Methods and Systems for Analysis, Reporting and Display of Environmental Data

• US 20090113990A1
• Filed: 12/12/2008
• Published: 05/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Emilcott Associates, Inc.
• Inventors: Groves, Bruce D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,485,019 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/31.10
• 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, comprising:

one or more environmental measuring instruments that collect a plurality of data, including a measuring instrument being positioned in a location related to a site to be monitored and the measuring instrument 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 one or more measuring instruments; and

a device located remotely from the one or more measuring instruments, capable of displaying data generated by the one or more 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 2, further comprising:

a database storing data collected from the one or more environmental measuring instruments, the data being provided with a time stamp and with the geometric coordinates of the location of the one or more environmental measuring instrument.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device can display data generated by the one or more environmental measuring instruments graphically.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device can display a map of the site that identifies selectively a location of the one or more environmental measurement instruments and displays a concentration of particles in at least the first range of sizes and in the second range of sizes.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device can issue an alarm depending on the data generated by the environmental measuring instrument.

7. The system as claimed in claim 3, further comprising storing in the database an environmental profile of a material including a concentration of at least two ranges of sizes of particles.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, 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.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system is capable to derive from data provided by the one or more environmental measurement instruments a location of a source of material.

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

the system being able to automatically identify operational parameters of an environmental measuring instrument when it is connected to the system.

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

the system being able to process data provided by the environmental measuring instrument based on the operational parameters.

12. A method for monitoring an environment, comprising:

providing one or more environmental measuring instruments that collect a plurality of data, including a measuring instrument being positioned in a location related to a site to be monitored and the measuring instrument 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;

communicating of data between the one or more environmental measuring instruments and a controller; and

displaying of data generated by the one or more environmental measuring instruments by a display device being located remotely from the environmental measuring instruments.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising providing the location with geometric coordinates.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

storing data collected from the one or more environmental measuring instruments in a database, the data being provided with a time stamp and with the geometric coordinates of the location of the one or more environmental measuring instrument.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the device can display a map of the site that identifies selectively a location of the one or more environmental measurement instruments and can display a concentration of particles in at least the first range of sizes and in the second range of sizes.

16. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

estimating a location of a source of particles.

17. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising generating an alarm depending on the data generated by the one or more environmental measuring instrument.

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

storing in the 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.

19. The method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising:

identifying an operational parameter of the one or more environmental measuring instrument, when the environmental measuring instrument is connected to a network.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

processing data provided by the one or more environmental measuring instrument based on the operational parameter.