LEVEL SENSING FOR DISPENSER CANISTERS
A system for detecting the level of a fluid in a dispensing container may comprise a pressure sensor comprising a detection end disposed inside a dispensing canister. The dispensing canister may have a top and a bottom that is configured to dispense a fluid. The pressure sensor may be operably attached to the canister. The system may further comprise a processing unit comprising a motor control board and a control circuit comprising a processor and programming resident in memory to determine the level at which the fluid is present.
1 . A system for detecting a level of a fluid in a dispensing container, comprising:
a pressure sensor comprising a detection end disposed inside a dispensing canister having a top and a bottom that is configured to dispense a fluid, the pressure sensor operably attached to the canister; and
a processing unit comprising:
a motor control board; and
control circuit comprising a processor and programming resident in memory to determine the level at which the fluid is present.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is water-proof.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is disposed at the bottom of the canister.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is configured to continuously detect pressure inside the dispensing container.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the level at which the fluid is present comprises about twelve to about sixteen fluid levels.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the level at which the fluid is present is a continuous number of levels.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the pressure sensor is selectably removable from the canister.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein pressure sensor comprises data indicative of one or more of fluid volume, fluid level in the canister, and/or fluid weight.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises a non-sensing portion sealed from the inside of the dispensing canister.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the canister comprises an empty level measurement and a full level measurement configured for calibration pressure measurement.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein the calibration pressure measurement is the difference between the full level measurement and the empty level measurement.
12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a temperature sensor operably coupled with the canister configured to measure temperature of the fluid.
13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an agitation motor and a dispenser motor operably coupled with the canister.
14 . A system for detecting a level of a fluid in a dispensing container, comprising:
a plurality of dispensing canisters, each dispensing canister having a top and a bottom that is configured to dispense a fluid;
at least one pressure sensor operably attached to one of the dispensing canisters and configured to continuously monitor pressure of the fluid, the pressure sensor comprising a detection end disposed inside the dispensing canister and operably attached to the canister; and
a processing unit operably communicating with at least one dispensing canister, comprising:
a motor control board; and
control circuit comprising a processor and programming resident in memory to determine the level at which the fluid is present;
the pressure sensor configured to continuously sense the level at which the fluid is present.
15 . The system of claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of pressure sensors, one or more pressure sensors being operably attached to each dispensing canister.
16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the canisters comprises an empty level measurement and a full level measurement configured for calibration pressure measurement.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the calibration pressure measurement is the difference between the full level measurement and the empty level measurement.
18 . A system for detecting a level of a fluid in a dispensing container, comprising:
a plurality of dispensing canisters, each dispensing canister having a top and a bottom that is configured to dispense a fluid, each dispensing canister having an agitation motor and a dispenser motor operably coupled with the bottom of the dispensing canister;
a plurality of pressure sensors, each operably attached to one of the dispensing canisters, each pressure sensor comprising a detection end disposed inside the dispensing canister and operably attached to the canister and configured to continuously sense the level of the fluid in the dispensing container; and
a plurality of processing units operably communicating with each dispensing canister, comprising:
a motor control board; and
control circuit comprising a processor and programming resident in memory to determine the level at which the fluid is present;
19 . The system of claim 18 , each dispensing canister comprising an empty level measurement and a full level measurement configured for calibration pressure measurement.
20 . The system of claim 19 , the calibration pressure measurement is the difference between the full level measurement and the empty level measurement.