WATER QUALITY MONITORING DEVICE AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A fluid quality monitor device, comprising:
- first and second electrodes;
a first housing configured to be coupled in series in a fluid transmission line, the first and second electrodes being positioned in the housing such that a portion of fluid passing through the transmission line passes between the first and second electrodes;
a power circuit configured to repeatedly apply a voltage potential across the first and second electrodes;
a measurement circuit configured to produce a current flow measurement correlated to current between the electrodes during each application by the power circuit; and
a comparison circuit configured to compare a reference value with succeeding current values, each derived from one or more of the current flow measurements, and to produce an overvalue signal if a latest current value exceeds the reference value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monitor device is attached to the water supply line of a consumer where it repeatedly measures a characteristic that correlates to quality of water in the water line. Each of a succession of a water quality values is derived from one or more of the measurements. The process continues at selected intervals to continuously monitor the condition of water in the line. Each new value can be compared to a reference value representing a maximum acceptable level of contaminants. If the water quality value exceeds the reference value, an overvalue signal is produced, indicating an unacceptable level of contaminants in the water. Additionally, the values can be transmitted to a central collection facility where they are correlated with values transmitted by similar devices on the supply lines of other consumers to track the quality of water of a supply system over time.
55 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A fluid quality monitor device, comprising:
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first and second electrodes; a first housing configured to be coupled in series in a fluid transmission line, the first and second electrodes being positioned in the housing such that a portion of fluid passing through the transmission line passes between the first and second electrodes; a power circuit configured to repeatedly apply a voltage potential across the first and second electrodes; a measurement circuit configured to produce a current flow measurement correlated to current between the electrodes during each application by the power circuit; and a comparison circuit configured to compare a reference value with succeeding current values, each derived from one or more of the current flow measurements, and to produce an overvalue signal if a latest current value exceeds the reference value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A central water quality monitor system, comprising:
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a first water quality (potability, purity) sensor device [global] coupled to a first water supply line of a first water consumer and configured to obtain an instantaneous value of a water quality characteristic of water in the first water supply line and transmit data related to the water quality value of water in the first water supply line; a second water quality monitor coupled a second water supply line of a second water consumer and configured to obtain a water quality value of water in the second water supply line and transmit data related to the water quality value of water in the second water supply line; and a data collection facility configured to receive and compile the transmitted data from the first and second water quality monitors. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A water quality monitor system, comprising:
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a sensor configured to periodically obtain water quality readings from water flowing in a water supply line; a memory configured to store the water quality readings from the sensor, together with a time-stamp associated with each reading and indicating the time at which the respective reading was obtained; and a transmitter coupled to the sensor and configured to transmit the water quality readings. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for monitoring surface runoff water, comprising:
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obtaining a value of total dissolved solids of water in a basin; obtaining a first turbidity value of the water in the basin from a device installed permanently at the basin; deriving a correlation between the value of total suspended solids and the turbidity value; and on the basis of the derived correlation, estimating a value of total suspended solids of water in the basin from each of a plurality of turbidity values automatically obtained at selected intervals by the device.
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Specification