Solar-Powered Fluid Level Sensor for Remote Storage Monitoring

Solution Overview

Problem

Remote storage tanks, especially in areas with limited access to power and internet, face challenges in monitoring fluid levels, leading to inefficient and costly periodic deliveries as existing methods lack reliable and autonomous monitoring solutions.

Innovation Solution

A solar-powered monitoring system that uses sensors to measure fluid levels, converts analog signals to digital, and publishes data via a cellular network to an MQTT broker, allowing for scheduled data transmission and energy management to optimize power consumption, enabling real-time inventory tracking and notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic delivery is used to ensure fluid levels do not drop to unacceptable levels, then fluid availability is maintained, but cost and time are significantly increased due to unnecessary trips to remote locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid availabilityVSAvoiddelivery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors fluid levels in remote storage tanks and transmits this information via wireless communication to a remote location. This feedback mechanism allows the delivery system to respond only when fluid levels actually drop to unacceptable thresholds, eliminating unnecessary periodic trips while ensuring fluid availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system operates autonomously at remote locations without requiring human presence. Sensors automatically detect fluid levels, process the data, and transmit information wirelessly, enabling the system to service itself and trigger deliveries only when necessary based on actual fluid conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If periodic delivery is used to ensure fluid levels do not drop to unacceptable levels, then fluid availability is maintained, but cost increases due to travel expenses to remote locations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid availabilityVSAvoiddelivery cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors fluid levels in remote storage tanks and transmits this information via wireless communication to a remote location. This feedback mechanism allows the delivery system to respond only when fluid levels actually drop to unacceptable thresholds, eliminating unnecessary periodic trips while ensuring fluid availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system operates autonomously at remote locations without requiring human presence. Sensors automatically detect fluid levels, process the data, and transmit information wirelessly, enabling the system to service itself and trigger deliveries only when necessary based on actual fluid conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If active monitoring of fluid levels is implemented in remote locations, then timely delivery can be scheduled, but power and internet availability become limiting factors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring efficiencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system operates autonomously at remote locations without requiring human presence. Sensors automatically detect fluid levels, process the data, and transmit information wirelessly, enabling the system to service itself and trigger deliveries only when necessary based on actual fluid conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system transmits fluid level data at scheduled intervals or when threshold conditions are met, rather than continuously. This periodic transmission approach reduces energy consumption for communication while still providing timely information for delivery scheduling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 allows for accurate and efficient scheduling of deliveries, reduces costs by minimizing unnecessary trips, and provides timely notifications for fluid replenishment, enhancing the management of commodities like propane, gases, and liquids.

Implementation Method 1

The system includes and is powered by a solar cell which converts solar energy into electricity.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolar energy conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

measuring via a sensor the amount of the commodity in the remote storage container

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid level detection: Hydrometer

Data Source

PatentUS11859767B2Method and system for remotely monitoring fluid levels

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 CENTRI GRP INC

AI summary

A method for monitoring an amount of a commodity in a remote storage container via a system comprises: (i) measuring via a sensor the amount of the commodity in the remote storage container and outputting an analog or digital signal, wherein if the signal outputted by the sensor is an analog signal, the method further comprises converting the analog signal to a digital signal; (ii) packaging the digital signal into a data file; (iii) publishing via a wireless connection the data file to a message query telemetry transport (MQTT) broker for access by a user; (iv) receiving confirmation that the MQTT broker received the data file; (v) accessing by the user information from the data file; and (vi) repeating steps (i) to (v) after a predetermined time.