GB2542392A

GB2542392A - An oil tank monitoring system

Info

Publication number: GB2542392A
Application number: GB1516522.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mcmanus Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-09-17
Filing date: 2015-09-17
Publication date: 2017-03-22
Also published as: IE20160227A1; GB201516522D0

Abstract

An oil tank monitoring system, formed from a kit of parts, for determining the level of oil 1 in an oil tank 2 comprising a monitoring unit 3 and an associated remote receiver 4, the monitoring unit 3 comprising a level sensor which may have a pulse emitter (13, figure 2) and ultrasonic detector (14, figure 2), for detecting the level of oil 1 in the oil tank 2 and a transmitter, which may be amplified by an aerial or antenna (22, figure 2), for signaling liquid level information to the receiver 4, may be for digital display 19 thereof, and may include a motion detector associated with an alarm unit (23, figure 8) with pre-set conditions indicating theft. Conditions may include measuring a sudden or continuous drop in amount of fuel 1 or the lid 7 being removed or damaged. The alarm unit (23, figure 8) may send a text or phone message to a telephone. The oil tank monitoring system comprising means for mounting the monitoring unit 3 inside the oil tank 2 on an inner surface of a lid 7 closing the oil tank 2. The attachment may include releasably engaging fastening clip poppers or Velcro (RTM) (hook and loop) strips (10,11, figure 4).

Description

i!&ri oil tank monitoring system"

Introduction

The present, invention relates generally to heating systems, and more particularly to,oil-based' heating systems, 'Many heating systems tn domestic dwellings, schools and the like use oil as their fuel Which is generally stored in small tanks located outside the building dr in the ground near the building, in order to insure that an adequate supply of fuel -s available to the building furnace, each fuel tank must be periodically refilled by making a fuel oil delivery to the tank location. Fuel oil deliveries are presently made by a central distributor utilizing fuel oil tanker delivers/ trucks.

Residential fuel oil tanks must be tilted before the supply of fuel runs out however it is uneconomical for the fuel oil distributor to refill the tanks on & set schedule because in many residences the pattern of usage varies widely, for example during the warmer seasons the fuel oil consumption is at a minimum. In addition, recent trends in energy conservation practices by consumers and alternate energy sources such as solar energy have made fuel oil consumption predictions based oh past history even: less reliable than they have been in the past Therefore; a number of prior ah oil tank monitoring systems have been developed in order to monitor the fuel-oil level in residential fuel storage tanks.

Generally, these systems communicate iuei-o-1 level information from a monitoring unit mounted on the oil tank to a remote receiver station, typically mounted within the house The receiver displays the information relating to the oil level In the oil tank and is designed to report when the fuaboii level within the customer's of! tank has fallen to a predetermined level so that the customer can schedule a: delivery of: fuel-oil to replenish the oil tank supply before It runs out.

Commonly used oil tank monitoring systems comprise a monitoring unit mounted on the outside of the oil tank, typically on top of the oil tank by drilling a hole in the top of the oil tank to receive the monitoring unit, However if the oil tank is overfied the monitoring unit: is flooded and will no longer function properly.

Another problem arises In that these systems can be tricky to Install and usually require specialised drilling equipment to mount the monitoring unit on the oil tank and often require fheservtef of an lostelierwhich increases installation time and cost. A further problem arises due to theft of oil from the: ©It storage tank. This is a particular problem in a school*, church or business premises where there is nobody about tor much of the rime.

Therefore there is a need to provide a solution to the problems cited above.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present Invention to provide an oil tank monitoring system which can be quickly and easily installed in new and existing tank locations ft Is another object of the present invention to provide an oil tank monitoring system simple in construction and low in cost.

