Communication for water distribution networks
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising:
- a remote pressure sensor operably connected to said pipe for sensing the pressure of said fluid at the location of said pressure sensor;
an acoustic transmitter proximate said remote pressure sensor for transmitting the remote pressure sensor measurement output of said sensor by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;
an acoustic receiver for receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
a pressure control valve for adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal based on the remote pressure sensor measurement from said acoustic receiver.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid such as water in a pipe, including a remote pressure sensor operably connected to the pipe for sensing the pressure of the fluid at the location of the pressure sensor. An acoustic transmitter is placed proximate the remote pressure sensor for transmitting the output of the sensors by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in the pipe to an acoustic receiver that generates a control signal in response thereto control a pressure control valve for adjusting the pressure in the pipe in response. The system is intended for a water distribution networks that include a plurality of pipes, with a remote pressure sensor, transmitter, receiver and control device for at least some of the plurality of pipes.
21 Citations
18 Claims
-
1. A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising:
-
a remote pressure sensor operably connected to said pipe for sensing the pressure of said fluid at the location of said pressure sensor;
an acoustic transmitter proximate said remote pressure sensor for transmitting the remote pressure sensor measurement output of said sensor by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;
an acoustic receiver for receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
a pressure control valve for adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal based on the remote pressure sensor measurement from said acoustic receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising:
-
remote pressure sensor means operably connected to said pipe for sensing the pressure of said fluid at the location of said pressure sensor means;
acoustic transmitter means proximate said remote pressure sensor for transmitting the output of said sensor means by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;
acoustic receiver means for receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
pressure control valve means for adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal from said acoustic receiver means. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
13. A method of monitoring the flow of a fluid in a pipe, comprising:
-
sensing the pressure of said fluid at a remote location;
transmitting the output of said sensor by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in said pipe;
receiving said acoustic signal transmitted in said fluid and generating a control signal in response thereto; and
adjusting the pressure in said pipe in response to said control signal from said acoustic receiver.
-
Specification