Low power regulator system and method
First Claim
1. A method for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors where the controller is configured to collect sensor data, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the controller in a first mode;
issuing a first controller command to activate a selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
placing the controller in a second mode for a first predetermined period of time where the controller consumes a reduced amount of power in the second mode than when operating in the first mode;
placing the controller in the first mode after the first predetermined period has lapsed; and
issuing a second controller command to collect sensor data from the selected sensor.
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors. The controller and each of the individual sensors are activated as required to collect sensor data during a sampling period thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the pressure regulator system. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a battery sensor to monitor the capacity of the pressure regulator battery and placing the pressure regulator in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors where the controller is configured to collect sensor data, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing the controller in a first mode;
issuing a first controller command to activate a selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
placing the controller in a second mode for a first predetermined period of time where the controller consumes a reduced amount of power in the second mode than when operating in the first mode;
placing the controller in the first mode after the first predetermined period has lapsed; and
issuing a second controller command to collect sensor data from the selected sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors, where the controller is configured to collect sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors during a sampling period, the method comprising the steps of:
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activating a first selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
collecting sensor data from the first selected sensor;
deactivating the first selected sensor;
activating a second selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
collecting sensor data from the second selected sensor, and deactivating the second selected sensor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A pressure regulator for controlling fluid in a pipeline, the pressure regulator being operated by a battery, comprising:
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a battery sensor adapted to sense an operation parameter of the battery, and responsively generate an operation parameter signal;
a memory adapted to store a threshold capacity value of the battery, and responsively generate a threshold capacity signal; and
a controller unit for controlling power consumption of the pressure regulator, wherein the controller unit is adapted to receive the operation parameter signal and the threshold capacity signal, and responsively generate a command signal to operate the pressure regulator in at least one of a plurality of operating modes. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A controller unit adapted to control power consumption of a pressure regulator, the pressure regulator being operated by a battery, the controller unit comprising:
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a battery sensor adapted to sense an operation parameter of the battery, and responsively generate an operation parameter signal;
a memory adapted to store a threshold capacity value of the battery, and responsively generate a threshold capacity signal; and
a processor adapted to receive the operation parameter signal and the threshold capacity signal, and responsively generate a command signal to operate the pressure regulator in at least one of a plurality of operating modes. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45)
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46. A method for controlling power consumption of a pressure regulator, the pressure regulator being operated by a battery, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a battery sensor for sensing an operation parameter of the battery;
storing a threshold capacity value of the battery;
operating the pressure regulator in at least one of a plurality of operating modes in accordance with a logic routine based on the operation parameter and the threshold capacity value. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48)
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Specification