ENHANCED AND REMOTE METER READING WITH VIBRATION ACTUATED VALVE
First Claim
1. An automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline comprising:
- a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;
a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;
a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;
a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline;
a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;
a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit; and
said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically actuated regulation system for a natural gas pipeline having flow control unit, a vibration sensor, a gas flow meter, a trigger unit, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor actuates the flow control unit when two conditions are met. First, there must be a vibration which surpasses a predetermined threshold. Second, flow in the natural gas pipeline must have increased over the flow rate before the vibration. The system can be configured to store gas usage data and, in one embodiment, transmit the data to another location through the use of a modem or other communication means.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline comprising:
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a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;
a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;
a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;
a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline;
a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;
a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit; and
said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 29)
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19. A method for providing data to a plurality of authorized users which comprises:
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maintaining a database of premises having automated shut-off actuator systems;
receiving shut-off indication signals from said premises having automated shut-off actuator systems;
updating said database with information that a shut-off indication has been received by said automated shut-off actuator system; and
providing said information to authorized users.
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26. An automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline comprising:
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a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;
a memory unit coupled to said microprocessor, said memory unit configured to store data;
a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;
a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;
a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline coupled to a means for converting said mechanical a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;
a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit;
a modem coupled to said microprocessor, said modem configured to transmit and receive data over a communication line; and
said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.
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28. A central server configured to communicate with an automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing through a pipeline, said regulation system comprising:
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a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;
a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;
a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;
a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline coupled to a means for converting said mechanical a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;
a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit;
a modem coupled to said microprocessor, said modem configured to transmit and receive data from said server over a communication line;
said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.
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Specification