Tracking vibrations in a pipeline network
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a timer, a processor, and a digital communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system. Finally, the collected processed vibrations signals are analyzed at the central computer system to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-23. -23. (canceled)
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24. A vibration recorder for tracking vibrations in a pipeline network, the vibration recorder comprising:
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structure for installing the vibration recorder on the pipeline network, the structure including a mechanism for receiving an O-ring that extends around a pipe of the pipeline network so as to secure the vibration recorder to the pipe;
a sensor that produces vibration signals representing vibrations in the pipeline network;
a communication device; and
a processor that receives and processes vibration signals from the sensor and controls the communication device to communicate the processed vibration signals. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for tracking vibrations in a pipeline network, the system comprising;
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two or more vibration recorders, wherein each of the vibration recorders comprises;
structure for installing the vibration recorder on the pipeline network;
a sensor that produces vibration signals representing vibrations in the pipeline network;
a communication device; and
a processor that receives and processes vibration signals from the sensor and controls the communication device to communicate the processed vibration signals;
one or more reader devices configured to receive the processed vibration signals from the communication devices of the vibration recorders; and
a computer system configured to collect the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices and further process the processed vibration signals to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A flow meter including a vibration recorder for tracking vibrations in a pipeline network, the flow meter comprising;
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a flow sensor that measures flow in the pipeline network;
a vibration sensor that produces vibration signals representing vibrations in the pipeline network;
a communication device; and
a processor that receives and processes vibration signals from the vibration sensor and controls the communication device to communicate the processed vibration signals. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40)
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Specification