Remote Monitoring of Fluid Pipelines

• US 20080250869A1
• Filed: 10/11/2007
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Technologies International, Inc.
• Inventors: Breed, David S., Johnson, Wendell C., DuVall, Wilbur E.
• Application Number:
  US11/870,730
• Publication Number:
  US 20080250869A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/861.27
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 11/24 Wear-indicating arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 19/00 Tyre parts or constructions not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/037 for occupant comfort , e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/0027 Post collision measures, e.g. notifying emergency services
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/01315 monitoring occupant displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/23153 specially adapted for rear seat passengers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/26094 characterised by fluid flow controlling valves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/2765 comprising means to control the venting
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/208 by automatic or remote control means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/288 with means to adjust or regulate the amount of energy to be absorbed
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4685 with means to adjust or regulate the tensioning force in relation to external parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/4825 for sensing amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01516 using force or pressure sensing means
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0153 using field detection presence sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01532 : using electric or capacitive field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01534 : using electromagneticwaves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01536 : using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01538 : for image processing, e.g. cameras or sensor arrays
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01542 : detecting passenger motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01544 : detecting seat belt parameters, e.g. length, tension or height-adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01546 : using belt buckle sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01548 : sensing the amount of belt winded on retractor
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01552 : detecting position of specific human body parts, e.g. face, eyes or hands
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/01554 : Seat position sensors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/203 : in steering wheels or steering columns
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/21656 : Steering wheel covers or similar cup-shaped covers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/276 : with means to vent the inflation fluid source, e.g. in case of overpressure B60R21/30 takes precedence; venting means on inflatable member walls B60R21/239
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 : adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/201 : with the belt anchor connected to a slider movable in a vehicle-mounted track for passive restraint systems B60R22/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/25 : using biometry
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/252 : Fingerprint recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/255 : Eye recognition
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/257 : Voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 : responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/431 : specially adapted for vehicle windows or roofs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/55 : Windows
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 : Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/20 : by measurement of weight, e.g. to determine the level of stored liquefied gas
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 : Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 : containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0237 : using prediction or retrieval techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 : Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/10 : Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestrians; Body parts, e.g. hands
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 : communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 : Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 : with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 : Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/248 : EAS system combined with another detection technology, e.g. dual EAS and video or other presence detection system
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 : Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 29/181 : due to failing power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/1282 : Automobiles
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 2210/3219 : Geometry of the configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 : associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 : mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body

Abstract

Pipeline including a system for monitoring fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a conduit defining an interior and at least one sensor assembly arranged in the interior. Each sensor assembly includes an energy generating system and at least one flow measuring device coupled to the energy generating system to be powered thereby. The flow measuring device provides information about flow of fluid in the conduit. The information may be transmitted to a remote monitoring location via a telematics or communications unit connected to each sensor assembly.

Claims

1. A pipeline including a system for monitoring fluid flowing through the pipeline, comprising:

a conduit defining an interior; and

at least one sensor assembly arranged in said interior, each of said at least one sensor assembly including an energy generating system and at least one flow measuring device coupled to said energy generating system to be powered thereby, said at least one flow measuring device providing information about flow of fluid in said conduit.

2. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said at least one sensor assembly comprises a plurality of sensor assemblies spaced apart from one another along a length of said conduit.

3. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said energy generating system includes a rotatable element which is rotated upon flow of fluid over said element and an energy generating arrangement coupled to said rotatable element and arranged to generate energy upon rotation of said element.

4. The pipeline of claim 3, wherein said energy generating arrangement comprises a rotor coupled to said rotatable element and a coil arranged around said rotor such that rotation of said rotor relative to said coil and which is caused by rotation of said rotatable element causes generation of energy.

5. The pipeline of claim 3, wherein said energy generating system further comprises an energy storage system coupled to said energy generating arrangement and said at least one flow measuring device for storing energy generated by said energy generating arrangement and providing stored energy to said at least one flow measuring device.

6. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said interior of said conduit has a substantially uniform cross-section and said at least one sensor assembly is arranged in said interior at a location at which said conduit has the substantially uniform cross-section.

7. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said at least one flow measuring device comprises at least one pair of first and second ultrasonic transceivers spaced apart from one another, said first ultrasonic transceiver being arranged to transmit ultrasonic signals to said second ultrasonic transceiver, said second ultrasonic transceiver being arranged to receive transmitted ultrasonic signals from said first ultrasonic transceiver and transmit ultrasonic signals to said first ultrasonic transceiver, said first ultrasonic transceiver being arranged to receive transmitted ultrasonic signals from said second ultrasonic transceiver.

8. The pipeline of claim 7, further comprising a processing unit coupled to said first and second ultrasonic transducers and arranged to monitor transmission and receptions of ultrasonic waves from and to said first and second ultrasonic transducers and derive information about a speed of flow of the fluid in said conduit.

9. The pipeline of claim 1, further comprising a control unit coupled to said at least one flow measuring device and an antenna coupled to said control unit, said control unit being arranged to receive the information about flow of fluid in said conduit from said at least one flow measuring device, said control unit including or being associated with a telematics or communications unit which is arranged to generate a signal for transmission by said antenna to at least one remote location which is indicative of the information.

10. The pipeline of claim 9, further comprising additional sensors for monitoring said conduit or a fluid flowing through said conduit, said control unit being coupled to said additional sensors and arranged to receive information about said conduit or the fluid from said additional sensors, said control unit being arranged to generate a signal for transmission by said antenna to the at least one remote location which is indicative of the information.

11. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said antenna is arranged on an outer surface of said conduit when said conduit is exposed or arranged apart from said conduit when said conduit is underground.

12. The pipeline of claim 1, further comprising at least one vibration transducer arranged in contact with a wall defining said conduit to measure vibrations in said wall, further comprising a control unit coupled to said at least one flow measuring device and to said at least one vibration transducer, and an antenna coupled to said control unit, said control unit being arranged to receive the information about flow of fluid in said conduit from said at least one flow measuring device and information about measured vibrations from said at least one vibration transducer, said control unit including or being associated with a telematics or communications unit which is arranged to generate a signal for transmission by said antenna to at least one remote location which is indicative of the information.

13. The pipeline of claim 1, wherein said at least one vibration transducer is arranged to excite vibrations in said conduit.

14. A sensor assembly for monitoring fluid flowing through a pipeline, comprising:

an energy generating system which generates energy based on flow of the fluid; and

at least one flow measuring device coupled to said energy generating system to be powered thereby, said at least one flow measuring device providing information about flow of fluid in said conduit.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said energy generating system includes a rotatable element which is rotated upon flow of fluid over said element and an energy generating arrangement coupled to said rotatable element and arranged to generate energy upon rotation of said element.

16. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said energy generating system further comprises an energy storage system coupled to said energy generating arrangement and said at least one flow measuring device for storing energy generated by said energy generating arrangement and providing stored energy to said at least one flow measuring device.

17. The assembly of claim 14, further comprising at least one vibration transducer arranged in contact with a wall defining said conduit to measure vibrations in said wall, further comprising a control unit coupled to said at least one flow measuring device and to said at least one vibration transducer, and an antenna coupled to said control unit, said control unit being arranged to receive the information about flow of fluid in said conduit from said at least one flow measuring device and information about measured vibrations from said at least one vibration transducer, said control unit including or being associated with a telematics or communications unit which is arranged to generate a signal for transmission by said antenna to at least one remote location which is indicative of the information.

18. A method for monitoring fluid flowing through a pipeline including a conduit defining an interior, comprising:

arranging a plurality of sensor assemblies in an interior of the conduit spaced apart from one another along a length of the conduit, each sensor assembly including an energy generating system and at least one flow measuring device coupled to the energy generating system to be powered thereby;

obtaining information about flow of fluid in the conduit from each sensor assembly;

generating a signal indicative of the obtained information; and

transmitting the signal by means of an antenna to at least one remote location.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising;

providing a control unit coupled to each flow measuring device to obtain the information about the flow of fluid; and

providing a telematics or communications unit to generate the signal and direct the transmission of the signal via the antenna.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

measuring vibrations in a wall of the conduit;

deriving information about a state or condition of the conduit from the measured vibrations; and

generating a signal indicative of the derived information; and

transmitting the signal by means of the antenna to at least one remote location.