IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,326,996

Granted Patent B2

US 11,326,996 · App. 16/810,943 · Granted May 10, 2022

System for monitoring and displaying status of processing of a fluid

Inventors: Stephen M. Wells (State College, PA); Nicholas A. Wells (State College, PA); Eli M. Hughes (State College, PA)

Assignee: TZero Research & Development LLC

G01N9/24 G01F1/668 G01F1/74 G01F15/024 G01N29/024 G01N29/24 G01N29/343 G01N2291/02818 G01N2291/02836

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 11,326,996
App. No.: 16/810,943
Granted: May 10, 2022
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A system for monitoring processing of a fluid receives one or more characteristics of the fluid and uses those characteristics to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid. The processor will cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of the specific gravity of the fluid as well as the determined level of processing activity. In some embodiments, the processing activity may include fermentation, as that of a beverage. If so, the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity may include a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity. Displayed characteristics of the cavity will change as the determined level of the fermentation increases.

Claims (229)

1. A system for monitoring processing of a fluid, the system comprising:

a sensor for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid when the fluid is in contact with the sensor; and

a memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause a processor to:

use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid, wherein the processing activity comprises fermentation, and

cause a display device to output a user interface containing a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics, and

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics,

wherein the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity,

wherein displayed characteristics of the cavity will change as the determined level of the fermentation increases.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the determined level of fermentation to identify a remaining time for completion of fermentation of the fluid; and

cause the user interface to output a dynamic representation of the remaining time for completion of the fermentation of the fluid.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity also comprises a dynamically changing status bar, and:

the status bar comprises a segment representing a processing activity level and a segment representing a period during which the fluid may remain in a tank in which the sensor is present after processing is complete.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to:

continue to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

access a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assess whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

when the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time, cause the display device to generate an output indicating such.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

the instructions to use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine the specific gravity of the fluid comprise instructions to use the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid to determine density of the fluid, and using the determined density of the fluid to determine the specific gravity of the fluid; and

the instructions to use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine a level of processing activity of the fluid comprise instructions to:

identify changes in the specific gravity of the fluid over a period of time, and

use the changes to determine the level of processing activity.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer, a processor, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

cause the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitor signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

use a time of generation of the generated signals and a time of receipt the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein:

the memory comprises additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to use the specific gravity to determine a level of fermentation of the fluid; and

the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity, wherein displayed characteristics of the cavity will change as the determined level of the fermentation increases.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

the instructions to use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid comprise instructions to:

use the speed of sound of the fluid to determine density of the fluid, and

determine the specific gravity of the fluid based on the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid;

the system further comprises instructions to use the specific gravity to determine API gravity of the fluid; and

the instructions to cause the display device to output the user interface containing the dynamic representation of the specific gravity of the fluid comprise instructions to display the determined API gravity of the fluid.

9. A method of monitoring processing activity of a fluid, the method comprising:

by a sensor, measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid that is in contact with the sensor; and

by a processor, executing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics, and

a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity in which displayed characteristics of the cavity will change as the determined level of the fermentation increases as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising, by the processor:

using the determined level of fermentation to identify a remaining time for completion of fermentation of the fluid; and

causing the display device to output a dynamic representation of the remaining time for completion of the fermentation of the fluid.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises causing the display device to display a dynamically changing status bar; and

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising, by the processor:

continuing to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

accessing a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assessing whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

when the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time, causing the display device to generate an output indicating such.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid;

using the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine the specific gravity of the fluid comprises using the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid to determine density of the fluid, and using the determined density to determine the specific gravity of the fluid; and

using the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine a level of processing activity of the fluid comprises identifying changes in the specific gravity of the fluid over a period of time and using the changes to determine the level of processing activity.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer; and

the method further comprises:

causing the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitoring signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

using a time of transmission of the generated signals and a time of receipt of the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

15. The method of claim 13 , further comprising, by the processor:

using the specific gravity to determine a level of fermentation of the fluid; and

wherein causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises causing the display device to display a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity in which displayed characteristics of the cavity change as the determined level of the fermentation increases.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

determining the specific gravity of the fluid comprises:

using the speed of sound of the fluid to determine density of the fluid, and

determining the specific gravity of the fluid based on the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid;

the method further comprises using the specific gravity to determine API gravity of the fluid; and

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the specific gravity of the fluid comprises causing the display device to display the determined API gravity of the fluid.

17. A system for monitoring processing of a fluid, the system comprising:

a sonic sensor for measuring speed of sound in a fluid when the fluid in contact with the sensor; and

a memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause a processing device to:

use the speed of sound of the fluid and a bulk modulus for the fluid to determine density of the fluid,

using the determined density to determine specific gravity of the fluid,

use the determined specific gravity to determine a level of processing activity of the fluid by identifying changes in the specific gravity of the fluid over a period of time and using the changes to determine the level of processing activity, and

cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the speed of sound.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein:

the processing activity comprises fermentation; and

19. A system for monitoring processing of a fluid, the system comprising:

a sonic sensor for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid when the fluid is in contact with the sonic sensor; and

a memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause a processor to:

use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid, wherein:

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid,

the instructions to use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine a level of processing activity of the fluid comprise instructions to identify changes in the specific gravity of the fluid over a period of time and use the changes to determine the level of processing activity, and

cause a display device to output a user interface containing a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics, and

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the memory comprises additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the determined level of fermentation to identify a remaining time for completion of fermentation of the fluid; and

cause the user interface to output a dynamic representation of the remaining time for completion of the fermentation of the fluid.

