Enhanced and remote meter reading with vibration actuated valve

• US 6,470,903 B2
• Filed: 10/01/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Reyman
• Original Assignee: Mark Reyman
• Inventors: Reyman, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US09/410,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20020026957A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,124 Days
• Field of Search: 137/551, 137/554, 137/557, 137/38, 137/39, 137/1, 340/531, 379/106.01
• US Class Current: 137/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/36 actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0368 By speed of fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0753 Control by change of position or inertia of system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

An automatically actuated regulation system for a natural gas pipeline having flow control unit, a vibration sensor, a gas flow meter, a trigger unit, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor actuates the flow control unit when two conditions are met. First, there must be a vibration which surpasses a predetermined threshold. Second, flow in the natural gas pipeline must have increased over the flow rate before the vibration. The system can be configured to store gas usage data and, in one embodiment, transmit the data to another location through the use of a modem or other communication means.

Claims

1. A method for providing data to a plurality of authorized users which comprises:

maintaining a database of premises having automated shut-off actuator systems;

receiving shut-off indication signals from said premises having automated shut-off actuator systems, wherein said shut-off indication signal is initiated by

measuring gas flow in a pipeline;

measuring vibration in the vicinity of said pipeline, and providing a vibration indication signal;

measuring gas flow after it is determined that value of said vibration indication signal exceeds a first predetermined threshold;

comparing gas flow, before value of said vibration indication signal exceeds said first predetermined threshold, to gas flow, after value of said vibration indication signal exceeds said first predetermined threshold; and

stopping the flow of gas when the gas flow, after value of said vibration indication signal exceeds said first predetermined threshold, exceeds a second threshold;

updating said database with information that a shut-off indication has been received by said automated shut-off actuator system; and

providing said information to authorized users.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said information further includes a size, a type, and a location of said premises.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users by electronic mail.

4. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users verbally by telephone.

5. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users by mail.

6. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said information is used to generate a map of said automated shut-off actuator systems that provide said database with said shut-off indication.

7. The method in accordance with claim 2, wherein said database is stored on an Internet website, said authorized user capable of accessing said website by means of a password.

8. A system for providing data to a plurality of authorized users comprising:

a database of premises having an automated shut-off actuator system;

a means for receiving shut-off indication signals from said premises having an automated shut-off actuator system, wherein said automated shut-off actuator system maintains a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;

a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;

a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;

a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline;

a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;

a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit;

said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold, and said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value;

a means for updating said database with information that a shut-off indication has been received by said automated shut-off actuator system; and

a means for providing said information to authorized users.