Systems and methods for detecting and controlling leaks
First Claim
1. A leak management system for a substance flowing in a substance distribution system, comprising:
- a plurality of substance flow sensors coupled to or in communication with said distribution system;
at least one processor coupled to or in communication with said plurality of substance flow sensors;
at least one memory coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor;
at least one user interface coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor;
a primary power supply coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor;
processor executable instructions configured to be executed by said at least one processor and stored in said at least one memory, the processor executable instructions including;
discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors;
receiving substance flow data from said plurality of substance flow sensors;
analyzing said substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy within said substance flow data; and
transmitting alerts upon identification of said at least one discrepancy;
wherein discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors includes the steps of;
discovering IP addresses ofdevices in the leak management system;
compiling a list of the IP addresses;
comparing each of the IP addresses to a register to obtain device information, the device information including whether the device associated with the IP address is a sensor device or a non-sensor device; and
updating the list with the device information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for detecting and controlling leaks via analysis of substance flow data. A leak management system including a processor that receives substance flow data from a plurality of substance flow sensors, analyzes the substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy within said substance flow data, and transmits at least one alert and/or takes preventative or corrective action upon identification of said at least one discrepancy. In one aspect, identifying said at least one discrepancy includes identifying a predetermined difference between the value read at the primary one of the plurality of substance flow sensors and the sum of all values read at all of the secondary ones of the plurality of substance flow sensors, wherein the predetermined difference accounts for a margin of error. Flow sensors may be recharged by the flow of the substance through the sensor.
20 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A leak management system for a substance flowing in a substance distribution system, comprising:
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a plurality of substance flow sensors coupled to or in communication with said distribution system; at least one processor coupled to or in communication with said plurality of substance flow sensors; at least one memory coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; at least one user interface coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; a primary power supply coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; processor executable instructions configured to be executed by said at least one processor and stored in said at least one memory, the processor executable instructions including; discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors; receiving substance flow data from said plurality of substance flow sensors; analyzing said substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy within said substance flow data; and transmitting alerts upon identification of said at least one discrepancy; wherein discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors includes the steps of; discovering IP addresses of devices in the leak management system; compiling a list of the IP addresses; comparing each of the IP addresses to a register to obtain device information, the device information including whether the device associated with the IP address is a sensor device or a non-sensor device; and updating the list with the device information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A leak management system for a substance flowing in a distribution system comprising:
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a plurality of water flow sensors coupled to or in communication with said substance distribution system; at least one processor coupled to or in communication with said plurality of water flow sensors; at least one memory coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; at least one user interface coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; a primary power supply coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; a substance flow shutoff attached to said substance distribution system and coupled to or in communication with said at least one processor; processor executable instructions configured to be executed by said at least one processor and stored in said at least one memory, the processor executable instructions including; discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors; monitoring operational status signals transmitted by each of said plurality of substance flow sensors; receiving substance flow data from said plurality of substance flow sensors; analyzing said substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy; transmitting an alert upon identification of said at least one discrepancy; and activating said substance flow shutoff upon identification of said at least one discrepancy; wherein discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors includes the steps of; discovering IP addresses of devices in the leak management system; compiling a list of the IP addresses; comparing each of the IP addresses to a register to obtain device information, the device information including whether the device associated with the IP address is a sensor device or a non-sensor device; and updating the list with the device information. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. A method for managing leaks in a substance distribution system comprising the steps of:
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discovering a plurality of substance flow sensors coupled to or in communication with said distribution system; monitoring operational status signals transmitted by each of said plurality of substance flow sensors; receiving substance flow data from said plurality of substance flow sensors; analyzing said substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy; transmitting at least one alert upon identification of said at least one discrepancy; and activating a water flow shutoff attached to said distribution system upon identification of said at least one discrepancy; wherein discovering said plurality of substance flow sensors includes the steps of; discovering IP addresses of devices in the leak management system; compiling a list of the IP addresses; comparing each of the IP addresses to a register to obtain device information, the device information including whether the device associated with the IP address is a sensor device or a non-sensor device; and updating the list with the device information. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification