Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
  • G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
  • G01F1/662—Constructional details
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C35/00—Permanently-installed equipment
  • A62C35/58—Pipe-line systems
  • A62C35/68—Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
  • G01F15/007—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus comprising means to prevent fraud
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
  • G01F15/06—Indicating or recording devices
  • G01F15/061—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication
  • G01F15/063—Indicating or recording devices for remote indication using electrical means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/002—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using thermal means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
  • G01M3/24—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations
  • G01M3/243—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic vibrations for pipes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
  • G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
  • G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
  • G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
  • G01M3/2807—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes
  • G01M3/2815—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds for pipes using pressure measurements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/04—Analysing solids
  • G01N29/043—Analysing solids in the interior, e.g. by shear waves
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/04—Analysing solids
  • G01N29/11—Analysing solids by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/04—Analysing solids
  • G01N29/12—Analysing solids by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
  • G01N29/24—Probes
  • G01N29/2481—Wireless probes, e.g. with transponders or radio links
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/44—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor
  • G01N29/4409—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor by comparison
  • G01N29/4427—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor by comparison with stored values, e.g. threshold values
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/44—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor
  • G01N29/48—Processing the detected response signal, e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor by amplitude comparison
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A62—LIFE-SAVING; FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C—FIRE-FIGHTING
  • A62C37/00—Control of fire-fighting equipment
  • A62C37/50—Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
  • G01F1/66—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
  • G01F1/667—Arrangements of transducers for ultrasonic flowmeters; Circuits for operating ultrasonic flowmeters
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
  • G01N2291/025—Change of phase or condition
  • G01N2291/0258—Structural degradation, e.g. fatigue of composites, ageing of oils
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/26—Scanned objects
  • G01N2291/263—Surfaces
  • G01N2291/2634—Surfaces cylindrical from outside
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
  • G06Q50/06—Energy or water supply

Definitions

• Fluid is flowed through various conduits of a fluid delivery system and flowed out of the fluid delivery system at multiple geographical locations. Monitoring fluid flow within the conduits and monitoring events within a fluid delivery system can be difficult, particularly in real time and without invasive measures.
• fresh water distribution systems in municipalities have a network of water mains and other pipes that carry water to various customers and other destinations. It is difficult to monitor and control disposition of water throughout the network, particularly in real time.
• a detection device may be provided.
• the detection device may include a housing that at least partially defines an inside of the housing, a first acoustic sensor indirectly connected to the housing and configured to receive acoustic signals from the housing; and one or more connectors configured to connect the housing with a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• a detection device may be provided.
• the detection device may include a housing that at least partially defines an inside of the housing, a first acoustic sensor positioned external to the housing and outside the inside of the housing, and configured to receive acoustic signals from the housing, and one or more connectors configured to connect the housing with a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• the detection device may further include a sensor subassembly.
• the sensor subassembly may include a cover that at least partially defines an internal volume, may be positioned external to the housing and outside of the inside of the housing, and may be connected to the exterior of the housing.
• the first acoustic sensor may be positioned in the internal volume.
• the housing may include an exterior seal surface that includes a planar surface configured to face the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, the housing may include a first port that extends through the planar surface and f I uidica lly connects the inside of the housing with an environment external to the inside of the housing, and when the sensor subassembly is connected to the housing, the internal volume of the sensor subassembly may be fluidically connected to the inside of the housing via the first port.
• the housing may include an exterior seal surface that includes a planar circular surface configured to face the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, the housing may create a watertight seal of the inside of the housing from the environment outside the housing, the housing may include a data port that includes a first interface external to the housing and that extends through or is proximal to the exterior seal surface, and the sensor subassembly may include a second interface communicatively connected to the first acoustic sensor and configured to interface with the first interface.
• the detection device may further include a controller positioned in the inside of the housing, the data port may be communicatively connected with the controller, and when the sensor subassembly is connected to the housing such that the first interface is interfaced with the second interface, the first acoustic sensor may be communicatively connected through the data port to the controller.
• the sensor subassembly may be removably connected to the housing.
• the sensor subassembly may be connected to the housing with one or more bolts, screws, fasteners, clamp, or adhesive.
• the detection device may further include a controller with a communications unit, and the controller may be electrically connected to the first acoustic sensor and configured to receive acoustic signals from a pipe using the first acoustic sensor, and analyze the acoustic signals received by the first acoustic sensor to determine a pipe condition of the pipe.
• the pipe condition may include a leak in a pipe, a crack in a pipe, bore loss, wall loss, flow in the pipe, detection of flow within the pipe, an occurrence of flow in the pipe, or a flow rate of flow within the pipe.
• the detection device may further include an acoustic exciter configured to apply acoustic signals to the housing.
• the fluid conduit may be a fire hydrant.
• the one or more connectors may include a threaded section configured to connect with threads of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• a detection device may be provided.
• the detection device may include a housing that at least partially defines an inside of the housing, an accelerometer connected to the housing, one or more connectors configured to connect the housing with a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, and a controller with a communications unit, and the controller is electrically connected to the accelerometer and configured to receive accelerometer data from the housing using the accelerometer, and analyze the accelerometer data to determine a pipe condition of a pipe.
• the detection device may further include a temperature sensor
• the controller may be further configured to receive temperature data from the temperature sensor, and analyze at least the accelerometer data and the temperature data to determine the pipe condition.
• the antenna may be configured to communicate by a cellular protocol.
• the antenna may be configured to communicate with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
• GPS Global Positioning Satellite
• the detection device may further include a second antenna communicatively connected with the controller and positioned external to the housing and outside of the inside of the housing.
• the antenna may be configured to communicate by a cellular protocol, and the second antenna may be configured to communicate with a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS).
• GPS Global Positioning Satellite
• the antenna may be uncovered.
• the controller may be electrically connected to the first acoustic sensor and the power source, and configured to receive acoustic signals from a pipe using the first acoustic sensor, analyze the acoustic signals received by the first acoustic sensor to determine a pipe condition of the pipe, and transmit, using the communications unit, data representative of the pipe condition to a second controller.
• the system may also include a second controller with a second communications unit, and the second controller is configured to receive the data from each of the communications unit from the plurality of detection devices. [0032] In any of the above embodiments, at least one of the controller and the second controller are further configured to determine a pipe condition of a pipe between at least two detection devices.
• the receiving may include receiving acoustic signals from the pipe using a plurality of acoustic sensors
• the measuring may include measuring the acoustic signals received by the plurality of acoustic sensors
• the analyzing may include analyzing the acoustic signals received by the plurality of acoustic sensors to determine the pipe condition.
• a detection device may be provided.
• the detection device may include a first acoustic sensor configured to receive acoustic signals, a power source, and a controller with a communications unit.
• the controller may be electrically connected to the first acoustic sensor and the power source, and configured to receive acoustic signals from a pipe using the first acoustic sensor, analyze the acoustic signals received by the first acoustic sensor to determine a pipe condition of the pipe, and transmit, using the communications unit, data representative of the pipe condition to an external device.
• the first acoustic sensor may be a microphone.
• a method of measuring pressure in a pipe using a hoop stress sensor may be provided.
• the method may include measuring a resistance or strain of the hoop stress sensor, analyzing the resistance or strain of the hoop stress sensor to determine an event of a pipe, and reporting the event to an external device.
• the measured resistance or strain may be a change in resistance or strain over time.
• the determined event may be a pressure of the pipe.
• the method may further include detecting a pipe condition trigger and applying a voltage across the hoop stress sensor.
• the measuring the resistance may be performed continuously over a first time period.
• the method may further include determining a change in the resistance or strain as compared to a first threshold resistance or stain, and the analyzing may further include analyzing the change in the resistance or strain as compared to the first threshold resistance or strain.
• the processing module may further include an accelerometer, and the controller may be further configured to detect a signal from the accelerometer, and measure, in response to the signal from the accelerometer, the voltage across the hoop stress sensor.
• a system may be provided.
• the system may include a plurality of detection devices, and each detection device may includes a hoop stress sensor, a power source, and a first controller with a first communications unit.
• the first controller may be electrically connected to the hoop stress sensor and the power source, and configured to apply a voltage across the hoop stress sensor, measure a voltage across the hoop stress sensor, analyze the voltage across the hoop stress sensor to determine an event of a pipe, and transmit, using the first communications unit, data representative of the event to a second controller.
• the receiving the sensed data may include receiving the sensed data at multiple times over a period of time.
• the one or more sensors may include a hoop stress sensor, a thermal flow condition sensor, and/or an acoustic pipe condition sensor.
• the method may further include issuing an alert based on the risk data.
• the method may further include adjusting operation of the water system based on the risk data.
• a heating element may be disposed between at least two of the temperature sensing elements and disposed on the substrate.
• the detection device may further include logic for (i) receiving data representing temperature from one or more of the plurality of temperature sensing elements, and (ii) from the data, determining that an event has occurred on a pipe system comprising the pipe.
• the condition may be a flow rate of the fluid flowing in the Pipe.
• the hoop stress sensor may be a strain gauge.
• the controller may be electrically connected to the first acoustic sensor, the acoustic exciter, and the power source, and configured to cause the acoustic exciter to apply an input acoustic signal to the housing, receive acoustic signals from the housing using the first acoustic sensor, analyze the acoustic signals received by the first acoustic sensor to determine a pipe condition of a pipe, and transmit, using the communications unit, data representative of the pipe condition to an external device.
• the housing may include connection features configured to connect the housing with an insert.
• the insert may be further configured to connect with a flange of the fluid conduit.
• the fluid conduit may be a barrel of a fire hydrant.
• the acoustic exciter may be a solenoid.
• the pipe condition may be a leak in a pipe, crack in a pipe, bore loss, wall loss, flow in the pipe, detection of flow within the pipe, and a flow rate of flow within the pipe.
• the apparatus may further include an accelerometer and the controller may be further configured to detect a signal from the accelerometer, measure, in response to the signal from the accelerometer, the acoustic signals in the pipe, and further analyze the acoustic signals and the accelerometer to determine a pipe condition of a pipe determine.
• Figures 1A and IB depict an example hoop stress sensor indirectly affixed to a section of pipe.
• Figures 2A and 2B depict an example detection device that includes a hoop stress sensor, bridge, and housing.
• Figure 3 schematically depicts an example processing module.
• Figure 4A depicts an example processing sequence for a processing module of a detection device with a hoop stress sensor.
• Figure 4B depicts another example processing sequence for a processing module of a detection device with the hoop stress sensor.
• Figure 5 depicts an example water system that includes multiple water pipes and appliances that use water, such as toilets, sinks, and sprinklers.
• Figure 6 depicts example pressure data detected by a hoop stress sensor.
• Figure 7 depicts an axial cross-section of a pipe with numerous pipe conditions.
• Figures 8A and 8B depict an example detection device.
• Figure 9 schematically depicts an example of a pipe condition processing module.
• Figures 10A and 10B present flow charts for treating acoustic measurements made by detection devices.
• Figures 11A and 11B depict another example detection device.
• Figure 14A depicts an off-angle view of the underside of an example housing with two transducers.
• Figure 15A depicts an off-angle view of the underside of a second example housing with two transducers.
• Figure 17 depicts a spectrum (frequency domain) of 1kHz noise.
• Figures 19A and 19B depict a top view of an example pipe network with a tap connected to a pipe.
• Figure 21 depicts example acoustic signal magnitude data detected by an acoustic sensor of the detection device.
• Figure 22B again depicts the axial cross-section of the pipe of Figure 22A with a thermal flow condition sensor attached to it.
• Figure 28 depicts an example detection device having multiple sensors.
• Figure 31 depicts another example processing module.
• Figure 33 depicts another example detection device having multiple sensors.
• Figure 34 depicts a partially exploded view of an example positioning of the second example pipe condition sensor to a pipe.
• Figure 37 depicts the housing of Figure 35 in a second configuration.
• Figure 62 depicts a cross-sectional side view of another connection between the detection device and the fluid element of Figure 61.
• each connection point of the fluid conduit to a flow meter is a potential weak point and failure point for the fluid delivery system.
• Each additional connection point between the fluid conduit and the flow meter is a location where leakage, pressure fluctuations, splits, corrosion, rupture, contamination, and damage caused during the installation of the flow meter can occur.
• the conventional flow meters can also be a source of contamination (e.g., from aspects of the flow meter itself) and blockage within the fluid conduit.
• a hoop stress sensor's strain gauge is a polymide resin strain gauge 0.05%FS accuracy transducer; in another example, the strain gauges may be wire resistance strain gauges construction of a non-magnetic 75/20 nickel chromium alloy modified with cobalt and aluminum, such as Moleculoy®.
• a Wheatstone bridge is used to determine the change in resistance of the strain gauge. In the Wheatstone bridge, the strain gauge may act as the resistor having unknown resistance while the remaining resistors are of known values. Based on a change in voltages across the Wheatstone bridge, the change in resistance of the strain gauge can be obtained.
• the processing module 330 may also include a global positioning satellite (“GPS”) antenna that can establish a connection with multiple GPS satellites. Using data from communications with such satellites, the communications unit 346 can determine the location of the detection device and thereafter send location data to the processor 332.
• GPS global positioning satellite
• the term "GPS" herein may mean the broader concept of a location system employing one or more satellites that transmit ephemeris (e.g., a table or data file that gives the calculated positions of a satellite at regular intervals throughout a period) and/or position fixing data to a GPS receiver or antenna on a device. The location of the device may be calculated from the position fixing data on the device itself— communications unit 346 in this case— on a secondary device.
• this may include correlating a measured resistance, voltage, strain, or a measured change in these values, with an event, such as a pipe break, a pressure spike, leakage in the pipe, flow occurring in the pipe, freezing of the pipe, flow in the pipe, a pump being turned off, on, or having its speed hanged which may cause a pressure surge, and degradation of a pipe wall (e.g., corrosion or wall loss) that may occur overt time that may be determined by, for example, detecting higher stresses of the pipe, that is stored in a memory. For example, it may be known that a particular change in resistance across the hoop stress sensor corresponds with a break of the pipe, e.g., a large drop in pressure.
• an event such as a pipe break, a pressure spike, leakage in the pipe, flow occurring in the pipe, freezing of the pipe, flow in the pipe, a pump being turned off, on, or having its speed hanged which may cause a pressure surge, and degradation of a pipe wall (e.g., corrosion
• the event determined in block 409 includes determining the pressure in the pipe. As described above, this pressure determination may include calculating the strain and the corresponding pressure, calculating the hoop stress and the corresponding pressure, and/or correlating the measure resistance and/or voltage with one or more measured pressures that are stored on the first or second memories 340 and 342.
• the event including a determined pressure, may be stored in the memory, such as the first memory 342.
• data associated with the event is reported.
• This data may include the measured values, the correlated data and other values, and the pressure within the pipe, for example.
• This data may be wirelessly transmitted over a network to an external device, such as a computer, server, cell phone, or mobile device, for instance.
• the processing module sends not only the most recent data (the one for the just determined event) but other records for other recent events (e.g., the ten or twenty most recent events). After this transmission, the communications unit 346 may be powered off. Further, the processing module 330 may be placed into a sleep state or low power mode as described above.
• Figure 4B depicts another example processing sequence for a processing module of a detection device with the hoop stress sensor.
• the blocks shown in Figure 4B, as with Figure 4A, may be implemented by the processor 332 and other components of processing module 330 of Figure 3 executing stored instructions.
• a noteworthy change in signal of the hoop stress signal is detected at time t.
• the change in signal may be an instantaneous change in resistance across the hoop stress sensor or a change in resistance over time.
• the instantaneous change or measured resistance may be compared with one or more known values or thresholds and if the instantaneous change or measured resistance exceed or fall below such values or thresholds, then such change or measured resistance may be considered noteworthy. For instance, if the measured resistance is determined to indicate a pipe pressure higher than a safe operating pipe pressure, then this may be considered a noteworthy change.
• the change in resistance or measured resistance over a period of time may be noteworthy, such as a measured resistance over time indicating a decrease in pipe pressure or a lack of pressure over the time period.
