Effluent monitoring system

• US 5,870,692 A
• Filed: 02/03/1997
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Systemes Integres Abdmf Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Systemes Integres Abdmf Incorporated
• Inventors: Millo, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): PEESO, THOMAS R
• Application Number:
  US08/794,634
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 364/509, 364/510, 364/569, 340/606, 340/603, 340/615, 340/618, 116/264, 116/273, 73/53.01, 73/53.04, 73/54.07, 73/152.18, 73/152.23, 73/861, 702/45
• US Class Current: 702/45
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water

Abstract

The effluent monitoring system generates an action perform signal for controlling a sampler device or an alarm in response to detecting a plurality of probe inputs receiving signals from a plurality of effluent property detecting probes. A variable and dynamic response to the probe inputs is provided. A plurality of monitoring parameter sets are stored in a memory along with a state number value, and the system may change state number in response to exceeding a threshold value which will result in the system being responsive to a new set of monitoring parameters in order to respond in a variable and dynamic manner. The sampling rate and the rate of recording values of the probe inputs can also be dynamically varied in response to the probe inputs themselves.

Claims

1. An effluent monitoring system for generating an action perform signal for controlling a sampler device or an alarm, said system comprising:

a plurality of probe inputs receiving signals from a plurality of effluent property detecting probes;

a memory storing a state number value and a plurality of monitoring parameter sets, each said set corresponding to a value of said state number value and comprising;

at least one threshold value associated with one of said probe input signals;

a delay trigger time associated with each said threshold value; and

an action parameter associated with each said threshold value;

sampling means for reading said probe input signals at a sampling interval and for recording probe input values from said signals read; and

comparator means for reading one of said sets corresponding to said state number value, and for interpreting said action parameter of said corresponding set to at least one of;

a) change said state number value; and

b) output an action perform signal based on information contained in said action parameter, if one of said probe input values read exceeds said at least one threshold value for said delay trigger time associated with said threshold value for said corresponding set,

whereby a variable and dynamic response to the effluent property detecting probe inputs for controlling a sampler device, alarm or the like is provided.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring parameter sets each comprise a sampling rate value, and said sampling interval is equal to a sampling rate value of one of said sets corresponding to said state number value.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising recording means for recording at least some of said probe input values read.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least some of said monitoring parameter sets each comprise a recording rate value, and said recording means record said at least some of said probe input values read at intervals specified by said recording rate value.

5. The system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising recording means for recording at least some of said probe input values read.

6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein at least some of said monitoring parameter sets each comprise a recording rate value, and said recording means record said at least some of said probe input values read at intervals specified by said recording rate value.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said monitoring parameter sets further include at least one further set of parameters comprising:

a delay trigger time; and

an action parameter associated with said delay trigger time.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said delay trigger time associated with said at least one further set of parameters is a fixed interval.

9. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said delay trigger time associated with said at least one further set of parameters corresponds to a given date and hour.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said threshold value associated with one of said probe input signals for at least one of said sets is within a normal range of said corresponding probe input value, and said delay trigger time associated with said one threshold value is a fixed interval.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of said threshold value associated with one of said probe input signals for at least one of said sets is within a normal range of said corresponding probe input value, and said delay trigger time associated with said one threshold value corresponds to a given date and hour.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said comparator means interpret said action parameter of said corresponding set to at least one of:

a) change said state number value; and

b) output an action perform signal based on information contained in said action parameter, if at least two of said probe input values read all exceed corresponding ones of said at least one threshold value for said corresponding set, whereby a logical conjunction of a comparison of probe values with different thresholds is responded to.

13. An effluent monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of probe inputs receiving signals from a plurality of effluent property detecting probes;

sampling means for reading said probe input signals at a sampling interval and for recording probe input values from said signals read at a recording frequency corresponding to a multiple of said sampling interval; and

comparator means for comparing one of said probe input values read to at least one corresponding threshold value and for increasing said recording frequency when said one of said probe input values read exceeds at least one corresponding threshold value, whereby better recording resolution is achieved when required.

15. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said comparator means compare a first time derivative of said one of said probe input values read to said at least one corresponding threshold value, whereby said recording frequency increases when there is change in said one of said probe input values read.

17. The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said comparator means controls said recording frequency to be a function of said first derivative.

14. An effluent monitoring system comprising:

a plurality of probe inputs receiving signals from a plurality of effluent property detecting probes;

sampling means for reading said probe input signals at a sampling interval and for recording probe input values from said signals read at a recording frequency corresponding to a multiple of said sampling interval; and

comparator means for comparing one of said probe input values read to at least one corresponding threshold value and for decreasing said sampling interval when said one of said probe input values read exceeds at least one corresponding threshold value, whereby better sampling resolution is achieved when required.

16. The system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said comparator means compare a first time derivative of said one of said probe input values read to said at least one corresponding threshold value, whereby said sampling interval decreases when there is change in said one of said probe input values read.

18. The system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said comparator means controls said sampling interval to be a function of said first derivative.