Infrared Tank Level Detection via Thermal Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for monitoring fluid levels in tanks are costly, unsanitary, environmentally unsafe, and prone to fluid loss due to the need to empty or partially drain tanks for device placement, and they struggle with detecting leaks efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing infrared image capture devices and image processing techniques, including convolutional neural networks and region proposal networks, to continuously monitor fluid levels in tanks, detect leaks, and provide real-time data and alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a flotation device is placed within the tank to measure fluid levels, then fluid level monitoring is enabled, but the tank must be emptied or partially drained which causes fluid loss, environmental safety issues, and operational costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrared camera as an intermediary device positioned outside the tank that can detect fluid levels through thermal imaging without requiring direct contact with the fluid. The camera captures thermal signatures of the fluid surface, allowing measurement of fluid levels while the tank remains full and operational, thus eliminating fluid loss and environmental safety concerns associated with draining the tank for device installation
2Measurement precision
If a flotation device is placed within the tank, then fluid level detection is possible, but device retrieval is difficult and time-consuming when the device fails or needs replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from inside the tank to an external position. The infrared camera is mounted outside the tank on a tripod or fixed structure, completely removing the need to place any device inside the tank. When the system needs maintenance or calibration, only the external camera requires attention, which can be accessed without draining the tank or risking worker safety inside the tank, thus eliminating time-consuming device retrieval operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flotation device with an optical-infrared detection system. Instead of using a physical device that floats on and interacts with the fluid, the system uses infrared radiation detection to measure fluid levels remotely. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical device placement and retrieval operations entirely
3Measurement precision
If traditional monitoring methods are used, then fluid levels can be measured, but leaks are difficult to detect and significant fluid loss occurs before detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring using the infrared camera system that captures thermal images at regular intervals. The system continuously tracks fluid levels and can detect abnormal changes that indicate leaks. Because the monitoring is continuous and non-intrusive, the system can identify leaks early in their development, preventing the significant fluid loss that occurs with traditional periodic or reactive monitoring methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermal signature variations (analogous to color changes in visual detection) to identify leaks. The infrared camera detects changes in thermal patterns around the tank, such as temperature differences caused by leaking fluid, allowing visual identification of leak locations and conditions without physical inspection or intervention
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables continuous, accurate, and safe monitoring of fluid levels and leak detection, reducing environmental risks and operational costs while improving regulatory compliance.
Implementation Method 1
receive, from a first infrared image capture device with a first field of view, a first image including a first fluid storage tank storing a first fluid, the image including a plurality of image intensities, a first image intensity associated with a first temperature of a first portion of the first fluid storage tank with a first internal surface that is in contact with the first fluid stored therein and a second image intensity associated with a second temperature of a second portion of the first fluid storage tank with a second internal surface that is not in contact with the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprising receiving, from a infrared image capture device, an image including a fluid storage tank storing a fluid, the image including an image intensity associated with a temperature of the fluid storage tank with an internal surface that is in contact with the fluid and an image intensity associated with a temperature of the first fluid storage tank with an internal surface that is not in contact with the fluid, generating feature maps, sliding a window to obtain a plurality of anchor shapes using a region proposal network, determining if each anchor shape contains an object to generate a plurality of regions of interest, extracting feature maps from each region of interest, classifying objects in each region of interest, identifying stored fluid using the objects, determining volume of stored fluid based on the stored fluid, and providing the volume to a digital device for display.