On July 22, 1999, a day before the
Space Shuttle Columbia launched with the first female
shuttle Commander - Eileen Collins, the first SiloPatrol® SMU
level sensor was shipped out from Monitor Technologies’ Elburn,
IL facility. It was among the industry’s
first electronically controlled “smart” cable-based
level sensors. Ten years later, the SiloPatrol is still
an industry-leading continuous level sensor. Since
the original unit, the SiloPartol has evolved into
the Second Edition (SE) with product enhancements like
a sealed split compartment design, a serviceable wiper
seal compartment, enhanced motor control features,
and unique lock-out circuitry which if utilized prohibits
a sensor from making a measurement when activated.
The SiloPatrol® SE
is a rugged, reliable and accurate level measuring
system designed for the harshest and most dynamic
conditions. It is effectively used to improve material
inventory control of powder / bulk solids and many
liquids in storage silos, hoppers, vessels, etc.
The sensors measure the inventory level automatically
and on-demand without the need for your operator
or plant personnel to climb silos. The smart cabled-base
sensors automatically lower a weight & cable
into the silo until it contacts the material surface.
Upon contact the weight & cable system is immediately
retracted and the measurement is fed to the plant
control system or operator interface. A microcontroller
directs all of the functions of the sensor to ensure
the proper travel of the weight & cable, which
provides accuracy and reliability of the measurement.
These sensors are easy to install and are also virtually
maintenance free, requiring only a periodic inspection
usually once or twice per year. Once the material
level measurement is obtained, a variety of operator
interface devices is available to calculate and display
material volume, weight and more. A PC-based software
package is also available that can automate report
generation, send emails to suppliers or corporate
locations and allow remote viewing of material level
inventory. Please visit www.monitortech.com/product_c_c_sp.shtml for
more details.
About Monitor
Monitor Technologies LLC is a pioneering
supplier of level measurement instrumentation, solids
flow monitors, particle emission monitors and aeration
devices for the worldwide powder and bulk solids markets.
The experience and market knowledge gained over 50
years of business has earned Monitor a reputation for
providing high quality and reliable product solutions
backed with trusted customer service. Monitor is located
in Elburn Illinois.
For more information please visit www.monitortech.com, www.flexar.info and
our blog at www.monitortech.typepad.com.
You can also contact Mr. Greg DeRudder or Mr. Chris
Otte of Monitor Technologies at 1-800-766-6486 in the
USA or 1-630-365-9403.
The
SafePoint rotary paddle level switch with a self-validating design
detects material presence plus continuously monitors its own ability
to function. The analysis includes sensor health and system power
failure, which makes the SafePoint truly “fail-safe”.
The SafePoint incorporates patented use of Hall-Effect technology,
dual outputs to indicate both material presence and unit health,
and microcontroller technology to continuously protect bulk solids
processing and storage from the consequences of unknown sensor
failure by providing immediate indication of a sensor failure
and confirmation of proper operation.
Other practical features of the SafePoint include rugged construction,
motor shut-off when paddle becomes impeded to maximize motor life, twist On/Off
cover for bolt free removal, and local status indicating light (except hazardous
location models)
A practical application for the SafePoint would be to use this "true"
fail-safe product if undetected sensor failure could result in a
catastrophic process problem.
