Methods and systems for analysis, reporting and display of environmental data

• US 8,485,019 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Groves, Bruce D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Frank, Rodney T
• Application Number:
  US12/333,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20090113990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,677 Days
• Field of Search: 73/232, 73/310.1
• US Class Current: 73/23.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2273 Atmospheric sampling
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/26 with provision for intake from several spaces
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 15/0227 using imaging; using holography
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/00871 Communications between instruments or with remote terminals

Abstract

An environmental monitoring system and methods of a site are disclosed. The system includes one or more environmental measurement instruments, of which at least one instrument is capable to measure a concentration of particles in a certain size range. The system may also include an instrument that is capable of measuring a first concentration of particles in a first size range and a second concentration of particles in a second size range. The system may also include an instrument that is capable to measure a wind speed and a wind direction. The system may also include one device capable of recording an image of a location related to the site. The system includes a controller in communication with the one or more environmental measurement instruments, and a display device capable of displaying data generated by the one or more environmental measurement instruments. The system contains a network. Alerts can be provided based on conditions of the environment.

Claims

1. An environmental monitoring system for a site, comprising:

a plurality of environmental measuring instruments that collect a plurality of environmental data, including a plurality of measuring instruments being positioned in a location related to the site to be monitored and the plurality of measuring instruments being able to measure a concentration of particles in at least a first range of sizes and in a second range of sizes and provide data related to particles in each of the range of sizes;

a controller in communication with the plurality of measuring instruments to cause the plurality of data to be transmitted;

wherein the plurality of environmental data is time stamped and a location of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments is added to the plurality of data; and

a device located remotely from the plurality of measuring instruments that receives and stores the plurality of environmental data, the time stamp and the location of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments and that displays a map of the site that shows the location of the one or more environmental measuring instruments and the plurality of environmental data generated by each of the one or more environmental measuring instruments including the time stamp on the map, and wherein the device generates a contour indicating an area of a concentration of particles with a size in at least the first range of sizes to determine a location relative to the site of a source that generates the particles from the time stamped and location added data collected by the plurality of environmental measuring instruments.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising providing the location with geometric coordinates.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device can display data generated by the plurality of environmental measuring instruments graphically.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device displays a concentration of particles in at least the first range of sizes and in the second range of sizes.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is enabled to issue an alarm depending on the data generated by the plurality of environmental measuring instrument.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing in the database an environmental profile of a material including a concentration of at least two ranges of sizes of particles.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the alarm is provided when a concentration of at least two ranges of sizes of particles measured by an environmental measurement instrument meets an alarm criterion.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is enabled to derive from data collected by the plurality of environmental measurement instruments that the location of the source that generates the particles is not within a perimeter of the site.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

the system being able to automatically identify operational parameters of at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments when it is connected to the system.

10. The system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

the system being able to process data provided by the at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments based on the operational parameters.

11. A method for monitoring an environment, comprising:

providing a plurality of environmental measuring instruments that collect a plurality of environmental data, including a plurality of measuring instruments being positioned in a location related to an area to be monitored and the plurality of measuring instruments being able to measure a concentration of particles in at least a first range of sizes and in a second range of sizes and provide data related to particles in each of the range of sizes;

time stamping the plurality of environmental data with a collection time;

adding a location for each of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments that the plurality of data was collected at;

communicating of data between the plurality of environmental measuring instruments and a controller; and

determining from data generated simultaneously and in real-time by the plurality of environmental measuring instruments a location relative to the area of a source generating the particles.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising

determining that the location of the source generating the particles is not within a perimeter of the area.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a map of the area displayed on a computer display identifies selectively a location of at least one of the plurality of environmental measurement instruments and displays a concentration of particles in at least the first range of sizes and in the second range of sizes.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

estimating the location of the source of particles.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising generating an alarm depending on the data generated by at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

storing in a database an environmental profile of a material including a concentration of at least two ranges of sizes of particles of the material; and

providing an alert based on data collected and the environmental profile.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

identifying an operational parameter of at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments, when the at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments is connected to a network.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising:

processing data provided by the at least one of the plurality of environmental measuring instruments based on the operational parameter.