002] Gas stations primarily handle the procurement, sales, and storage of fuel, all of which require quantitative measurement of the fuel in storage tanks for effective fuel management. However, measuring bulk liquids like fuel cannot be done by simply counting, and weighing is inconvenient in a gas station setting. The most common method is to measure the liquid volume, specifically the amount of fuel occupied in the storage tank. Currently, level gauges are typically used for this purpose. These gauges consist of a probe installed on the storage tank and a control panel located in the gas station office. By detecting the height of the fuel level in the tank, the volume occupied by the fuel can be determined.
[0003] Current probes primarily utilize magnetostrictive technology, employing an oil float that follows changes in liquid level to determine the oil height. However, storage tanks may contain moisture, necessitating a water float connected in series with the probe. The oil and water floats can then float at the oil surface and oil-water interface, respectively, to determine the net oil height. However, if impurities become trapped, or if the oil crystallizes or forms wax, the oil and water floats may become stuck, leading to incorrect level readings. Furthermore, probes only have one set of oil and water floats, with no backups; if a float becomes stuck, the probe loses all measurement capability. In cases where alcohol-based gasoline exhibits liquid miscibility, measuring the alcohol-water mixture is challenging, reducing probe accuracy. Additionally, different oil floats are required for different oils, complicating probe configuration and increasing management costs. Moreover, the probe's measurement accuracy is limited by the manufacturing quality of its internal waveguide wire material. Therefore, a novel probe is urgently needed in this field. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the technical problems existing in the prior art, this utility model proposes a level gauge probe, comprising: a mounting head disposed on an oil storage tank; and a probe rod comprising an electronic head, a probe rod body, and multiple first pressure sensors. The electronic head is disposed in the mounting head, the probe rod body is connected to the electronic head and extends into the oil storage tank, and the multiple first pressure sensors are disposed at different heights along the axial direction of the probe rod body. The electronic head includes electronic components connected to the first pressure sensors and transmits the detection results of the first pressure sensors to a control console.
[0005] As described above, in the liquid level gauge probe, multiple first pressure sensors are arranged at equal intervals on the probe body.
[0006] As described above, in the level gauge probe, multiple first pressure sensors are arranged from the end furthest from the electronic head to the end closest to the electronic head.
[0007] The level gauge probe described above further includes a second pressure sensor, which is mounted on the probe body and close to the electronic head, for detecting the gas phase pressure inside the oil storage tank.
[0008] The level gauge probe described above further includes: one or more temperature sensors disposed on the probe body along the axial direction of the probe body.
[0009] As described above, the level gauge probe body is composed of multiple segments, and the first pressure sensor is located on at least one segment of the probe body furthest from the electronic head.
[0010] As described above, the level gauge probe includes a mounting base and a protective cover. The mounting base is installed on the oil storage tank and secures the electronic head; the protective cover is located on the mounting base and is used to protect the electronic head.
[0011] As described above, the level gauge probe has an internal thread at the first end of the mounting base for threaded connection with the riser of the oil storage tank; an external thread at the second end of the mounting base for threaded connection with the protective cover; and a mounting hole inside the mounting base that passes through the first and second ends for mounting the electronic head.
[0012] As described above, the level gauge probe has a stepped structure inside the mounting hole for mounting and snapping the electronic head and providing axial positioning for the electronic head.
[0013] As described above, the level gauge probe has an internal thread at one end of the protective cover for connection with the mounting base, and an opening on the top surface of the protective cover for accommodating the electronic head for communication connection with the control console.
[0014] The liquid level probe of this application has a simple structure, does not detect liquid height through moving parts, is not affected by the detection environment, has high reliability, provides accurate detection results, and facilitates product management of the probe. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The preferred embodiments of this utility model will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a level gauge probe according to one embodiment of this application;
[0017] Figure 2 An exploded view of a level gauge probe according to an embodiment of this application;
[0018] Figures 3A-3C A schematic diagram of a level gauge probe structure according to an embodiment of this application; and
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a probe application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0020] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.
[0021] In the following detailed description, reference can be made to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this application and illustrate specific embodiments of the present application. In the drawings, similar reference numerals describe substantially similar components in different figures. Specific embodiments of the present application are described in sufficient detail below to enable those skilled in the art to implement the technical solutions of the present application. It should be understood that other embodiments may also be utilized, or structural, logical, or electrical changes may be made to the embodiments of the present application.
[0022] This application proposes a novel level gauge probe that changes the traditional probe structure based on "magnetostrictive" technology. By setting multiple pressure sensors on the probe, the volume of oil in the storage tank can be measured through the pressure sensors, thus enabling accurate measurement of the oil volume without being limited by the waveguide wire material.