It is yet another object Of the present invention to provide an oil tank monitoring system which warns of the occurrence of theft of oil from the oil storage tank.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention wsi become apparent from the description o? the preferred embodiments detailed below.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention, there Is provided an oil tank monitoring system for determining the level of oil in an oil tank comprising a monitoring unit and an associated remote receiver, the monitoring unit comprising a level sensor for detecting the level of oil In the oil tank and a transmitter for communicating oil level Information to the receiver, the oil tank monitoring system further comprising means for mounting the monitoring unit inside the oil tank on an inner surface of a ltd closing the oil tank,

Advantageously the Invention provides an o-i tank monitoring system easy to install at a low cost. Furthermore, as the monitoring unit is mounted inside the oil tank on an Inner surface of the lid closing the oil tank the monitoring unit is protected by the lid from damage. Moreover the monitoring unit is located In a space .under"the iid where there is gene*ally a neck In the oil tank that is above the maximum level. of filing the oil tank, thus the: monitoring unit can: never get flooded by oil even if the oil tank is cverPed.

Another advantage of the invention is that there Is no wiring required as the monitoring unit and: the receiver communicate by radicslgusls.

In art embodiment, of the invention the means for mounting the monitoring unit inside the oil tank include cooperating reateasabiy interengageable fastening means for coupling the monitoring unit to the inner surface of the lid and securing them against each other in an embodiment the fastening means comprises hook and pile, .fastening tape strips for mounting on the monitoring unit and the iid for couplinga side of the monitoring unit to an inner surface or the iid and securing them against each other.

The advantage of hook and pile fastening, tape strips is that it securely holds the monitoring unit against; the inner surface, of the iid. Moreover, hook and pile fastening tape strips are easy to use and do not require qualified personnel to install the monitoring unit of the oil tank monitoring system of the invention.

In another embodiment the fastening means is a dip mount comprising corresponding resieasably interengageable male arid female parts for mounting on the monitoring un-t and the lid for coupling a side of the monitoring unit to an inner surface of the iid and securing them against each other.

The advantage of a clip mount, for example plastic clip· mount, is that it is easy to use and install and it securely holds the monitoring unit against the inner surface of the iid.

In an. embodiment the level sensor comprises ah emitter and an associated ultrasound detector, the emitter being· adapted for generating a sonic pulse towards the surface of the oil within the oil tank, the ultrasound detector being adapted to detect the return echo of the pulse reflected off the surface of the oil.

Advantageously, the level senscr allows measuring and monitoring the oil level in the oil tank, in an embodimenithe level sensor measures the oil level in the oil tank at pre-set time intervals. to :a.n embodiment the receiver is adapted for receiving a signal from ih& monitoring unit and displays a digital display of the amount of oil in the oil tank,

Advantageously the receiver can be placed remotely from the oil tank in a place that is convenient for the customer. Moreover the digital display clearly indicates to the customer the level of oil In the oil tank end if it is time to order oil. in an emhodlmeht the receiver plugs Into a standard electrical socket which provides power to: operate the receiver.

In an embodiment the oil tank monitoring system further composes an antenna.

Advantageously, when the oil lank is a metal tank and/or Is a relatively long way away from the receiver, the aMePoa allows strengthening and relaying the monitoring unit’s signal to the receiver. Indeed depending on the oil tank’s thickness and composition, it might block or interfere with radio waves. Electrically conductive metals such as copper or steel can reflect and absorb the radio waves and coinseguenfly Inferferes with their transmission.

In an embodiment the ell tank: monitoring system comprises ah alarm unit for producmg an alarm signal when the: mentoring unit detects pre-set alarm conditions indicating the oil tank Is being tampered:with.

In ah embodiment the monitoring unit includes a motion sensor associated to the alarm unit Advantageously the motion sensor is built-in the monitoring unit which is mounted on the lid of the oil tank.

Advantageously, the motion senior can' def$e! ftb# M :is: being removed, damaged or tampered with and send an alarm signal to the receiver that the o:i tank is being damaged or tampered with.

In an embodiment the: pre-set: alarm cdndilons: indicating the oil tank is being tampered with include the level sensor detecting a sudden or continuous oil level drop or the motion sensor detecting that the lid is removed or damaged.

Advantageously, in addition to monitor-rig the level of oil in the oil tank, the oil tank monitoring sysfem according to the invention is adapted to set: off an alarm at the receiver in'the house when there is a dramatic drop in ©if levels.

In an embodiment: the alarm unit; Includes means tor ringing or texting a phone ;n response to a sensed alarm condition. An incident or a theft can thus advantageously be reported in real time to Urn customer. A second aspect of the invention concerns a kit for forming the oil tank monitoring system as described above comprising a monitoring unit, an associated receiver and mounting means for mounting the monitoring: unit to the inner surface of the lid of an oil tank.

