REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE STEAM TRAPS
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of steam traps, the system comprising:
- a monitor associated with each steam trap, each monitor including one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated steam traps, and a transmitter; and
a computer including a central receiver for receiving the data signals transmitted from the monitors and evaluating the data received from the monitors,wherein one or more of the monitors also includes a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other monitors within receiving range, and the computer includes a data communication network control including logic for receiving the data signals either directly or indirectly from all of the monitors, by designating a specified set of one or more neighboring monitors for one or more of the monitors having local receivers, whereby the one or more of the receiving monitors recognizes the data signals received by one or more of the designated neighboring monitors and re-transmits the data signals received from such recognized neighbor for receipt by (1) another receiving monitor or (2) the central receiver.
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Abstract
A system for remotely monitoring multiple steam traps includes a plurality of steam traps, each including a monitor comprising one or more sensors for sensing selected operating conditions of the steam trap, and a programmable controller operatively connected to receive the outputs of each of the sensors, convert the sensor outputs into one or more data signals corresponding to the sensed conditions, and transmit the data signals, directly or indirectly, to a central computer. The central computer includes a receiver and logic for evaluating the data received from the monitors to thereby monitor the condition of the steam traps. At least some of the steam trap monitors also include a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other steam trap monitors and re-transmit the received data so that remote monitors otherwise outside the direct receiving range of the central computer are received by the central computer.
12 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of steam traps, the system comprising:
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a monitor associated with each steam trap, each monitor including one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated steam traps, and a transmitter; and a computer including a central receiver for receiving the data signals transmitted from the monitors and evaluating the data received from the monitors, wherein one or more of the monitors also includes a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other monitors within receiving range, and the computer includes a data communication network control including logic for receiving the data signals either directly or indirectly from all of the monitors, by designating a specified set of one or more neighboring monitors for one or more of the monitors having local receivers, whereby the one or more of the receiving monitors recognizes the data signals received by one or more of the designated neighboring monitors and re-transmits the data signals received from such recognized neighbor for receipt by (1) another receiving monitor or (2) the central receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system for monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of pressure relief valves, the system comprising:
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a monitor associated with each pressure relief valve, each monitor including one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated pressure relief valves, and a transmitter; and a computer including a central receiver for receiving the data signals transmitted from the monitors and evaluating the data received from the monitors, wherein one or more of the monitors also includes a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other monitors within receiving range, and the computer includes a data communication network control including logic for receiving the data signals either directly or indirectly from all of the monitors, by designating a specified set of one or more neighboring monitors for one or more of the monitors having local receivers, whereby the one or more of the receiving monitors recognizes the data signals received by one or more of the designated neighboring monitors and re-transmits the data signals received from such recognized neighbor for receipt by (1) another receiving monitor or (2) the central receiver. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for remotely monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of steam traps including:
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a plurality of steam traps, a monitor associated with each steam trap, each monitor comprising; one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated steam trap, a transmitter, a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other steam trap monitors within receiving range, a control operatively connected to the sensors, transmitter, and local receiver, including logic for receiving as inputs, the outputs of each of the sensors, converting the received inputs into one or more data signals including data corresponding to the outputs of the sensors and data uniquely identifying the monitor to which the sensor controller is connected, and transmitting the data signals generated by the sensor controller and the data signals received by the local receiver; and a computer including a central receiver and logic for receiving signals transmitted from the steam trap monitors and evaluating the data received from the monitors.
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14. A steam trap monitor for use with a steam trap in a system for remotely monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of steam traps, the steam trap monitor including:
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one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated steam trap, a sensor controller operatively connected to receive as inputs, the outputs of each of the sensors, and convert the received inputs into one or more data signals including data corresponding to the outputs of the sensors and data uniquely identifying the monitor to which the sensor controller is connected, a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other steam trap monitors within receiving range, and a transmitter adapted to transmit the data signals generated by the sensor controller and the data signals received by the local receiver.
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15. A pressure relief valve monitor for use with a pressure relief valve in a system for remotely monitoring the operating conditions of a plurality of pressure relief valves, the pressure relief valve monitor including:
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one or more sensors, including at least one acoustic sensor, for sensing selected operating conditions of the associated pressure relief valve, a sensor controller operatively connected to receive as inputs, the outputs of each of the sensors, and convert the received inputs into one or more data signals including data corresponding to the outputs of the sensors and data uniquely identifying the monitor to which the sensor controller is connected, a local receiver adapted to receive data signals transmitted from other pressure relief valve monitors within receiving range, and a transmitter adapted to transmit the data signals generated by the sensor controller and the data signals received by the local receiver.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeArmstrong Global Holdings, Inc.
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Original AssigneeArmstrong Global Holdings, Inc.
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InventorsGaines, Michael H., Horton, William R.
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Application NumberUS12/824,326Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current340/632CPC Class CodesF16T 1/48 Monitoring arrangements for...
