The SiloPatrol® SE inventory
monitor "smart" sensors (Refer to Bulletin
343A) can be used in conjunction with the SiloTrack™ Inventory
Management PC-Based Software (Refer to Bulletin
343B). Communication between the Model SMU "smart" sensors
and the SiloTrack software
is accomplished via 2-wire RS-485 communication format. The SiloPatrol Wireless
Communication Interface can be used to replace the RS-485
wiring between the "smart" sensors and the PC.
With reliable and affordable technology, the SiloPatrol Wireless
Communication Interface can be used to lower the cost of
installation and to overcome obstacles that make hardwiring
impractical or impossible.
OPTIMIZED
RELIABILITY
The SiloPatrol® SE Wireless
Communication Interface uses proven frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology,
operating in the 900MHz band, to communicate between your PC running SiloTrack Server
software and individual or groups of SiloPatrol "smart" sensors.
The 900MHz band is a FCC license-free band and offers greater transmission
distances, better signal transmission through obstructions and lower signal
loss than other possible frequency bands.
Frequency-hopping spread-spectrum
radio technology utilizes a band of frequencies between 900-928MHz and continuously "hops" or
switches frequencies during radio transmission enhancing reliability and minimizing
disruption of the telecommunications. The spread-spectrum enables a signal
to be transmitted across a frequency band that is much wider than the minimum
bandwidth required by the information signal. This reduces interference and allows for increased data communication.
FLEXIBILITY
The SiloPatrol Wireless
Communication Interface can be utilized in numerous applications, even with
multiple sensor networks and over 100 sensors. Each sensor network will require
a wireless transceiver at the PC. A wireless transceiver is also required at
the sensor location. Up to 16 sensors can be connected with one wireless transceiver
pair.
Single
Network/Point-to-Point: One transceiver
is located at the PC and one at a group of sensors
or at a single sensor. If used with a grouping of
sensors located in close proximity, the sensors would
be wired together with the transceiver.
Single
Network/Multiple-Point: One transceiver is located at
the PC and one transceiver at each of multiple groups
of sensors within a single network or one transceiver
at each sensor.
Multiple
Networks/Point-to-Point: One transceiver for each network
of sensors at the PC and one transceiver at each network
group of sensors.
Multiple
Networks/Multiple-Point: One transceiver is located
at the PC for each network and one transceiver at each
of multiple groups of sensors within each network or
one transceiver at each sensor within each network.
Model Selection
The SiloPatrol® Wireless
Communication Interface is enclosed in a NEMA 4 enclosure
suitable for indoor or outdoor mounting and is provided with
a mounting bracket that be used for mounting on a flat surface
or pipe/railing. Each transceiver includes both
RS-485 and RS-232 interfaces. A choice of antenna is provided
(standard or high gain) along with a choice of power supply
options.
Monitor
Technologies LLC warrants each SiloPatrol® Wireless
Interface it manufactures to be free from defects in material
and workmanship under normal use and service for two (2)
years from the date of purchase. The purchaser must notify
Monitor of any defects within the warranty period, return
the product intact, and prepay transportation charges. The
obligation of Monitor Technologies LLC under this warranty
is limited to repair or replacement at its factory. This
warranty does not apply to any product which is repaired
or altered outside of Monitor Technologies' factory, or which
has been subject to misuse, negligence, accident, incorrect
wiring by others, or improper installation. Monitor Technologies
LLC reserves the right to change the design and/or specifications
without prior notice.
343D.3.0406
Global Flour Processor Uses Flexar® Guided Wave Radar
A large global flour processor and food products company recently began using the Flexar® guided wave radar in a total of eighteen (18) silos and bins to manage their finished product inventory. Readings from these continuous level sensors is reported as being reliable and accurate, even during pneumatic filling, contrary to their previous measuring system. A previous non-performing ultrasonic system was replaced by the Flexar level sensors. Flexar guided wave radar level sensors were chosen as the best for pneumatically filled dust laden flour silos.
Eight (8) Flexar level sensors are installed in load-out silos that fill bulk trucks with processed and finished flour. These silos are 12ft in diameter and 35ft tall. The finished flour is pneumatically conveyed into these silos. During filling the internal environment of the silos is very dusty and turbulent. The finished flour in these silos is used for loading bulk transport trucks for distribution. In addition, ten (10) Flexar level sensors are installed in 40ft high bins that contain bran. This material is also sent by bulk transport to end users.
All of the Flexar level sensors are equipped with an RS485 digital communications output that is connected to a PC with a graphical user interface for inventory management purposes. Monitor’s SiloTrack™ inventory management software is used by the facility to monitor and manage material inventories of both the finished flour and the bran. SiloTrack allows for multiple user viewing and data access via LAN and this is how the facility will be using the software that provides a flexible, graphical user interface, alarms, report generation and history analysis functions.
Guided wave radar is especially well suited to level measurement applications of dusty powder materials even when measuring during pneumatic filling. Flexar guided wave radar utilizes TDR (time domain reflectometry) technology. Radar pulses are continuously transmitted down the sensor’s probe and guided to the material surface where they are reflected back to the electronics along the wave guide. The time-of-flight of the pulses is measured and directly related to the distance to the material surface and its level.
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