21. The system of claim 19 , wherein:

the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises a dynamically changing status bar, and:

22. The system of claim 19 , further comprising programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to:

continue to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

access a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assess whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

23. The system of claim 19 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer, a processor, and programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

cause the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitor signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

use a time of generation of the generated signals and a time of receipt the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

24. The system of claim 19 , wherein:

the memory comprises additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to use the specific gravity to determine a level of fermentation of the fluid; and the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises a fermentation tank with a dynamically changing cavity, wherein displayed characteristics of the cavity will change as the determined level of the fermentation increases.

25. A system for monitoring processing of a fluid, the system comprising:

a sonic sensor for measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid when the fluid is in contact with the sonic sensor, wherein the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

a memory containing programming instructions that are configured to cause a processor to:

use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid, wherein the instructions to use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine the specific gravity of the fluid comprise instructions to use the speed of sound to determine density of the fluid and determine the specific gravity of the fluid based on the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid,

use the specific gravity to determine API gravity of the fluid, and

cause a display device to output a user interface containing a dynamic representation of:

the determined API gravity of the fluid, and

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics.

26. The system of claim 25 , wherein the memory comprises additional programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the determined level of fermentation to identify a remaining time for completion of fermentation of the fluid; and

cause the user interface to output a dynamic representation of the remaining time for completion of the fermentation of the fluid.

27. The system of claim 25 , wherein:

the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity also comprises a dynamically changing status bar, and:

28. The system of claim 25 , further comprising programming instructions that are configured to cause the processing device to:

continue to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

access a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assess whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

29. A method of monitoring processing activity of a fluid, the method comprising:

by a sensor, measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid that is in contact with the sensor; and

by a processor, executing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid,

use the determined level of fermentation to identify a remaining time for completion of fermentation of the fluid, and

cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics,

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics, and

the remaining time for completion of the processing activity of the fluid.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein:

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises causing the display device to display a dynamically changing status bar; and

31. The method of claim 29 further comprising, by the processor:

continuing to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time; accessing a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assessing whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

32. The method of claim 29 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid;

33. The method of claim 32 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer; and

the method further comprises:

causing the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitoring signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

using a time of transmission of the generated signals and a time of receipt of the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

34. The method of claim 32 , further comprising, by the processor:

using the specific gravity to determine a level of fermentation of the fluid; and

35. The method of claim 29 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a sonic sensor;

the one or more characteristics of the fluid comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

determining the specific gravity of the fluid comprises:

using the speed of sound of the fluid to determine density of the fluid, and

determining the specific gravity of the fluid based on the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid;

the method further comprises:

using the specific gravity to determine API gravity of the fluid, and

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the specific gravity of the fluid comprises causing the display device to display the determined API gravity of the fluid.

36. A method of monitoring processing activity of a fluid, the method comprising:

by a sonic sensor, measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid that is in contact with the sensor, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

by a processor, executing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid to determine a density of the fluid,

use the density to determine specific gravity of the fluid,

identify changes in the specific gravity of the fluid over a period of time, and

using the changes to determine a level of processing activity of the fluid, and

cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics, and

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein:

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises causing the display device to display a dynamically changing status bar; and

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising, by the processor:

continuing to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

accessing a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assessing whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

39. The method of claim 36 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer; and

the method further comprises:

causing the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitoring signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

using a time of transmission of the generated signals and a time of receipt of the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

40. The method of claim 36 , further comprising, by the processor:

using the specific gravity to determine a level of fermentation of the fluid; and

41. A method of monitoring processing activity of a fluid, the method comprising:

by a sonic sensor, measuring one or more characteristics of a fluid that is in contact with the sensor, wherein the one or more characteristics comprise a speed of sound within the fluid; and

by a processor, executing programming instructions that are configured to cause the processor to:

use the one or more characteristics of the fluid to determine specific gravity of the fluid and a level of processing activity of the fluid, wherein determining the specific gravity of the fluid comprises using the speed of sound of the fluid to determine density of the fluid and determining the specific gravity of the fluid based on the speed of sound and a bulk modulus of the fluid,

use the specific gravity to determine API gravity of the fluid, and

cause a display device to output a dynamic representation of:

the specific gravity of the fluid, as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics,

the determined API gravity of the fluid, and

the determined level of processing activity as determined by the processing device based on the one or more characteristics.

42. The method of claim 41 , wherein:

causing the display device to output the dynamic representation of the determined level of processing activity comprises causing the display device to display a dynamically changing status bar; and

43. The method of claim 41 further comprising, by the processor:

continuing to determine the level of processing activity of the fluid over a period of time;

accessing a data set of previous processing activity for the fluid and identify, from the data set, an expected level of processing activity over the period of time;

assessing whether the determined level of processing activity over the period of time deviates from the expected level of processing activity over the period of time; and

44. The method of claim 41 , wherein:

the sensor comprises a transducer; and

the method further comprises:

causing the transducer to generate and transmit signals toward a reflective surface,

monitoring signals reflected from the reflective surface when received by the transducer, and

using a time of transmission of the generated signals and a time of receipt of the received signals to measure the speed of sound in the fluid.

Assignments (1)

ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 6, 2020

From: WELLS, STEPHEN M.; WELLS, NICHOLAS A.; HUGHES, ELI M.

To: TZERO RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT LLC

Reel/Frame 052034/0803 →

Continuity (2)

Provisional Application 62818926 · Mar 15, 2019

Related Publication 20200292434A1 · Sep 17, 2020

Cited By (2)

US 12,516,282 US 12,736,452