Pipeline monitoring system
First Claim
1. A cathodic protection measurement system comprising:
- a test point monitor including a first antenna sending and receiving wireless signals;
said test point monitor operating in a sleep state and an active state, wherein said active state includes selectively measuring a cathodic voltage value; and
a test point interrogator having a second antenna sending and receiving wireless signals;
said test point interrogator wirelessly coupled to said test point monitor, said test point interrogator adapted for sending an interrogation signal to said test point monitor and receiving an output signal from said test point monitor indicative of said cathodic voltage value;
wherein said test point interrogator includes a global positioning system (GPS) and a display, and wherein said GPS communicates a position and a status of said test point interrogator to said display such that said position of said test point interrogator is displayed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a Test Point Monitor (TPM) remotely coupled to a Test Point Interrogator (TPI) for the purpose of measuring and communicating cathodic protection voltage values from an object of interest, generally an underground pipeline. The TPM automatically measures cathodic voltage records them in its memory. A technician is guided towards the TPM by a handheld TPI. The TPI includes a GPS function, and when the technician is in range of the TPM, the TPI will call for the stored TPM data. The TPM is adapted for storing in its memory past voltage readings, and transmitting current and past voltage readings to the TPI. The TPI will store data from several thousand such TPM units for download into a main database via direct connection to the database, via wireless transmission, or via the internet.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A cathodic protection measurement system comprising:
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a test point monitor including a first antenna sending and receiving wireless signals;
said test point monitor operating in a sleep state and an active state, wherein said active state includes selectively measuring a cathodic voltage value; anda test point interrogator having a second antenna sending and receiving wireless signals;
said test point interrogator wirelessly coupled to said test point monitor, said test point interrogator adapted for sending an interrogation signal to said test point monitor and receiving an output signal from said test point monitor indicative of said cathodic voltage value;wherein said test point interrogator includes a global positioning system (GPS) and a display, and wherein said GPS communicates a position and a status of said test point interrogator to said display such that said position of said test point interrogator is displayed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of measuring cathodic protection voltage comprising:
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locating a test point monitor using a GPS system; operating said test point monitor in a selected activity state; measuring a cathodic voltage value with said test point monitor at a first predetermined time interval initiated by said test point monitor; communicating an interrogation signal from a test point interrogator to said test point monitor; receiving said interrogation signal at said test point monitor; communicating said cathodic voltage signal from said test point monitor to said test point interrogator; receiving said cathodic voltage signal at said test point interrogator; and communicating said cathodic voltage signal from said test point interrogator to a computer system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of measuring cathodic protection voltage comprising:
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operating a test point monitor in a selected activity state; measuring a cathodic voltage value with said test point monitor at a first predetermined time interval; communicating an interrogation signal from a test point interrogator to said test point monitor; receiving said interrogation signal at said test point monitor; communicating said cathodic voltage signal from said test point monitor to said test point interrogator; receiving said cathodic voltage signal at said test point interrogator; and locating a proximal test point manner using a GPS system integral to said test point interrogator. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification