Remote monitoring of fluid containers

Abstract

Apparatus for remote inspection of oxygen containers includes an electronic circuit in communication between each container (or at various locations along a pipeline) and a remote central station. The electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal to the remote central station that includes information about predetermined internal and/or external conditions such as the level of oxygen stored in the tank, a pressure condition of material stored in the tank, a lack of presence of the tank in an installed position, or the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the tank.

1 . Apparatus for remote inspection of a portable tank located in an installed position and adapted to store oxygen, the apparatus comprising:
 a first detector in communication with the oxygen for measurement of a level of oxygen stored in the portable tank;   a second detector configured to detect lack of presence of the portable tank from its installed position; and   an electronic circuit in communication between the first and second detectors and a central station located remotely from the portable tank, the electronic circuit configured to issue a signal to the central station that includes information about the level of oxygen stored in the portable tank or presence of the portable tank in its installed position.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal to the central station. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to issue a signal to the central station upon detection of a lack of presence of the portable tank from its installed position. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to continuously issue a signal to a display device that includes information about the level of oxygen. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to periodically issue a signal to a display device that includes information about the level of oxygen. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to issue a signal to a display device upon detection of an oxygen level at or below a predetermined threshold. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a third detector configured to detect presence of an obstruction restricting access to the portable tank. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to issue a signal that includes information about the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the portable tank. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to issue the signal that includes information about the presence of an obstruction restricting access to the portable tank upon detection of an obstruction by the third detector. 
   
   
       10 . Apparatus for remote inspection of a pressurized oxygen container comprising:
 a detector in communication with the oxygen tank for measure of a predetermined internal condition of the tank;   an electronic circuit in communication between the detector and a remote central station for issue of a wireless signal to the remote central station, the wireless signal including information about the predetermined internal condition; and   a docking station, wherein the detector is electrically connected to the docking station and the electronic circuit is at least partially contained within the docking station.   
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a wireless signal upon detection of the predetermined internal condition. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined internal condition comprises an out of range pressure condition of the oxygen. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the electronic circuit is configured to issue a signal upon detection that the pressure of the oxygen is at or below a predetermined level. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the detector comprises a fluid pressure gauge in communication with the oxygen for measure and display of a pressure condition of the oxygen. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: a second detector for detection of a predetermined external condition. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the second detector comprises an electronic tether in electrical communication with the electronic circuit. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the oxygen container is located in an installed position and the predetermined external condition comprises the lack of presence of the oxygen container in its installed position. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the electronic circuit is adapted to issue a signal upon detection of the lack of presence of the oxygen container in its installed position. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the second detector comprises a sonic sensor for detecting presence of an obstruction to or viewing of the oxygen container. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 15  further comprising: a third detector for detection of a second predetermined external condition. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20  wherein the second detector comprises an electronic tether for detecting the lack of presence of the oxygen container in an installed position and the third detector comprises a sonic sensor for detecting presence of an obstruction to or viewing of the oxygen container.