ENHANCED AND REMOTE METER READING WITH VIBRATION ACTUATED VALVE

• US 20020026957A1
• Filed: 10/01/1999
• Published: 03/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark Reyman
• Original Assignee: Mark Reyman
• Inventors: REYMAN, MARK
• Granted Patent: US 6,470,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/39
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/36 actuated in consequence of extraneous circumstances, e.g. shock, change of position
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0368 By speed of fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0753 Control by change of position or inertia of system
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0777 With second control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86397 With independent valve controller

Abstract

An automatically actuated regulation system for a natural gas pipeline having flow control unit, a vibration sensor, a gas flow meter, a trigger unit, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor actuates the flow control unit when two conditions are met. First, there must be a vibration which surpasses a predetermined threshold. Second, flow in the natural gas pipeline must have increased over the flow rate before the vibration. The system can be configured to store gas usage data and, in one embodiment, transmit the data to another location through the use of a modem or other communication means.

Claims

1. An automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline comprising:

a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;

a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;

a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;

a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline;

a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;

a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit; and

said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when

said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and

said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.

2. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline further comprises a modem coupled to said microprocessor, said modem configured to transmit and receive data over a communication line.

3. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said mechanical flow meter is a diaphragm-type utility gas meter having a half-foot dial that rotates at an angular velocity that is relative to said rate of gas flow through said pipeline.

4. The system in accordance with claim 3, wherein said means for converting said mechanical output signal to an electrical output signal is a pulser mechanism comprising:

a cam that is configured so that said half-foot dial rotates said cam at an angular velocity that is relative to the angular velocity of said half-foot dial,

a reed switch having a circuit that can be positioned in an opened position or a closed position, biased in said opened position, said reed switch configured so that said cam is capable of causing said circuit to be positioned in a closed position.

5. The system in accordance with claim 4, wherein said cam is configured so that it places said reed switch in said closed position each time said half-foot dial rotates thirty-six degrees.

6. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second threshold value is the average value of said flow signal over a predetermined time period.

7. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said flow control unit is a spring-loaded valve.

8. The system in accordance with claim 7, wherein said trigger unit is a solenoid having a solenoid plunger.

9. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system is equipped to provide a status update through a group of illuminated indicators.

10. The system in accordance with claim 9, wherein said group of illuminated indicators indicate presence of said vibration indication signal, said flow signal, and a rupture of said pipeline.

11. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system is equipped to provide a status update through an audible alarm.

12. The system in accordance with claim 11, wherein said audible alarm indicates presence of a rupture in said pipeline or the disruption of said flow signal from said gas flow meter to said microprocessor.

13. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system is configured to receive a plurality of mechanical inputs.

14. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein said plurality of mechanical inputs result in activation of said flow control unit and reset of parameters stored by said microprocessor.

15. The system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said system is powered by an uninterruptable power supply comprising an AC power supply and a back-up battery supply, said back-up battery providing power when said AC power supply fails.

16. The system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a housing for containing said microprocessor, wherein said flow control unit couples said housing to said pipeline.

17. The system in accordance with claim 16, wherein said vibration sensor is located remotely from said housing.

18. The system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said trigger unit comprises:

a release arm having one hinged end and one free end, wherein said free end is retained by said solenoid plunger so as to bias said flow control unit in a closed position.

20. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein said information further includes a size, a type, and a location of said premises.

21. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users by electronic mail.

22. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users verbally by telephone.

23. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said information is provided to said authorized users by mail.

24. The method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said information is used to generate a map of said automated shut-off actuator systems that provide said database with said shut-off indication.

25. The method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said database is stored on an Internet website, said authorized user capable of accessing said website by means of a password.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein said data said modem is capable of transmitting is an indication specifying an identity of the system, a flow history stored by said memory unit, and a battery voltage value.

29. The central server according to claim 28, wherein said central server is configured to store data in a database, said data consisting of predetermined variables transmitted by said modem to said server.

19. A method for providing data to a plurality of authorized users which comprises:

maintaining a database of premises having automated shut-off actuator systems;

receiving shut-off indication signals from said premises having automated shut-off actuator systems;

updating said database with information that a shut-off indication has been received by said automated shut-off actuator system; and

providing said information to authorized users.

26. An automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing in a pipeline comprising:

a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;

a memory unit coupled to said microprocessor, said memory unit configured to store data;

a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;

a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;

a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline coupled to a means for converting said mechanical

a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;

a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit;

a modem coupled to said microprocessor, said modem configured to transmit and receive data over a communication line; and

said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when

said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and

said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.

28. A central server configured to communicate with an automatically actuated regulation system for gas and other fluids flowing through a pipeline, said regulation system comprising:

a microprocessor configured to control said regulation system;

a flow control unit coupled to said microprocessor, said flow control unit configured to regulate the flow through said pipeline when activated;

a vibration sensor coupled to said microprocessor, said sensor configured to determine seismic activity of the earth in the vicinity of said system, and generate a vibration indication signal corresponding to the amplitude of said seismic activity;

a mechanical gas flow meter configured to provide a mechanical indication of the measure of gas flow through said pipeline coupled to a means for converting said mechanical

a conversion means converting said mechanical indication to an electrical output signal, said means coupled to said microprocessor;

a trigger unit, said trigger unit coupled to said flow control unit and configured to activate said flow control unit;

a modem coupled to said microprocessor, said modem configured to transmit and receive data from said server over a communication line;

said trigger unit activating said flow control unit when

said vibration indication signal is larger than a first predetermined threshold value, and

said measure of flow signal is larger than a second threshold value.