Waste Oil Tank Monitoring With Authorized Drainage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Used cooking oil tanks are vulnerable to theft due to the value of the stored oil, and existing systems lack effective monitoring and control mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and ensure efficient collection.
Innovation Solution
A fluid storage system with a monitoring unit equipped with an ultrasonic sensor to detect fluid levels and a proximity sensor to detect the presence of authorized collection vehicles, allowing for controlled drainage operations and real-time monitoring to prevent theft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If used cooking oil is stored in accessible tanks for easy collection, then collection efficiency is improved, but vulnerability to theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
A control valve acts as an intermediary between the drainage line and the collection vehicle. The valve is controlled by a controller that receives signals from the monitoring unit, allowing authorized drainage operations while preventing unauthorized theft. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient collection when needed while blocking harmful theft attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring unit continuously monitors fluid levels and provides feedback to the controller. When a collection vehicle is present and authorized, the controller opens the control valve to enable drainage. This feedback loop ensures that drainage operations only occur when properly authorized, preventing theft while maintaining collection efficiency.
2Reliability
If monitoring systems are added to prevent theft, then security is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit serves multiple functions: it monitors fluid levels, detects the presence of collection vehicles, communicates authorization status, and controls the drainage valve. By combining these functions into a single multi-functional unit, the system achieves high security without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors fluid levels and manages the drainage process without requiring constant human intervention. The monitoring unit and controller work together to automatically authorize drainage when a collection vehicle is present, reducing the need for manual monitoring while maintaining high security standards.
3Measurement precision
If real-time monitoring is implemented to detect theft, then theft detection capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring unit performs periodic fluid level measurements rather than continuous monitoring. The system checks fluid levels at regular intervals and only activates full monitoring and alert functions when changes are detected or when a collection vehicle is present. This periodic approach maintains high theft detection capability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
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 effectively monitors fluid levels and authorizes drainage operations, reducing theft risks and ensuring efficient collection by differentiating between planned and unplanned fluid level changes, thereby enhancing security and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid level sensor directed vertically downward into the interior volume of the fluid storage receptacle, the fluid level sensor to detect an amount of space between the fluid contents and the fluid level sensor
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic sensor can include a horn to channel ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic sensor toward fluid contents in the interior volume of the fluid storage receptacle
Implementation Method 3
a proximity sensor to detect the presence of a beacon within a proximity range of the monitoring unit
Implementation Method 4
The monitoring unit can include at least one magnet, and the fluid storage receptacle can include an interior metallic surface, the monitoring unit to magnetically attach to the interior metallic surface of the fluid storage receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring unit for a fluid storage receptacle includes a sensor to attach to the fluid storage receptacle and detect an amount of empty space between fluid contents of the fluid storage receptacle and the sensor, and a transmitter to receive and transmit data from the sensor. The monitoring unit also includes a proximity sensor to detect a presence of a beacon within a proximity range of the proximity sensor, a controller to selectively open a fluid control valve of the waste oil receptacle, or both the proximity sensor and the controller.