• pressure transients as opposed to instantaneous change in pressure, may be determined in which the change in pressure over time is measured.
• the noteworthy change in signal is analyzed to determine an event.
• This may include interpreting, determining, and correlating the hoop stress signal, at least in part, with events, such as a pipe break, leakage in the pipe, a pressure spike, flow occurring in the pipe, freezing of the pipe, flow in the pipe, or degradation of the pipe wall (e.g., pipe wall loss caused by corrosion.
• events such as a pipe break, leakage in the pipe, a pressure spike, flow occurring in the pipe, freezing of the pipe, flow in the pipe, or degradation of the pipe wall (e.g., pipe wall loss caused by corrosion.
• this may include correlating the detected hoop stress signals with data stored on a memory, such as data indicating that a measured resistance indicates a pressure spike, a leak in the pipe, or a pressure drop.
• Figure 5 depicts an example water system that includes multiple water pipes and appliances that use water, such as toilets, sinks, and sprinklers.
• a main water line is connected to various hot water pipes (dotted lines) and various cold water pipes (solid lines) and numerous sprinklers, two sinks, one toilet, one tub/shower, and one washing machine.
• the detection device 515 which includes a hoop stress sensor described above, is positioned on various pipes of this example water system in order to determine, among other things, pressure in the pipes at its location as well as upstream and downstream from the module.
• the detection device 515A is positioned so that in can detect water pressure in the hot water pipe close to the boiler which can be used to determine, for instance, whether hot water is being flowed out of the boiler, whether there is a pressure spike or pressure drop in this hot water pipe, and whether there has been damage, or other impulsive event, to this water pipe.
• These types of conditions and events may be determined at any specific location where the detection device 515 is positioned, as well as to the whole pipe to which the detection device is connected and the pipe system to which that pipe is connected.
• detection devices 515B and 515C are positioned along the same cold water pipe with detection device 515C positioned downstream from detection device 515B and in between the tub/shower and the sink. By measuring the pressure at these different locations, and in some implementations comparing them together, various information can be determined about the pipe and pipe systems, such as flow within the pipe, the presence and location of leaks within the pipe, and the usage of various aspects connected to the pipe, such as the sprinkler in between the detection devices 515B and 5150C.
• pressures detected by detection devices on different pipes may also be used to determine various events within the system. For example, two detection devices positioned on different pipes, such as detection devices 530A and 530B, may be used to determine flow, lack of flow, freezing, leaks, and usage of, for instance, the hot water pipe/system versus the cold water pipe/system.
• a detection device includes one or more acoustic sensors that can be used to detect various conditions that exist within a pipe, including wall loss, bore loss, other conditions of the pipe wall (e.g., fractures, holes, pits, cracks, etc.) and pipe-related events elsewhere in the pipe system.
• Wall loss may be generally described as a reduction of the pipe wall material, such as by corrosion and metal loss of the pipe wall.
• Bore loss may include the reduction of a pipe's nominal pipe size, bore, or internal diameter, which may include buildup of material, such as biological sludge, grease, oxidation products (including corrosion products), tuberculation, and blockages from material originating upstream.
• the microphones 704A, 704B, and 706 are configured to detect acoustic signals of the pipe which can be measured and analyzed in order to determine the presence of any of these pipe conditions. For instance, microphone 706 may be configured to detect the signal produced by the distant event, such as a burst pipe, while microphones 704A and 704B may detect the signals produced by more local events such as pipe defects or fluid flow close to the pipe condition sensor.
• the speaker 702 may be configured to generate one or more acoustic signals that can be transmitted onto and into the pipe.
• the generated acoustic signals can travel to, contact, and reflect against the pipe 708, and any defects or buildups in the pipe (e.g., cracks, corrosion, or scum within the pipe 708)
• the generated acoustic signals can be detected by one or more of the microphones.
• speaker 702 may generate an acoustic signal 710 that contacts the buildup and reflects back to, and is detected by, the microphone 704A.
• the large microphone 706 may be used to listen for abnormalities at distant locations within the pipe, such as a single distant event, which may be represented as a signal spike. If such an event is detected, then a notification or alert may be generated and sent to an external device (e.g., a controller with a memory, described herein, may include instructions for detecting this event, and generating and transmitting the notification).
• an external device e.g., a controller with a memory, described herein, may include instructions for detecting this event, and generating and transmitting the notification.
• One or more of the microphones, e.g., large microphone 706, may also be used to detect a deviation of acoustic signals over one or more periods of time.
• a microphone may receive acoustic signals over a particular time period (such as days, weeks, or even months), which may be recorded and compared against currently collected signals. If the current and historical signals deviate by more than a threshold amount or are otherwise sufficiently different, the sensor or logic configured to interpret the sensor signals can determine that a particular event has occurred. Alternatively or in addition, a deviation may indicate wall loss, bore loss, or other deleterious pipe condition. In certain embodiments, one or more of the microphones, e.g., large microphone 706, may also be configured to determine the presence of flow within the pipe 708.
• an acoustic sensor determines the resonant or ringing frequency of the pipe. In certain embodiments, the acoustic sensor determines when (and optionally by how much) the resonant or ringing frequency changes from a prior value. To measure the resonant frequency, the pipe may be excited by an impulse or by a swept frequency. The amplitude and decay rate of the pipe's response may be repeatedly assessed over time (during similar conditions such as noise level) and the change in the response indicates the change in the pipe's wall.
• the large microphone 706 (which is larger than the small microphone, e.g., 706 in Figure 7), used in the in the detection device is able to reliably detect acoustic signals over a wide frequency range, that may roughly correspond to the frequency range of human hearing.
• the lower end of the microphones detectable range is about 5 Hz to about 20 Hz.
• the upper end of the detectable frequency range is about 20 kHz, to about 25kHz.
• the sensitivity of the microphone is at least about -10, decibels (dB), or at least about -30 dB, or at least about -40dB, which may be frequency dependent.
• the large microphone used in the in the detection device can interpret acoustic signals over a dynamic range of at least about 70 dB, which may be frequency dependent.
• suitable microphones include piezoelectric microphones or transducers that capture or sense vibrations and acoustic signals, microphones with high sensitives (e.g., up to about -30dB), and those microphones used in musical applications.
• the size of the large microphone may be selected based on the pipe diameter. In certain embodiments, the size of its largest dimension is between about 0.3 to 2 inches. In one example, the microphone's size is at most 0.8 inches for a pipe having a diameter of about 12 inches or less, for instance.
• one or both of the small microphones can interpret acoustic signals over a dynamic range of at least about 90 dB, which may be frequency dependent.
• suitable microphones include condenser microphones that may include a buffer.
• the small microphones may be selected based on the pipe diameter and, in certain embodiments, are at least 0.2 inches in diameter for a pipe having a diameter of about 12 inches or less, for instance.
• a microphone suitable for use as the small microphone is the PUI Audio, product number POM-2730L-HD-R.
• the speaker 702 used in the detection device is an acoustic exciter such as a voice coil or a device capable of delivering a mechanical ping or strike, such as a solenoid.
• speaker 702 is configured to produce an excitation signal with a fast rise time than can excite harmonics in the pipe or fluid conduit.
• the speaker 702 used in the detection device has a dynamic range of at least about 100 dB.
• the speaker used in the in the detection device can produce low frequency acoustic signals of about 30 Hz or lower.
• the speaker used in the in the detection device can produce high frequency acoustic signals of about 20 kHz or higher.
• two microphones such as the small microphones 704A and 704B
• they may be used to determine the relative location of a pipe condition with respect to the pipe condition sensor.
• These two microphones are spaced apart along the length of the pipe, they can be used to determine whether an event or pipe condition is upstream or downstream from the detection device. Determining the direction of the event with respect to the sensor may employ signal processing such as described elsewhere herein. Generally, the process involves determining which of the two microphones received the signal first.
• upstream may be to the right of Figure 7 and the acoustic signals caused by the distant event in Figure 7 may reach microphone 704B before reaching microphone 704A, which is used to determine that the distant event occurred closer to microphone 704B, i.e., it occurred upstream of the detection device 700.
• the two microphones may also be used to determine the presence and, optionally, the direction of flow within the pipe 708. In some embodiments, only one microphone is needed to determine the presence of flow within the pipe 708.
• the small microphones 704A and 704B may be used in conjunction with the speaker 702 to determine the presence and location (e.g., upstream or downstream with respect to the sensor) of various pipe conditions, such as bore loss, wall loss, leaks, and cracks.
• a controller may include instructions to cause the speaker to emit signals of a defined type (e.g., having a defined frequency and intensity).
• the controller may also be configured to interpret and process the signals received by one or more of the microphones.
• the controller may be configured to determine whether pipe conditions exist, which conditions exist, and the upstream/downstream direction of such conditions. An example of a controller is described with reference to Figure 3 discussed below.
• a sound conductor may be positioned between the large microphone 806 and the pipe wall, such as a petroleum jelly or grease, in order to facilitate the transmission of acoustic signals from the pipe to the large microphone 806.
• the large microphone is in acoustic contact with the pipe through a coupling agent (grease, etc.) but the two small microphones are coupled through the air.
• a coupling agent grey, etc.
• even one or both of the small microphones employs a coupling agent.
• using two axially separated, air-coupled microphones allows good phase response, which can be useful in determining the direction of an event (with respect to the sensor), etc.
• the detection device 1100 includes a housing 1116 and a face 1118 with ports in which the acoustic sensors 1104A and 1104B (small microphones), and 1106 (large microphone) may be positioned.
• the small microphones 1104A and 1104B are flush with the face 1118 while the large microphone 1106 may be recessed and offset from the face 1118 such that they are within the housing 1116.
• the speaker may be positioned completely within the housing 1116.
• the second example detection device depicted in Figures 11A and 11B is configured to detect the condition of a pipe using a solenoid (not depicted; instead of a speaker, a solenoid is used) and the microphone 1106 by using the solenoid to deliver a mechanical ping or strike to the pipe. It may accomplish this by producing an excitation signal with a fast rise time than can excite harmonics in the pipe or fluid conduit.
• the solenoid 1102 used in the detection device has a dynamic range of at least about 100 dB.
• the solenoid 1102 used in the in the detection device can produce low frequency acoustic signals of about 30 Hz or lower.
• This detection device 1100 may also include a processing module described below.
• a sound conductor may be positioned between the large microphone 1106 and the pipe wall, such as a petroleum jelly or grease, in order to facilitate the transmission of acoustic signals from the pipe to the large microphone 1106.
• the large microphone is in acoustic contact with the pipe through a coupling agent (grease, etc.) but the two small microphones are coupled through the air.
• a coupling agent grey, etc.
• even one or both of the small microphones employs a coupling agent.
• using two axially separated, air-coupled microphones allows good phase response, which can be useful in determining the direction of an event (with respect to the sensor), etc.
• an ultrasonic flow condition system applies an ultrasonic signal at each of two locations where flow condition is to be measured.
• a first ultrasonic transducer is attached at a first location and a second ultrasonic transducer is attached at a second location that is offset in the axial direction of the fluid conduit (e.g., along the center axis of the pipe), and during data collection, the two transducers measure time of flight of ultrasonic signal propagation in each direction (upstream to downstream, and downstream to upstream).
• Figures 13A and 13B which are discussed below.
• Figure 12A depicts an example of a one suitable design for a transducer 1269A which includes a piezoelectric element 1272A straddled by two electrodes, first electrode 1270A and second electrode 1274A.
• the piezoelectric element 1272A of the device is powder pressed in the desired shape and sintered. Electrodes may be screened or painted on. "PZT" refers to lead zirconate titanate which is a frequently used ultrasonic transducer material. Applying an electric field as shown mechanically distorts the material and reflexively, distorting the material generates an electric charge between the electrodes.
• Figure 12B depicts an alternative ultrasonic transducer 1269B that includes the elements as Figure 12A, but further includes a supportive membrane 1276 that is attached to the second electrode 1274A.
• the ultrasonic transducer employs an alternative design, such as one employing a capacitive transducer.
• An example of a suitable ultrasonic transducer is the JIAKANG, Water Flow Meter External Piezo 1 Mhz Ultrasonic Transducer.
• Various embodiments employ two ultrasonic transducers, each operating a particular ultrasonic frequency (e.g., IMhz) to measure the time of flight differential through a pipe (including a pipe) and the flowing fluid.
• a particular ultrasonic frequency e.g., IMhz
• the time of flight difference varies depending upon the flow velocity.
• the difference in time of flights from one transducer to the other (both directions) increases with fluid increasing flow rate.
• the communications unit 946 may include an antenna 948.
• the communications unit 946 may be configured to acquire location data about the location of the detection device using the antenna 948 which is configured to connect with an external location device and receive location data from the external location device.
• the location data may include the latitude, longitude, and altitude, for example, of the pipe condition processing module 930 which houses the first antenna 948.
• the communications unit 946 and antenna 948 may be configured to communicate by a non-cellular wireless protocol such as a low power wide area network (LoRaWAN) protocol, which operates between 850 MHz and 1,900 MHz, or other sufficiently long range protocol.
• a non-cellular wireless protocol such as a low power wide area network (LoRaWAN) protocol, which operates between 850 MHz and 1,900 MHz, or other sufficiently long range protocol.
• the communications unit 946 may be a 2G cellular device such as the SIM808 from SIMCom Wireless Solutions, Shanghai, China.
• the product may be packaged on a printed circuit assembly ("PCA") with support integrated circuits from Adafruit, Industries of New York, New York.
• the communications module may also use an 'Internet of Things' (IOT) friendly protocol such as LTE Cat Ml.
• IOT Internet of Things'
• the processing module 930 also includes a global positioning satellite (“GPS”) antenna that can establish a connection with multiple GPS satellites. Using data from communications with such satellites, the communications unit 946 can determine the location of the detection device and thereafter send location data to the processor 932.
• GPS global positioning satellite
• the term "GPS" herein may mean the broader concept of a location system employing one or more satellites that transmit ephemeris (e.g., a table or data file that gives the calculated positions of a satellite at regular intervals throughout a period) and/or position fixing data to a GPS receiver or antenna on a device. The location of the device may be calculated from the position fixing data on the device itself— communications unit 946 in this case— on a secondary device.
• operation of a detection device and associated logic includes: (a) monitoring steady state vibrations from the pipe using the accelerometer, (b) detecting a change (e.g., an unexpected pulse) in the accelerometer signals, and (c) based on the accelerometer signal change, measuring acoustic signals and determining a type of event that caused the accelerometer and/or acoustic changes.
• a change e.g., an unexpected pulse
• a pipe condition assessment is made in the context of current conditions, which may different from previous or future conditions.
• a pipe condition assessment may account for current temperature, fluid pressure, fluid flow, and/or other ambient factor that impacts signal propagation in the pipe.
• the system includes one or more sensors, and associated logic, for measuring and/or determining temperature, fluid flow rate, hoop stress, etc. to appropriate adjust pipe condition assessment.
• the acoustic response or responses may propagate back to the detection device 1900 where the acoustic sensors, such as the large and/or small microphones, detect and measure these responses.
• multiple detection devices each with acoustic sensors, may be used together in order to determine events along a single pipe or within a pipe system.
• Figures 20A and 20B depict a top view of the example pipe network of Figures 19A and 19B with two detection devices 12000A and 2000B having acoustic sensors as described above, positioned on pipes 20120A and 20120B, respectively.
• the stimulus issuing device(s) of one detection device and the one or more stimulus response detecting sensors of another detection device may be placed at any of various locations in a pipe or pipe network.
• the stimulus issuing device e.g., a solenoid
• the pipe assessment may be conducted for the region between the device and sensor, whether for identifying any particular isolated pipe condition or determining an average condition between the device and the sensor.
• the flowing water itself need not be heated or cooled to assess flow rate.
• multiple differential temperature measurements may be made over a period of time. Such measurements may provide an indication of changes in flow rate over time.
• a detection device may include includes two or more temperature sensing elements (e.g., thermistors) and optionally a heating element.
