Fresh water intake monitoring system and method
First Claim
1. A system for continuously monitoring the intake of a fresh water system to detect and contain a hazard, the system having an intake pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) at least one hazard-detector within the intake pipe sensing the presence of a hazard in the water in the intake pipe;
(b) a sampling unit associated with the at least one hazard-detector, the sampling unit further comprising a gate and gate valve in proximity to the at least one hazard-detector, the gate and gate valve diverting a sample of water to a collection unit when a hazard is detected; and
(c) a shut-off valve for simultaneously with diverting the sample shutting off further water intake in the intake pipe when a hazard is detected.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for continuously monitoring the intake of a fresh water system to detect pathogens, chemicals, and other biological contaminants. The apparatus consists of a number of monitoring and containment facilities which are inserted into a fresh water intake pipe at various locations. The monitoring and containment facilities detect a hazard in the incoming water, send a signal to shut down the main intake pump, and collect samples of water immediately adjacent the monitoring and containment facility that detected the hazard. A signal may also be sent to a regulatory agency and to the Department of Homeland Security. The method consists of conducting a qualitative and quantitative analysis of water in a fresh water intake pipe; testing for hazards, and shutting down the main intake pump if a sufficient level of hazard is detected. The method also consists of collecting water samples for later analysis and of notifying the appropriate agencies.
9 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for continuously monitoring the intake of a fresh water system to detect and contain a hazard, the system having an intake pipe, the apparatus comprising:
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(a) at least one hazard-detector within the intake pipe sensing the presence of a hazard in the water in the intake pipe; (b) a sampling unit associated with the at least one hazard-detector, the sampling unit further comprising a gate and gate valve in proximity to the at least one hazard-detector, the gate and gate valve diverting a sample of water to a collection unit when a hazard is detected; and (c) a shut-off valve for simultaneously with diverting the sample shutting off further water intake in the intake pipe when a hazard is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of detecting the presence of a contaminant in a fresh water intake pipe, comprising the steps of:
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(a) passing the water against a sensor; (b) transmitting data from the sensor to an analyzer; (c) conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis on the data from the sensor; (d) collecting a water sample from the vicinity of the sensor and depositing the water sample in a container; and (e) preventing further intake of water if a contaminant value is determined to be unacceptable. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification