RFID Triangulated Tank Gauging Without Mechanical Risers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tank gauging systems require mechanical risers and guiding rails to ensure accurate readings, which can lead to false readings due to friction and misalignment, particularly in large storage tanks, and are prone to mechanical failures.
Innovation Solution
A radio-frequency identification (RFID) triangulated tank gauging method that uses freely floating RFID devices on the liquid surface, processing return signals with a triangulation algorithm to determine liquid height and volume, eliminating the need for mechanical components and allowing for accurate readings across varying tank configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanical risers and guiding rails are used to ensure accurate readings, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and reliability worsen due to mechanical failures and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float sensor system with risers and guiding rails with a wireless RFID-based triangulation system. The RFID device floats freely on the liquid surface without mechanical constraints, and its position is determined through radio frequency signal triangulation from multiple interrogators, eliminating mechanical components that cause friction and failures while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID signals as an intermediary to determine liquid level. Instead of direct mechanical contact between the float and measurement system, the RFID device communicates its position wirelessly through radio frequency signals that are processed by interrogators to calculate the liquid level via triangulation, providing a non-contact measurement method.
2Measurement precision
If mechanical risers and guiding rails are used to constrain the float, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the complex mechanical structure of risers and guiding rails by substituting it with a wireless RFID triangulation system. The RFID device floats freely without mechanical constraints, and its position is determined through radio frequency signal processing, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the mechanical constraint components (risers and guiding rails) from the system. By taking out these complex mechanical elements, the system achieves simplicity while using wireless RFID triangulation to provide the necessary position measurement functionality without physical constraints.
3Measurement precision
If mechanical components are used for tank gauging, then measurement capability is ensured, but ease of operation worsens due to maintenance requirements and misalignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical float sensor system with wireless RFID technology. The RFID device floats freely without mechanical risers or guiding rails, eliminating misalignment issues and reducing maintenance requirements. The system operates more simply as the RFID device can move freely on the liquid surface while its position is tracked wirelessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID device is self-contained and floats autonomously on the liquid surface without requiring external mechanical support structures. It independently communicates its position through wireless RFID signals, eliminating the need for operator intervention to maintain mechanical alignment or address mechanical failures.
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
This solution provides accurate and reliable liquid level measurements without mechanical interference, simplifies system implementation, and allows for the storage of auxiliary data such as maintenance records and inventory management information, enhancing tank management and overflow protection.
Implementation Method 1
a radio frequency identification (RFID) device freely floating on the liquid stored within the tank
Implementation Method 2
generating, using an interrogator, a radio frequency signal, the interrogator being attached to a top of a tank and the radio frequency signal being directed towards a radio frequency identification (RFID) device... receiving a return signal from the RFID device
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for gauging tanks. A computer-implemented method includes generating, using an interrogator, a radio frequency signal directed towards a radio frequency identification (RFID) device that is freely floating on the liquid stored within the tank, receiving a return signal from the RFID device, the return signal being associated to a location of the RFID device, processing the return signal to determine a height of the liquid stored within the tank based on a triangulation algorithm, and determining a result data based on the height of the liquid stored within the tank and one or more tank characteristics.