• the detection device includes an array of temperature sensing elements.
• the individual sensing elements may be arranged in various patterns such as rectangular, triangular, other polygonal, circular, and the like.
• a heating element is disposed at an interior location with respect to the temperature sensing elements; e.g., the heating element is straddled by at least two temperature sensing elements.
• a thermal flow condition sensor When a thermal flow condition sensor is used for measuring a temperature gradient, at least one pair of temperature sensing elements is normally needed, one upstream from the other. To allow for alternative gradient measurements across different pipe segments or over different distances of a pipe segment, additional temperature sensing elements may be provided to provide different combinations of upstream-downstream sensing elements to allow different measurements of temperature gradient. The different values can be compared, averaged, etc. Multiple sensors arrayed along the direction of fluid flow can be used to indicate the flow velocity.
• the detection device has associated logic configured to interpret temperature values (possibly with the aid of calibration).
• the logic may include software or firmware programmed or configured to receive data taken from one or more thermal flow condition sensors and analyze such data to determine fluid temperature, flow rate, and/or events on the pipe network.
• the logic for interpreting data from such sensors may be located on a server or other computing system associated with the pipe network (located either at the network or remote therefrom) or the logic may be located on a leased or shared computational system such as a cloud-based system available over the internet or other network.
• Figure 22A shows an axial cross-section of a pipe 2201 with a thermal flow condition sensor of a detection device attached to it.
• the sensor includes temperature sensing elements 2207 and a heating element 2205.
• An interior 2203 of pipe 2201 has a quiescent fluid.
• heating element 2205 is turned on and generates heat energy, the temperature on the pipe wall decreases roughly uniformly in all directions away from heating element 2205. This is reflected in the roughly symmetric temperature versus axial pipe position plot shown above the pipe in Figure 22A.
• the temperature sensing elements (or at least two of them optionally on opposite sides heating element 2205) are able to detect this roughly uniform distribution and associated logic is able to determine that the fluid in pipe interior 2203 is quiescent.
• FIG 22B again shows the axial cross-section of pipe 2201 with a thermal flow condition sensor attached to it.
• the sensor includes temperature sensing elements 2207 and heating element 2205.
• the interior 2203 of pipe 2201 contains a fluid from left to right.
• heating element 2205 is turned on and generates heat energy, the temperature on the pipe wall decreases more abruptly in the upstream direction than in the downstream direction. This is reflected in the skewed temperature versus axial pipe position plot shown above the pipe in Figure 22A.
• the temperature sensing elements are able to detect this skewed distribution and associated logic is able to determine that the fluid in pipe interior 2203 is flowing left to right.
• the logic may also be able to determine a flow rate of the fluid.
• it is flexible as depicted in the upper representation shown in Figure 23A. It may also be adhesive to promote good contact between the pipe surface and the temperature sensing elements (and the heating element if present).
• RT1-RT6 may be used as a pair
• RT3-RT4 may be used as a pair
• RT1-RT5 may be used as a pair
• one combination performs better than others. This fact can be discovered and utilized after installation of the thermal flow condition sensor on a pipe.
• one or more of sensing elements RT1/2/3 and/or or more of sensing elements RT4/5/6 fail to establish suitable thermal contact with the pipe and therefore cannot be used in a differential temperature reading. Having alternative sensing elements available provides a needed redundancy.
• a differential temperature measurement is made using a Wheatstone bridge as shown in Figure 24.
• one leg of the bridge contains one of temperature sensing resistors RT1/2/3
• another leg of the bridge contains one of temperature sensing elements RT4/5/6
• the other two legs have reference resistors R1 and R4.
• a capacitor such as Cl shown in Figure 23A is employed to reduce noise in the bridge sensing.
• the thermal flow condition sensors includes a light (e.g., and LED) or other visual or auditory signaling element to signal a particular operating state of the sensor such as "heater on.”
• a light DI and associated ballast resistor are provided to indicate heating or other state of the sensor.
• Figure 23B shows a perspective view and Figure 23C shows a top view of a detection device 2300 having a face 2333 that is designed to engage with an exterior surface of a pipe.
• detection device 2300 When installed, as described below, detection device 2300 is clamped or otherwise attached to the pipe such that face 2333 presses against a pipe and brings one or both of thermal flow condition sensors 2335a and 2335b into thermal contact with the pipe surface.
• one or both of thermal flow condition sensors 2335a and 2335b are implemented with temperature sensing elements as described above, for example as shown in Figure 23A, and optionally with a heating element.
• the face 2333 of detection device 2300 has recesses sized and shaped to accommodate thermal flow condition sensors 2335a and 2335b.
• Detection device 2300 has a body 2237 that encloses a volume in which sensor data processing logic, communications logic, an inertial sensor, and/or other component(s) supporting thermal flow condition sensors 2335a and 2335b.
• Such components may include a processor, memory, electrical wiring, etc. In some cases, these components are provided on printed circuit board.
• a thermal flow condition sensor may be electrically connected to processing logic by, for example, electrically connected terminals.
• the differential temperature between upstream and downstream locations on a pipe can be determined using various circuit designs that include the upstream and downstream thermistors. For example a Wheatstone bridge as shown in Figure 24 may be used for this purpose. In alternative embodiments, an absolute temperature is measured at a upstream position and an absolute temperature is measured at a downstream position and comparison logic receives both the upstream and downstream readings and provides a differential reading.
• FIG. 25 schematically depicts an example of a processing module 2530 that is similar to Figures 3 and 9 herein.
• the depicted processing module 2530 includes an input/output unit 2520 that includes a first input 2521 for connection to a leak detector (like described herein above) and an accelerometer 2524 that is depicted as a three-axis accelerometer.
• the input/output unit 2520 may include an analog to digital converter 2525, and the input/output unit 2520 may be configured to receive power from the power supply 2544 for various purposes including to power the sensing and heating elements of a thermal flow condition sensor.
• the input/output unit 2520 may also electrically connect the other resistors in the Wheatstone bridge and may be configured to apply voltages across the other legs of the Wheatstone bridge.
• input/output unit 2520 includes various ports or electrical connectors for communicating with temperature sensing elements and a heating element on a thermal flow condition sensor.
• input/output unit 2520 includes electrical connectors for receiving electrical signals corresponding to temperature detected by temperature sensing units for providing differential temperature measurements; thermistors 1/2/3 and thermistors 4/5/6. These may correspond to temperature sensing elements RT1/2/3 and RT4/5/6 shown in Figure 23A and described above.
• input/output unit 2520 includes one or more electrical connectors for providing power to a heating element (e.g., Heater R6) of a thermal flow condition sensor.
• a heating element e.g., Heater R6
• input/output unit 2520 includes electrical connectors for receiving electrical signals corresponding to temperature detected by temperature sensing units for providing absolute temperature measurements; thermistors 7 and 8. These may correspond to temperature sensing elements RT7 and RT8 shown in Figure 23A and described above.
• Input/output unit 2320 may have ports for additional flow condition sensor components such as a light.
• the input/output unit 2320 has ports for components of other types of sensor that may share processing unit 2330 with a thermal flow condition sensor. Examples of such other types of sensor include pipe condition sensors (e.g., acoustic pipe condition sensors) and pressure sensors (e.g., hoop stress sensors). Ports for these additional types of sensor are not depicted in Figure 25.
• the fluid flow processing module 2530 also includes one or more processors (shown as processor 432) that include a clock 2538, a first memory 2540, and sensor processing logic 2536.
• the first memory 2540 may be a program memory that stores instructions to be executed by the processor 2532 and buffers data for analysis and other processing.
• the sensor processing logic 2536 (which may also or alternatively be instructions stored on the first memory 2540) is configured to detect signals, including voltages, generated by any of the sensors, including the thermal flow condition sensor 2502 and the leak detector 2522.
• sensor processing logic 2536 may be configured to receive data from sensing elements including temperature sensing elements of a thermal flow condition sensor. The data may be provided in many forms, including voltage levels.
• the sensor processing logic 2536 may also be configured to determine a voltage level across the Wheatstone bridge.
• the sensor processing logic 2536 may also be configured to determine and store values of resistance and voltage or their corresponding values of temperature or relative temperature measured via the various temperature sensing elements.
• sensor processing logic 2536 may also be configured to determine and store strain values measured on the pipe, acoustic responses measured on the pipe, and/or calculated pressure values in the pipe.
• the clock 2538 may be a real time clock or a timer.
• the fluid flow processing module 2530 also includes a second memory 2542 that may be a rewritable memory that is configured to store data generated by any of the sensors or other components described herein.
• a power supply 2544 which may include a battery, is also a part of the depicted fluid flow processing module 2530 and is configured to provide power to the elements of the fluid flow processing module 2530, such as the processor 2532, a communications unit 2546, and any of the sensing elements, as described above.
• the processor 2532 may execute machine-readable system control instructions which may be cached locally on the first memory 2540 and/or may be loaded into the first memory 2540 from a second memory 2542, and may include instructions for controlling any aspect of the fluid flow processing module 2530.
• the instructions may be configured in any suitable way and may by implemented in software, firmware, hard-coded as logic in an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), or, in other suitable implementation. In some embodiments, the instructions are implemented as a combination of software and hardware.
• the communications unit 2546 may include an antenna 2548.
• the communications unit 2546 may be configured to acquire location data about the location of the detection device using the antenna 2548 which is configured to connect with an external location device and receive location data from the external location device.
• the location data may include the latitude, longitude, and altitude, for example, of the fluid flow processing module 2530 which houses the first antenna 2548.
• the communications unit 2546 may also be configured to wirelessly connect with, and transmit and receive data from, an external device, like a network or computer, using the antenna 2548 that is configured to connect with the external device.
• the communications unit 2546 and antenna 2548 may be configured to communicate by an appropriate cellular protocol such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
• CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
• GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
• the communications unit 2546 and antenna 2548 may be configured to communicate by a non-cellular wireless protocol such as a low power wide area network (LoRaWAN) protocol, which operates between 850 MHz and 1,900 MHz, or other sufficiently long range protocol.
• the communications module may also use an 'Internet of Things' (IOT) friendly protocol such as LTE Cat Ml.
• the communications unit 2546 may be the SIM808 from SIMCom Wireless Solutions, Shanghai, China.
• the product may be packaged on a printed circuit assembly ("PCA") with support integrated circuits from Adafruit, Industries of New York, New
• the fluid flow processing module 2530 also includes a global positioning satellite (“GPS”) antenna that can establish a connection with multiple GPS satellites. Using data from communications with such satellites, the communications unit 2546 can determine the location of the water release assembly and thereafter send location data to the processor 2532.
• GPS global positioning satellite
• the term "GPS" herein may mean the broader concept of a location system employing one or more satellites that transmit ephemeris (e.g., a table or data file that gives the calculated positions of a satellite at regular intervals throughout a period) and/or position fixing data to a GPS receiver or antenna on a device. The location of the device may be calculated from the position fixing data on the device itself— communications unit 2546 in this case— on a secondary device.
• satellites may be used in the system with each one communicating ephemeris data and/or position fixing data.
• the same satellite may communicate both ephemeris data and position fixing data, or ephemeris data and position fixing data may be communicated through separate satellites.
• the satellites may be satellites in a GPS system, or it may be satellites in another satellite system such as the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System, the European Union Compass system, the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System, or the Chinese Compass navigation system.
• Some GPS systems use a very slow data transfer speed of 50 bits per second, which means that a GPS receiver, in some cases, has to be on for as long as 12 minutes before a GPS positional fix may be obtained.
• the processor 2532 is connected to a switch 2552 that is interposed between the power source 2544 and the communications unit 2546.
• the processor 2532 may cause the switch 2552 to close, which causes power to be delivered to the communications unit 2546, or to open which stops the power to the communications unit 2546.
• the second memory 2542 is configured to store data received from the processor 2532 and the antenna 2548.
• Firmware updates which may be received from the antenna 2548, are stored at an appropriate location (e.g., second memory 2542) accessible to the processor 2532.
• the processor 2532 is also configured to access and transmit data stored in the second memory 2542 over the antenna 2548.
• the elements of the processor 2532 may be communicatively connected with each other and the processor 2532 is configured to control each such element, as well as any element of the fluid flow processing module 2530.
• the fluid flow processing module 2530 may be in a sleep state in which power is on to the processor 2532, the accelerometer 2524, the leak detector, and/or the thermal flow condition sensor, but in a low power mode, with few if any operations being performed.
• the processor 2532 can receive signals from the accelerometer 2524, the leak detector, and/or the thermal flow condition sensor, and at the same time, the communications 2546 module is not powered on.
• the processor 2532 may exit the low power state, and "wake up", in response to detecting a signal of defined magnitude or other characteristic from any of the sensors, including the accelerometer 2524, the leak detector, and/or the thermal flow condition sensor.
• the processor 2532 may simultaneously or sequentially cause various functions to be performed, as described below.
• FIGS 26A and 26B show flow charts for treating temperature measurements made by thermal flow condition sensors such as those described herein.
• operations using thermal flow condition sensors may follow this sequence: (a) measure temperature with heater off, (b) turn on heater, (c) measure temperature change (before and after heater turned on) at various thermistor positions, and (d) determine flow rate based on measured temperature change.
• operations using thermal flow condition sensors may follow this sequence: (a) monitor steady state temperature, (b) detect a temperature change, and (c) based on temperature change, determine a type of event that caused the temperature change.
• Calibration may be conducted at the factory using a predetermined set of conditions or it could be done in the field by setting a no flow condition and a known flow rate condition. Alternatively, calibration may be conducted in the field, at or after the time of installation.
• a detection device with a thermal flow condition sensor may directly measure the temperature of pipe surface and/or indirectly measure the temperature of a fluid in the pipe. Also, a thermal flow condition sensor may directly measure a temperature difference across two positions on a pipe surface. By measuring and/or monitoring the size, stability, and/or direction of a temperature gradient on the pipe surface, a thermal flow condition sensor may be used to determine various properties of the fluid flowing in a pipe to which the sensor is attached. As indicated, one such property is the flow rate of fluid in the pipe at the location of the temperature sensing elements in the sensor. Another such property is fluid's state, i.e., laminar or turbulent. Further, a thermal flow condition sensor may detect a transition between laminar and turbulent in fluid flowing in the pipe. Eddies, mixing, etc. caused by vortices in turbulence can create detectable features in temperature gradients or changes in temperature gradients.
• the temperature measurements are used in building energy efficiency monitoring or auditing.
• variations in temperature not caused by a heating element in the sensor can be used to identify an event in a water system. Examples of such events include turning on tap, flushing a toilet, turning on an irrigation system, turning on a fire extinguishing sprinkler system, etc.
• each of the detection devices 1800 of Figure 18 may have one or more thermal flow condition sensors as described herein.
• An event produced at one location in the system can be detected at a remote location, where the thermal flow condition sensor is located.
• the detection device 1800 which includes one or more thermal flow condition sensors described above, is positioned on various pipes of this example water system in order to determine, among other things, flow in the pipes of this system.
• the detection device 1800A is positioned so that in can detect water flow in the hot water pipe close to the boiler which can be used to determine, for instance, whether hot water is being flowed out of the boiler and the water flow rate in this hot water pipe, among other things.
• These types of conditions and events may be determined at any specific location where the detection device 1800 is positioned, as well as to the whole pipe to which the detection device is connected and the pipe system to which that pipe is connected.
• multiple detection devices 1800 may also be used together in order to determine events along a single pipe or within a pipe system.
• detection devices 1800B and 1900C are positioned along the same cold water pipe and by measuring the temperature at these different locations, and in some implementations comparing them together, various information can be determined about the pipe and pipe systems, such as flow within the pipe and flow rates of the water, and the usage of various aspects connected to the pipe, such as the sprinkler in between the detection devices 1800B and 1800C.
• flows detected by detection devices on different pipes may also be used to determine various events within the system.
• two detection devices positioned on different pipes such as detection devices 1800A and 1800B, may be used to determine flow, lack of flow, freezing, leaks, and usage of, for instance, the hot water pipe/system versus the cold water pipe/system.
