System and method for utility metering and leak detection

• US 20060059977A1
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,228,726 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/40
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2807 for pipes G01M3/2892, G01M3/30 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/2815 using pressure measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/20 responsive to moisture

Abstract

The system and method for detecting water and/or gas leaks by monitoring usage patterns is described. In one embodiment, the existence of a leak is detected by looking for usage patterns wherein water or gas is always being used, at least at a low rate. A leak is indicated if usage does not drop to zero, at least for a period of time, during a given time interval (e.g., during a 24-hour period). The severity of the leak is indicated by the minimum amount of usage during the given time period. In one embodiment, the leak detection system is provided in connection with an Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) system.

Claims

1. A sensor system, comprising:

an ETR unit comprising at least one sensor configured to sense a utility meter reading, said ETR unit configured to monitor said utility meter at desired intervals, to record a minimum utility usage and to determine a likelihood of a utility leak, said ETR unit configured to report data measured by said at least one sensor in response to a read request.

2. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an optical sensor.

3. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an imaging sensor.

4. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an illumination source.

5. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an acoustic sensor.

6. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an electronic utility meter interface.

7. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a recorder interface.

8. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a water flow sensor.

9. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a gas flow sensor.

10. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said sensor determines a likelihood of a utility leak according to a threshold test.

11. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.

12. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.

13. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.

14. The sensor system of claim 10, wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.

15. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said ETR units is configured to receive an instruction to change a status reporting interval.

16. The sensor system of claim 1, wherein said ETR unit is configured to receive an instruction to change a sensor data reporting interval.