SMART METHANE MONITOR
First Claim
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1. A methane detection system comprising:
- a methane detector (30,230); and
a communication link between said methane detector and a gas utility company.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for the detection of methane gas including a low-cost low-power infrared methane sensor integrated with a smart energy network endpoint node, a volume corrector, or an electronic data recorder for transmission of alarm conditions and detector data between the instrument and a remote gas utility company. An independent gas calibration/verification cell may be included in the methane detector for periodically testing the functioning and calibration of the infrared sensor. An infrared carbon monoxide sensor and associated calibration/verification cell may also be installed with the methane sensor.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A methane detection system comprising:
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a methane detector (30,230); and a communication link between said methane detector and a gas utility company. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A methane detector comprising:
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a source of infrared light; an infrared detector for receiving said infrared light from said source; a first volume of atmosphere to be measured, said first volume disposed between said source and said infrared detector; and a communications circuit for communicating a condition of said infrared detector to a gas utility company. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for remote monitoring of methane or natural gas concentration comprising the steps of:
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placing a methane detector within a first location; measuring a concentration of methane within an atmosphere at said first location by said methane detector; and electronically transmitting an indication of said concentration of methane by said detector to a gas utility company at a second location that is remote from said first location. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for detecting a predetermined concentration of a particular gas comprising:
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a detector (30,230) disposed in a location that is remote from a utility company; and a communication link between said detector and said gas utility company. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification