Controlling flow in a fluid distribution system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for controlling flow in a fluid distribution system, comprising:
- a flow sensor configured to determine a flow of a fluid through a conduit of a fluid distribution system, wherein the fluid is a liquid;
a valve associated with the conduit and coupled to an actuator; and
a controller connected to the flow sensor and the actuator,wherein the controller includes logic configured to;
receive a flow target associated with a device of the fluid distribution system;
cause the actuator to actuate the valve such that a state of the valve is changed based on the flow target;
determine that the flow of the fluid includes an air pocket;
purge the air pocket from the flow of the fluid;
receive an indication associated with a determined fouling of the device of the fluid distribution system based on a reduction of an efficiency of the device; and
provide a notification responsive to receiving the indication.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatuses, methods and systems for controlling flow in a fluid distribution system are described herein. One apparatus includes a flow sensor configured to determine a flow of a fluid through a conduit of a fluid distribution system, a valve associated with the conduit and coupled to an actuator, and a controller connected to the flow sensor and the actuator.
-
Citations
18 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for controlling flow in a fluid distribution system, comprising:
-
a flow sensor configured to determine a flow of a fluid through a conduit of a fluid distribution system, wherein the fluid is a liquid; a valve associated with the conduit and coupled to an actuator; and
a controller connected to the flow sensor and the actuator,wherein the controller includes logic configured to; receive a flow target associated with a device of the fluid distribution system; cause the actuator to actuate the valve such that a state of the valve is changed based on the flow target; determine that the flow of the fluid includes an air pocket; purge the air pocket from the flow of the fluid; receive an indication associated with a determined fouling of the device of the fluid distribution system based on a reduction of an efficiency of the device; and provide a notification responsive to receiving the indication. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A method for controlling flow in a fluid distribution system, comprising:
-
determining a threshold flow target associated with a device of a fluid distribution system; receiving a determined flow of a fluid through a conduit of the fluid distribution system, the determined flow is determined by a flow sensor, wherein the fluid is a liquid; causing an actuation of a valve of the fluid distribution system from a first state to a second state responsive to the determined flow exceeding the threshold flow target; determining that the flow of the fluid includes an air pocket; purging the air pocket from the flow of the fluid; determining a fouling of the device of the fluid distribution system based on a reduction in an efficiency associated with the device; and providing a notification responsive to the determination. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A system for controlling flow in a fluid distribution system, comprising:
-
a device of a fluid distribution system; a plurality of flow control apparatuses of a fluid distribution system, each flow control apparatus including; a respective flow sensor configured to determine a respective flow of a fluid through a respective portion of a fluid distribution system, wherein the fluid is a liquid; and a respective valve associated with the respective portion configured to control the respective flow through the respective portion; and a computing device, configured to; receive the respective flows from the plurality of flow control apparatuses; determine a flow target associated with the device of the fluid distribution system; cause a change in at least one of the plurality of flows through a respective at least one of the plurality of portions via a change of a state of a respective least one of the plurality of valves based on the determined flow target; determine that the flow of the fluid includes an air pocket; purge the air pocket from the flow of the fluid; determine a fouling of the device of the fluid distribution system based on a reduction in an efficiency associated with the device; and provide a notification responsive to the determination. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
Specification