• Figure 27 presents a simple example of thermistor data evidencing a detectable pipe system event (e.g., turning on faucet, a laminar to turbulent transition, etc.).
• the measured data is simply temperature versus time as measured by a thermal flow condition sensor. It has been found that many common events on a pipe network produce a temperature variation such as shown in Figure 27. Further, by knowing the direction of flow, which is a property that can be determined by a flow condition sensor, the temperature data also indicate where, relatively speaking, the event occurred. Typically, a detectable event will have occurred upstream of a thermal flow condition sensor. Still further, if the time of the event and the fluid flow rate are also known, the temperature data can also indicate the actual location of the event.
• Data from a thermal flow condition sensor may be processed in various ways to improve the usefulness of the readings.
• the temperature readings from thermal flow condition sensors are frequently provided as slow time varying, DC values and require relatively little signal processing.
• the temperature differential measured between upstream and downstream thermistors may be translated directly to a flow rate of the water in the pipe based on a simple proportionality constant or an expression containing the differential temperature. In some cases noting the change in absolute temperature and the change in differential temperature is useful
• the temperature readings will be relatively noisy and may benefit from some processing before they can be used to provide either the absolute local temperature of the pipe or a differential temperature reading.
• processing may take various forms.
• cross-correlation may be employed to identify the direction of an event that is detected by the temperature sensors.
• a Fourier transform may be employed to convert time domain temperature measurements to frequency domain temperature measurements.
• a Fast Fourier Transform is used in providing data on the temperature's rate of change rather than strict frequency content.
• a detection device may include more than one of the sensors described herein, including more than one of a hoop stress sensor, an acoustic sensor, an ultrasonic transducer sensor, and a thermal flow condition sensor. This may also include a combination or subsets of any of the above-described detection devices, components thereof, and/or corresponding processing modules.
• a detection device may include both a hoop stress sensor and an acoustic sensor (such as one employing an ultrasonic transducer), including some or all of the components from each, as described above.
• a detection device may include both a hoop stress sensor and a thermal flow condition sensor, including some or all of the components from each, as described above.
• a detection device may include both an acoustic sensor (such as one employing an ultrasonic transducer) and a thermal flow condition sensor, including some or all of the components from each, as described above.
• acoustic sensor such as one employing an ultrasonic transducer
• a thermal flow condition sensor including some or all of the components from each, as described above.
• some of the processing logic may be shared across the two or more sensor types.
• the detection device is configured to detect any one or more of the conditions and events described above, as well as perform additional assessments described herein.
• the detection device may include the hoop stress sensor, one or more microphones, an acoustic exciter (e.g., a solenoid or a speaker), and ultrasonic transducers which may therefore be able to detect all of the conditions associated with these sensors, such as the pressure in the pipe, the occurrence of flow, the direction of flow, and pipe conditions of the pipe to which the device is connected, as well as information gathered from multiple detected conditions as described herein.
• the detection device may include one or more microphones, an acoustic exciter (e.g., a solenoid or a speaker), and a thermal flow condition sensor which may enable the detection device to detect and determine, for example, the occurrence of flow, the direction of flow, temperature of the pipe and environment of the detection device, and pipe conditions of the pipe to which the device is connected.
• the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned within the same housing as the other sensors, while in other embodiments the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned in a separate housing, such as those shown in Figures 14A through 15B.
• FIG. 28 depicts an example detection device having multiple sensors.
• detection device 2800 includes a hoop stress sensor 2820, three microphones 2804A, 2804B, and 2806 , an acoustic exciter (e.g., a solenoid or a speaker; not depicted), a leak detector 2822, and two ultrasonic transducers 2869-1 and 2869-2 in a separate body 2892 but electrically connected (e.g., by wireless or wired connection 2888).
• the detection device 2800 includes a housing 2818 that includes the processing module described herein. In some other embodiments, the ultrasonic transducers may be in the same body 2816 as the other sensors.
• Figure 29 depicts an example processing module for a detection device having the hoop stress sensor, one or more microphones, an acoustic exciter (e.g., a solenoid or a speaker), and ultrasonic transducers, such as that depicted in Figure 28.
• This Figure depicts a module having a combination of some components of the other processing modules shown and described herein, such as in Figures 3 and 9.
• the processing module of Figure 28 has an input/output unit that is configured to connect with all of the sensors described herein, such as solenoid 2802, leak detector 2822, hoop stress sensor 2824, ultrasonic transducers 2869-1 and 2869-2, and microphones 2804A, 2804B, and 2806.
• the processor and sensor processing logic also includes any one of the instructions described herein.
• this module is configured to detect and determine any one of the conditions associated with these sensors, such as pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the pipe and pipe system.
• FIGS 30A and 30B depict another example of a multi-sensor detection unit.
• a detection device 3000 includes two temperature condition sensors, a hoop stress sensor, and some of the acoustic sensors described herein.
• the detection device 3000 includes a housing 3016, a face 3018, thermal flow condition sensors 3035a and 3035b, a hoop stress sensor 3020, and acoustic sensors 3006 (a large microphone or solenoid), 3004A and 3004B (small microphones), and 3002 (a speaker).
• the detection device 3000 is configured to detect and measure any of the items described herein using any of the sensors described herein.
• the detection device 3000 may also include a processing module shown in Figure 31 which is a different combination of some of the other processing modules shown and described herein.
• the processing module of Figure 31 has an input/output unit that is configured to connect with all of the sensors described herein that are included in the detection device 3000, such as the speaker and microphones of the acoustic sensors, the heater and thermistors of the thermal condition sensor, and the hoop stress sensor.
• the processor and sensor processing logic also includes any one of the instructions described herein.
• Figures 32A and 32B depict yet another detection device which includes multiple sensors.
• the detection device 3200 includes a housing 3216, a face 3218, thermal flow condition sensors 3235a and 3235b, a hoop stress sensor 3220, a single acoustic sensor 3206 (a large microphone), and a solenoid 3202.
• the locations of the acoustic sensor 3206 and the solenoid 3202 may be moved from their positions in Figures 32A and 32B or they may be interchanged.
• the detection device 3200 is configured to detect and measure any one or more of the flow or pipe conditions. To do so, it may employ data from any of the sensors described herein.
• the second example detection device 3200 depicted in Figures 32A and 32B may be configured to detect the presence of flow in a pipe using one or more of the thermal flow condition sensors 3235a and 3235b, the acoustic sensor 3206, and the hoop stress sensor 3220.
• the thermal flow condition sensors 3235a and 3235b and the hoop stress sensor 3220 may be used to detect flow events and/or measure flow conditions within a pipe.
• the example detection device depicted in Figures 32A and 32B is configured, in some implementations, to detect the condition of a pipe using the solenoid 3202 and the microphone 3206 by using the solenoid 3202 to deliver a mechanical ping or strike to a pipe. It may accomplish this by producing an excitation signal with a fast rise time than can excite harmonics in the pipe or fluid conduit.
• the solenoid 3202 used in the detection device has a dynamic range of at least about 100 dB.
• the solenoid 3202 used in the in the detection device can produce low frequency acoustic signals of about 30 Hz or lower.
• the signals received by the microphone 3206 may be used to detect and/or characterize various pipe conditions, such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing.
• various pipe conditions such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing.
• the second example detection device depicted in Figures 32A and 32B also includes a leak detector 3222 as described herein.
• this leak detector 3222 is configured to detect a leak in a pipe by detecting the presence of a liquid on and/or near the pipe.
• the leak detector 3222 may be a cable with various regions of exposed, uninsulated wire that, when contacted by the liquid, are configured to create a signal, or cause the lack of a signal, which indicates the presence of a liquid which in turn may be used to detect the presence of a leak.
• the leak detection element (e.g., the exposed wires) of detector 3222 may be positioned on a pipe as well as on a location near the pipe, such as the ground, in order to detect the presence of the liquid that may be on or around the pipe.
• This leak detector 3222 may be the same as any other leak detector mentioned here.
• While the disclosed embodiments have focused on detection devices, other types of sensor may also collect data useful in assessing pipe condition. Examples of such non-detection devices include sensors for measuring electrical inductance and/or magnetic permittivity of a sensor.
• the condition to be detected may be present in various contexts such as utilities, municipalities, plants, large buildings, compounds, complexes, and residences.
• the sensors used to detect the condition are present on pipes employed in any such location.
• the software or other logic used to determine that a potentially hazardous condition exists need not be present at the location of the sensors, although it may be. The logic simply needs to receive input from the sensors and then analyze the sensor data to determine whether condition exists or should be flagged.
• FIG 33 depicts another example detection device having multiple sensors.
• detection device 3300 includes the hoop stress sensor 3340, two acoustic sensors 3338A and 333B (e.g., microphones like 2804A and 2804B, and an acoustic exciter (e.g., a solenoid or a speaker; not depicted).
• the detection device 3300 may also include the two ultrasonic transducers 2869-1 and 2869-2 in a separate body 2892 but electrically connected (e.g., by a wireless or wired connection) as in Figure 28.
• the detection device 3300 includes a housing 3301 that includes the processing module described herein.
• the ultrasonic transducers may be in the same body 3301 as the other sensors.
• the processing module for detection device 33 includes the input/output unit that is configured to connect with all of the sensors described herein, such as the solenoid, microphones, and hoop stress sensor 2824, and the ultrasonic transducers in those embodiments which include them.
• the processor and sensor processing logic also includes any one of the instructions described herein for such sensors. For instance, this module is configured to detect and determine any one of the conditions associated with these sensors, such as pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the pipe and pipe system.
• the detection device 3300 may not have the hoop stress sensor and may only include the acoustic sensors, and in some instances, may also include the accelerometer.
• the detection device of Figure 33 may be configured to connect with, and detect flow, flow conditions, and pipe conditions associated with a fire hydrant or other similar cylindrical fluid conduits.
• some fire hydrants are considered a dry barrel in which the hydrant barrel generally does not contain water until a main valve (typically at the bottom or below the hydrant) is opened to flow water into the barrel from a water source.
• a main valve typically at the bottom or below the hydrant
• the hydrant barrel does not contain water. Water exits these dry barrel hydrants by thorough its nozzles on the barrel, such as the hose nozzle or pumper nozzle.
• some other hydrants are considered a wet barrel in which the hydrant barrel generally does contain water regardless of whether water is being flowed out of the hydrant through a nozzle. Water may remain within the barrel until a horizontally positioned valve positioned between the hydrant barrel and an outlet nozzle, such as a hose outlet or a pumper outlet, is opened to allow water to flow from the barrel to the outlet, and out of the hydrant through these outlet nozzles.
• the detection device of Figure 33 may be positioned on various fluid conduits, including a fire hydrant, such as a dry or wet barrel hydrant. Regardless of whether the hydrant is a wet or dry barrel type, the detection device may be able to detect and determine conditions and characteristics of the hydrant itself and pipes to which the hydrant is directly and indirectly connected. These detections and determinations may be made in any way described above, including using acoustic sensors.
• the detection device may be able to detect and determine any flow characteristic or pipe condition described herein, including flow rate, flow quantity, and the presence of flow for instance; the detection device may use any sensor described herein to perform these detections and determinations, such as the hoop stress sensor, accelerometer, and acoustic sensors.
• the detection devices 2000A and 2000B may be detection devices 3300 of Figure 33.
• the solenoid or acoustic exciter within the housing 3301 is configured to send an acoustic signal into the pipe system which can be detected by acoustic sensors in the same detection device or other detection devices positioned on other hydrants within the pipe system.
• the ultrasonic transducers described above may also be positioned on the hydrant, similar to described above, in order to determine flow through the fire hydrant.
• the detection device may also be able to detect pressure within the hydrant, which may be performed using, e.g., a hoop stress sensor. This pressure detection may be employed in hydrants containing water within the barrel.
• the detection device of Figure 33 is configured to be positioned on the outside of, or exterior to, the fire hydrant which includes on the exterior of a flanged joint of the hydrant. This positioning allows this detection device to be retrofitted onto existing hydrants (or other pipes with a flanged joint) without accessing the interior of a hydrant.
• another example hydrant detection device is configured to be positioned in-between or inside elements of a fluid dispensing device or fluid conduits and still configured to make any one or more of the above-described detections and determinations, including pipe and flow conditions.
• a fluid dispensing device is a device configured to dispense a fluid and includes a valve, tap, fire hydrant, faucet, stopper, spigot, or spout.
• a fluid conduit is a channel, tube, pipe, line, hose, or other device through which fluid may flow; in some instances, elements of a fluid dispensing device may be considered a fluid conduit, such as the barrel of a fire hydrant.
• the housing of the detection device may be positioned at least partially inside an insert, and this insert may be positioned inside or in-between elements of the fluid dispensing device, such as a hydrant, or inside or in-between fluid conduits.
• the insert effectively extends the longitudinal dimension of a hydrant or similar structure by, e.g., increasing the height of the structure.
• the insert may be a generally cylindrical structure that fits between and separates two existing generally cylindrical components such as a barrel section and top cap of a hydrant, or two sections of fluid conduit.
• Figure 54A depicts an off-angle view of another example detection device and Figure 54B depicts a top cross-sectional view of the detection device of Figure 54A.
• This example detection device is configured to be positioned inside an insert that is positioned in-between or inside elements of a fluid dispensing device or fluid conduits. As discussed further below, in some other embodiments, this detection device is configured to be positioned within a recess of a fluid conduit.
• the detection device 5400 has a housing 5416, which contains one or more sensors, and a clip 54402 (which is optionally included in some embodiments) connected to the housing that may be used to assist with positioning and securing the detection device within the insert. Additionally, the detection device 5400 may also have a port 54404 that is configured to allow one or more sensor wires to pass from a sensor outside the housing 5416 to the inside of the housing 5416 where the processing module is positioned.
• the inside of the detection device 5400 can be seen.
• the clip 54402 is attached to the housing 5416, and inside the housing 5416 are numerous elements which may include an acoustic exciter 5402 capable of delivering a mechanical ping or strike (e.g., a solenoid) as described above, a microphone 5406 (which may be a small or a large microphone as described above), a power source 5444, a processing module 5430, an accelerometer 5424, and a thermal sensor 5435.
• Some embodiments may have a combination of two or more of these elements, such as the acoustic exciter 5402, the microphone 5406, the power source 5444, the processing module 5430, and the accelerometer 5424. These elements may all be the same as described above and the processing module may be configured to make any detection and determination associated with these elements or the combination of elements as described herein. For example, this may include monitoring accelerometer data and waking up the processing module in response to the accelerometer data, such as a spike or a signal above a threshold; following this detection, the processing module may cause the microphone to detect acoustic signals and may make various determinations based on the accelerometer and/or acoustic signals, such as flow and a flow rate of fluid out of a pipe or hydrant.
• these elements may all be the same as described above and the processing module may be configured to make any detection and determination associated with these elements or the combination of elements as described herein. For example, this may include monitoring accelerometer data and waking up the processing module in response to the accelerometer data
• this detection device is not limited to these listed elements and it may include any of the elements listed herein; for instance, in some embodiments the detection device may not include all these elements (e.g., it may not include the thermal sensor) and in some other embodiments, it may include additional elements such as a pressure sensor, multiple acoustic sensors, or the ultrasonic transducers external to the housing and positioned directly on the fluid conduit or element of a fluid dispensing device with the sensor wire for the ultrasonic transducers passing through the port 54404 and connecting with the processing module 5430.
• the detection device may not include all these elements (e.g., it may not include the thermal sensor) and in some other embodiments, it may include additional elements such as a pressure sensor, multiple acoustic sensors, or the ultrasonic transducers external to the housing and positioned directly on the fluid conduit or element of a fluid dispensing device with the sensor wire for the ultrasonic transducers passing through the port 54404 and connecting with the processing module 5430.
• Figure 55 depicts an example processing module for the detection device of Figures 54A and 54B.
• this module has a combination of some components of the other processing modules shown and described herein, such as in Figures 3, 9, 29, and 31.
• the processing module of Figure 55 has an input/output unit that is configured to connect with all of the sensors described herein, such as solenoid 5402, thermal sensor 5435, accelerometer 5424, and a microphone 5406.
• this detection device and processing module may include any one of the other sensors and elements described herein.
• Figure 55 includes optional sensors which may be included in this detection device and processing module, as indicated by the dashed rectangle encompassing these optional sensors, such as two additional microphones 5404A and 5404B (like the small microphones described above), a leak detector 5422 (as described above), a pressure sensor 544408, and two ultrasonic transducers 5469-1 and 5469-2 in a separate body (e.g., like that of Figures 35 through 39D) but electrically connected (e.g., by wireless or wired connection). Similar to above, in some embodiments the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned on the outside of the hydrant or fluid conduit, while the housing of the detection device is positioned within the insert.
• the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned on the outside of the hydrant or fluid conduit, while the housing of the detection device is positioned within the insert.
• the pressure sensor may be configured to determine a pressure within the pipe (e.g., the hoop stress sensor or some other sensor) and in some instances, it may be a pressure sensor configured to determine the pressure around the detection and which may be a pressure transducer, a pressure transmitter, a pressure sender, a pressure indicator, a piezometer, and a manometer.
• the processor 5432 and sensor processing logic also includes any one of the instructions described herein.
• this module 5430 is configured to detect and determine any one of the conditions associated with these sensors, such as pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the fluid dispensing device, fluid conduits, pipe, and pipe system.
• This module 5430 is also configured to receive accelerometer data and execute various functions in response to the accelerometer data, such as determining a pipe conditions and/or flow characteristics based on accelerometer data and/or acoustic data, for example.
• the detection device 5400 is configured to transmit and receive acoustic signals and other motion-related signals in order to, once installed, detect and determine various pipe and flow conditions and events in a fluid conduit, a fluid dispensing device, or both.
• the acoustic sensors are not in direct contact with the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device that is being measured. Instead, the acoustic sensors are in direct contact with the insert which is in direct contact with the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• part of the configuration of the detection device 5400 is positioning the acoustic exciter in direct or indirect contact with the housing 5416 to enable the acoustic signal to travel from the exciter to the housing 5416, and then from the housing 5416 ultimately to one or more fluid conduits and the fluid dispensing device.
• Another similar part of this configuration includes positioning the one or more acoustic detectors, such as the microphone 5406, in direct or in direct contact with, or in close proximity to, the housing 5416 to enable acoustic signals to travel from the fluid conduit and fluid dispensing device, and ultimately to the housing, and then from the housing to the microphone 5406 or other acoustic sensors.
• This may also include positioning the other sensors, such as the accelerometer 5424, in direct or indirect contact with the housing.
• the accelerometer 5424 may be mounted to the processing module 5430 which is mounted to a plate, and the plate is mounted to the housing, thereby allowing motion signals to travel indirectly from the housing 5416 to the accelerometer 5424.
• connection between the housing and the fluid conduit and fluid dispensing device may be either indirect or direct.
• the housing may be positioned within, and directly connected to, an insert that is directly connected to the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• Figure 56A depicts an off-angle view of a detection device inside an insert
• Figure 56B depicts a top cross-sectional view of Figure 56A
• Figure 56C depicts a cross-sectional side view of the insert connected to a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• an insert 56502 is seen having an upper flange 56504, a lower flange 56506, an internal conduit 56510 that extends through the insert 56502, and an internal plenum 56512 (illustrated with light shading) at least partially defined by, and between, the upper and lower flanges 56504 and 56506, and the external surface of the internal conduit 56501 (see also item 5612 in Figure 56C).
• the detection device 5400 is positioned inside the insert 56502, specifically positioned within the internal plenum 56512, and in direct contact with, i.e., directly connected to, the lower flange 56506 which is a surface 56514 of the lower flange.
• Indicator 5416 in this Figure illustrates a direct contact point between the housing 5416 and the surface 56514 of the lower flange 56506.
• the housing 5644 may have a planar surface configured to be in contact with the flange of the insert, such as a planar bottom surface.
• the housing 5416 is described as being in direct contact with, i.e., directly connected to, the lower flange, in some embodiments the housing may be in direct contact with the upper flange instead.
• flanges are used to connect the insert to a flange of a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device (as described above and with respect to Figure 40 for example), including in-line between two fluid conduits, between a fluid conduit and a fluid dispensing device, and between elements of a fluid dispensing device such as the barrel and the cap of a hydrant.
• the housing 5416 may have connection features configured to position the housing in contact with the insert. This may include the clip 54402 seen in Figures 54A and 54B which may be configured to wrap around the exterior of the internal conduit 56510 of the insert 56502 so that the housing 5416 will remain in a fixed position with respect to the insert 56502. Additionally or alternatively, the detection device 5400 may have one or more magnets that are configured to magnetically engage with one or more surfaces of the insert and thus cause the housing 5416 to remain in a fixed position with respect to the insert 56502. Referring back to Figure 54A, three magnets 54406 are seen inside the housing 5416 of the detection device 5400.
• These magnets 54406 are configured to magnetically engage with the lower flange 56506 (and/or the upper flange 5604) so that the housing is in direct contact with the lower flange 5606, and in a fixed position with respect to the insert 56502.
• the internal features of the detection device 5400 are seen, as in Figure 54B, along with the identified features of the insert 56502.
• the housing 5416 of the detection device 5400 is positioned inside the internal plenum 56512 of the insert 56502.
• the internal conduit 56510 is seen; it allows water or other fluid to travel through the insert without contacting the internal plenum 56512, and thus preventing the fluid from contacting the housing 5416. Fluid may travel from one flow element to another flow through this internal conduit 56510; for example, this may include flowing from one fluid conduit to another fluid conduit, from one fluid conduit to a fluid dispensing device, and from one element of a fluid dispensing device to another element of the fluid dispensing device.
• fluid may travel into the internal conduit 56510, but fluid is not considered to be flowing through this internal conduit as with section of pipe.
• the insert is positioned in-line with and in-between two flow elements 56516 and 56518.
• the lower flange 56506 is connected to a flange 56520 of one flow element 56516
• the upper flange 56504 is connected to a flange 56522 of another fluid element 56518.
• These flow elements may be two fluid conduits, one fluid conduit and one element of a fluid dispensing device, and two elements of a fluid dispending device.
• both the flow elements 56516 and 56518 may be fluid conduits like tubes or pipes.
• flow element 56518 may be a fluid conduit (e.g., a pipe or riser) while the flow element 56518 may be an element of a fluid dispensing device (e.g., the barrel of a hydrant).
• the flow element 56516 may be an element of a fluid dispensing device like a barrel of a hydrant and the flow element 56518 may be another element of the fluid dispensing device like a cap, plug, or a top of the hydrant.
• the placement of the insert 56502 in-between, or in-line with, these two flow element allows fluid, such as water, to flow between these elements through the internal conduit 56510 without contacting the internal plenum 56512 (identified with shading on the left part of the insert in this Figure; the right side is unshaded) as indicated by the dashed double arrow.
• the acoustic exciter 5402 is positioned in direct contact with the housing 5416, which is in direct contact with, i.e., directly connected to, the lower flange 56506 of the insert 56502, which is in direct contact with, i.e., directly connected to, the flange 56520 of the fluid element 56516.
• This allows the acoustic exciter to transmit acoustic signals into both of the fluid elements; in Figure 56C, the acoustic signals sent into and received from the fluid element 56516 are shown as heavy-weight dotted arrows, even though acoustic signals may also be sent into and received from the other fluid element 56518.
• the acoustic sensor 5406 is also shown in direct contact with the housing 5416 which again allows the acoustic sensor 5406, such as the large microphone, to receive acoustic signals from both the fluid elements.
• the acoustic signals may be more strongly sent into and received from the fluid element 56516.
• this fluid element 56516 may be a fire hydrant barrel which is connected to a water supply and other pipes.
• this detection device 5400 may function just as described in these embodiments (e.g., it may be substituted for the detection devices 1900, 2000A, and 2000B).
• the accelerometer 5424 is indirectly connected to the housing 5416 because it the accelerometer 5424 is directly connected to a vertical plate 5425 which is directly connected to the housing 5416; this indirect connection still allows the accelerometer 5424 to detect motion and vibrations transferred to the housing 5416 from the fluid element 56516.
• this detection device may both transmit and receive acoustic signals into and from the pipe network in order to determine any of the above described pipe and flow conditions.
• This may include detecting and/or characterizing various pipe conditions, such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this may also include detecting and characterizing flow conditions, such as whether flow is occurring in the pipe network, including out of the tap, or hydrant, to which the detection device 5400 is detected. When connected to a fire hydrant, the detection device 5400 may detect and determine pipe and flow conditions for that hydrant and for some of the pipe system to which the hydrant is connected.
• various pipe conditions such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this
• the system of devices is installed so that a ping can be issued at a first location to which one detection device is connected and the pipe response can be detected at a second location.
• this allows assessment of a greater range of pipe in a network, but any results may be adjusted to account for material changes, repairs etc. along the route of the pipe.
• Some further pipe conditions detected by these detection devices at different locations in a pipe network as depicted in Figures 19A-B and/or 20A-B may be various events within the pipe network, such as flow, lack of flow, freezing, leaks, and usage of, for instance, the water in the pipe network.
• the fluid conduit or an element of a fluid dispensing device may have a recess that extends at least partially into, but is sealed off from, the flow channel of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, and the detection device housing is positioned at least partially inside this recess.
• the recess may be configured to hold, mate with, or otherwise accommodate the detection device.
• the recess is an azimuthally limited indentation in the fluid conduit and is sized and shaped to allow insertion of the hydrant detection device.
• the fluid conduit or element of the fluid dispensing device may be similar to that of the insert, such that there is an internal chamber through which fluid may flow and an internal plenum, such as a recess, sealed off from the internal channel, where the housing of the detection device may be positioned.
• This recess may extend fully circumferentially around the center axis of the pipe, like the plenum volume of the insert, and it may also only extend partially circumferentially around the center axis.
• Figure 57A depicts a cross-sectional view of a fluid conduit having a recess.
• This fluid conduit 57602 has a recess 57604 that extends radially inwards into the fluid chamber 57606 towards the centerline of the conduit (the conduit is where the fluid flows within the conduit as indicated by the dashed double arrow line; radially inwards is a direction perpendicular to this arrow in Figure 57A), but is sealed from the fluid chamber 57608.
• the housing of a detection device 5700 may be positioned within the recess so that the detection device is not contacting the fluid in the conduit.
• Figure 57B depicts a cross-sectional top view of Figure 57A such the recess can be seen extending partially circumferentially around the center axis of the fluid conduit, denoted by the X.
• This fluid conduit may, in some instances, be a pipe or the barrel of a fire hydrant. Although depicted and described as a fluid conduit, this concept is equally applicable to an element of a fluid dispensing device, such as a barrel of a fire hydrant.
• the detection device and insert of Figures 54- 56C may be positioned within elements of a fluid dispensing device, such as a fire hydrant.
• a fluid dispensing device such as a fire hydrant.
• many typical fire hydrants have a barrel with a flange that is connected to a flange of a fluid conduit f I uidica lly connected to the water main, such as a riser; in some instances, this riser may be considered an element of the fire hydrant.
• Some hydrants have a barrel with a second flange connected to a cap.
• the insert and detection device described above may be positioned in-between any elements of the fluid dispensing device, such as the barrel and cap of the hydrant, as well as between the fluid dispensing device and the fluid conduit, such as between the barrel and fluid conduit fluidical ly connected to the water main (e.g., the riser).
• Figures 58A through 58C depict cross-sectional side views of an insert and detection device connected to different elements of a fire hydrant.
• the insert 56502 is seen with the detection device 5400 positioned within the recess 56512 of the insert 56502.
• a fire hydrant that includes a barrel 58702 having an internal flow channel 58704 through which water may flow, and a cap 58706, are also shown in Figure 58A.
• the insert 56502 is positioned in-between, and connected to, the cap 58706 and the barrel 58702 of the hydrant.
• the lower flange 56506 of the insert 56502 is connected to an upper flange 58520 of the barrel 58702, and the upper flange 56504 of the insert 56502 is connected to the flange 58522 of the cap 58706.
• the barrel 58702 is connected to the fluid conduit 58708, e.g., riser, which is fluidical ly connected to a water main, using a lower flange 58710 of the barrel 58702 and a flange 58712 of the riser 58708 (again, in some instances, this fluid conduit 58708 may be considered an element of the hydrant).
• water when water is inside the barrel 58702 and flowing outside of the barrel 58702 through an opening 58714, water may enter into the internal conduit 56510 of the insert 56502, but the water is not required to flow through the insert in order to exit the barrel.
• FIG 58B the same hydrant of Figure 58A is depicted, but the insert 56502 with the detection device 5400 is positioned in-between, and connected to, the fluid conduit 58708 and the barrel 58702.
• the lower flange 56506 of the insert 56502 is connected to the flange 58712 of the riser 58708 and the upper flange 56504 of the insert 56502 is connected to the lower flange 58710 of the barrel 58702.
• this fluid conduit 58708 may be considered an element of the hydrant while in some other instances, this may be considered a fluid conduit that is separate from the fluid dispensing device hydrant.
• the barrel does not have a cap or the top section of the barrel does not have a flanged joint that can receive the insert.
• This configuration of Figure 58C is the same as Figure 58B except for the top configuration of the barrel.
• the detection device is configured to perform all of the above detections and determinations as described above.
• the acoustic exciter 5402 is configured to transmit acoustic signals into, and receive acoustic signals from, both the barrel and the fluid conduit.
• the accelerometer 5424 is indirectly connected to the housing 5416 which allows the accelerometer 5424 to detect motion transferred to the housing 5416 from the barrel or fluid conduit.
• this detection device may both transmit and receive acoustic signals into and from the pipe network through the barrel and fluid conduit.
• This may include detecting and/or characterizing various pipe conditions, such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this may also include detecting and characterizing flow conditions, such as whether flow is occurring in the pipe network, including out of the fluid dispensing device, or hydrant, to which the detection device 5400 is detected.
• the detection devices 2000A and B as detection devices 5400A and 5400B
• various information can be determined about the pipe and pipe systems, such as flow within the fluid conduit and hydrant, the presence and location of leaks within the fluid conduits and hydrant, and the usage of various aspects connected to the hydrant and fluid conduit.
• This can include installing multiple detection devices 5400 in fire hydrants at different locations in the pipe network.
• the stimulus issuing device(s) of one detection device and the one or more stimulus response detecting sensors of another detection device may be placed at any of various locations in a pipe or pipe network. In some taps or municipal water systems, the system of devices is installed so that a ping can be issued at a first location to which one detection device is connected and the pipe response can be detected at a second location.
• flow sensors such as the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned on the barrel and the fluid conduit in order to determine flow through the barrel of the hydrant.
• Conditions to be detected need not occur in water or piping for water. More generally, pipe or flow conditions may be detected in pipes of portions of a pipe system for any type of liquid (e.g., petroleum, chemical feedstocks in chemical plants, and particularly toxic or corrosive fluids that would damage or destroy sensors). In certain embodiments, the flow conditions being detected may even apply to gases (e.g., gas pipelines in residences, chemical plants, etc.) or other fluids such as supercritical fluids.
• gases e.g., gas pipelines in residences, chemical plants, etc.
• the pipe or flow conditions to be detected are not limited to systems that contain only fluid carrying pipes.
• Other conduits such as channels and reservoirs may be monitored. These may be monitored in municipal, residential, or industrial settings; and possibly even human body arteries (e.g., a capillary bed).
• the housing of the detection device may be configured to be positioned over an opening or port of a fluid conduit or a fluid dispensing device and connected thereto, such as over a nozzle, an end, a port, an opening, a spigot, a spout, a tap, and/or a valve of a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device. In some instances, this may include an end of a pipe or fluid conduit, a top of a fire hydrant, and a nozzle of a fire hydrant.
