Dynamic transient pressure detection system

• US 7,219,553 B1
• Filed: 08/27/2004
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BLACOH Fluid Controls, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Loren Worthington
• Inventors: Worthington, Loren
• Primary Examiner(s): NOORI, MAX H
• Application Number:
  US10/927,120
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 737/53, 73/405.A, 73/405.R
• US Class Current: 73/753
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss

Abstract

The present invention is a dynamic transient pressure detection system for detecting and recording variations in pressure inside operating fluid chambers. One or more dynamic pressure sensors are installed inside an operating fluid chamber. Pressure is continuously measured and recorded with a high degree of accuracy. Transients are detected and data samples are stored and processed to locate the source of the transients and to provide information for preventing transients during future operations. A clock or timer records the chronological time of detection for each sample. The clock or timer may be connected to a Global Positioning System to assist in determining the source of transient pressures.

Claims

1. A dynamic transient pressure detection system comprising:

a dynamic transient pressure sensor installed in an operating fluid chamber,

a transmission system for transferring a signal indicating pressure within the operating fluid chamber to a receiver,

a clock or timer for recording chronological time detection,

a signal processor for receiving signals and recording data, and

a data management program for analyzing and displaying collected data, wherein the signal processor records data samples showing dynamic transient pressures above a threshold level to internal memory until pressure returns to a steady state or until the user specifies.

2. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic transient pressure sensor operates continuously without operator interface.

3. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic transient pressure sensor records an analog signal.

4. The detection system of claim 3, wherein the signal processor converts the analog signal to digital.

5. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic transient pressure sensor records a digital signal.

6. The detection system of claim 1, further comprising additional dynamic transient pressure sensors installed in the operating fluid chamber.

7. The detection system of claim 6, wherein a source of a dynamic transient pressure is determined from the additional dynamic pressure sensors.

8. The detection system of claim 1, wherein data from the dynamic transient pressure sensor identifies the source of a transient pressure.

9. The detection system of claim 8, wherein the source of a dynamic transient pressure is identified as a point of diversion of fluid from the operating fluid chamber, and wherein unknown or illegal diversions are identified.

10. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the operating fluid chamber is a pipeline and wherein the transmission system is wireless.

11. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic pressure sensor contains a predetermined threshold of pressure representing hazards to persons or structures.

12. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the transmission receiver, clock or timer and signal processor are an integrated unit.

13. The detection system of claim 1, wherein the clock or timer is a Global Positioning System receiver for obtaining and sending geographic location of the instrument and time of detection to a signal processor.

14. The detection system of claim 1, wherein at steady state the signal processor records single data samples in a temporary buffer, wherein at steady state the signal processor discards unnecessary data and wherein at steady state the signal processor records single data samples, or a periodic average of data samples, in a permanent buffer at a predetermined periodic interval and wherein the predetermined period interval is user or system defined.

15. The transient pressure detection system of claim 1 further comprising means to enter and store transient pressure parameters and transient pressure data.

16. The transient pressure detection system of claim 15 further comprising means to compare sample data to transient pressure parameters to identify transient pressures.

17. The transient pressure detection system of claim 16 wherein the system increases the data sampling rates and the data recording rates during transient detection.

18. The transient pressure detection system of claim 17 further comprising means to analyze and display collected data, and return data sampling rates and data recording rates to predetermined rates when sample data returns to non-transient pressure parameters.

19. The detection system of claim 11, wherein an alarm is transmitted to a user when the threshold pressure is reached or exceeded.

20. The detection system of claim 1, wherein background noise is removed from the signals at the signal processor.

21. The detection system of claim 1, wherein background noise levels are determined from dynamic pressure sensor data.