System for determining a liquid quantity and orientation

摘要

A system including a vessel, an image capturing device, and a processor. The vessel at least partially contacts a liquid, wherein the liquid has a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane. The image capturing device is spaced apart from the liquid surface and captures an image thereof. The processor is in communication with the image capturing device for analyzing a characteristic of the image and determining an attribute of the liquid therefrom.

主权项

1. A system, comprising:
a vessel configured to at least partially contact a liquid, the liquid having a liquid surface that is defined by a quantity of the liquid, a shape of the vessel, and an orientation of the vessel relative to a horizontal plane, the vessel comprising a first opening and a second opening, the first opening being positioned so as to allow the liquid to enter and exit the vessel depending on the quantity of the liquid in the vessel and the orientation of the vessel relative to the horizontal plane, the second opening being positioned so as to allow a gas in the vessel to enter and exit therefrom depending on the quantity of the liquid in the vessel and the orientation of the vessel relative to the horizontal plane; an image capturing device spaced apart from and positioned to face the liquid surface, the image capturing device positioned so as to face an inside side of the vessel, the image capturing device configured to capture an image of a shape of an intersection of the liquid surface and the vessel, the intersection of the liquid surface and the vessel defining a uniquely positioned sectional periphery; a processor in communication with the image capturing device, the processor being configured to determine an attribute of the liquid based on the uniquely positioned sectional periphery; and a tank configured to contact the liquid and surround at least a portion of the vessel, an inside of the tank being in fluid communication with an inside of the vessel, the intersection of the liquid surface and the vessel, as viewed by the image capturing device, being on an inside side of the vessel, and the tank being in fluid communication with the first and second openings.