Device for reading and transmitting measured temperature values

• US 10,197,449 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2014
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suez International (Saudi Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Suez Groupe
• Inventors: Herbron, Jean Rene
• Primary Examiner(s): Larkin, Daniel S
• Assistant Examiner(s): Megna Fuentes, Anthony W
• Application Number:
  US15/108,261
• Publication Number:
  US 20160320245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 374147, 374148, 374102, 374103, 374104, 374105, 374106, 374170
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/143 for measuring surface temperatures
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/02 for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 13/026 of moving liquids
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A device for reading and transmitting measured temperature values for a device for monitoring a fluid flowing inside a pipe is disclosed. The device may include a temperature sensor configured to provide temperature values in accordance with time and a processing module, as well as a transmitter connected to the temperature sensor and configured to transmit signals that represent said temperature values, and a receiver configured to receive said signals. The temperature sensor may be mounted in a position that is close to the pipe. In addition, the processing module may be configured to assess a temperature variation speed, and of producing a signal to alert of the transformation of the fluid to the solid phase, when the temperature variation speed decreases over a given time interval.

Claims

1. A device configured to read and transmit measured values of temperature for a device configured to monitor and control a fluid flowing inside of a conduit, wherein the device configured to read and transmit measured values of temperature comprises:

a temperature sensor configured to supply values of temperature as a function of time;

a processing module configured to process the temperature values;

a transmitter connected to the temperature sensor and configured to transmit signals representative of the temperature values; and

a receiver configured to receive the signals,

wherein the temperature sensor is configured to be installed in a position close to the conduit; and

wherein the processing module is configured to evaluate a rate of variation of temperature and generate a signal warning of a transformation of the fluid into a solid phase when the rate of variation of temperature decreases within a given interval of time.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising another temperature sensor configured to be installed in a position away from the conduit and supply other values of temperature, wherein the processing module is configured to evaluate another rate of variation of temperature and generate the warning signal when the another rate of variation of temperature remains substantially constant within the given interval of time.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning signal is generated when the rate of variation of temperature increases within another given interval of time following the given interval of time.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing module is mounted onto the receiver.

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electrical battery configured to supply the transmitter and the temperature sensor.

6. The device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a metering sensor connected to the transmitter and configured to supply to the receiver values of volume of fluid flowing inside of the conduit.

7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signals representative of the temperature values are transmitted when the value of temperature supplied by the temperature sensor is lower than a temperature threshold, the temperature threshold being higher than a solidification temperature of the fluid at atmospheric pressure.

8. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature values are supplied, within the given interval of time, at a frequency in the range between 10⁻

2 and 10<sup>−

1</sup> Hz.

9. A device configured to monitor and control a fluid flowing inside of a conduit, wherein the device comprises:

a body through which the fluid is able to flow;

a total volume meter mounted on top of the body; and

a device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is installed on the body.

10. The device configured to read and transmit measured values of temperature as claimed in claim 9, further comprising another temperature sensor configured to be installed in a position away from the conduit and supply other values of temperature,

wherein the processing module is configured to evaluate another rate of variation of temperature and generate the warning signal when the another rate of variation of temperature remains substantially constant within the given interval of time, and

wherein the another temperature sensor is installed on the total volume meter.