Method and Device for the Assessment of Fluid Collection Networks
First Claim
1. A sewer analysis computer system for displaying fluid flow information relating to and facilitating removal of obstructions in a municipal sewer system having fluids traveling through a plurality of pipes and a plurality of manhole access points to the pipes, the computer system programmed to:
- receive a plurality of first values from a plurality of measurements of a plurality of fluid flows through a portion of the plurality of pipes near a first set of the plurality of manhole access points during a first time interval;
simultaneously display the plurality of first values with a plurality of animated ribbons sequentially illustrating a time range less than the first time interval, wherein each animated ribbon simultaneously displays at least three measurements at unique times in a single pipe of the municipal sewer system; and
indicate a first obstruction in the municipal sewer in response to the first values from a first of the plurality of pipes increasing in response to a rain event before the average of the plurality of first values.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method for monitor a fluid collection network is disclosure. The 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
20 Claims
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1. A sewer analysis computer system for displaying fluid flow information relating to and facilitating removal of obstructions in a municipal sewer system having fluids traveling through a plurality of pipes and a plurality of manhole access points to the pipes, the computer system programmed to:
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receive a plurality of first values from a plurality of measurements of a plurality of fluid flows through a portion of the plurality of pipes near a first set of the plurality of manhole access points during a first time interval; simultaneously display the plurality of first values with a plurality of animated ribbons sequentially illustrating a time range less than the first time interval, wherein each animated ribbon simultaneously displays at least three measurements at unique times in a single pipe of the municipal sewer system; and indicate a first obstruction in the municipal sewer in response to the first values from a first of the plurality of pipes increasing in response to a rain event before the average of the plurality of first values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system for identifying a location of restriction, infiltration, and/or inflow of storm water runoff into a sewer system covering a specified area, the computer system configured to:
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receive a topographical map of the specified area; convert the topographical map to a three dimensional image of the specified area; analyze the three dimensional image to predict an area of storm water runoff or collection during wet weather; receive a map of the sewer system; overlay an image of the map of the sewer system on the three dimensional image; identify a portion of the sewer system located at the area of storm water runoff or collection during wet weather and identify the location of potential infiltration and inflow of storm water runoff into the sewer system during wet weather; receive a depth of flow measurement from the location for a time interval; and illustrate the depth of flow measurement at the location as an animated ribbon sequentially showing a time range less than the time interval, the animated ribbon displayed on a three dimensional chart having the depth of flow displayed on a vertical/z-axis, time displayed on a perspective/y-axis.
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18. A method of evaluating a gravity-type flow conveyance system having a known geometry, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying a plurality of access points in the hydraulic conveyance system; identifying sources of flow input to the system upstream of each access point identified; measuring a depth of flow at each access point for a time interval; illustrating the depth of flow at each access point as an animated ribbon sequentially showing the depth of flow for a time range less than the time interval, the animated ribbons displayed on a three dimensional chart having the depth of flow displayed on a vertical/z-axis, time displayed on a perspective/y-axis, and uniquely identified data from the plurality of access points displayed along a horizontal/x-axis; and comparing the animated ribbons to evaluate whether flow restrictions may exist in the conveyance system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification