METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETERMINING THE VOLUME OF A SUBSTANCE IN A FLEXIBLE TANK

摘要

A flexible storage container may have a first footprint when empty, and retracts to a second footprint when filled with a substance. A load sensing apparatus used for determining the volume of the substance in the flexible storage container can include a first set of load-sensitive sensors arranged in at least a region of the first footprint external to the second footprint, and a second set of load-sensitive sensors arranged within the second footprint. The sensor data from the load-sensitive sensors can be used to create a pressure level profile, and the volume of the substance contained in the flexible storage container can be calculated from the pressure level profile.

主权项

1. A load sensing apparatus for determining a volume of a substance in a flexible storage container, wherein the flexible storage container has a first footprint when empty, and retracts to a second footprint when filled with the substance, the apparatus comprising:
a first plurality of load-sensitive sensors arranged in at least a region of the first footprint external to the second footprint; and a second plurality of load-sensitive sensors arranged within the second footprint, wherein a first spacing between an adjacent pair of load-sensitive sensors in the first plurality of load-sensitive sensors is less than a second spacing between an adjacent pair of load-sensitive sensors in the second plurality of load-sensitive sensors.