• the detection device is provide as or on a cap, plug, lid, stop, tap, fitting, or other sealing mechanism for the opening or port of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• the detection device is attached to a cap that covers the opening or port. The cap may prevent fluid from flowing out of the opening or port.
• the detection device may be configured to connect with or attach to the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device in various manners, such as with a threaded connection, a welded connection, a flanged connection, one or more clamps, clips, bolts, or pins, and any other type of connection.
• the detection device may be configured to connect with the actual opening and with portions of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device around the opening.
• the detection device cap may have a flange and be configured to connect with a flange of a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device in order to make a flanged joint.
• the detection device has a threaded section that is configured to screw onto a threaded nozzle or end of a pipe.
• the detection device may act as a cap, plug, lid, stop, tap, fitting, or other sealing mechanism for the opening of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• Figures 59A and 59B depict off-angle views of an example of a cap-type detection device configured to be positioned over an opening of, and connected to, a fluid conduit or a fluid dispensing device.
• This depicted detection device is configured to be positioned over an opening of a fluid conduit or an opening of a fluid dispensing device, such as a nozzle of a fire hydrant, and connected thereto using a threaded connection.
• the captype detection device 5900 has a housing 5916 (which contains one or more sensors) that is cylindrical and has a threaded section 59801 that is configured to be threaded onto corresponding threads of a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, including the threaded end of a pipe or a threaded nozzle of a fire hydrant.
• the detection device 5900 has one or more exterior seal surfaces 59803 (highlighted with light shading in this Figure), which may have at least a planar surface, that is configured to be positioned over the opening of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device and to form a seal at that opening once the detection device is connected to the fluid conduit or dispensing device.
• the hexagonal feature 59805 on the top of the detection device 5900 may be used to install and remove the cap-type detection device from the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device. Additionally, although not depicted in these Figures, the detection device 5900 may have a port that is configured to allow one or more sensor wires to pass from a sensor outside the housing 5916 to the inside of the housing 5916 where the processing module is positioned.
• Figure 59C depicts a cross-sectional side view of the detection device of Figures 54A and 54B.
• the inside of the detection device 5900 can be seen along with some external features.
• the threaded section 59801 is seen, identified with light shading, along with the exterior seal surface 59803 that includes a first planar section 59803A, a curved section 59803B, and a second planar section 59803C; the curved section 59803B and the second planar section 58803C may extend fully circumferentially around the center axis 59822 of a housing 5916.
• the first planar section 59803A, the curved section 59803B, and the second planar section 59803C are configured to be positioned over (and/or mate with or otherwise intimately contact) an opening of the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device and form a seal over that opening.
• some but not all of these surfaces may directly contact the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device; for example, as shown in Figure 61, only the second planar surface 59803C may directly contact the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, but all of these surfaces contributed to forming a seal of the fluid element.
• none of these surfaces directly contacts the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device, but a seal is nevertheless created between the housing 5916 and the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device by the connection of other aspects of the housing to the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• FIG. 59C Certain additional optional elements of the detection device are seen in Figure 59C, including an acoustic exciter 5902 capable of delivering a mechanical ping or strike (e.g., a solenoid) as described above, a microphone 5906 (which may be a small or a large microphone as described above), a power source 5944 (partially seen), a processing module 5930, an accelerometer 5924, and a temperature sensor 5935.
• acoustic exciter 5902 capable of delivering a mechanical ping or strike (e.g., a solenoid) as described above
• a microphone 5906 which may be a small or a large microphone as described above
• a power source 5944 partially seen
• a processing module 5930 an accelerometer 5924
• a temperature sensor 5935 e.g., a temperature sensor 5935.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 and the microphone 5906 are positioned in direct contact with a portion of the housing 5916 while other sensors, such as the accelerometer 5924 and the temperature sensor 5935, are positioned in indirect contact with the housing. Additionally, some elements may be spaced vertically offset from each other, such as the processing module 5930 vertically above the microphone 5906. In some instances, the detection device may include boards or other plates vertically offset from each other and onto which various elements may be positioned. For example, in Figure 59C, the processing module 5930 and the accelerometer 5924 are positioned on board 59813A that is vertically offset above board 59813B on which the temperature sensor 5935 is positioned.
• Figure 59D depicts a cross-sectional top view of the cap-type detection device of Figures 59A-C.
• the acoustic exciter 5902, the microphone 5906, the power source 5944, the processing module 5930, the accelerometer 5924, and the temperature sensor 5935 are all depicted representationally to illustrate their inclusion inside the housing 5916 of this detection device 5900.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 may be connected to a bracket 59811 that assists in positioning the acoustic exciter 5902 within the housing 5916.
• the bracket 59188 may extend from an interior surface 59815 of the housing 5916.
• this detection device is not limited to these listed elements and it may include any of the elements listed herein; for instance, in some embodiments the detection device may not include all these elements (e.g., it may not include the thermal sensor) and in some other embodiments, it may include additional elements such as a pressure sensor, multiple acoustic sensors, or the ultrasonic transducers external to the housing and positioned directly on the fluid conduit or element of a fluid dispensing device with the sensor wire for the ultrasonic transducers passing through the port (not pictured) and connecting with the processing module 5930.
• the detection device may not include all these elements (e.g., it may not include the thermal sensor) and in some other embodiments, it may include additional elements such as a pressure sensor, multiple acoustic sensors, or the ultrasonic transducers external to the housing and positioned directly on the fluid conduit or element of a fluid dispensing device with the sensor wire for the ultrasonic transducers passing through the port (not pictured) and connecting with the processing module 5930.
• Figure 60 depicts an example processing module for the detection device of Figures 54A and 54B.
• this module has a combination of some components of the other processing modules shown and described herein, such as in Figures 3, 9, 29, 31, and 55.
• the processing module of Figure 60 has an input/output unit that is configured to connect with all of the sensors described herein, such as acoustic exciter 5902, temperature sensor 5935, accelerometer 5924, and the microphone 5906.
• this detection device and processing module may include any one of the other sensors and elements described elsewhere herein.
• the ultrasonic transducers may be positioned on the outside of the hydrant, fluid dispensing device, or fluid conduit, while the detection device is positioned over an opening of the hydrant, fluid dispensing device, or fluid conduit.
• the pressure sensor may be configured to determine a pressure within the pipe (e.g., the hoop stress sensor or some other sensor), fluid conduit, or fluid dispensing device; in some instances, it may be a pressure sensor configured to determine the pressure around the detection device and which may be a pressure transducer, a pressure transmitter, a pressure sender, a pressure indicator, a piezometer, and a manometer.
• the processor 5932 and sensor processing logic also includes any one of the instructions described herein.
• this module 5930 is configured to detect and determine any one of the conditions associated with these sensors, such as pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the fluid dispensing device, fluid conduits, pipe, and pipe system.
• This module 5930 is also configured to receive accelerometer data and execute various functions in response to the accelerometer data, such as determining a pipe conditions and/or flow characteristics based on accelerometer data and/or acoustic data, for example.
• the detection device 5900 may be configured to transmit and receive acoustic signals and other motion-related signals in order to, once installed, detect and determine various pipe and flow conditions and events in a fluid conduit, a fluid dispensing device, or both.
• the acoustic sensors are not in direct contact with the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device that is being measured and instead, the acoustic sensors are in direct or indirect contact with the housing which is in direct contact with the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• part of the configuration of the detection device 5900 is positioning the acoustic exciter 5902 in direct or indirect contact with the housing 5916 to enable the acoustic signal to travel from the acoustic exciter 5902 to the housing 5916, and then from the housing 5916 ultimately to one or more fluid conduits or the fluid dispensing device and fluid conduits connected thereto, such as a pipe network.
• Another similar part of this configuration includes positioning the one or more acoustic detectors, such as the microphone 5906, in direct or indirect contact with, or in close proximity to, the housing 5916 to enable acoustic signals to travel from the fluid conduit and fluid dispensing device to the housing, and then from the housing 5916 to the microphone 5906 or other acoustic sensors.
• This may also include positioning the other sensors, such as the accelerometer 5924, in direct or indirect contact with the housing 5916.
• the accelerometer 5925 may be mounted to the processing module 5930 which is mounted to a plate, and the plate is mounted and directly connected to the housing, thereby allowing motion signals to travel indirectly from the housing 5916 to the accelerometer 5924.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 and the microphone 5906 are both directly contacting, which may include being directly connected to, a portion of the housing 5916 that is, once installed, in direct or indirect contact with the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• This allows the acoustic exciter to transmit acoustic signals into the fluid elements, e.g. the fluid dispensing device and the fluid conduit, as well as for the acoustic sensor, such as microphone 5906, to receive acoustic signals from the fluid elements.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 may also receive send indirect acoustic signals to the housing through its connection to the bracket 59811 which is directly connected to the housing 5916; these acoustic signals may then travel to the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device to which the detection device is connected.
• these acoustic sensors may be indirectly connected to the housing, similar to described above.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 may be connected to the bracket 59811 and not directly connected to or directly contacting the housing 5916.
• Figure 61 depicts a cross-sectional side view of the detection device of Figure 59C connected to a fluid element, such as a fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device.
• the fluid element 61516 includes a side wall, two sections of which are seen, and a threaded section to which the detection device is configured to connect.
• the second planar section 59803C of the detection device is configured to contact the fluid element 61516 and in some instances, may form a seal at this contact point.
• the remaining surfaces 59803A and B (not depicted), as well as the threaded connection, also contribute to forming a seal around the end (encircled by a dashed line 61601) of the fluid element 61516.
• This fluid element 61516 may be the end of a pipe, fluid conduit, the top of a fire hydrant, a nozzle, a port of a fluid conduit, a valve, and a nozzle of a fire hydrant, for instance.
• the acoustic exciter 5902 is positioned in direct contact with the housing 5916, which is in direct contact with, i.e., directly connected to, the fluid element 61516.
• the acoustic sensor 5906 is also shown in direct contact with the housing 5916 which again allows the acoustic sensor 5906, such as the large microphone, to receive acoustic signals from the fluid element 61516.
• These acoustic signals may travel between any of the direct connections between the housing and the fluid element, such as the threaded connection (encircled in a dashed shape 61603) and the direct connection between the second planar surface 59803C and the end of the fluid element.
• FIG. 62 depicts a cross-sectional side view of another connection between the detection device and the fluid element of Figure 61.
• the end 62101 of the fluid element 61516 is offset from the exterior seal surfaces of the housing 5916 and the direct connection between the fluid element 61516 and the housing is only at the threaded connection 61603.
• a seal is still formed at the end of the fluid conduit with the housing and the acoustic signals may travel directly between the housing 5916 and the fluid element 61516 at this threaded connection 61603.
• this detection device may both transmit and receive acoustic signals into and from the pipe network in order to determine any of the above described pipe and flow conditions.
• This may include detecting and/or characterizing various pipe conditions, such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this may also include detecting and characterizing flow conditions, such as whether flow is occurring in the pipe network, including out of the tap, or hydrant, to which the detection device 5900 is detected. When connected to a fire hydrant, the detection device 5900 may detect and determine pipe and flow conditions for that hydrant and for some of the pipe system to which the hydrant is connected.
• various pipe conditions such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this
• the system of devices is installed so that a ping can be issued at a first location to which one detection device is connected and the pipe response can be detected at a second location.
• this allows assessment of a greater range of pipe in a network, but any results may be adjusted to account for material changes, repairs etc. along the route of the pipe.
• connection between the housing and the fluid conduit and fluid dispensing device includes at least some direct connection between the housing and the fluid element. This direct connection may have various configurations.
• the direct connection may include threads of the housing connected to threads of the fluid element (e.g., the fluid conduit or fluid dispensing device) and/or a direct connection between an exterior seal surface of the housing and one or more surfaces of the fluid element, such as a surface at the end of the fluid element (e.g., as seen in Figure 61 at identifier 59803C) and/or a surface around at least some of the exterior of the fluid element.
• the direct connection may also include a flanged joint as described above, with the housing having flange that can be connected to a flange of the fluid element.
• the connection may also include a welded, clamped, bolted, affixed (with an adhesive, for instance), magnetic, or other connection between the housing and the fluid element.
• the pipe or flow conditions to be detected are not limited to systems that contain only fluid carrying pipes.
• Other conduits such as channels and reservoirs may be monitored. These may be monitored in municipal, residential, or industrial settings; and possibly even human body arteries (e.g. a capillary bed).
• the cap-type detection device may have additional and/or alternative configurations and arrangements than those shown in Figures 59A-62.
• the antenna of the cap-type detection device may be positioned, for instance, on an exterior or outside surface of the device's housing as opposed to inside the device's housing.
• one or more acoustic sensors may be positioned outside, or external to, the device's housing.
• Figure 63 depicts a cross-sectional view of another example cap-type detection device according to various embodiments.
• the detection device 6300 may be similar to the detection device 5900 shown in Figures 59A-62.
• the detection device 6300 has a similarly shaped and configured housing 6316 as described above with respect to housing 5916 in Figures 59A-61, but as shown in Figure 63, the first planar section 63803A of the exterior seal surface 63803 (illustrated with a heavy-weight line) has a port 63404 that extends through the housing 6316; in this depicted embodiment, the first planar section 63803A is not a contiguous circular surface as with the first planar section 59803A.
• the detection device 6300 includes various elements positioned in the inside 63117 of the housing 6316, such as a power source 5944 (partially seen), aspects of a processing module 5930, an accelerometer 5924, and a temperature sensor 5935; these elements may be the same as described above. In some embodiments, the detection device 6300 may have some, all, or any combination of the sensors and elements described herein and is not limited to these depicted elements.
• one or more sensors and/or elements of the detection device may be positioned outside and external to the device's housing.
• an acoustic sensor 6306 of the detection device 6300 is positioned outside, or external to, the housing 5316; this acoustic sensor is not positioned in the inside 63117 of the housing 6316.
• the cover 63123 may include another port 63127 fluidically connected to the internal volume 63125 and through which one or more aspects of the acoustic sensor 6306 may extend.
• the internal volume 63125 may be fluidically connected to the inside 63117 of the housing through the ports 63404 and 63127.
• the internal volume 63125 of sensor subassembly 63121 is not considered a part of the housing 6316 or the inside 63117 of the housing 6316.
• the sensor subassembly 63121 may be attached to the exterior of the housing 6316 using connectors 63129 that may include bolts, screws, clamps, fasteners, or magnets that connect the cover 63123, and thus the sensor subassembly 63121, to the housing 6316.
• This attachment of the acoustic sensor 6306 may be considered, in some instances, an indirect connection, not a direct connection, of the acoustic sensor 6306 to the housing 6316.
• a plate may be interposed between the sensor subassembly 63121 and the housing 6316, and the plate may be directly connected to the housing 6316 and to the sensor subassembly 63121.
• the indirect connection between the acoustic sensor 6306 and the housing 6316 still enables acoustic signals to travel from a fluid conduit 63516 (similar to Figure 62) to the housing 6316, through the housing 6316 to the sensor subassembly 63121 and to the acoustic sensor 6306, which includes traveling from the housing 6316 to the cover 63123 to the acoustic sensor 6306.
• the processing module 5930 for detection device 6300 may be configured to determine a flow rate and/or the presence of flow within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by one or more of the acoustic sensors, such as acoustic sensor 6306, and/or an accelerometer. In some embodiments, the processing module 5930 for detection device 6300 (or any detection device herein) may be configured to determine a flow rate and/or the presence of flow within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by the accelerometer.
• the detection device may also include a second antenna 5498B that is configured to obtain positioning data, such as a GPS antenna.
• these antennas are communicatively connected to the processing module 5930.
• the one or more antennas of the detection device may have a decal, sticker, sleeve, or other cover applied thereto; the one or more antennas may also be attached to the exterior of the housing using an adhesive.
• one or more of the device's antennas may be positioned on the exterior of the housing, including the detection devices 5900, 5700, and 5400.
• the sensor subassembly 64121 includes another sealed data port 64135 that is electrically and/or communicatively connected to the acoustic sensor 6406, and that is configured to interface with the sealed data port 64133 of the housing 6416. This enables data, electricity, and/or signals to be transmitted between these two ports and ultimately electronically and/or communicatively connects the acoustic sensor 6406 and the processing module 5903 to each other when the two ports 64133 and 64135 are connected to each other.
• the sensor subassembly 64121 and/or the housing 6416 are also configured to enable the attachment and detachment of the sensor subassembly 64121 from the housing 6416.
• This may include the use of attachment features that are configured to allow the sensor subassembly 64121 to be easily and quickly attached to and detached from the housing 6416.
• These attachment features 64129 may be magnets 64129A and 64129B that are a part of the sensor subassembly 64121 and configured to be magnetically attracted to the housing 6416 or attracted to additional magnets 64129C and 64129D that are positioned as part of or inside the housing 6416.
• the housing 6416 may have the magnets 64129C and 64129D, while the sensor subassembly 64121 does not have any magnets, that are magnetically attracted to the material of the sensor subassembly 64121, e.g., a metal such as stainless steel.
• the attachment features may be clamps, bolts, screws, fasteners, or other non-destructive features that allow the attachment and reattachment of the sensor subassembly to the exterior of the housing without damaging or changing the housing and sensor subassembly.
• the processing module 5930 for detection device 6400 may be configured to determine pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the fluid dispensing device, fluid conduits, pipe, and pipe system within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by one or more of the sensors of the detection device 6400 including, for example, one, or a combination of, a pressure sensor 64131 (configured to determine the pressure in the inside 64117 and around the detection device 6400), a temperature sensor 5935, one or more acoustic sensors (including acoustic sensor 6406), and an accelerometer 5924.
• the detection device 6400 may determine a flow rate and/or the presence of flow within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by the accelerometer 5924, the acoustic sensor 6406, or a combination of data from these sensors.
• the processing module 5930 for detection device 6400 may still be configured to determine pipe conditions, flow, presence of flow, pressure, events within the fluid dispensing device, fluid conduits, pipe, and pipe system within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by one or more of the sensors of the detection device 6400.
• the detection device 6400 may determine a flow rate and/or the presence of flow within a fluid conduit or pipe based on data provided by one or more of the accelerometer 5924, the temperature sensor 5935, and the pressure sensor 64131. In some instances, the detection device 6400 (or any detection device provided here such as 6300) may determine whether the detection device has been tampered with, such as struck with an object or removed partially or fully from the fluid conduit to which it is connected.
• Detection device 6400 includes threads configured to connect with threads on a fluid conduit, such as a nozzle of a pipe or fire hydrant, or the end of a pipe. Once connected to the fluid conduit 64516, acoustic signals are configured to travel to the acoustic sensor 6406 of detection device 6400 when the sensor subassembly 64121 is attached to the housing 6416 as illustrated in Figure 64. Also similar to detection device 6300, detection device 6400 has its antennas 5948A and 5948B attached to the exterior of the housing 6416; these antennas are not positioned in the inside 64117 of the housing 6416.
• one or more of these antennas may be uncovered and thus not covered by, for example, a sticker, paint, or a decal, while in some other embodiments, these antennas may be covered by a sticker, sleeve, paint, or a decal.
• the detection devices 6300 and 6400 may function just as described in these embodiments (e.g., it may be substituted for the detection devices 1900, 2000A, and 2000B).
• the detection device 1900 as a standalone detection device 6300 or 6400, the detection device 6300 or 6400 may both transmit and receive acoustic signals into and from the pipe network in order to determine any of the above described pipe and flow conditions.
• This may include detecting and/or characterizing various pipe conditions, such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a tap opening or closing; this may also include detecting and characterizing flow conditions, such as whether flow is occurring in the pipe network, including out of the tap, or hydrant, to which the detection device 6300 or 6400 is connected. When connected to a fire hydrant, the detection device 6300 or 6400 may detect and determine pipe and flow conditions for that hydrant and for some of the pipe system to which the hydrant is connected.
• various pipe conditions such as leaks, bore loss (which may be caused by a buildup within the pipe interior), a crack in the pipe wall, pitting on the interior and exterior wall surfaces, as well as a pipe burst, a pipe leak, a frozen pipe, a blockage, and a
• Figure 37 depicts the housing of Figure 35 in a second configuration; here, the bracket body portions of the adjustable positioning mechanism are moved in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 35111 and of the center axis of the pipe. As stated above, this adjustability and movability of the positioning mechanism allows the housing to be positioned on pipes or pipes of different sizes and shapes.
• the flanged joint to which this detection device is configured to connect with may be that of a fire hydrant.
• Many fire hydrants are connected to a water pipe at a flanged joint.
• this flanged joint may be above ground, while in some other embodiments this may be underground or within a sub-structure.
• the detection device may include a magnet configured to magnetically engage with the fluid conduit.
• This magnet may be placed inside the housing, internally to the housing on the baseplate 3336, or on the baseplate 3336, for example. This magnet may assist in causing the baseplate to physically contact the fluid conduit.
• pipe conditions that promote growth of legionella include high temperature and or long periods of being present in the system. Particularly problematic, are conditions under which the water is stagnant in a pipe for an extended period of time. A related problem results when the water flows but is continually recycled. In other words, in the absence of a fresh supply of chlorinated water legionella may still to flourish even if the water is flowing. This is particularly the case in fountains and cooling towers where water is flowing but loses chlorination.
• Legionella is widespread and was thought to be somewhat benign until the Philadelphia outbreak in 1976. Its presence in surface water is common. It is only dangerous when inhaled. Any process that mixes it with air (shower heads, fountains, cooling towers, misters, etc.) can create a hazard. It tends to affect the young and those over 50.
• legionella Even if legionella is present and growing or fostering in a pipe or pipe network, the legionella do not necessarily create a hazardous situation. Under some conditions, legionella can exist and even thrive but not be released in a form where they are distributed throughout a pipe system and potentially hazardous to humans. For example, legionella may be provided in a scum, sludge, or bacterial mat supporting the growth of legionella bacteria, and yet remain localized in a small area; i.e., the legionella bacteria do not distribute throughout a pipe system or move to a location where they can be present in an aerosol or other hazardous state. When a scum or sludge containing legionella is dislodged such as by a way of pipe vibration or a water pressure spike, it may suddenly convert from an innocuous state to a hazardous state.
• the legionellosis risk condition system provides information or instructions communicated to systems that automatically shut off water dispensers or other system components that could introduce potentially hazardous water to locations where users might contract legionellosis; e.g., the system can prevent operation of a shower or faucet.
• Some embodiments focus on risk mitigation by preventing /eg/one//a-containing water from becoming airborne.
• Examples of water system components that can be controlled to reduce the risk of legionellosis include the following: showerheads and sink faucets, cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for building or industrial processes), hot tubs that aren't drained after each use, decorative fountains and water features, hot water tanks and heaters, and large plumbing systems.
• Examples of buildings and vessels that may benefit from a legionellosis risk condition system include hospitals, schools, cruise liners, hotels, retirement homes, residences, dormitories, government buildings, amusement parks, and emergency shelters.
• a Legionellosis Risk Detection system may include multiple detection units, which may be referred to herein as a "Legionella Data Acquisition Unit" or "LDAU", at various points of a water system.
• Example features and components of a Legionellosis Risk Condition Detection System for a building may include LoRaWAN, LTE CAT Ml, or other communications protocol acceptable for use in buildings, ships, etc., a backbone for all sensors, effective unit cost and data rates, and the ability to provide alert notifications.
• Example points or positions for legionella monitoring may include multiple floors, end points on system, hot side (near water heater), and sensors strategically located to monitor conditions associated with legionella growth.
• Figure 43 depicts an example Plumbing/Architectural System for Legionellosis Risk Detection.
• multiple LDAUs are positioned on multiple floors of the building at various end points.
• the LDAUs are communicatively connected (wired or wirelessly) to a backbone which is communicatively connected to a gateway which is configured to communicate with other communications points (e.g., a cell tower, fiber optic cable) and in turn communicate with a remote server (as indicated by the dashed lines).
• Figure 44 depicts another Legionellosis Risk Condition Detection System.
• the system includes a first layer of multiple LDAUs, with three LDAUs each connected to a separate gateway (there are three gateways).
• LDAUs are communicatively connected through a backbone (e.g., a wireless connection or a wired cable such as a fiber optic cable) to a single gateway, or in some embodiments multiple gateways, which are in turn communicatively connected to a portal which may be a remote server as described above (e.g., contains one or more processors and memories for storing the data received by each of the LDAUs).
• the remote server is configured to transmit client reports and alerts based on the data generated by the LDAUs.
• each of the LDAUs is positioned on and inline with pipes, or a combination thereof, each sensor transmits signals to a gateway, the gateway relays the data to the portal, the portal and associated logic assesses risk and provides alerts and reports.
• the reports may be a traffic light alert-type system that may include, for instance, red, green, and yellow indications which mean, respectively, likely legionella active, no legionella, or investigate.
• Various approaches may be employed to determine a potentially hazardous legionella conditions in a water system. Such approaches may employ software or other logic programmed or configured to receive data taken from one or more pipe and/or flow condition sensors as described herein and analyze such data to determine whether or to what level a risk of hazardous legionella condition exists in the water system.
• sensors may include any or more of water pressure sensors, water temperature sensors, water flow sensors, pipe condition sensors (detecting scum or other occlusion in a pipe), and pipe vibration sensors.
• the logic for interpreting data from such sensors may be located on a server or other computing system associated with the water system (located either at the water system or remote therefrom) or the logic may be located on a leased or shared computational system such as a cloud-based system available over the internet or other network.
• Figure 45 depicts an example legionella detection device.
• the legionella detection unit includes a "sensor I/O" as above and is connected to multiple sensors, such as ambient temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the environment where the detection device is positioned, a pipe temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the pipe on which the detection device is positioned, one or more acoustic sensors (e.g., a microphone) configured to detect the presence of flow, a shock sensor (e.g., an accelerometer or other motion sensor configured to detect motion of the pipe), a hoop stress sensor (e.g., strain gauge sensor), and a humidity sensor configured to detect the humidity of the environment where the detection device is positioned.
• sensors such as ambient temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the environment where the detection device is positioned, a pipe temperature sensor configured to detect the temperature of the pipe on which the detection device is positioned, one or more acoustic sensors (e.g., a microphone) configured to detect the presence of flow, a shock sensor (e.g.,
• microcontroller e.g., processor 3132 of Figure 31
• a communications unit e.g., unit 3146 of Figure 31
• the microcontroller which may be the same as processor 3132 of Figure 31, may also receive data from other aspects of the device such as, battery status, level, and health, communications status (e.g., whether connected, signal strength), flash memory status (Flash ROM), USB port status, status of the analog to digital converter (ADC), status of the digital to analog converter (DAC), ethernet port status, and external power status, etc.
• ADC analog to digital converter
• DAC digital to analog converter
• ethernet port status e.g., ethernet port status, and external power status, etc.
• Level 1 - water reaches temperature where legionella flourish. As example, this temperature range is between about 20 and 60° C, with about 25 to 43° C being most likely to produce issues.
• the water temperature is determined using a thermal flow condition sensor such as described elsewhere herein.
• a thermocouple, a thermometer, or other temperature measurement device is used.
• the temperature measuring device is typically located on a pipe or other part of the water system where legionella proliferation is a concern. However, in some embodiments, the temperature measuring device is located upstream or even downstream from the region of concern. In such cases, it may be necessary to account for a possible change in temperature between the location where temperature is measured and the location of concern.
• Level 2 - a volume of water holds at a temperature within this range for a period of time giving legionella an opportunity to proliferate.
• the level of concern is a function of both the length of time and the temperature.
• a relatively short time in the temperature range where legionella is most prolific e.g. about 25 to 43° C
• a relatively short time outside this range e.g., about 20 to 24° C or about 44 to 60° C.
• the minimum duration for flagging a concern may be set to at least a duration required for water to lose a significant fraction of its disinfecting power.
• a minimum duration for water to be present in pipes is about 24 hours.
• Level 3 - water is quiescent (or flowing at a very low rate) during a period of time at which the water is at a temperature susceptible to legionella proliferation.
• freshly flowing water may come from a source that provides chlorine or other disinfectant in the water supply.
• any legionella in the vicinity might not have an opportunity to establish or grow in the water system.
• flowing water can flush nascent legionella colonies out of the system.
• the legionellosis risk detection system may determine water flow conditions in the vicinity where levels 1 and 2 are met (i.e., portions of the water system where water is held at a susceptible temperature for defined period of time).
• the system may further flag the pipe or portion of the water system for increased risk of legionellosis.
• Sensor that can be used to determine water flow conditions include a thermal flow condition sensor, a hoop stress sensor, and/or an acoustic pipe condition sensor, any of which may have structures and attributes as described elsewhere herein.
• Legionella can flourish without being releasing in a form that is potentially hazardous.
• legionella can reside in a scum or deposit (e.g., a bacterial mat) that tightly adheres to the inner wall of a pipe or other component of a water system and hence the bacteria are not available to be dispensed via a shower, faucet, or other water dispensing fixture.
• a scum or deposit e.g., a bacterial mat
• the bacteria may be released into the wider pipe system. In such cases, what had been a relatively safe condition suddenly becomes hazardous.
• a legionellosis risk system determines when a pipe vibration, water pressure spike, or other legionella disturbing event occurs, and then raises the risk of legionellosis.
• Such event may be detected by an accelerometer or other vibration sensing device on a pipe in the vicinity of the legionellosis risk source or it may be detected by a pressure sensor such as a hoop stress sensor that can detect a pressure spike upstream, downstream, or at the location of interest.
• the system simply detects that fluid has moved little or not at all for X hours and temperature is between about Y and Z.
• Figure 46 depicts an example flow chart representing a legionella detection implementation.
• sensed conditions are monitored (blocks 4501 and 4505) over time and the sensed conditions are of two types: in block 4503, one related to general conditions under which it is possible for a preliminary situation to occur (e.g., a type of pathogen can grow or flourish) and in block 4507 one related to triggering a release of the pathogen into the wider fluid system where it can produce a hazardous result (e.g., a pipe vibration and/or pressure spike greater than a threshold).
• a hazardous result e.g., a pipe vibration and/or pressure spike greater than a threshold.
• the system can take steps to alert appropriate persons and/or modify operation of the water system (block 4509).
• the alert may also indicate to service personnel to verify adequate disinfectant levels for water features or cooling towers.
• one or more detection devices described herein may be used alone or in combination with other detection devices to determine flow through a fluid conduit or through various sections of a fluid conduit network, such as a drinking water system or a fire suppression system, and this flow detection may then be used to determine the presence of blockages or restrictions within the fluid conduit network.
• the detection device may detect flow in any way discussed herein, including using one or more of a hoop stress sensor, one or more thermal flow condition sensors, and an acoustic condition sensor (e.g., microphones or ultrasonic transducers).
• flow detection by two detection devices positioned along a section of fluid conduit may together be able to determine a blockage in or around that section of fluid conduit. If flow is intended to pass through this section of fluid conduit and be detected by both detection devices, then example indications related to a blockage or restriction may include: (i) if one detection device detects flow while the other does not, then a blockage may exist between the detection devices, (ii) if both detection devices do not detect flow, then a blockage may exist upstream or downstream of the detection devices, (iii) if both detection devices detect flow, then a blockage may not exist upstream or downstream of the detection devices, and (iv) if both detection devices detect flow, but the magnitude of flow detected by each detection device is different, then a flow restriction may exist between the two detection devices.
• detection devices 1800B and 1800C are positioned along a section of pipe that includes a single sprinkler 18108 between the two detection devices. If the sink 18110 or toilet 18112 is actuated in order to draw water through this section of pipe from the main and detection device 1800B detects flow, but detection device 1800C does not, then a blockage may be present between these two detection devices.
• infrequently used fluid flow systems may also benefit from multi-position flow detection and/or monitoring.