Advantageousiy, the kit of parts according fo the invention can fee easily· used by manufacturers, installers or customers themselves,.. ifee invention will fee more eiearly understood by the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,: In which:

Figure 1 If -a/s'i^fhati'C· lilystMtbh ©fifte-oil tank monitoring system according to the itiv^n.fon 'f©r.mphit0rlfe8 a fuei^ii tank for the heating of a household; figure 2 is a detail view of a monitoring unit of toe monitoring system mounted in the oil tank;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the monitoring unit;

Figure 4 is: a detail plan view of the monitoring unit:

Figure 5 is a detail underneath plan view of the monitoring unit; l· «gure 6 ss a detal perspective view of the l-d of toe oil tank and the monitoring unit;

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a receiver of the monitoring system plugged in a standard electrical socket;

Figure B is a detail perspective view of a receiver and ah alarm unit of the monitoring system plugged in a standard electrical socket: and

Figure 9 is a detail rear eievational view of a receiver of the monitoring system.

In this specification, it will he understood that the term ' oil tank” is used to refer to a fuel-oil tank or a waste oil tank, water tank, admixture tank, detergent tank or any other liquid tank that requires monitoring. it will also be understood that the term ‘'signal” is used to refer to a radio signal, wireless signal, Bluetooth signal, or any other type of signal that is adapted for the invention:.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein hke reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views:, there is shown an oil tank monitoring system according to the Invention.

The oil tank monitoring system for determining the level of oil 1 in an oil tank 2 comprises a monitoring unit, indicated generally by the reference numeral 3, end an associated remote receiver, indicated generally by the reference numeral 4 as best shown on figure 1, The receiver 4 wilt in use he located at a distance from the o>l tank 2 within a dwelling o associated with the oil tank 2. The monitoring unit 3 comprises a level sensor for determining the level of oil 1 in the oil tank 2 and a transmitter for communicating oil level 1 information to the remote receiver 4. The oil tank monitoring system further comprises means to, 'll, 12 for mounting the monitoring unit 3 inside the: oil tank 2 on an inner surface 8 of a lid 7 closing the oil tank; 2. As can be seen in Figure i; the lid 7 has a cylindrical skirt 2A emending outwardly and downwardly form the inner surface 6 thus forming a recess withsn which the monitoring unit 3 ts; housed in use, It will be noted that the skirt 24 extends downwardly beyond the monitoring unit 3 which Is thus protected when mounted withintfte lid 7,

As snown in figures 2 to 5, the monitoring unit 3 includes a transmitter and a level sensor enclosed in a housing comprising art inner side 8 and an outer side 9 as best shown in figure 3. The outer side 9 of the monitoring unit 3 is provided with hook and pile fastening tape strips 10, 11 for coupling the monstoring unit 3 to corresponding "hook and pile fastening tape strips 12 fixed on the inner surface 3 of the lid 7 to secure the monitoring; unit 3 or; the inner surface 6 of the lid 7. The monitoring unit 3-1$ powered by batteries.

The level sensor comprises an emitter 13 and an associated ultrasound detector 14. The emitter 13 is adapted for generating a 41 KHz sonic pulse 15 towards the Surface 16 of the oil I within the oil tank a. The ultrasound detector 14 is adapted to defect the return echo 17 of the pulse 15 reflected off the surface 16 of the oil 1.

The transmitter of the monitoring unit 3 is adapted to communicate the level of oil 1 tn the oil tank 2 to the remote receiver 4, for example: by emitting an outgoing 868 MHz wireless radio signal 18.

Referring sn particular to figure 7, the receiver 4 is adapted for receiving the signal 18 from the monitoring unit 3 arid provides a digital display 19 of the amount of oil in the oil tank 2, The receiver 4 is adapted for plugging into a standard electrical socket 20 connected '&> the :rh#te: pAf/ef fdMrfce· as .shown in figures 7 and 8. For example, in use the receiver 4 may conveniently be mounted in an electrical socket 20 in a kitchen of a dwelling 5 associated with the oil tank 2.

