Self-powered utility delivery system
First Claim
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1. A self-powered utility delivery system, comprising:
- an inlet port configured to receive a utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system at a first pressure;
an outlet port configured to supply the utility at a second pressure, wherein the utility is configured to flow between the inlet port and the outlet port;
an electronic utility meter providing one or both of processor-mediated communications or signal processing and configured to measure the utility supplied from the outlet port;
an energy generator configured to convert a pressure of the utility to generate electrical power and consequently to regulate the pressure of the utility from the first pressure to the second pressure, wherein the second pressure is predetermined, wherein the energy generator supplies a portion of the electrical power to an energy storage device; and
a processor operatively coupled to the energy generator, wherein the energy generator comprises an adjustor configured to control an amount of the electrical power generated in response to feedback received by the processor.
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a self-powered utility delivery system that includes an energy generator that produces electrical energy and consequently regulates a pressure of utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system. Additionally, the self-powered utility delivery system includes an electronic utility meter that monitors a quantity (e.g., volume) of utility that flows through the self-powered utility delivery system and toward a consumer.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A self-powered utility delivery system, comprising:
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an inlet port configured to receive a utility flowing through the self-powered utility delivery system at a first pressure; an outlet port configured to supply the utility at a second pressure, wherein the utility is configured to flow between the inlet port and the outlet port; an electronic utility meter providing one or both of processor-mediated communications or signal processing and configured to measure the utility supplied from the outlet port; an energy generator configured to convert a pressure of the utility to generate electrical power and consequently to regulate the pressure of the utility from the first pressure to the second pressure, wherein the second pressure is predetermined, wherein the energy generator supplies a portion of the electrical power to an energy storage device; and a processor operatively coupled to the energy generator, wherein the energy generator comprises an adjustor configured to control an amount of the electrical power generated in response to feedback received by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method, comprising:
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receiving a utility through an inlet port, wherein the utility is at a first pressure; converting a pressure of the utility and thereby generating electrical power using a power generator and consequently regulating the pressure of the utility from the first pressure to a predetermined second pressure, wherein the power generator supplies a portion of the electrical power to an energy storage device; operatively coupling a processor to the power generator, wherein the power generator comprises an adjustor configured to control an amount of the electrical power generated in response to feedback received by the processor; supplying the electrical power to an electronic utility meter, wherein the electronic utility meter is configured to provide one or both of processor-mediated communications or signal processing; monitoring a volume of the utility supplied to a consumer using the electronic utility meter; and supplying the utility to the consumer at the second pressure through an outlet port.
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Specification