[0023] The technical solution of this application will be further illustrated below through specific implementation methods. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following description is merely for the convenience of understanding the technical solution of this application and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a level gauge probe according to one embodiment of this application. Figure 2 An exploded view of a level gauge probe according to one embodiment of this application. Figures 3A-3C This is a schematic diagram of a level gauge probe structure according to an embodiment of this application.
[0025] As shown in the figure, the level gauge probe (hereinafter referred to as "probe") 100 may include a mounting head 110 and a probe rod 120. The mounting head 110 is used to mount the probe onto an oil storage tank. The probe rod is connected to the mounting head and can extend into the oil storage tank to detect data within the tank. In some embodiments, the data may include oil level, water level, liquid density, liquid pressure, temperature, etc. In some embodiments, the probe rod 120 may also be connected to a control console, allowing the data detected by the probe rod 120 to be transmitted to the control console.
[0026] In some embodiments, the mounting head 110 may include a mounting base 111 and a protective cover 112. The mounting base can be connected to an oil storage tank, and the protective cover is disposed on the mounting base and can form a cavity with the mounting base to accommodate and protect a probe rod connected to the mounting base. In some embodiments, the mounting base may be tubular, with its first end including an internal thread 1111 for connecting to the riser of the oil storage tank, thereby mounting the probe rod to the oil storage tank; the second end may include an external thread 1112 for connecting to the protective cover; the interior of the mounting base includes a mounting hole 1113 penetrating the first and second ends, which can be used to mount the probe rod and connect it to the mounting base. In some embodiments, the mounting hole may include a stepped structure to provide axial positioning for mounting the probe rod. In some embodiments, one end of the protective cover 112 may include an internal thread 1121 for connecting to the second end of the mounting base; the top surface of the protective cover 112 may include an opening 1122 for accommodating a control console connected to the probe rod.
[0027] In some embodiments, the probe 120 may include a probe body 121 and an electronic head 122. The electronic head 122 may include a protruding stepped structure that can engage with the stepped structure of the mounting hole in the mounting base, providing support and positioning for the probe. The probe body 121 may be connected to the electronic head and extend into the oil storage tank. In some embodiments, the probe 120 may further include a plurality of first pressure sensors 123, a second pressure sensor 124, and a plurality of temperature sensors 125, thereby detecting the pressure and temperature in the oil storage tank. In some embodiments, the plurality of first pressure sensors 123 and / or the plurality of temperature sensors 125 may be arranged along the axial direction of the probe body 121 on the probe body, respectively measuring the pressure and temperature (liquid temperature or gas phase temperature) at different heights. In some embodiments, the plurality of first pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors may be arranged at equal intervals. In some embodiments, the first pressure sensors and / or temperature sensors are arranged from the end furthest from the electronic head to the end closest to the electronic head. In some embodiments, the second pressure sensor 124 may be disposed on the probe body 121 and close to the electronic head, and may be used to detect the pressure of the gas phase space in the oil storage tank.
[0028] In some embodiments, the electronic head 122 may further include circuit elements and may be connected to a first pressure sensor, a second pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor to receive sensor detection data. In some embodiments, the electronic head 122 may also be connected to the control panel of the level gauge. For example, a communication cable connects the electronic head to the control panel through an opening in the protective cover, thereby uploading sensor detection data to the control panel, which can then calculate data such as liquid density, oil level, and water level based on the detection data.
[0029] In some embodiments, the probe body 121 may be composed of multiple probe segments spliced together, thereby increasing the length of the probe and expanding its application range. In some embodiments, the first pressure sensor and temperature sensor may be arranged at equal intervals on a probe segment away from the electronic head, and each probe segment includes a connector to connect the sensors to the electronic head. In some embodiments, the first pressure sensor and temperature sensor may also be arranged at equal intervals on multiple probe segments, thereby facilitating the determination of the distance between the sensors.
[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a probe application scenario according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in the figure, the probe 100 can be installed on the oil storage tank 10 and extend into the oil storage tank. It can be used to measure the pressure and temperature inside the oil storage tank, and can upload the measured data to the control console of the level gauge to calculate the volume of oil in the oil storage tank.
[0031] According to one embodiment of this application, the second pressure sensor, denoted as A, is positioned near the electronic head of the probe, and the pressure value it measures is represented by P. a This indicates that, because this location is inside the oil tank near the tank opening, even when the tank is full, the pressure will not reach this level. Therefore, the pressure measured here is always the gas pressure value of the gas phase space inside the oil tank. Five first pressure sensors are arranged near the end of the probe, labeled O1, O2, O3, O4, and O5 from bottom to top; the pressure values measured by each first pressure sensor are denoted by P. o1 P o2 P o3 P o4 P o5 The distance between two adjacent pressure sensors is represented by H. 12 H 23 H 34 H 45 This is indicated. Furthermore, assuming the oil level is between O4 and O5, and the water level is between O2 and O3, the oil volume of this application is calculated as follows:
[0032] First, by comparing the pressure value measured by the first pressure sensor with the pressure value measured by the second pressure sensor, P can be determined. o5 =P a P o4 >P a Therefore, it can be determined that the oil level is between O4 and O5.
