Parameter measurement/control for fluid distribution systems

• US 7,739,921 B1
• Filed: 08/21/2007
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The United States of America As Represented By The Secretary of Agriculture
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Babcock, Wade
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, HARSHAD R
• Application Number:
  US11/900,133
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 73/861.57
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/34 by measuring pressure or differential pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means

Abstract

A flow measurement system uses conduits adapted to be coupled to and throughout a liquid or gaseous fluid flow distribution system. Each conduit is instrumented to measure parameters associated with the liquid or gaseous fluid moving therethrough, and wireless transmit a unique code and data indicative of the parameters so-measured. A remotely-located receiver and output device(s) may be used to provide the data and unique code associated with each of the conduits in a human-discernable format. Each conduit may also receive data resulting in adjustment of fluid flow through the conduit.

Claims

1. A flow measurement system, comprising:

a plurality of conduits being adapted for coupling to and throughout a fluid distribution system,

wherein each of said plurality of conduits is instrumented with a measuring device to measure parameters associated with fluid moving therethrough, and a wireless transceiver component coupled to said measuring device to transmit a unique code and data indicative of said parameters so-measured,

wherein said wireless transceiver component is mounted on said each of said plurality of conduits and said measuring device is mounted within said each of said plurality of conduits, and

wherein said wireless transceiver component and said measuring device are situated adjacent said each of said plurality of conduits;

a receiver located remotely with respect to said plurality of conduits for receiving said unique code and said data transmitted therefrom; and

an output device coupled to said receiver for outputting said data from each of said plurality of conduits in a human-discernable format.

2. The flow measurement system as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of conduits comprises a first end terminating in a female-type connector and a second end terminating in a male-type connector.

3. The flow measurement system as in claim 1, wherein said measuring device comprises at least one sensor for measuring pressure and flow rate of the fluid moving therethrough.

4. The flow measurement system as in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of conduits is further instrumented with a memory component for storing said parameters so-measured.

5. The flow measurement system as in claim 1, wherein said wireless transceiver component comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) transmitter.

6. The flow measurement system as in claim 1, further comprising a valve component mounted within each of said plurality of conduits where adjustment of said valve component affects said parameters.

7. The flow measurement system as in claim 6, wherein each said valve component is a remotely controlled valve component.

8. A flow measurement system for use in fire-fighting, comprising:

a plurality of couplings supporting flow therethrough between a first end thereof being defined by a male connector and a second end thereof being defined by a female connector,

wherein said plurality of couplings are adapted to be coupled to and throughout a fire-fighting fluid distribution system, which includes at least one standpipe, at least one pump, at least one nozzle, and a plurality of hoses, which couple said standpipe, said pump and said nozzle,

wherein each of said plurality of couplings is instrumented with a measurement device to measure at least pressure and flow rate of fluid moving therethrough, and a wireless transceiving component coupled to said measuring device for transmitting a unique code and data indicative of said pressure and said flow rate so-measured,

wherein said wireless transceiving component is mounted on said each of said plurality of couplings and said measuring device is mounted within said each of said plurality of couplings, and

wherein said wireless transceiving component and said measuring device are situated adjacent said each of said plurality of couplings;

a controller being located remotely with respect to said plurality of couplings for communicating with each said wireless transceiving component; and

a display being coupled to said controller for displaying said data from each of said plurality of couplings received by said controller.

9. The flow measurement system as in claim 8, wherein said measuring device for measuring said pressure and said flow rate comprises at least one sensor mounted on an inside surface of each of said plurality of couplings.

10. The flow measurement system as in claim 8, wherein said each of said plurality of couplings is further instrumented with a memory component for periodically storing said pressure and said flow rate so-measured.

11. The flow measurement system as in claim 8, wherein said wireless transceiving component comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver.

12. The flow measurement system as in claim 8, further comprising a valve component mounted within each of said plurality of couplings where adjustment of said valve component affects said pressure and said flow rate.

13. The flow measurement system as in claim 12, wherein each of said valve component is remotely controlled by instructions issued through said transceiver.

14. A flow measurement system for use in fire-fighting, comprising:

a plurality of conduits being adapted for coupling to and throughout a fife-fighting water distribution system, which includes at least one standpipe, at least one pump, at least one nozzle, and a plurality of hoses coupling said standpipe, said pump and said nozzle,

wherein each of said plurality of conduits is instrumented with a measuring device for measuring at least pressure and flow rate of water moving therethrough, a radio frequency identification (RFID) transceiver coupled to said measuring component for transmitting a unique code and data indicative of said pressure and said flow rate so-measured, and a memory component used for storing said pressure and said flow rate so-measured,

wherein said RFID transceiver is mounted on said each of said plurality of conduits and said measuring device is mounted within said each of said plurality of conduits, and

wherein said RFID transceiver and said measuring device are situated adjacent said each of said plurality of conduits;

a receiver being located remotely with respect to said plurality of conduits for receiving said unique code and said data transmitted therefrom; and

a display being coupled to said receiver for outputting a visual representation of said data from each of said plurality of conduits.

15. The flow measurement system as in claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of conduits comprises a first end terminating in a female-type connector and a second end terminating in a male-type connector.

16. The flow measurement system as in claim 14, wherein said measurement component for measuring said pressure and said flow rate comprises at least one sensor mounted on an inside surface of each of said plurality of conduits.

17. The flow measurement system as in claim 14, further comprising a valve component mounted within each of said plurality of conduits where adjustment of said valve component affects said pressure and said flow rate.

18. The flow measurement system as in claim 17, wherein said valve component is coupled to said RFID transceiver, and

wherein said valve component is remotely controlled by control signals received by said RFID transceiver.