U.S. patent application number 15/280035 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for insulation jacket and insulation jacket system.
The applicant listed for this patent is EMBEDDED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, LLC. Invention is credited to Brian Bannon, Scott M. Thayer.
Application Number | 20170016782 15/280035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44816526 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170016782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thayer; Scott M. ; et
al. |
January 19, 2017 |
INSULATION JACKET AND INSULATION JACKET SYSTEM
Abstract
A thermal insulation jacket system. The thermal insulation
jacket system includes a thermal insulation jacket configured to
surround a valve, a plurality of detection devices and a computing
device. Each detection device is configured to detect a different
temperature associated with the valve. The computing device is
coupled to the thermal insulation jacket and is communicably
connected to the plurality of detection devices. The computing
device is configured to calculate real-time energy savings
attributable to the thermal insulation jacket and perform at least
one diagnostic analysis associated with the valve.
Inventors: |
Thayer; Scott M.;
(Pittsburgh, PA) ; Bannon; Brian; (Milford,
CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EMBEDDED ENERGY TECHNOLOGY, LLC |
Pittsburgh |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44816526 |
Appl. No.: |
15/280035 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12907371 |
Oct 19, 2010 |
9494272 |
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15280035 |
|
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61252911 |
Oct 19, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 59/168 20130101;
G01K 17/20 20130101; F24F 11/47 20180101 |
International
Class: |
G01K 17/20 20060101
G01K017/20; F16L 59/16 20060101 F16L059/16 |
Claims
1. A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising: a thermal
insulation jacket configured to cover a steam trap; a first sensing
device configured to output a signal indicative of an external
surface temperature of the steam trap; a second sensing device
configured to output a signal indicative of an ambient temperature
proximate the steam trap; a third sensing device configured to
output a signal indicative of an inflow temperature of the steam
trap; a fourth sensing device configured to output a signal
indicative of an outflow temperature of the steam trap; and a
processing device communicatively connected to the first, second,
third and fourth sensing devices, wherein the processing device is
configured to: determine real-time energy savings attributable to
the thermal insulation jacket based on signals received from the
first and second sensing devices; and diagnose an operating
condition of the steam trap based on signals received from at least
one of the third and fourth sensing devices.
2. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 1, wherein the
thermal insulation jacket comprises a removable and reusable
thermal insulation jacket.
3. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 1, wherein the
first sensing device is positioned between the thermal insulation
jacket and the steam trap.
4. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 1, wherein the
processing device is further configured to convert signals from the
first, second, third and fourth sensing devices into calibrated
temperatures.
5. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 4, wherein the
processing device is further configured to calculate the real-time
energy savings based on the calibrated temperatures associated with
the first and second sensing devices.
6. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 4, wherein the
processing device is further configured to determine the operating
condition of the steam trap based on the calibrated temperatures
associated with the at least one of the third and fourth sensing
devices.
7. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 1, wherein the
operating condition of the steam trap comprises a working steam
trap condition.
8. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 1, wherein the
operating condition of the steam trap comprises a failed steam trap
condition.
9. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 8, wherein the
failed steam trap condition comprises a failed open steam trap
condition.
10. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 8, wherein the
failed steam trap condition comprises a failed closed steam trap
condition.
11. A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising: a thermal
insulation jacket configured to surround a steam trap, wherein the
thermal insulation jacket comprises a removable and reusable
thermal insulation jacket; a controller proximate the thermal
insulation jacket; and a plurality of sensors communicably
connected to the controller, wherein the controller is configured
to: calculate real-time energy savings attributable to the thermal
insulation jacket based on an external surface temperature of the
steam trap and an ambient temperature proximate the steam trap; and
diagnose a performance status of the steam trap based on at least
one of the following: an inflow temperature of the steam trap; and
an outflow temperature of the steam trap.
12. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 11, wherein the
plurality of sensors comprises: a first sensor positioned between
the thermal insulation jacket and an external surface of the steam
trap; a second sensor configured to sense the ambient temperature
proximate the steam trap; a third sensor configured to sense the
inflow temperature of the steam trap; and a fourth sensor
configured to sense the outflow temperature of the steam trap.
13. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 11, wherein the
performance status of the steam trap comprises a failed status.
14. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 13, wherein the
failed status comprises a failed open status.
15. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 13, wherein the
failed status comprises a failed closed status.
16. A thermal insulation jacket system, comprising: a thermal
insulation jacket configured to surround a valve; a plurality of
detection devices, wherein each detection device is configured to
detect a different temperature associated with the valve; and a
computing device coupled to the thermal insulation jacket and
communicably connected to the plurality of detection devices,
wherein the computing device is configured to: calculate real-time
energy savings attributable to the thermal insulation jacket; and
perform at least one diagnostic analysis associated with the
valve.
