Remote Tank Level Monitoring for Predictive Refueling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel tanks in various contexts, such as farming, often require manual monitoring to prevent running out of fuel, leading to operational disruptions and inefficient refueling schedules.
Innovation Solution
A tank level monitor device that tracks fuel levels and communicates data remotely, using a predictive algorithm to optimize refueling schedules and provide threshold alerts, equipped with magnets for attachment, sensors for environmental data, and wireless connectivity, including cellular and Bluetooth, with a dual SIM for network selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring of fuel levels is performed, then operational disruptions can be prevented, but labor effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel tank system performs self-monitoring through integrated level sensors that automatically detect fuel levels and trigger refueling alerts without requiring manual intervention. The system serves itself by continuously monitoring its own fuel state and communicating with the refueling management system.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual visual inspection and physical gauging of fuel levels is replaced by electronic level sensors, microcontrollers, and wireless communication systems. The mechanical/manual monitoring process is substituted with automated electronic detection and digital data transmission.
2Reliability
If refueling is scheduled before necessary, then fuel tank emptying is avoided, but refueling efficiency and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors fuel levels and provides real-time feedback to the management system. When fuel reaches a threshold level, the system automatically generates alerts and schedules refueling only when necessary, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes refueling timing based on actual consumption patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and prediction to determine optimal refueling timing. By analyzing fuel consumption rates and predicting when thresholds will be reached, the system schedules refueling actions in advance only when truly necessary, avoiding both premature and delayed refueling.
3Productivity
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then refueling optimization is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous high-power transmission, the monitoring system uses periodic measurements with sleep modes between activations. The microcontroller enters low-power states, activating sensors and wireless communication only when fuel levels require monitoring or when data transmission is necessary, significantly reducing average power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters based on fuel levels and environmental conditions. Transmission power, sampling frequency, and alert thresholds are adjusted according to actual needs, allowing the system to maintain monitoring effectiveness while minimizing energy consumption during different operational phases.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for tank level monitoring. To perform monitoring of fuel levels of fuel tanks, tank level monitor devices may be affixed to the fuel tanks. The tank level monitors may be used to provide data relating to the fuel tanks to a remote location (such as a mobile device application). A predictive algorithm may also be implemented to more effectively schedule refueling events for various fuel tanks.