Tilt-Corrected Vessel Volume Measurement for Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the change in volume of fluid within a vessel, especially when the vessel is not horizontally positioned, provide inaccurate measurements due to incorrect fluid level indications, leading to incorrect calculations of fluid volume changes during addition or removal.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that involve measuring the first and second surface levels of fluid, roll values, and pitch values of the vessel, using a fluid level detector and tilt sensor, and calculating the corresponding fluid volumes with a computing device to accurately determine the change in volume by comparing the initial and final fluid volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fluid level is measured in a non-horizontal vessel using traditional methods, then measurement process is simple, but measurement precision deteriorates due to incorrect fluid level indications
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by measuring the vessel's orientation (roll and pitch angles) before measuring the fluid level. This preliminary orientation data is then used to correct the fluid level measurement and calculate accurate fluid volume, even when the vessel is not horizontal. The controller receives orientation data from sensors, processes it along with level detector data, and applies correction calculations to determine true fluid volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives data from both the level detector and orientation sensors, processes this information together, and calculates the corrected fluid volume. The controller mediates between the raw measurements (which are inaccurate in tilted positions) and the final accurate volume determination by applying correction algorithms that account for vessel orientation.
2Measurement precision
If vessel orientation is accounted for in volume calculation, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and computing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it controls the pump for fluid addition/removal, receives and processes data from the level detector, receives orientation data from sensors, performs correction calculations, and outputs the final volume measurement. By making the controller multi-functional, the system avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the vessel's own orientation data (measured by sensors attached to the vessel) to correct its own fluid level measurements. The controller automatically processes the orientation and level data together to compute accurate volume, making the measurement system self-correcting without requiring external intervention or complex additional equipment.
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 approach ensures accurate determination of fluid volume changes within a vessel, regardless of its orientation, by accounting for the vessel's dimensions, surface levels, and tilt, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional measurement methods.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a first roll value (23) of the vessel; measuring a first pitch value (26) of the vessel
Implementation Method 2
measuring a first surface level (20) of fluid within the vessel
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus (5) for determining a change in volume within a vessel (11) with regard to fluid (14) being added or removed from the vessel. The method involves measuring first and second surface levels (20, 20′) of fluid (14) within the vessel (11) (with regard to fluid being added or removed therefrom), first and second roll values (23, 23′) of the vessel, and first and second pitch values (26, 26′) of the vessel. From these measurements, and in conjunction with the known interior dimensions and known interior total volume of the vessel, there are calculated first and second fluid volumes that are compared to determine a change in fluid within the vessel.