Liquid Management System

Johnny Sang

Vishnu Reddy

Zachary Radtka

Introduction

ProblemInability to measure the amount of liquid in an opaque container

InspirationThe failure to detect the amount of beer remaining in a keg

Solution A liquid management system that checks the liquid level in a container, sends low level warnings, and links to a software that stores information about the liquid

Current Competitors

Auper SystemsUses a flow meter Targets bar ownersStarts at $252.00 (for two flow meters)

Siemens (SITRANS LR250)Uses radarTargets industrial needs

Customer Needs

Measurement The ability to measure the amount of liquid left

in a container by weight. The ability to accurately measures the amount

of liquid left in a container.

Liquid Monitoring System Requires little maintenance. Can be used for inventory tracking.

Customer Needs

Liquid Monitoring Device Features The liquid monitoring device is protected from

accidental spills. The liquid monitoring device will not fail after heavy

usage. The liquid monitoring device can be easily installed. The liquid monitoring device provides a warning when

the container is empty. The liquid monitoring system measures the amount of

liquid remaining in a non-transparent container.

Customer Needs

Liquid Management Software Features Special training is not required to be able to

operate the liquid management software. The liquid management software can interface

with a computer. The liquid management software provides a

warning to the user if the container is almost empty.

No user interaction is needed to maintain the liquid management software.

Target Specifications

Metric No.

Need Nos.

Metric Imp. Units

Marginal Value

Ideal Value

1 1,2 Amount of liquid remaining in container 5 kg <0.3 <0.2 2 3 Maintenance 3 hr <0.3 <0.1 3 5,6 Power consumption 4 W <0.8 <0.5 4 7,14,30 Ease of use 4 hr <0.1 <0.1 5 9,10 Mobility of liquid monitoring device 4 Subj. 4 5 6 11-13 Durability 5 Subj. 4 5 7 18 Distance of wireless communication 3 m >50 >100 8 23-29 Size of liquid monitoring device 5 m3 <3,000 <2,500 9 42-44 Price 5 US$ <500 <250

Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Decomposition

Store or accept external energy

Apply to sub-functions

Determine amount of liquid in container

Check for change

Energy

Container Information Sent

Audio/Visual Output

Send Information to software

Secure container to liquid monitoring

device

Output information externally

Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Description

Inputs Energy A single container of liquid

Outputs Information sent to Liquid Management Software Audio/visual output of information

o Amount of liquid in container o Warning if container is “low”

Critical Sub Problems Descriptions Store or accept external energy Energy is stored or accepted. Apply to sub functions Energy is distributed throughout the system to sub functions. Secure container to Liquid Monitoring Device The Liquid Monitoring Device is mounted and secured to the container being

measured. Determine amount of liquid in container The Liquid Monitoring Device determines the amount of liquid remaining in the

container. Send information to Liquid Management Software

The amount liquid left in the container is sent over a medium to the Liquid Management Software.

Check for change Determine if the amount of liquid in the container has changed. This internal signal allows updated information to be sent to the Liquid Management Software and physical output.

Output information externally A physical output on the Liquid management system is used to notify a user of the status of the container.

Liquid Management Software Functional Decomposition

Store informationOutput information

externally

Add/remove Liquid Monitoring Device(s)

Information

User Input

Audio/Visual Output

Notify user(s) Notification(s) SentSet container

attributes

Liquid Management Software Functional Description

Inputs Information from Liquid Monitoring Device User input

o Addition/subtraction of Liquid Monitoring device o Change the attributes of a container o Method of notification

Outputs Audio/visual output of current status and history of container(s) Notification of a “low” container

Critical Sub Problems Descriptions Store information A method to store the information being sent in from the Liquid Monitoring

Devices. Output information externally A physical output that is used to notify a user of the status and history of the

container(s). Add/remove Liquid Monitoring Device(s) Increase or decrease the number of Liquid Monitoring Devices that the Liquid

Management Software interfaces with. Set container attributes Allow the user to enter attributes for each Liquid Monitoring Device currently being

used. Notify User(s) A method to notify the user(s) that a container is “low”.

Sub Solutions

Liquid Monitoring DeviceDip Stick

An electronic dipstick sits on top of the container. Connected to the dipstick is an antenna which is inserted through a small hole in the top of the container. Any pressure inside the container is retained through the use of an “O” ring. The electronic dipstick emits a signal along the antenna. The time difference between pulse reflection at the top of the tank and reflection at the liquids surface indicates the amount of liquid remaining.

Sub Solutions

Liquid Monitoring DeviceFuel Gauge

The fuel gauge is similar to one in a car. It consists of a float connected to an arm which slides along a variable resistor. The height of the float determines the resistance, which in turns is able to display the amount of liquid left in a container. The fuel gauge unit is physically part of the container.

Sub Solutions

Liquid Monitoring DeviceWeight

A scale is placed underneath the container. An initial calibration reading when the container is empty is needed. It then calculates the amount of liquid remaining depending on the weight of the container and liquid inside.

Sub Solutions

Output Information Externally (Liquid Monitoring Device)

Blinking LightThis is a very cheap method of displaying a “low amount” warning. It can be easily constructed with LEDs and the rate at which it flashes enables it to display multiple levels of liquid remaining.

Digital Display (static)This is able to display more details than the blinking light method. It would be able to display numerical values instead of only flashes making it an attractive way of providing information.

Voice NotificationA voice notification method is able to alert users of low levels if the users are not able to check on container. This would be appealing to people who do not want to constantly check on the liquid containers for low levels. Using a voice notification would also be able to provide more information than other audio alert methods such as bells and whistles.

Scrolling SignThe scrolling sign is perhaps the most appealing method of displaying information, especially useful when aesthetics are important. It provides the same amount of information as the digital display.

Sub Solutions

Output Information Externally (Liquid Management Software)

GUI/Web PageThese two methods are combined into one because they both use computers as a medium for displaying information. The GUI allows users to interface with the Liquid Management Software. The web page is an easy method for users to check on their liquid levels remotely from anywhere that has internet access.

Digital Display (static)This is able to display more details than the blinking light method. It would be able to display numerical values making it an attractive way of providing information.

Scrolling SignThe scrolling sign is perhaps the most appealing method of displaying information, especially useful when aesthetics are important. It provides the same amount of information as the digital display.

Final Concept

Liquid Monitoring DeviceWeight

Liquid Monitoring Device DisplayBlinking Light

Liquid Management SoftwareGUI/Web Page

NotificationEmail

Intended Demonstration

Hardware Working Scale Transmits data to computer (Ethernet)

Software Store and update information on a container Display current and previous information of a

container