17. The thermal insulation jacket of claim 16, wherein the valve
comprises a steam trap.
18. The thermal insulation jacket of claim 16, wherein the
plurality of detection devices comprise: a first detection device
configured to detect an external surface temperature of the valve;
a second detection device configured to detect an ambient
temperature proximate the valve; a third detection device
configured to detect an inflow temperature of the valve; and a
fourth detection device configured to detect an outflow temperature
of the valve.
19. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 16, wherein the
at least one diagnostic analysis comprises an operational state of
the valve.
20. The thermal insulation jacket system of claim 16, further
comprising a communication device communicably connected to the
computing device, wherein the communication device is configured to
communicate with at least one other thermal insulation jacket
system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 of the earlier filing date of U.S. Nonprovisional patent
application Ser. No. 12/907,371 filed on Oct. 19, 2010, titled
INSULATION JACKET AND INSULATION JACKET SYSTEM, which claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of the earlier filing date of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/252,911 filed on Oct.
19, 2009, titled INSULATION JACKET AND INSULATION JACKET SYSTEM,
the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates generally to an insulation jacket
used on valves and pipes, and more particularly to a "smart"
insulation jacket system used on pipes and valves that can measure,
monitor, communicate, and archive the energy savings realized by
using the insulation jacket.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Currently, end users are able to employ a host of on-line
energy savings calculators to estimate the average savings in fuel
costs on a per pipe or valve basis. These calculators compute
average energy savings by taking the following as input
parameters:
[0004] 1) Pipe or Valve Temperature
[0005] 2) Ambient Air Temperature
[0006] 3) Pipe or Valve Size information
[0007] 4) Type and Thickness of Insulation
Inputs regarding valve geometry and jacket insulation can usually
be obtained from standard vendor specifications. However, pipe and
ambient air temperature measurements must be obtained manually (by
hand) from the pipe. Usually, this process is done very
infrequently since it is difficult to perform and good enough
estimates can be derived from historical numbers to prove the
economic benefit of purchasing a particular insulation product.
Since there are no industry standard tools to measure the
performance of an installed insulation product over time, specific
performance analysis of insulation products is not done outside of
the laboratory due to the difficulty in obtaining the required
input parameters.
[0008] It is well known in the industrial piping market that
insulating high temperature pipes and valves from the ambient
temperature can save a significant amount of energy. Historically,
insulators put in place permanent insulation that required removal
and replacement during maintenance operations. More recently,
removable valve jackets and pipe insulations were innovated to
remove the need to replace insulating materials during maintenance.
Reusable insulation represents a significant advance for the
owner/operators; however, there is no direct means of measuring the
energy savings from a program of insulation, be it removable or
permanent.
[0009] Thus there is a need for a system and device that can obtain
the above desired energy savings data and on a regular basis,
archive the data, and communicate the data to a device such as a
computer, or hand held monitoring apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The disclosed invention relates to a thermal insulation
jacket system. In one embodiment the thermal insulation jacket
system includes a thermal insulation jacket configured to surround
a valve, a plurality of detection devices and a computing device.
Each detection device is configured to detect a different
temperature associated with the valve. The computing device is
coupled to the thermal insulation jacket and is communicably
connected to the plurality of detection devices. The computing
device is configured to calculate real-time energy savings
attributable to the thermal insulation jacket and perform at least
one diagnostic analysis associated with the valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present disclosure will be better understood by those
skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying
drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several
figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of the thermal insulation jacket;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the skirt of the thermal insulation
jacket in flattened condition;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cap of the thermal
insulation jacket;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the insulation jacket, partially
cut away, when used in conjunction with a valve casing;
[0016] FIG. 5 is an end view of the insulation jacket in the
assembled position;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the insulation jacket
system;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a conceptual illustration of the ad-hoc network;
and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a semi-exploded view of the advanced diagnostics
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The disclosed invention integrates advanced electronics,
sensing, and software directly into traditional removable
insulation products.
[0021] A wide variety of thermal insulation jackets may be used
with the disclosed invention. The thermal insulation jacket itself
may be made of a wide variety of materials and in a wide variety of
thicknesses and dimensions. In one embodiment, the thermal
insulation jacket itself comprises a fiberglass cloth fabric coated
with a silicone rubber coating so as to render the fabric resistant
to water and ambient conditions. One fabric may be 100% fiberglass
lagging cloth. By selecting the proper outer facing for the
insulation jacket the jacket may be easily removed and readily
re-used thus reducing cost while providing effective insulation
efficiency.