Ine digital display 19 of the receiver 4 shows the amount of oil in the oil tank 2 by displaying an indicator 21 comprising two digits and/or fetters indicating the percentage volume of oil 1 remaining m the oil tank 2. for example 70 for 70% of the total volume of oil 1 left in the oil tank 2 or FF for 100% of the volume of oil 1 Is remaining In the oil tank 2. Another feature of the: digital display 19 is that when the level of ©if 1 in the oil tank 2: drops below 29%, the Indicator 21 on the digital display T9 flashes to alert the customer to schedule an oil delivery before oil runs out.

The receive? 4 also includes two dials 25, 26 on the hack of the receiver 4 for setting the oil tank 2 depth (as shown in figure 9). For example, these two dials 25, 26 can allow settings in 50 mm intervals up to an oil tank 2 depth of three mete.

The oil tank monitoring system further optionally comprises a?· antenna 22 (figure 2} mounted on an outer surface of the lid λ This antenna 22 enables strengthening the emitted outgoing signal IS to the receiver 4 which may be necessary particularly if the oil lank 2 is a metal oil tank and/or is a relatively long way away from the receiver 4,

As shown In figure 8. the oil .tank monitoring system may further comprise an alarm unit 28 for producing an alarm signal when the monitoring unit 3 detects pre-set alarm conditions indicating the oil tank 2 is being tampered with.

Additionally the monitoring unit 3 may optionally Include a motion sensor (not shown in the figures) associated to the alarm unit 23. The motion sensor is built-in the monitoring unit 3 which is mounted on the ltd 7 of the oil tank 2. The motion sensor detects if the lid 7 of the oil tank 2 has been moved and/or damaged.

The pre-set alarm conditions indicating the: oil tank :2: is tampered with include the level sensor detecting a sudden or continuous oil level 1 drop and/or the motion sensor delecting that the lid ? Is removed orcfet^agpeL

For example, the alarm 23 may be pre-set to foe set off lithe level of oil 1 in the oil tank 2 suddenly and continuously drops by more than 5% of the oil tank volume,

The alarm unit 23 is a 13.A plug mounted alarm receiver and GSM dialler that Includes means for ringing and/or texting one or more phones.

The oil tank monitoring system is easy to install. First hook and pile fastening tape strips 10: 11 are attached on the outer side 9 of the monitoring unit 3 and hook and pile fastening tape strips 12 are attached on the inner surface 6 of the lid 7 as shown in figure 6 by adhesive or any other suitable method

Then the monitoring unit 3 is coupled to the inner surface 6 of the lid 7 by releaseably engaging the hook and pile fastening strips 10, 11.12, This: step can be done by the manufacturer or the supplier of the oil: tank 2 or by the: customer.

If the οίί tank 2 is a metal oil tank an antenna 22 may optionally be fixed on top of the oil tank 2, for example on the outer surface of the kl ? as shown in figure 2.

The receiver 4 and the alarm unit 2S are plugged into an electrical mains supply socket 20 in the household as, shown: in figure 8, The depth of the oil tank 2:can he set by selecting two dials at the back of the receiver 4 aoeordingly to correspond to the oil tank depth. in use. the emitter 13 generates a 41 KHz sonic pulse 15 towards the surface 18 of the oil wiihsn the oil tank 2. This sonic pulse 15 is generated at pre-set time intervals,· The ultrasound detector 14 defects the- return echo 17 of the pulse IS reflected off the surface 18 of the bil l arid this determines the level of oil 1 left in the oil tank.

The transmitter of the monitoring unit 3 then emits an outgoing :886 MHz radio signal 16 indicating the level of oil 1 in the oil tank 2 to the receiver 4>

The rece-ver 4 transforms this information- depending on the depth of the oil tank 2 into a value of percentage of osf left in the oii tank 2 and displays the information on the digital display 19.

If the level of oil 1 sn the oil tank 2 drops below a pre-set oil level 1. for example 20%, the indicator 21 on the digital display If : flashes to alert the customer to schedule an oil delivery;

Furthermore when the; receiver 4 receives a signal indication: ~ that the level of oil 1 in the oil tank 2 has suddenly or continuously dropped, - or the motion sensor detects that the lid 7 has been removed or damaged. the alarm unit 23 is activated and produces an alarm signal to inform the customer that the oil tank 2 is being tampered with.

