System and method for distributed monitoring using remote sensors

• US 20020043969A1
• Filed: 04/25/2001
• Published: 04/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Airak, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Airak, Inc.
• Inventors: Christian, Sean Michael, Duncan, Paul G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,670,810 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/96
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy

Abstract

A system for gathering, transmitting, and storing data captured from remote monitoring sites positioned in the field. The system has specific applicability to distributed chemical sensing and reporting, and distributed power monitoring and reporting. Data from Transducers monitoring water quality parameters or electrical power parameters is transmitted to the Internet or Intranet via a communications link. Such data is relayed to secure servers, where it is formatted, analyzed, and stored for customer retrieval. If alarm conditions exist that require immediate customer notification, such notifications are sent to a customer via one or more telecommunications means, including pager, cellular telephone, or email. With respect to the distributed chemical sensing embodiments, the invention preferably utilizes fiber optic chemical sensors that address the problem of biofouling. Using anti-fouling measures, the invention can provide continuous, long-term waterway monitoring. With respect to distributed power monitoring and reporting, the invention preferably utilizes a fiber optic current transducer system to measure magnetic fields in electric power and power electronic applications. Such transducers are based upon rare-earth iron garnet (REIG) crystals that exhibit the Faraday effect when placed in a magnetic field. In both cases, respective sensor technologies can be coupled with wireless or wired telecommunications and network infrastructures, thereby allowing businesses to shift from a reactive to a proactive mode of monitoring and operation.

Claims

1. A remote sensing unit, comprising:

at least one sensor, for measuring various aspects of the environment in proximity to a sensing unit;

at least one signal processor, for processing measurements from said at least one sensor;

a two-way telemetry function, for sending data to and receiving data from a host terminal;

a tamper detection system for determining when said remote sensing unit has been opened;

at least one controller, for storing results from said at least one signal processor, controlling power availability to selected devices associated with said remote sensing unit, and for processing data from a host terminal; and

,

at least one power supply, for distributing controlled power to selected devices associated with said remote sensing unit.

2. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one sensor is an optical sensor.

3. The remote sensing unit of claim 2, in which said optical sensor can detect electrical current flow.

4. The remote sensing unit of claim 2, in which said optical sensor can detect the chemical composition of an environment surrounding said sensors.

5. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one sensor includes a biocide to retard or eliminate biofouling.

6. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one controller includes a microprocessor.

7. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one controller can control power distribution from said one or more power supplies to other remote sensing unit components.

8. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one power supply receives traditional electrical power.

9. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said at least one power supply receives power from an alternative energy source.

10. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said two-way telemetry function includes one or more cellular telephone interfaces.

11. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said two-way telemetry function is comprised of plain old telephone service.

12. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said two-way telemetry function is comprised of a wireless, point to point radio frequency interface.

13. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, in which said two-way telemetry function is comprised of a wireless satellite interface.

14. The remote sensing unit of claim 1, further comprising position determination device.

15. The remote sensing unit of claim 14, in which said position determination device is a Global Positioning System receiver.

17. The remote sensing method of claim 16, further comprising the step of defining appropriate intervals during which said controlled power is available to said remote sensing unit components based on control information received from said host terminal.

16. A remote sensing method, comprising the steps of:

controlling power available to selected remote sensing unit components;

measuring at least one aspect of the environment in proximity to said remote sensing unit;

processing and storing said at least one measured aspect as data; and

,

transmitting said data to a host terminal.