Integral fluid measurement system
An integral fluid measurement system includes a first sensor configured to communicate using a first communication technology, a second sensor configured to communicate using a second communication technology, and a hybrid interface unit including a first interface configured to communicate with a first sensor using a first communication technology and a second interface configured to communicate with a second sensor using a second communication technology, where the first and second communication technologies are different from each other and may include electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse. The hybrid interface unit may also include a digital signal processor, data bus, and power supply, and may be capable of being disposed on a fluid tank wall.
1. A hybrid interface unit for communicating with one or more sensors disposed in a fluid tank, the hybrid interface unit comprising:
a hybrid interface, the hybrid interface configured to communicate with a first sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a first communication technology, and with a second sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a second communication technology different from the first communication technology;
a data bus interface; and
a digital signal processor, the digital signal processor configured to exchange data between the hybrid interface and the data bus interface.
2. The hybrid interface unit of claim 1 , wherein the hybrid interface is configured to communicate to a third sensor using a third communication technology.
3. The hybrid interface unit of claim 2 , wherein the hybrid interface is configured to communicate to a fourth sensor using a fourth communication technology.
4. The hybrid interface unit of claim 3 , wherein the hybrid interface is configured to communicate to a fifth sensor using a fifth communication technology.
5. The hybrid interface unit of claim 1 , wherein:
the first communication technology is selected from the group consisting of electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse; and
the second communication technology is selected from the group consisting of electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse.
6. The hybrid interface unit of claim 1 , wherein the hybrid interface is scalable to accommodate additional sensors.
7. The hybrid interface unit of claim 6 , wherein the hybrid interface is capable of assigning addresses to additional sensors.
8. An integral fluid measurement system comprising:
a hybrid interface unit for communicating with one or more sensors disposed in a fluid tank, the hybrid interface unit comprising:
a hybrid interface, the hybrid interface configured to communicate with a first sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a first communication technology, and with a second sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a second communication technology different from the first communication technology;
a data bus interface; and
a digital signal processor, the digital signal processor configured to exchange data between the hybrid interface and the data bus interface;
a fluid tank configured to contain a fluid; and
a calculating device configured to receive data from the data bus interface;
wherein the data represents at least one parameter that is associated with the fluid; and
the calculating device is configured to calculate at least one parameter that is associated with the fluid.
9. The integral fluid measurement system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one parameter is a weight of the fuel.
10. A method of assembling an integral fluid measurement system comprising the steps of:
disposing a hybrid interface unit on a fluid tank, the hybrid interface unit being comprised of:
a hybrid interface, the hybrid interface configured to communicate with a first sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a first communication technology, and with a second sensor disposed in the fluid tank using a second communication technology different from the first communication technology;
a data bus interface; and
a digital signal processor, the digital signal processor configured to exchange data between the hybrid interface and the data bus interface;
affixing a plurality of sensors within the fluid tank;
communicatively connecting the hybrid interface unit to the plurality of sensors; and
coupling the hybrid interface unit to a calculating device.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein:
the first communication technology is selected from the group consisting of electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse; and
the second communication technology is selected from the group consisting of electrical, fiber optic, radio frequency, optical pulse, and sonic pulse.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the coupling uses a serial data bus architecture.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the serial data bus architecture is selected from the group consisting of: RS-482, RS-485, RS-422, RS-423, RS-232, Controller Area Network, and Ethernet.
14. The method of claim 10 , where the coupling uses a parallel data bus architecture.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the hybrid interface unit is scalable to accommodate additional sensors.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the hybrid interface unit is capable of assigning an address to additional sensors.