• infrequently used system are fire suppression systems in buildings, ships, and other structures. Many fire suppression systems, or sprinkler systems, sit idle such that the water or suppression fluid within the pipes or conduits sits stagnant for the majority of the time. This stagnation tends to allow for the development of bore loss which, as described herein, may include the reduction of a pipe's internal diameter, which may be caused by buildup of material within the pipe, such as biological sludge, grease, oxidation products (including corrosion products), tuberculation, and blockages from material originating upstream.
• any one or combination of the various sensors described herein may be useful to assess pipe or flow conditions during such testing.
• using a plurality of detection devices positioned throughout a fire suppression system may enable the detection of blockages and restrictions within the fire suppression system, thus allowing for the remediation of these potentially dangerous conditions.
• Such detection may occur during a flushing event of the fire suppression system in which water is intended to flow through all sections of the system.
• detection devices positioned at different positions within the system may be able to detect blockages and restrictions within the system.
• Example indications related to a flow blockage or restriction may include: (i) if one or more detection devices do not detect any flow, then a blockage may exist around or upstream of these detection devices, (ii) if two detection devices are positioned along a section of the system through which the same fluid should flow, and one detection device detects flow while the other detection device does not, then a blockage may exist between these two detection devices along the section of the system, (iii) if two detection devices are positioned along a section of the system through which the same fluid should flow, and both detection devices do not detect flow, then a blockage may exist upstream of the detection devices, (iv) if two detection devices are positioned along a section of the system through which the same fluid should flow, and they detect flow, then a blockage may not exist upstream of the detection devices, and (v) if two detection devices are positioned along a section of the system through which the same fluid should flow, and they detect flow, but the magnitude of flow is different between the two units, then a flow
• Detection devices positioned along a fluid conduit network may also be used to detect leaks within the network.
• the detection devices may detect leaks within a pipe or the flow network using one or more sensors, such as the thermal flow condition sensors and acoustic pipe condition sensors.
• a detection device may detect a leak within a system if it detects flow when there should be no flow through the section of conduit on which the detection device is positioned or if it detects acoustic signals indicative of a leak in a section of fluid conduit.
• This leak detection may again be advantageous for numerous uses and applications, such as fire suppression systems in buildings, ships, and other structures as well as municipalities and building fluid conduit systems so that these leaks may be identified and remediated in order to prevent damage to property or life and ensure proper functioning of the fluid conduit networks.
• the condition being monitored or detected is not the presence of conditions that support hazardous levels of a pathogen, but rather some other condition associated with use of the water system by building occupants or other individuals.
• the condition detecting system may monitor water usage in a room, building, or geographic region. For example, the system may monitor water consumption and where it occurs and/or in what type of appliance (toilet v. shower v. faucet v. landscaping, etc.) it occurs. Such monitoring may be used for conservation, auditing, etc.
• the system flags a water usage sequence that indicates a problem or need for corrective action; e.g., toilet flush not followed by faucet indicates a hygiene issue for restaurant employees.
• the condition to be detected may be present in various contexts such as utilities, municipalities, plants, large buildings, compounds, complexes, and residences.
• the sensors used to detect the condition are present on pipes employed in any such location.
• the software or other logic used to determine that a potentially hazardous condition exists need not be present at the location of the sensors, although it may be. The logic simply needs to receive input from the sensors and then analyze the sensor data to determine whether condition exists or should be flagged.
• Conditions to be detected need not occur in water or piping for water. More generally, certain conditions may be detected in pipes of portions of a pipe system for any type of liquid (e.g., petroleum, chemical feedstocks in chemical plants, and the like). In certain embodiments, the conditions being detected may even apply to gases (e.g., gas pipelines in residences, chemical plants, etc.) or other fluids such as supercritical fluids. Such conditions to be detected may be unrelated to pathogenic contamination. For example, such conditions may relate to overheating, explosive conditions, toxic chemical generation or release conditions, and the like.
• the conditions to be detected are not limited to systems that contain only fluid carrying pipes.
• Other conduits such as channels and reservoirs may be monitored. These may be monitored in municipal, residential, or industrial settings; and possibly even human body arteries (e.g., capillary bed).
• Lead (Pb) and other chemicals in water lines leach into water depending on time, temperature, and water chemistry. Water that is not flowing tends to have higher concentrations of lead because it has been in contact with lead sources longer than flowing water. Lead monitoring protocols specify allowing water to stand in the pipe for a given amount of time.
• a lead or other chemical hazard condition detection system can indicate that water should be flushed from the line before drinking from it, or that there has been little flow at a given temperature and water in the line is ready to be sampled for chemical content. Sampling water in buildings on a regular basis is on legislative dockets in various jurisdictions.
• Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems for analyzing sensor data and determining whether the data indicate that conditions exist that might be hazardous and/or require a particular action. Certain embodiments disclosed herein, the conditions under consideration pertain to a water system. A system for analyzing sensor data and determine whether a particular condition exists may be configured to analyze data for calibrating or optimizing sensors on a water system.
• the systems may include software components executing on one or more general purpose processors or specially designed processors such as programmable logic devices (e.g., Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). Further, the systems may be implemented on a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The functions of the computational elements may be merged into one another or further split into multiple sub-modules.
• FPGAs Field Programmable Gate Arrays
• code executed during generation or execution of a model on an appropriately programmed system can be embodied in the form of software elements which can be stored in a nonvolatile storage medium (such as optical disk, flash storage device, mobile hard disk, etc.), including a number of instructions for making a computer device (such as personal computers, servers, network equipment, etc.).
• a nonvolatile storage medium such as optical disk, flash storage device, mobile hard disk, etc.
• a computer device such as personal computers, servers, network equipment, etc.
• a software element is implemented as a set of commands prepared by the programmer/developer.
• the module software that can be executed by the computer hardware is executable code committed to memory using "machine codes" selected from the specific machine language instruction set, or "native instructions ' designed into the hardware processor.
• the machine language instruction set, or native instruction set is known to, and essentially built into, the hardware processor(s). This is the "language” by which the system and application software communicates with the hardware processors.
• Each native instruction is a discrete code that is recognized by the processing architecture and that can specify particular registers for arithmetic, addressing, or control functions; particular memory locations or offsets; and particular addressing modes used to interpret operands. More complex operations are built up by combining these simple native instructions, which are executed sequentially, or as otherwise directed by control flow instructions.
• condition determining models or algorithms used herein may be configured to execute on a single machine at a single location, on multiple machines at a single location, or on multiple machines at multiple locations.
• the individual machines may be tailored for their particular tasks. For example, operations requiring large blocks of code and/or significant processing capacity may be implemented on large and/or stationary machines.
• certain embodiments relate to tangible and/or non-transitory computer readable media or computer program products that include program instructions and/or data (including data structures) for performing various computer-implemented operations.
• Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, semiconductor memory devices, phase-change devices, magnetic media such as disk drives, magnetic tape, optical media such as CDs, magneto-optical media, and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM).
• ROM read-only memory
• RAM random access memory
• the computer readable media may be directly controlled by an end user or the media may be indirectly controlled by the end user. Examples of directly controlled media include the media located at a user facility and/or media that are not shared with other entities.
• a model or algorithm for determining whether a condition exists can be viewed as a form of application software that interfaces with a user and with system software.
• System software typically interfaces with computer hardware and associated memory.
• the system software includes operating system software and/or firmware, as well as any middleware and drivers installed in the system.
• the system software provides basic non-task-specific functions of the computer.
• the modules and other application software are used to accomplish specific tasks.
• Each native instruction for a module is stored in a memory device and is represented by a numeric value.
• a device summary by client, location, or device type may be provided as seen in Figure 47 which depicts an example display.
• This "Dashboard” includes information related to a number of devices by type, device status (within a certain time period, e.g., 24 hours), device last communicated (within various time periods, e.g., less than 1 day, the present day, and within 1 week), and devices by location.
• This data may be displayed in various graphical representations, such as pie charts as seen in Figure 47, or in in other chart or graph form.
• This dashboard may also include a map which shows the geographic location of one or more detection devices.
• the determinations, detections, and data generated by each device may be displayed in the portal/display. This may include a graph of each feature/detection/determination listed in any of the other displays, such as Figure 49. Each graph may also be individually selected and displayed.
• Figure 52A depicts a display with 9 graphs of determinations, detections, and data generated by one detection device.
• Figures 52B through 52J depict magnified images of each individual graph of Figure 52A.
• These individual graphs include data, determinations, and detections about number of flow events (e.g., detected flow within a pipe), number of leaks detected by a conductive sensors, number of vibration events detected (e.g., with an accelerometer or gyroscope), number of time a device transmits data, battery voltage per day, average temperature of the circuit board of the device, detected pressure (e.g., by a hoop stress sensor), pipe condition (e.g., detected and determined using the acoustic sensors), and alerts related to legionella.
• number of flow events e.g., detected flow within a pipe
• number of vibration events detected e.g., with an accelerometer or gyroscope
• number of time a device transmits data battery voltage per day
• average temperature of the circuit board of the device e.g., average temperature of the circuit board of the device
• detected pressure e.g., by a hoop stress sensor
• pipe condition e.g., detected and determined using the
• the dashboard or other data described herein may be presented in a "command center" where a municipality, a building manager, a water sensor monitoring company, or other entity monitors and optionally plans actions to address water consumption or other water use issues.
• the "command center” may be in or remote from any location where the detection devices are deployed.
• FIG. 65 depicts a system 65000 according to disclosed embodiments.
• the system 65000 includes a plurality of detection devices 6500 that are positioned in a geographic region 65002 or area represented by the dashed rectangle.
• This region 65002 may be any physical area, such as an area within a city, county, town, or state, for example, or an area of a building or other physical structure, such as cruise ship.
• system 65000 is illustrated with four detection devices 6500A, 6500B, 6500C, and 6500D.
• detection devices 6500A-D may be any of the detection devices provided herein and may include any combination of sensors described herein.
• the detection devices 6500A-D may include one or more acoustic sensors configured to receive and detect acoustic signals from the fluid conduit to which they are connected, an accelerometer, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, or any combination thereof; these devices may also include a power source, processing module, and acoustic exciter provided herein.
• the data and signals (which may be used interchangeably herein) generated by the sensors of the detection devices 6500A-D may be processed by the processing module contained on each of the detection devices 6500A-D, may be transmitted and processed by a remote computing unit, or both.
• the processing module of some detection devices may be configured to make various detections and determinations based on the signals generated by sensors of that detection device. This may include any of the determinations provided herein, such as the occurrence of a flow within or out of the fluid conduit, flow rate, pipe condition (e.g., wall loss, bore loss), or a combination thereof. These determinations and/or detections may be sent to a remote computing unit 65006.
• the system 65000 may be used, in some embodiments, to detect unauthorized access to, and use of, a fluid conduit, such as a fire hydrant.
• a fluid conduit such as a fire hydrant.
• Many municipalities experience unauthorized access and use various taps, such as fire hydrants, that lead to inaccurate tracking of resources and non-revenue use.
• Use of this system and the detection devices herein enable more accurate tracking of which taps are accessed and how much fluid, e.g., water, is flowed out of them.
• some such embodiments may have detection devices constantly monitoring accelerometer data and determining whether that data has exceeded a threshold and/or exhibits characteristics that indicate access to and/or flow out of a tap, e.g., fire hydrant.
• Figure 66 provides another example technique in accordance with disclosed embodiments.
• the plurality of detection devices are installed on fluid conduits, such as pipes, taps, fire hydrants, or a combination thereof.
• data from one or more sensors on the detection devices is monitored continuously or periodically, such as continuous monitoring of accelerometer data, temperature sensor data, pressure sensor data, acoustic data, or a combination thereof, as well as periodic gathering of data, such as acoustic data.
• one or more determinations are made as to whether the data has exceeded a threshold and/or exhibited characteristics that indicate an event.
• Systems and methods disclosed herein may be configured to compare a baseline signal or data components to a current reading of signal or data component. Based at least in part on this comparison, the system or method may characterize a pipe condition and/or determine whether some action is required such as addressing a potential a leak or addressing pipe corrosion.
• Baseline signals may also vary or fluctuate based on time periods that are not directly tied to the 24-hour daily period.
• baseline signals are determined at multiple times during a week. In some embodiments, baseline signals are determined at multiple times during a year.
• FIG. 67 presents a flow chart depicting certain implementations of a general process 6701 for determining baseline signals at multiple times during a period such as day.
• process 6701 begins with a trigger 6703 to capture a current reading of a signal on a pipe or pipe network.
• the trigger may be based on a timer that acquires signals every few hours during a day.
• the process 6701 reads a signal from a pipe or pipe network (optionally read at multiple locations on a network). See operation 6705.
• process 6701 determines whether the baseline signal requires an update. See decision operation 6707.
• process control returns to block 6703, where the process/system awaits the next trigger in a 24-hour period. If process 6701 determines that an update is not need, process control returns directly to block 6703.
• Sensor readings are used to record or construct a baseline signal.
• these readings are obtained by passive listening.
• no stimulus is intentionally applied to a pipe or pipe network for which a baseline signal is acquired.
• baseline signal readings are generated by employing a stimulus to a pipe or pipe network and recording a response.
• the stimulus may be acoustic, thermal, pressure, etc.
• a stimulus is an impulse.
• a stimulus is time varying.
• a baseline signal includes a representation of noise on a pipe or pipe network.
• noise may vary strongly as a function of time of day, time of week, time of year.
• a baseline noise profile is obtained at multiple times of day, multiple times of week, and/or multiple times of year.
• the baseline signal may also, or alternatively, include one or more of amplitude, frequency, transients of acoustic signals at specific times of the day, week, month, year, pipe pressure transients through hoop stress fluctuations at given times, or a combination thereof.
• a baseline signal is a raw or lightly processed sensor signal such as a short (e.g., 60 s or less) time sequence of acoustic, thermal, pressure, or electromagnetic readings.
• a baseline signal comprises one or more features extracted from raw sensor signals.
• the features may be spectral features such as magnitudes of signals at multiple frequencies.
• the features may be polynomial coefficients for expressions that fit time varying, spectral readings.
• the features may be principal components of multi-dimensional sensor data.
• a system may be configured to acquire multiple time of day baseline signals (e.g., systems may take multiple daily readings of sensor values at multiple locations).
• multiple readings are taken to determine a baseline signal. While those multiple readings may be taken sequentially (e.g., at 12 pm on a given day, one 10 second reading is taken, followed by a second 10 second reading, and so on), sometimes the multiple readings are taken at different days, weeks, etc. For example, a first acoustic signal is measured at 12 pm on day 1, a second acoustic signal is measured at 12 pm on day 2, a third acoustic signal is measured at 12 pm on day 3, and so on. In such cases, there are various techniques for using the multiple readings to determine a best or composite baseline signal.
• a baseline signal may drift— rather than fluctuate— over the course of days or longer periods due to, e.g., natural changes in a pipe or its environment.
• systems or methods may periodically update their baseline signals.
• Baseline signals may fluctuate over periods other than days. Such periods may span a week, a year (e.g., seasonal variations), other duration. Therefore, some embodiments employ multiple baselines for different times of week, times of month, times of year, etc.
• a system may be configured to weight more recent readings more heavily when generating an average or other statistical representation of the baseline signal.
• a baseline signal is compared to a current measured signal for a particular time of day, time of week, etc.
• Various techniques may be employed to compare current signals to baseline signals for a particular time of day, etc. and assess a current condition (e.g., pipe condition, flow characteristic, temperature).
• processing logic may be configured to determine whether a pipe's or a pipe network's natural frequency decreases from a baseline. The occurrence and/or magnitude of such decrease is used to assess the presence or degree of wall thinning. See for example, the discussion in S. Han et al., "Detection of pipe wall-thinning based on change of natural frequencies of shell vibration modes, "19thWorld Conference on NonDestructive Testing 2016, (available on the World Wide Web at //www.ndt.net/article/wcndt2016/papers/th3c2. pdf), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

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