[0033] Secondly, by using the pressure value measured by the first pressure sensor and the density calculation formula to calculate the liquid density between each pressure sensor, ρ can be obtained. 12 ρ 23 ρ 34 ρ 45 By comparing the obtained liquid densities, ρ can be obtained. 12 >ρ 23 ρ 23 >ρ 34 Therefore, it can be determined that the oil-water interface is located between O2 and O3. Furthermore, the oil density can be calculated as ρ. 34 The density of water is ρ 12 The oil density can be compared with the standard density of the corresponding stored oil for verification. In some embodiments, if the oil-water separation interface is located elsewhere, the oil density and / or water density can also be calculated using density calculation formulas.
[0034] The density calculation formula is ρ mn =(P on -P om ) / gH mn Wherein, ρ mn This represents the density results between each of the first pressure sensors; m and n represent the serial numbers of each first pressure sensor, for example, the liquid density between O2 and O3 is expressed in terms of ρ. 23 This indicates that the liquid densities between O2 and O5 are expressed in terms of ρ. 25 express.
[0035] Secondly, the distance H between the pressure sensor and the liquid surface is calculated using the density data and the pressure measurement results from pressure sensor O3 or pressure sensor O4. ox And based on the distance H between pressure sensor O3 or pressure sensor O4 and the liquid surface. ox The distance H between pressure sensor O3 or pressure sensor O4 on the detection rod 1x The liquid level height H can be obtained. o .
[0036] The formula for calculating the distance between the first pressure sensor and the liquid surface is H. ox =P ox / ρ g g. Where, ρg This represents the density of the oil.
[0037] Finally, the oil height H is calculated using the pressure calculation formula and the liquid level calculation formula. g and water height H w Based on the calculation results, by comparing them with the tank capacity table, data such as the total volume of liquid, water volume, and oil volume inside the tank can be obtained.
[0038] The formula for calculating liquid level height is: H g +H w =H o
[0039] The formula for calculating pressure is: ρ g gH g +ρ w gH w =P 01
[0040] Where, ρ w This is the density of water.
[0041] The probe of this application can be fixed to the oil storage tank and calculate the oil volume. It requires no movement during the measurement process, is not limited by the detection environment, and has high reliability and accurate calculation results. Furthermore, multiple pressure measurement points can be used for verification and validation during density measurement and calculation, effectively reducing measurement errors and improving the reliability of the probe. Even in cases where the oil-water interface is unclear, the theoretical interface position can be accurately calculated. In addition, the probe of this application can also use a temperature sensor to monitor the working status of the oil storage tank and a pressure sensor to monitor the airtightness of the oil storage tank, eliminating the need for additional sensor monitoring.
[0042] The above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions should also fall within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A level gauge probe, characterized in that, include: The mounting head is installed on the oil storage tank; as well as The probe rod includes an electronic head, a probe body, and multiple first pressure sensors. The electronic head is located in the mounting head, the probe body is connected to the electronic head and extends into the oil storage tank, and the multiple first pressure sensors are located at different heights of the probe body along the axial direction of the probe body. The electronic head includes electronic components that are connected to a first pressure sensor and send the detection results of the first pressure sensor to a control console.
2. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple primary pressure sensors are arranged at equal intervals on the probe body.
3. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple first pressure sensors are arranged from the end furthest from the electronic head to the end closest to the electronic head.
4. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: The second pressure sensor, which is mounted on the probe body and close to the electronic head, is used to detect the gas phase pressure inside the oil storage tank.
5. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: One or more temperature sensors are disposed on the probe body along the axial direction of the probe body.
6. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The probe body is composed of multiple segments, and the first pressure sensor is located on at least one segment of the probe body furthest from the electronic head.
7. The level gauge probe according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting head includes a mounting base and a protective cover. The mounting base is installed on the oil storage tank and secures the electronic head; the protective cover is installed on the mounting base and is used to protect the electronic head.
8. The level gauge probe according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first end of the mounting base includes an internal thread for connection with the riser thread of the oil storage tank; the second end of the mounting base includes an external thread for connection with the protective cover; the interior of the mounting base includes a mounting hole penetrating the first and second ends for mounting the electronic head.
9. The level gauge probe according to claim 8, characterized in that, The mounting hole includes a stepped structure for mounting the electronic head and providing axial positioning for the electronic head.
10. The level gauge probe according to claim 7, characterized in that, One end of the protective cover includes internal threads for connection to the mounting base, and the top surface of the protective cover includes an opening for accommodating the electronic head for communication connection with the control console.