Management of response to triggering events in connection with monitoring fugitive emissions

• US 8,751,173 B1
• Filed: 05/11/2009
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LDARtools Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LDARtools Incorporated
• Inventors: Moses, Rex
• Primary Examiner(s): HENSON, MISCHITA L
• Application Number:
  US12/463,770
• Time in Patent Office: 1,856 Days
• Field of Search: 702/24, 702/51, 702/187, 702/188, 702/184
• US Class Current: 702/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/205 Accessories or associated equipment; Pump constructions

Abstract

A method for verifying whether a technician is accurately monitoring one or more Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR) components. The method includes receiving a request to display an assignment. The assignment lists one or more LDAR components to be monitored in one or more areas. The assignment also lists one or more artificial LDAR components that do not exist in the areas. After receiving the request to display the assignment, the method includes displaying the assignment and receiving information regarding one of the artificial LDAR components.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method, comprising:

receiving a request from a user to display an assignment for monitoring one or more Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR) components for fugitive emissions;

displaying the assignment on a computer display, wherein the assignment lists one or more actual LDAR components that exist in an area and one or more artificial LDAR components that do not exist in the area;

receiving information from the user regarding the one or more actual LDAR components or the one or more artificial LDAR components displayed as part of the assignment on the computer display; and

determining, by a computer, whether the information is for the one or more artificial LDAR components displayed as part of the assignment on the computer display.

2. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising if the information indicates that the one of the artificial LDAR components does not exist or is unavailable, then displaying at the computer display a message commending the user.

3. The computer implemented method of claim 2, wherein the message is displayed after receiving information regarding all of the artificial LDAR components listed in the assignment.

4. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising if the information provides a description of the one of the artificial LDAR components, then displaying at the computer display a message instructing the user to stop monitoring.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 4, wherein the message further comprises instructing the user to report to the user'"'"'s supervisor.

6. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising if the information indicates a location of the one of the artificial LDAR components in the area, then displaying at the computer display a message instructing the user to stop monitoring.

7. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising if the information indicates an existence of the one of the artificial LDAR components in the area, then displaying a message at the computer display instructing the user to stop monitoring.

8. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing the information in a report; and

sending the report to the user'"'"'s supervisor.

9. The computer implemented method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving a request to display the report;

prompting the user for a password;

receiving the password; and

displaying the report if the password is correct.

10. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the computer is a handheld personal computer.

11. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising adding the one or more artificial LDAR components to the assignment.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising modifying the assignment while the technician is monitoring the actual LDAR components.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the artificial LDAR components into the assignment while the technician is monitoring the actual LDAR components.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising randomly inserting the artificial LDAR components into the assignment prior to displaying the assignment.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the artificial LDAR components into the assignment at random times while the technician is monitoring the actual LDAR components.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the artificial components comprise identifications that do not correspond to the actual LDAR components that exist in the area.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 4, wherein the message is displayed after receiving information regarding all of the artificial LDAR components listed in the assignment.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein the message is displayed after receiving information regarding all of the artificial LDAR components listed in the assignment.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 6, wherein the message further comprises instructing the user to report to the user'"'"'s supervisor.

20. The computer implemented method of claim 7, wherein the message is displayed after receiving information regarding all of the artificial LDAR components listed in the assignment.

21. The computer implemented method of claim 7, wherein the message further comprises instructing the user to report to the user'"'"'s supervisor.