This alarm signal includes producing an alarm sound and/or ringing and/or texting one or more phonos.

In an alternative embodiment the mount for securing the monitoring unit 3 on the lid ? is a clip mount comprising corresponding reaieasabiy interengageable male and female parts for coupling a aide of the monitoring unit 3 to an inner surface 8 of the lid 7 and securing thorn against each other.

In an embodiment the moMoring unit 3 .continuously measures and monitors the oil level 1 In the oil tank 2,

In alternative embodiments, the digital display of the receiver may for example display uhV for alarm. "BV for Indicating the battery is low,· or display ‘OF* for indicating the oil tank ;s overfilled. The receiver may include additionaModieators and functionalities such as oil tank temperature indicators.

In an embodiment* the oil tank level reading may be available for the customer to read on an application on a Mobile phone.

Tbs receiver may also be powered by a battery or aitemative energy sources: or a by adapted power supply system.

The advantages of the oil tank monitoring system invention include; ~ Suitable for almost any oil tank up to three metres tail; - Quick and easy to install with no specialist tools or skills required; - Mo wrong or electrics! work required; - Displays clear indicator of Iota! volume of useable oil left m ibe oil tank; - .Real-time alarm; - Intuitive and easy to: use, in this specification the terms "include" and "comprise" and any grammatical variations thereof are used interchangeably and should be accorded the widest possible interpretation.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments: described above but may be varied: in: both construction end detail within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

2J1I

1. Ah δίί tank monitoring system tor determining the .level, of oil in an oil lank comprising a monitoring uni and an associated remote receiver, toe monitoring unit comprising a level sensor for delecting the level of oil in the Oil tank and a transmitter far communicating oil level Information to the receiver, the oil tank monitoring system further comprising means (or mounting the monitoring unit inside the oil tank on an inner surface of a lid closing the oil tank,

2. The oil tank monitoring system according to claim: 1 wherein the means for mounting the monitoring unit; inside the oil tank includes: cooperating realeasably interengageafele fastening means for coupling the monitoring unit Id the inner surface of the lid and securing them against each other,

3. The οϋ tank monitoring system according to claim 2, characterised in that the fastening means comprises hook and pile fastening tape strips for mounting on the monitoring unit: and the lid for coupling a side of the monitoring unit lo an tonersurface of the lid and securing them against each Other.

4. The oil tank monitoring system according to claim 2 wherein the fastening means is a dip mount comprising corresponding reaieasably interengageabie male and female parte for mounting on fhe monitoring unit and the lid for coupling a side of the monitoring unit to an inner surface of the lid and securing them against each other.

5. The oil tank monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein fhe level sensor comprises· an emitter end an associated ultrasound detector, the emitter being adapted for generating a sonic pulse towards the surface Of the oil within the oil tank, the ultrasound detector being adapted ίο detect the return echo of the pulse reflected off the surface of the oil,

6. The oil lank monitoring system, according to any of claims t 1© 5 characterised in that the receiver is adapted for receiving a signal from the monitoring unit and displays a. digital display of the amount of oil in the oil tank.

7. The oil tank: monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the monitoring unit Further comprises an antenna*

8. The oil tank monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the oil tank monitoring system comprises an alarm unit for producing an alarm signal when the monitoring unit detects pre-set alarm conditions indicating the of tank is being tampered with.

9. The oil tank monitoring system according to any of claims 1 to 8 wherein; the monitoring unit includes a motion sensor associated: to the alarm unit,

10. The oil tank monitoring system according: to claims &: to B wherein pre-set alarm conditions indicating the oil tank Is being tampered -with include the level sensor detecting a sudden or continuous- oil level drop or the motion sensor defecting that the lid is removed or damaged,

11. The oil tank monitoring system :acdofding 'to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the alarm unit includes means: for ringing or texting a phone in response to a sensed alarm condition.

12. A kit for forming the oil tank monitoring system as claimed in any preceding .claims comprising a monitoring unit, an associated receiver and mounting means for mounting the monitoring unit to the inner surface of the Sid of an oil tank,: