U.S. patent application number 12/891963 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for apparatus and method for measuring water quality in a water meter data collection system.
Invention is credited to Donald J. Faber, Gregory M. Gomez, Mark Lazar, Richard A. Meeusen, Dennis J. Webb, Daniel D. Zandron.
Application Number | 20110030482 12/891963 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40260037 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110030482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meeusen; Richard A. ; et
al. |
February 10, 2011 |
Apparatus and Method for Measuring Water Quality in a Water Meter
Data Collection System
Abstract
A system for monitoring water quality in a water meter data
collection system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for
measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological
and environmental sensors (S1, S2) disposed in a distribution
system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the
sensors (S1, S2) generating electrical signals through a network
(G) that can be processed and communicated with the water meter
data to a collection station (D) from the metering end points
(E).
Inventors: |
Meeusen; Richard A.;
(Pewaukee, WI) ; Gomez; Gregory M.; (Waukesha,
WI) ; Faber; Donald J.; (Tulsa, OK) ; Webb;
Dennis J.; (Glendale, WI) ; Zandron; Daniel D.;
(Sussex, WI) ; Lazar; Mark; (New Berlin,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOYLE FREDRICKSON S.C.
840 North Plankinton Avenue
MILWAUKEE
WI
53203
US
|
Family ID: |
40260037 |
Appl. No.: |
12/891963 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12439258 |
Feb 27, 2009 |
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PCT/US08/70052 |
Jul 15, 2008 |
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12891963 |
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60959833 |
Jul 17, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/861.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 436/20 20150115;
G01N 35/00871 20130101; G01N 33/18 20130101; G01F 1/56
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
73/861.08 |
International
Class: |
G01F 1/56 20060101
G01F001/56 |
Claims
1.-20. (canceled)
21. Apparatus for sensing water quality at a water metering system
end point, the apparatus comprising: a fluid flow metering element
and a device that converts metering signals or movements of a flow
metering element to electrical signals representing units of
consumption; communication interface circuitry for converting the
electrical signals representing units of consumption to meter data
signals; means for electronically communicating the meter data
signals to an external data collection device; and a sensor
disposed in or near the fluid flow metering element to associated
therewith and to sense a quality of the water, said sensor
producing a water quality status signal to the communication
interface circuitry, and wherein the communication interface
circuitry is responsive to the water quality status signal to
incorporate said water quality status signal into a group of data
signals including meter data signals; and wherein said means for
electronically communicating the meter data will also communicate
the water quality status signal in a transmission to a collection
station in a water meter data collection network.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for communicating
the meter data signals includes a data port for communicating meter
data signals from the meter register device to an external
transmitter.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the communication interface
circuitry includes circuitry for producing radio frequency meter
data signals and wherein the means for communicating the meter data
signals to an external device includes an antenna for communicating
the radio frequency meter data signals to an external device.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the water quality status
signal is representative of at least one of a chemical, biological
or environmental parameter.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is installed
as part of a metering system at a site of one water utility
customer.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus is installed
as a zone meter for measuring water quality in a branch of a water
distribution system serving a plurality of water utility
customers.
27. A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses as recited in
claim 21, wherein the apparatuses are each associated with, and are
adapted to electrically communicate with, respective sensors for
sensing various different ones of a plurality of chemical
biological, or environmental parameters of water quality in a water
distribution system, said sensors generating electrical signals
that can be communicated through a wireless network to a fixed,
non-mobile meter data collection station.
28. The system of claim 27, wherein there are a plurality of
sensors for different biological, chemical or environmental
parameter that are distributed to respective distribution end
points within a specified zone of the water metering network and
wherein said sensors generate electrical signals that are
communicated to the data collection station to provide data on a
plurality of parameters related to water quality with the specified
zone.
29. The system of claim 27, wherein there are no more than two
biological, chemical or environmental sensors associated with each
respective water metering system end point.
30. The system of claim 27, wherein each water metering system end
point comprises a meter and wherein at least one biological,
chemical or environmental sensor that is located in a distribution
line in a vicinity of the meter.
31. The system of claim 27, wherein each water metering system end
point is represented by a meter and wherein the at least one sensor
is located within the meter.
32. The system of claim 27, wherein the apparatuses are installed
as part of a water metering system at respective sites for a
plurality of respective residential customers.
33. The system of claim 27, wherein the apparatuses are installed
as zone meters for measuring water quality in respective branches
of a water distribution system, wherein said branches distribute
water to respective pluralities of residential customers.
34. A method for sensing water quality at a water metering system
end point, the method comprising: converting movements of a fluid
flow metering element to electrical signals representing units of
consumption; converting the electrical signals representing units
of consumption to meter data signals; electronically communicating
the meter data signals to an external data collection device; and
sensing a quality of the water in or near the fluid flow metering
element, said sensor producing a water quality status signal; and
including said water quality status signal in a group of meter data
signals to be transmitted to a collection station; and
electronically communicating the water status signal with the meter
data to a collection station in a water meter data collection
network.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the water quality status signal
is representative of at least one of a chemical, biological or
environmental parameter.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the water quality status signal
is sensed by a water consumption meter adapted to be installed at
the site of one water utility customer.
