Liquid Management System
Johnny Sang
Vishnu Reddy
Zachary Radtka
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
Current Competitors
Auper Systems
Uses a flow meter
Targets bar owners
Starts at $252.00 (for two flow meters)
Siemens (SITRANS LR250)
Uses radar
Targets industrial needs
Customer Needs
Measurement
The ability to measure the amount of liquid left
in a container by weight.
The ability to accurately measures the amount
of liquid left in a container.
Liquid Monitoring System
Requires little maintenance.
Can be used for inventory tracking.
Customer Needs
 Liquid Monitoring Device Features
The liquid monitoring device is protected from accidental
spills.
The liquid monitoring device will not fail after heavy
usage.
The liquid monitoring device can be easily installed.
The liquid monitoring device provides a warning when
the container is empty.
The liquid monitoring system measures the amount of
liquid remaining in a non-transparent container.
Customer Needs
Liquid Management Software Features
Special training is not required to be able to
operate the liquid management software.
The liquid management software can interface
with a computer.
The liquid management software provides a
warning to the user if the container is almost
empty.
No user interaction is needed to maintain the
liquid management software.
Target Specifications
Metric Need
Metric
No.
Nos.
1
1,2
Amount of liquid remaining in container
2
3
Maintenance
3
5,6
Power consumption
4
7,14,30 Ease of use
5
9,10 Mobility of liquid monitoring device
6
11-13 Durability
7
18
Distance of wireless communication
8
23-29 Size of liquid monitoring device
9
42-44 Price
Imp.
5
3
4
4
4
5
3
5
5
Unit Marginal Ideal
s
Value
Value
kg
<0.3
<0.2
hr
<0.3
<0.1
W
<0.8
<0.5
hr
<0.1
<0.1
Subj.
4
5
Subj.
4
5
m
>50
>100
3
m
<3,000 <2,500
US$
<500
<250
Liquid Monitoring Device Functional Decomposition
Energy
Store or accept
external energy
Container
Secure container
to liquid monitoring
device
Apply to subfunctions
Determine amount
of liquid in
container
Send Information
to software
Information Sent
Check for change
Output
information
externally
Audio/Visual
Output
Liquid Monitoring Device Functional
Description
Inputs
Outputs
Critical Sub Problems
Store or accept external energy
Apply to sub functions
Secure container to Liquid Monitoring Device
Determine amount of liquid in container
Send information to Liquid Management
Software
Check for change
Output information externally




Energy
A single container of liquid
Information sent to Liquid Management Software
Audio/visual output of information
o Amount of liquid in container
o Warning if container is “low”
Descriptions
Energy is stored or accepted.
Energy is distributed throughout the system to sub functions.
The Liquid Monitoring Device is mounted and secured to the container being
measured.
The Liquid Monitoring Device determines the amount of liquid remaining in the
container.
The amount liquid left in the container is sent over a medium to the Liquid
Management Software.
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.
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
Information
User Input
Add/remove Liquid
Monitoring
Device(s)
Store information
Output information
externally
Audio/Visual
Output
Set container
attributes
Notify user(s)
Notification(s) Sent
Liquid Management Software
Functional Description
Inputs


Outputs


Critical Sub Problems
Store information
Descriptions
A method to store the information being sent in from the Liquid Monitoring
Devices.
A physical output that is used to notify a user of the status and history of the
container(s).
Increase or decrease the number of Liquid Monitoring Devices that the Liquid
Management Software interfaces with.
Allow the user to enter attributes for each Liquid Monitoring Device currently being
used.
A method to notify the user(s) that a container is “low”.
Output information externally
Add/remove Liquid Monitoring Device(s)
Set container attributes
Notify User(s)
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
Audio/visual output of current status and history of container(s)
Notification of a “low” container
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Final Concept
Liquid Monitoring Device
Weight
Liquid Monitoring Device Display
Blinking Light
Liquid Management Software
GUI/Web Page
Notification
Email
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