Wireless tank level monitoring system

Abstract

A method and system are described for detecting a fluid level within a fluid vessel by disposing a wireless fluid sensor module in the fluid vessel, measuring at least one characteristic of a fluid in the fluid vessel, and wirelessly transmitting the measured at least one characteristic to a receiver disposed external to the fluid vessel.

1 . A fluid level detection system comprising:
 a wireless fluid sensor module disposed within a fluid vessel; and   a wireless transceiver device disposed external to the fluid vessel.   
     
     
         2 . The fluid level detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless fluid sensor module comprises:
 a power source;   at least one sensor;   a wireless transceiver; and   a processing module.   
     
     
         3 . The fluid level detection system of  claim 2 , wherein the processing module comprises:
 a processing unit; and   a memory unit.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless fluid sensor module comprises a wireless transceiver. 
     
     
         5 . The fluid level detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless fluid sensor module comprises a microelectromechanical pressure sensor. 
     
     
         6 . A fluid level detection module comprising:
 a power source;   at least one sensor configured to detect a characteristic of a fluid in a fluid vessel;   a processing module configured to process and to store data of the detected fluid characteristic; and   a wireless transceiver configured to transmit the data to a wireless receiver disposed external to the fluid vessel.   
     
     
         7 . A method to detect a fluid level within a fluid vessel, the method comprising:
 disposing a wireless fluid sensor module in the fluid vessel;   measuring at least one characteristic of a fluid in the fluid vessel; and   wirelessly transmitting, by the sensor module, the measured at least one characteristic to a transceiver disposed external to the fluid vessel.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transmitting is accomplished using acoustic transmission. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the transmitting is accomplished using radio frequency communication. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one characteristic is pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising measuring a resistivity of the fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising calculating a fluid level based on a fluid density and the pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless fluid sensor is lowered into the vessel by way of a wire. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the wireless fluid sensor is dropped into the vessel by way of an access hole in a top portion of the vessel.