Liquid Management System

1. Liquid Management System Johnny Sang Vishnu Reddy Zachary Radtka

2. Introduction Problem Inability to measure the amount of liquid in an opaque container Inspiration The 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

3. Current Competitors Auper Systems Uses a flow meter Targets bar owners Starts at $252.00 (for two flow meters) Siemens (SITRANS LR250) Uses radar Targets industrial needs

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. Target Specifications

9. Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Description

11. Liquid Management Software Functional Description

12. Sub Solutions Liquid Monitoring Device Dip 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.

13. Sub Solutions Liquid Monitoring Device Fuel 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.

14. Sub Solutions Liquid Monitoring Device Weight 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.

15. Sub Solutions Output Information Externally (Liquid Monitoring Device) Blinking Light This 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 Notification A 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 Sign The 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.

16. Sub Solutions Output Information Externally (Liquid Management Software) GUI/Web Page These 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 Sign The 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.

17. Final Concept Liquid Monitoring Device Weight Liquid Monitoring Device Display Blinking Light Liquid Management Software GUI/Web Page Notification Email

18. 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