Liquid Volume Determination Using Bottom Pressure Sensor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the volume of liquid in large tanks used for pesticides are inaccurate and inefficient, leading to potential crop damage and waste, as they rely on rudimentary techniques such as dipsticks or emptying and refilling the tank.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a pressure sensor at the bottom of the container, connected to a data processing device that calculates the liquid volume based on sensed pressure, using lookup tables or physical properties, and communicates this volume to a user interface for accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dipstick is used to measure liquid level, then the measurement method is simple, but the measurement precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dipstick measurement system with an electronic pressure sensing system. The pressure sensor measures liquid pressure at the bottom of the tank, and a microprocessor converts this pressure reading into an accurate volume measurement using stored tank geometry data. This substitution eliminates the inaccuracy of visual dipstick readings while maintaining ease of operation through automatic digital measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the tank is emptied and refilled with measured liquid, then the total volume can be determined, but substance loss occurs and time is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing the tank's geometric data and pressure-volume conversion algorithms in the microprocessor's memory during system setup. This allows the system to immediately calculate volume from pressure readings without requiring physical emptying or refilling operations. The preliminary programming of tank dimensions enables instant, waste-free volume determination throughout the tank's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical emptying-and-refilling method with an electronic pressure sensing and calculation system. The pressure sensor continuously monitors liquid pressure, and the microprocessor automatically converts this to volume using pre-stored geometric data, eliminating the need to physically empty and refill the tank to determine volume.
3Measurement precision
If the tank is emptied and refilled, then the volume can be calculated, but time is lost due to the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-programming the tank's geometric characteristics and pressure-volume conversion algorithms into the microprocessor during system initialization. This preliminary setup enables immediate, real-time volume calculations from pressure readings without requiring time-consuming emptying and refilling operations, reducing measurement time to seconds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of emptying and refilling with an instantaneous electronic measurement system. The pressure sensor continuously measures liquid pressure, and the microprocessor instantly converts this to volume using pre-stored geometric data, reducing volume determination time from minutes or hours to seconds.
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
Provides an accurate and efficient method for determining the remaining liquid volume in tanks, reducing errors and waste, and enabling precise dispensing of pesticides, thus ensuring crop health and resource management.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure sensor located at a bottom of said container, said pressure sensor determining a pressure exerted by liquid in said container on said sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices relating to the determination of a volume of liquid in a container. A pressure sensor is located at a bottom of the container. The pressure sensor senses the pressure exerted on it by the liquid in the container. This pressure is communicated with a data processing device. The data processing device determines the volume of the liquid in the container based on the sensed pressure. This may be done by reference to a look up table containing pressure values and their corresponding volumes. Similarly, this may be done by calculating the volume of the liquid based on the dimensions of the container, the physical qualities of the liquid, and the sensed pressure. The volume of the liquid in the container is then transmitted from the data processing device to a user interface device for presentation to a user.