37. The method of claim 34, wherein the water quality status signal
is sensed by a zone meter that is configured for measuring water
quality in a branch of a water distribution system serving a
plurality of water utility customers.
38. The method of claim 34, wherein respective sensors for sensing
various different ones of a plurality of chemical biological, or
environmental parameters of water quality are distributed with a
plurality of water meters in a water distribution system, said
sensors generating electrical signals through the water meter
system end points and through a wireless network to a fixed,
non-mobile meter data collection station.
39. The method of claim 34, wherein there are a plurality of
sensors for different biological, chemical or environmental
parameter that are distributed to respective meter data end points
within a specified zone of the water metering network and wherein
said sensors generate electrical signals that are communicated to
the data collection station to provide data on a plurality of
parameters related to water quality with the specified zone.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/439,258, filed Feb. 27, 2009, now copending, which was based on
PCT Appl. No. PCT/U.S.08/070,052, filed Jul. 15, 2008. The benefit
of priority based on U.S. Prov. Pat. App. No. 60/959,833, filed
Jul. 17, 2007, is claimed herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The field of the invention is meter data collection systems
for metering consumption of water supplied to single-unit
residential, multi-unit residential, commercial and industrial
customers from a municipal or district utility provider. The
invention also relates to instruments for sensing water quality in
such a meter data collection system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Current methods and practices for sensing water quality
through biological and chemical parameters, as well as
environmental parameters such as residual chlorine, TOC (total
organic carbon), turbidity, pressure, and others, involve systems
with expensive sensors located at special stations within a water
system. Many systems currently available on the market to test for
environmental parameters require a waste stream, sometimes toxic,
as a byproduct of the testing. This methodology cannot be used at
the end points of a utility distribution network. Also, the systems
provided today provide sensing of several environmental parameters
at one time. These systems are installed at source water,
underground tanks and elevated tank locations. It has not been
economically or environmentally practical to install these systems
at end point locations in a water metering system.
[0004] However, end point locations in a water metering system have
been identified as a potential source point for the introduction of
contaminants into a water distribution network. If this were to
occur, it is probable the current technologies and equipment would
not detect the contamination event.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides a method for the sensing of various
biological and chemical contaminants and environmental parameters
at the end points of a water utility metering network.
[0006] In the system of the invention, at least one sensor is
associated with each end point (meter) in a water metering system
to measure a different biological, chemical or environmental
parameter within the specified region of the water distribution
network. While more than one sensor might be utilized at a
particular water meter, it is an objective of the invention to
reduce the high cost of the various sensors that are necessary by
distributing them among the end points in a zone of a water
distribution system. Sensors can also be located at zone meters to
monitor a specific parameter for a zone of the water distribution
system, with different sensors being distributed to different
zones.
[0007] A water utility distribution system can be protected from a
wide array of potential biological and chemical contaminants and
environmental parameters and can be economically deployed using the
present invention, as there is only one parameter sensed per meter.
It also provides early automatic detection of potential
contamination events.
[0008] The invention can be used to provide a first indication of
contamination from which further field or lab testing can be
performed to confirm anomalous conditions.
[0009] Other objects and advantages of the invention, besides those
discussed above, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art from the description of the preferred embodiments which
follows. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying
drawings, which form a part hereof, and which illustrate examples
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] FIG. 1 is schematic diagram of a water utility distribution
and water metering system incorporating the present invention;
and
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus at a single
metering end point.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a subsection of a water utility
distribution system, where "A" designates individual single-unit
end points within the distribution system. "B" designates
individual commercial, industrial or multi-unit end points within
the distribution system. "C" designates zone water meters that
measure the quantity or quality of water distributed to one zone or
section of the distribution system. "D" designates the utility main
office computer system. "E" designates the end point meters that
measure the quantity or quality of water distributed to a single
Residential, commercial or industrial end point. "F" designates a
water storage facility (tanks or vaults) for water used within the
distribution system. And, "G" designates a wireless network such as
SMS, GPRS, GSM, private radio network, PSTN, or wireless
Internet.
[0013] Currently, water utilities must report several parameters to
a governmental environmental protection agency on a quarterly
basis. These parameters include chlorine residual, TOC (total
organic carbon), dissolved oxygen, etc. To accomplish this
reporting, utilities typically take water samples from various
locations throughout the distribution system and send these samples
to a laboratory for analysis of parametric testing. An alternate
method is the installation of expensive computer controlled systems
that automatically take samples from each location and provide
parametric analysis.
[0014] While these systems provide more data on a more frequent
basis, they have a waste stream that requires maintenance and
special handling. As they are expensive, most utilities are limited
to installations at source water locations or storage facilities,
and the equipment is not distributed throughout the distribution
system.