[0022] The insulation jacket may be stuffed with a lightweight
flexible mat which preferably comprises type-E glass fibers
although other types of packing may obviously be used depending
upon the particular specifications. The thickness of the jacket may
commonly be between 1 and 2 inches although other thicknesses are
within the scope of the invention depending upon specific
conditions.
[0023] The jacket may be provided with a pair of inboard and
outboard straps on each of the lateral sections of the jacket which
make it possible to tightly secure the jacket around a valve casing
such that the jacket extends beyond the flange formed between the
casing and the line and may thus be tightened around the pipe
insulation provided on the line to completely and thermally
insulate the valve casing from the atmosphere.
[0024] The straps may be held in place by means of lateral
fasteners which hold the straps in place while permitting
longitudinal sliding movement. When properly fitted, the jacket may
extend beyond the flange and the inboard and outboard straps are
properly adjusted so as to provide an effective seal in conjunction
with insulation provided along the connecting line.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a thermal insulation
jacket 10 which comprises lateral sections 18 and 24 with end flap
sections 20, 22 and 26, 28 separated by means of slightly differing
U-shaped cutouts 14 and 16 respectively. Each of the lateral
sections 18 and 24 is separated by means of a central section 12.
The central section comprises weep holes 15 which permit fluid
which has leaked from the line to visibly drain out of the jacket.
Outboard straps or belts 30 and 34 as well as inboard straps or
belts 32 and 36 are respectively located on each of lateral
sections 24 and 18. Each of the straps is provided with a buckle at
one end thereof adapted to receive the other end of the strap such
that the strap may be tightened around the valve casing when the
jacket is wound around the casing. Although the straps are each
illustrated as having a buckle 38 and a free end, the straps may be
provided with a wide variety of fastening means to be used in
conjunction with each of the straps.
[0026] Each of the straps is generally maintained in place by means
of lateral securing strips 31 which, although holding the straps
onto the jacket, nevertheless permit the straps to slide
longitudinally.
[0027] As shown, the flaps 20 and 26 comprise unpadded insulation
while flaps 22 and 28 are padded in a fashion similar to the
central portion of the jacket. Flaps 20 and 26 are adapted to
overlap flaps 22 and 28 when the jacket is used. To facilitate
assembly of the jacket grommets 11 may be provided which permit the
user to secure flaps 22 and 28 around the upstanding portion of the
valve by means of wires or the like which secure one end of the
jacket to the valve casing thus freeing both of the user's hands to
wrap and strap the jacket.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an insulation skirt which may be used in
conjunction with the jacket of the invention so as to thermally
insulate the upstanding portion of a valve casing against thermal
losses. As shown, the skirt 40 is provided with parabolic shaped
sections which, when the skirt is wrapped around an upstanding
section of a valve casing, correspond to the U-shaped cutouts of
the insulation jacket. The skirt 40 is additionally provided with
fastening means 46 and 48 which make it possible to securely fasten
the skirt. The fastening means may comprise a series of hooks
adapted to be used in conjunction with twist wires or the like for
securing the skirts. Additionally, the skirt may be provided with a
series of straps such as those disclosed in FIG. 1 or may be
fastened in any other desired fashion.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an insulation cap 50 provided with an
upper wall and a slit 56 adapted to accommodate the control wheel
of a valve mounted on a valve stem such that the cap may be slipped
over the control wheel and lowered to surround the skirt by means
of a lateral wall 58. The lateral wall is provided with a strap 52
and buckle 54 for securing the cap over the skirt and around the
valve casing.
[0030] The cap may further be provided with mating Velcro sections
59a and 59b in cutaway section 58 to provide for further ease of
assembly.
[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates the insulation jacket when used in
conjunction with a valve casing 60 having an upstanding section 65
and a horizontal section 66. The horizontal section of the valve
casing ends in a flange 72 which mates with a flange 74 provided at
the edge of line pipe 68. Line pipe 68 is encased within
conventional insulation 70 which forms a cylindrical casing around
the pipe line. As shown, the insulation 70 extends up to flange 74.
Insulation jacket 10 provided with inboard strap 30 and outboard
strap 32 is wound around horizontal valve casing section 66 and is
adapted to extend beyond flanges 72 and 74 such that it extends up
to and over insulation jacket 70. Inboard strap 30 surrounds the
mating point of the two flanges 72 and 74 to tightly seal the
jacket around the horizontal section of the casing while outboard
strap 32 located beyond flange 74 securely and effectively
maintains the insulation jacket wrapped around insulation jacket 70
thus assuring an essentially complete seal.
[0032] As may be seen from FIG. 5, the insulation jacket may be
used by winding it around the valve casing such that flaps 26 and
20 overlap flaps 22 and 28 and are strapped over line insulation 70
by means of outboard straps 30 and 36. The above disclosed thermal
insulation jacket is but one embodiment of a thermal insulation
jacket, other thermal insulation jacket designs may be used with
this invention.
