Method and Device for the Assessment of Fluid Collection Networks
First Claim
1. A fluid flow monitoring and analysis device structured for monitoring a fluid flow rate within a community sanitary or storm sewer collection network, the fluid flow monitoring and analysis device being removeably secured proximate to a manhole opening in the community sewer collection network, the fluid flow monitoring and analysis device comprising:
- a fastening mechanism secured proximate to the manhole opening in the sewer collection network;
a rigid pole attached to the fastening mechanism;
a flexible shaft moveable by the fluid flow, the flexible shaft includinga stationary end fixedly attached to the rigid pole anda mobile end submerged in the fluid flow; and
a data acquisition device disposed in the mobile end of the flexible shaft, the data acquisition device includingan accelerometer for producing a tilt signal corresponding to an orientation of the accelerometer,a pressure sensor for producing a pressure signal corresponding to a fluid pressure exerted upon the pressure sensor,a data storage device for receiving and recording the pressure signal and tilt signal, anda data transmission device for transmitting the pressure signal and the tilt signal to a data reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The improved monitoring device includes a data acquisition device with an accelerometer inside a bendable tube. One end of the tube is connected to a pole that may be secured to the top of a sewer manhole, while the other end is submerged in a fluid flow. The tilt, oscillations, and pressure exerted upon the tube due to fluid flow are measured and recorded. An improved method includes installing several monitoring devices into sewer system manholes, recording fluid level and flow, reading the recorded data, and displaying the data in chart or map form. Data may be displayed in two or three dimensional maps that may be overlaid with information of topography, street maps, and single or multiple sewer systems. Data displayed on the maps may include fluid flow rates, fluid levels, derivatives and integrals of flow rates, and differences in fluid levels or flow between monitoring devices.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A fluid flow monitoring and analysis device structured for monitoring a fluid flow rate within a community sanitary or storm sewer collection network, the fluid flow monitoring and analysis device being removeably secured proximate to a manhole opening in the community sewer collection network, the fluid flow monitoring and analysis device comprising:
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a fastening mechanism secured proximate to the manhole opening in the sewer collection network; a rigid pole attached to the fastening mechanism; a flexible shaft moveable by the fluid flow, the flexible shaft including a stationary end fixedly attached to the rigid pole and a mobile end submerged in the fluid flow; and a data acquisition device disposed in the mobile end of the flexible shaft, the data acquisition device including an accelerometer for producing a tilt signal corresponding to an orientation of the accelerometer, a pressure sensor for producing a pressure signal corresponding to a fluid pressure exerted upon the pressure sensor, a data storage device for receiving and recording the pressure signal and tilt signal, and a data transmission device for transmitting the pressure signal and the tilt signal to a data reader. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A fluid monitor for monitoring and measuring a fluid flow level and velocity within a sewer collection network, the fluid monitor comprising:
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a flexible shaft with an anchored end and a mobile end, the mobile end moving in response to the fluid flow level and velocity; and a data acquisition device disposed in the mobile end of the flexible shaft, the data acquisition device including an accelerometer generating an acceleration signal in response to a stimulus selected from a group consisting of movement of the data acquisition device and orientation of the data acquisition device; and a data storage device for receiving and recording the acceleration signal. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A fluid monitoring system for monitoring a sewer system fluid flow within a manhole of a community sewer collection network, the manhole including a substantially vertical housing embedded below a ground level, a fluid entrance opening in the vertical housing, a fluid exit opening in the vertical housing, and a round substantially horizontal access opening above the fluid entrance opening and the fluid exit opening, the round horizontal access opening including a diameter greater than 2 feet, the fluid monitoring system comprising:
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a securing mechanism secured to the vertical housing near the horizontal access opening; a vertically oriented spanning mechanism attached to the securing mechanism; a flexible shaft attached to the vertically oriented spanning mechanism, a portion of the flexible shaft submerged in the fluid flow; and an accelerometer attached to the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A fluid monitor for monitoring and measuring the velocity of a fluid flow, the fluid monitor comprising:
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an extendable and retractable expansion device securable to an access opening, the expansion device including an extendable and retractable mobile shaft with a shaft cap adapted, in an extended position, to be secured proximate to the access opening, and a locking portion for maintaining the mobile shaft in the extended position; and a pole secured to the expansion device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification