SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING FLUSHING APPARATUS AND RELATED INTERFACES

• US 20120298208A1
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Environmental Enhancement And Technologies USA, Inc.
• Inventors: Taylor, Thomas Moriz, Mosley, Harold Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 9,151,023 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/2
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/006 Water distributors either inside a treatment tank or directing the water to several treatment tanks; Water treatment plants incorporating these distributors, with or without chemical or biological tanks for settling tanks B01D21/24
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/08 Arrangement of draining devices, e.g. manual shut-off valvesdraining devices in general F16K, F16L
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/20 for flowing or falling materials G01N1/2035 G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/1826 organic contamination in water
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0635 by action on throttling means G05D7/0688, G05D7/0694 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86389 Programmer or timer

Abstract

A programmable automated water flushing system (PAWFS) allows for two way communication and remote flushing unit management through a secure web access point or a secure interface in signal communication with a supervisory control and data acquisition system. The PAWFS is configurable to provide and log real time data. The PAWFS can be integrated with exterior water management devices. The PAWFS is configurable to cause flushing of water retention areas when disinfectant residual falls below selectable parameters. The PAWFS can be programmed to flush or clear liquids in accordance with at least one time-based function.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a flow controlled passage for pressurized water having an inlet adapted for fluid connection to a subterranean pressurized water distribution system, said flow controlled passage having a conduit for directing pressurized water received in the inlet to an above ground routing conduit for redirecting said pressurized water,

a flow control valve disposed along said flow controlled passage for permitting and prohibiting the flow of pressurized water through the flow controlled passage;

a memory;

a water sampling apparatus connected to a water source;

a controller in signal communication with said flow control valve;

a processor in signal communication with said water sampling apparatus and said controller, and configured to execute at least one flushing program stored in said memory and actuate said controller according to said flushing programs, whereby the controller is enabled to control the flow of pressurized water through said flow controlled passage by activating and deactivating the flow control valve; and

at least one interface in signal communication with the processor whereby an operator can input instructions to said processor.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said processor is further configured to receive water sampling data from said water sampling apparatus and store said water sampling data in said memory.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said processor is further configured to receive water sampling data from said water sampling apparatus and transmit said water sampling data to at least one remote device.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein:

said at least one flushing program utilizes sampled water data as function.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein:

said at least one flushing program utilizes sampled water data as function.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one interface is a web page.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein:

said at least one interface is a web page.

8. The system of claim 5, wherein:

said at least one interface is a SCADA system.

9. The system of claim 4, wherein:

water sampling data includes one of disinfectant residual, pH, turbidity and temperature.

10. The system of claim 5, wherein:

water sampling data includes one of disinfectant residual pH, turbidity and temperature.

11. A method of maintaining water quality in a water distribution system comprising:

providing a flow controlled passage for pressurized water having an inlet adapted for fluid connection to a subterranean pressurized water distribution system, said flow controlled passage having a conduit for directing pressurized water received in the inlet to an above ground routing conduit for redirecting said pressurized water,

providing a flow control valve disposed along said flow controlled passage for permitting and prohibiting the flow of pressurized water through the flow controlled passage;

providing a memory;

providing a water sampling device connected to a water source;

placing a controller in signal communication with said flow control valve;

placing a processor in signal communication with said water sampling device and said controller, and executing flushing programs stored in said memory and actuating said controller according to said flushing programs, whereby the controller controls the flow of pressurized water through said flow controlled passage by activating and deactivating the flow control valve; and

inputting instructions to said processor via at least one interface in signal communication with said processor for execution by said processor.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving water sampling data from said water sampling apparatus and storing said water sampling data in said memory.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

receiving water sampling data from said water sampling apparatus and transmitting said water sampling data to at least one remote device.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

utilizing sampled water data as function within said flushing program.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

utilizing sampled water data as a function within said flushing program.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein:

said at least one interface is a web page.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said at least one interface is a web page.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

said at least one interface is a SCADA system.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein:

water sampling data includes one of disinfectant residual, pH, turbidity and temperature.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein:

water sampling data includes one of disinfectant residual, pH, turbidity and temperature.