Smart and IoT connected liquid level monitoring with remote diagnostic and maintenance capability

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11550343-B1
Application number	US-202117527952-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Nov 16, 2021
Priority date	Nov 16, 2021
Publication date	Jan 10, 2023
Grant date	Jan 10, 2023

Abstract

Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and controlling holding tank subsystems. One system includes an electronic processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The electronic processor, through execution of the instructions stored in the memory, is configured to receive tank data associated with a first holding tank of a holding tank subsystem. The tank data indicates a material level of a material stored in the first holding tank. The electronic processor is also configured to compare the material level to a material transfer threshold. The electronic processor is also configured to, in response to the material level satisfying the material transfer threshold, control the holding tank subsystem to transfer at least a portion of the material in the first holding tank to the second holding tank as a transfer event.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for remotely monitoring and controlling holding tank subsystems, the system comprising:
a holding tank subsystem comprising:
a first holding tank;
a second holding tank coupled to the first holding tank via a passageway; and
a flow controller configured to control a flow of material between the first holding tank to the second holding tank via the passageway by blocking the flow of material; and

an electronic processor communicatively coupled to a memory, wherein the electronic processor, through execution of instructions stored in the memory, is configured to
receive tank data indicating a material level of a material stored in the first holding tank,
compare the material level to a material transfer threshold,
in response to the material level satisfying the material transfer threshold, provide a control signal to the flow controller to transfer at least a portion of the material in the first holding tank to the second holding tank as a transfer event by unblocking the passageway,
after the transfer event, determine a remaining portion of the material stored in the first holding tank, and
calibrate the material transfer threshold based on the remaining portion of the material.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to, in response to the material level satisfying the material transfer threshold, generate a transfer event alert indicating that the transfer event occurred between the first holding tank and the second holding tank.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the material stored in the first holding tank is a waste material, the waste material including at least one selected from a group consisting of grease, fat, and oil.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to compare the material level to a waste material threshold and, in response to the material level satisfying the waste material threshold, generate a waste material alert indicating that the material level satisfies the waste material threshold.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the passageway comprises a pipe, a tunnel, or a tube.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller comprises a valve or an actuator.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller is incorporated in a connection point or coupling of the first holding tank and the passageway.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flow controller is positioned within the first holding tank.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to transmit holding tank subsystem data to a remote device for virtual processing.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the holding tank subsystem data includes at least one selected from a group consisting of the tank data and data associated with performing the transfer event.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tank data indicates a water level associated with the holding tank subsystem.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to compare the water level to an overflow threshold and, in response to the water level satisfying the overflow threshold, generate an overflow alert associated with the holding tank subsystem.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the overflow threshold is a manufacturer set default threshold based on a water capacity associated with the holding tank subsystem.

14. A method for remotely monitoring and controlling holding tank subsystems, the method comprising:
receiving, from a sensor, tank data indicating a material level of a material stored in a first holding tank of a holding tank subsystem, wherein the first holding tank is coupled to a second holding tank of the holding tank subsystem via a passageway;
comparing, with an electronic processor, the material level to a material transfer threshold; and
in response to the material level satisfying the material transfer threshold,
providing, with the electronic processor, a control signal to a flow controller to transfer at least a portion of the material in the first holding tank to the second holding tank as a transfer event by unblocking the passageway, wherein the flow controller configured to control a flow of material between the first holding tank to the second holding tank via the passageway by blocking the flow of material,
determining a remaining portion of the material stored in the first holding tank,
calibrate the material transfer threshold based on the remaining portion of the material, and
providing, with the electronic processor, a transfer event alert indicating that the transfer event occurred between the first holding tank and the second holding tank.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein providing the transfer event alert includes locally providing the transfer event alert via an output mechanism.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
comparing the material level to a waste material threshold; and
in response to the material level satisfying the waste material threshold, providing a waste material alert indicating that the material level satisfies the waste material threshold.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein receiving the tank data includes receiving tank data indicating a water level associated with the holding tank subsystem, and wherein the method further comprises:
comparing the water level to an overflow threshold; and
in response to the water level satisfying the overflow threshold, providing an overflow alert associated with the holding tank subsystem.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein receiving the tank data includes receiving tank data indicating a waste material level of a waste material stored in the first holding tank.

Assignees

• Zurn Ind Llc

Inventors

• Chakraborty Arindam

Classifications

• G05D9/02 Primary

  without auxiliary power · CPC title

• C02F2209/008

  comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas · CPC title

• C02F2103/32

  from the food or foodstuff industry, e.g. brewery waste waters · CPC title

• C02F1/008

  Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F · CPC title

• G05D9/12 Primary

  characterised by the use of electric means · CPC title