[0015] In the present invention, individual sensors monitor
respective parameters and are co-located with a meter, as
illustrated by C or E in the illustration. Meters, illustrated as
the element E, typically measure quantity of water consumed at a
single end point within the distribution system. These meters can
also be assembled with, or connected to, one or more sensors to
measure the quality of water supplied to the single end point. It
is often advantageous to take readings from several places in the
distribution system due to different concentrations of substances
due to dilution. Likewise, zone meters, illustrated as the element
C, typically measure quantity of water consumed with a specific
zone, or section, of the distribution system. When fitted with one
or more sensors, these meters could provide water quality readings
for an entire zone, or section. Also, a set of sensors for
measuring or detecting respective chemical, biological and
environmental parameters can be arranged to measure different
parameters within a zone of the distribution system, thus providing
coverage for many parameters.
[0016] Consumption and water quality data can be transmitted
wirelessly to a collection station, such as a utility computer, D,
over a wireless network, G, such as SMS, GPRS, GSM, private radio
network, PSTN, or wireless Internet. Water quality reporting to the
EPA could then be completed on a real-time basis, instead of on a
quarterly or semi-annually.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the components of a single distribution
end point apparatus E at customer locations, A and B. As shown
there, a meter 10 is connected in a pipe supplying water to the
customer equipment at sites A, B. The parameter sensor can be a
sensor S1 mounted in or on the pipeline near the meter 10, or it
can be sensor S2 integrated into the meter 10. The meter 10
communicates with a communication interface circuit 12 through a
transducer 11 which may convert movements of a magnet to electrical
signals. It also feasible to use electronic meters which produce an
electrical signal directly to the circuit 12. The sensors S1 and S2
also communicate electrical sensing signals to the communication
interface circuit 12. This circuit 12 converts device input signals
to data and in this embodiment, modulates a carrier wave with
information signals representing the data, so that a radio signal
can be transmitted over a wireless network through an antenna 13.
It is also possible for the communication interface circuit to
transmit data signals through a communication port 13 to an
external modulator/antenna unit. In either situation, radio signals
encoded with metering data, including sensor data, are transmitted
back to the collection station D including the utility computer
seen in FIG. 1.
[0018] The electronic circuitry 12 within the end point (meter) can
in some embodiments poll the microsensor S2 that resides within the
meter 10 in the flow stream. When the electronic circuitry detects
an anomalous condition from the sensor, a tamper flag is set and an
alarm transaction is transmitted to the collections station D via
the communication interface circuit 12. Upon notification of the
anomalous condition, utility personnel will know which potential
contaminant has been detected because of the identification number
of the end point that transmits the alarm transaction. The water
utility can then go to the source for further field testing to
validate the contamination event.
[0019] Other sensors fitted into meters can be for first level
detection of various bio-toxins, chemical toxins or other hazardous
substances. This first level detection could greatly improve the
response time and public notification of hazardous events.
[0020] The system components at each meter C and E can be further
described as follows.
[0021] Microelectronic sensors S1 and S2 are located at an end
point (meter) within the flow stream of a water utility
distribution system. A parameter sensor detects the presence or
threshold of a single respective biological, chemical or
environmental parameter (e.g. TOC or dissolved oxygen). Each sensor
with a zone detects a different respective biological, chemical or
environmental parameter. As the sensor is located in the supply
flow stream, the system does not have a waste stream.
[0022] The flow meter 10 is located at the lowest point in the
distribution system where the utility would like to measure the
quantity of water. Also, the meter 10 may be the lowest point
within the distribution system where the utility desires to measure
the quality of water. In this case, the parameter sensors S1, S2
would be located near or inside the meter 10. In cases where water
quantity and quality are important at that location the meter would
measure the amount of water to pass through it and house the
parameter sensor to measure the quality of the water passing
through it.
[0023] There is typically a transducer 11 for converting mechanical
movement of the flow meter to electrical signals, a memory to store
readings and transmitter circuitry 12, 13 for transmitting
electrical signals to a remote receiver. This transmitter can be
part of a transceiver for receiving RF signals as well as
transmitting RF signals. In cases where water quality is sensed at
the meter 10, the circuitry 11, 12 and 13 would also read and act
on water quality data and alarm conditions from the parameter
sensor and transmit these to a remote receiver. Many AMR systems
are known for transmitting utility consumption data from the
distribution end points (E) to a central location (D) for
processing. Such systems can be modified to communicate and process
water quality data as well. The zone meters (C) can also be
provided with this type of electronic signaling equipment. The
water quality data from various locations within the system can
then be collected at the collection station D for further
processing to determine water quality on a system basis.
[0024] This has been a description of the preferred embodiments,
but it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that
modifications may be made in the details of these specific
embodiments. Such modifications are intended to be encompassed by
the broadest aspects of the present invention unless excluded by
the following claims.
* * * * *