Tank fill control apparatus and method
A tank fill control apparatus comprising: a tank-installed switch, including: a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end, and an annular mounting flange on an outer surface between the upper end and the lower end; a liquid level sensor including a detector, a float in and moveable along a length of the lower end and a rod connecting the float to the detector, the liquid level sensor configured to sense a liquid level relative to the lower end and further configured to generate a signal when at least a maximum selected liquid level is sensed; and a control unit in communication with the tank-installed switch including: a liquid level monitoring function for receiving the signal from the liquid level sensor; and a control function for generating at least one of (i) an alert signal indicating that the maximum selected liquid level is sensed and (ii) a valve control to modify a fill operation from a tank fill system.
1. A method for monitoring a liquid fill operation into a tank, the method comprising:
opening an upper port of the tank;
installing a tank-installed switch onto the tank by removing a thief hatch from the upper port, the tank-installed switch including:
a tubular body including an upper end, a lower end defined as a tubular wall, and an annular mounting flange on an outer surface between the upper end and the lower end; a liquid level sensor including a detector, a float in and moveable along a length of the tubular wall and a rod connecting the float to the detector, the liquid level sensor configured to sense a liquid level relative to the lower end and further configured to generate a signal when at least a maximum selected liquid level is sensed;
inserting the tubular wall through the upper port to thereby position the float in the tank at a position corresponding with the maximum liquid level;
connecting the annular mounting flange to the upper port;
reinstalling the thief hatch onto an upper end of the tank-installed switch;
supporting control unit on a surface adjacent the tank; and
establishing communications between the detector and the control unit;
monitoring the liquid level during a fill operation;
generating an alert from the control unit regarding the fill operation if the maximum selected liquid level is sensed by the tank-installed switch.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring pressure within the tank and generating an alert from the control unit if an over pressure condition is sensed by the tank-installed switch.