Intelligent valve control methods and systems

• US 20060174707A1
• Filed: 02/09/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jack K. Zhang
• Original Assignee: Jack K. Zhang
• Inventors: Zhang, Jack K.
• Application Number:
  US11/054,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20060174707A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/592
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/666 by detecting noise and sounds generated by the flowing fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/243 for pipes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02836 Flow rate, liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/222 Constructional or flow details for analysing fluids optoacoustic fluid cells G01N29/2425
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4418 with a model, e.g. best-fit, regression analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/46 by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis or wavelet analysis spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A method for determining a burst pipe that requires immediate feeding-valve closing using acoustic and/or vibration sensors coupled to the pipe lor detecting signals, a microprocessor for analyzing signals from said sensors in real-time, a memory coupled to said microprocessor for storing data, including digital signatures acoustic and/or vibration signatures, as well as an actuator electrically coupled to said microprocessor and mechanically coupled to said feeding-valve. When the sensor signals match stored leak-signatures or when a persistent sensor signal produces no match, the system of the present invention initiates a valve closing. To improve detection, signals from other sensors, i.e. water sensors, smoke detectors, heat sensors or acoustic/vibration sensors mounted on other pipes are also used. Some of the said systems have IP addresses and can communicate over the Internet or wirelessly with others.

Claims

1. A device for detecting and control abnormal flow occurrences in a liquid or gas-carrying infrastructure comprises,

Power sources,

A sound and/or vibration transducer module, said transducers are coupled to an infrastructure being monitored,

A signal processing module with a mean to access digital profiles stored locally or in a remote location, and

A valve actuator module.

2. A device for detecting and determining the cause and nature of flow occurrences in a liquid or gas-carrying infrastructure comprises,

Power sources.

A sound and/or vibration transducer module, said transducers are coupled to an infrastructure being monitored,

A signal processing module with a mean to access digital profiles stored locally or in a remote location, and

An IP network addressable communication module.

3. Method for determining the cause and nature of flow occurrences in liquid or gas carrying infrastructures:

Detecting vibration and/or sound signals associated with a flow,

Processing said vibration signal to extract a digital profile,

Comparing said digital profile with stored digital profile associated with flow events.

4. Method for monitoring flow occurrences and determining the cause and nature of a flow event in a liquid or gas carrying infrastructure:

Detecting first vibration and/or sound signals associated with a flow,

Reading auxiliary data and information, including secondary vibration and/or sound signals,

Processing said first signal with auxiliary data and information.