[0033] The disclosed invention may be referred to as "Smart Jacket"
concept that builds upon the concepts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,207,918 and extends those concepts to produce a jacket capable of
direct monitoring of the energy savings realized by the end user of
the smart jacket. The smart jacket concept focuses on embedding a
computer, power supply, pipe temperature sensors, ambient
temperature sensors, jacket surface temperature sensors, human
interface devices, solid state storage, and display into the
jackets concepts indicated by FIG. 6 above. Thus, the smart jacket,
using energy savings calculations, would be enabled to directly
monitor, log, and communicate the realized energy savings directly
or indirectly to the end user.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the disclosed system. The box 10
represents the thermal insulation jacket. The entire system 120 is
the "smart jacket". Located within the insulation jacket 10 is a
microcontroller 80, which may be, but is not limited to, an Arduino
Duemilanove microcontroller board. In signal communication with the
microcontroller 80 is a memory device 84, which may be, but is not
limited to an SD RAM. Also in signal communication with the
microcontroller 80 may be an optional display device 88 such as,
but not limited to an organic LED display. Also in signal
communication with the microcontroller 80 is an optional
communication device 92, such as, but not limited to a wireless
radio, that can both transmit and receive wireless signals. In
signal communication with the microcontroller 80 is network
communication connection 96, which may be an Ethernet connection.
In addition, the smart jacket may have a USB port 100 that is in
signal communication with the microcontroller 80. An optional power
supply 104 may be located within the smart jacket. An optional fan
108 may also be part of the smart jacket. There will be at least
one temperature measuring means 112. The temperature measuring
means may include, but are not limited to thermocouples,
thermistors, and RTDs. The temperature measuring means 112 measures
the temperature of the industrial or heating equipment that
achieves a high temperature. The disclosed insulation jacket and
insulation jacket system may be used on any industrial or heating
equipment that achieves a high temperature, including but not
limited to: pipes, valves, furnaces, tanks, vessels, boilers,
pumps, turbomachinery, reciprocating machinery, and ball joints.
The temperature measuring means 112 is in signal communication with
the microcontroller 80. In addition, there is a temperature
measuring means 116 that measures the ambient air temperature, and
is also in signal communication with the microcontroller 80. The
temperature measuring means 112 may be a high temperature
thermocouple. It may be placed under the thermal insulation jacket
10 in order to measure the pipe temperature. The thermocouple 116
may be an ambient temperature thermocouple exposed to the
environment to measure the ambient temperature. The microcontroller
80 may be configured to convert the signals from the temperature
measuring means 112 and 116 into calibrated temperatures, and may
configured to calculate the energy savings due to the prevention of
excessive heat transfer due to the insulation properties of the
insulated jacket. The memory 84 may be solid state memory such as
SD RAM, and may be configured to store telemetry in a log that can
be used for audit and invoicing purposes. The smart jacket 120 may
also comprise a display (not shown) in communication with the
microcontroller 80. The display may display the real-time energy
savings provided by the invention. The radio 92 may be configured
to web-enable the smart jacket system 120. The fan 108 (optional)
may be configured to cool the smart jacket system 120, especially
when operating in high temperature environments. The optional power
supply 104 may be configured to allow the smart jacket system 120
to run on 120 V AC, 12 VDC, or internal LION power supply. In
another embodiment, the smart jacket system 120 may include a bank
of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) 212 that are capable of
converting the heat energy radiated by the pipe directly into
electrical energy. This is possible due to the "Seebeck" or
thermoelectric effect. This effect makes it possible to directly
convert heat energy into electrical electricity.
[0035] In one embodiment, their may be a plurality of smart jackets
in communication with one another to monitor the energy savings of
an entire area and may communicate and may reason regarding
efficiency.
[0036] The smart jacket may monitor its own energy savings and
alert the owner to situations when the savings falls below a
threshold. Examples of problems that would reduce efficiency are:
the smart jacket has become physically damaged; the jacket has
become dislodged; the jacket insulation efficiency has
deteriorated, etc. In another embodiment of the invention, there
may be an additional thermistor, RTD, or thermocouple on the
surface of the jacket to measure the differential between the pipe
temperature and the temperature of the jacket surface. This is a
different measurement than the ambient air temperature referred to
in FIG. 6.
Power Generation
[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the smart jacket
would have a power harvesting device that can convert heat energy
from the valves and/or pipes into electrical energy to power smart
jacket.
[0038] The smart jacket system 120, in an other embodiment, may
include a bank of thermoelectric generators (TEGs) 212 (see FIG. 6)
that are capable of converting the heat energy radiated by the pipe
directly into electrical energy. This is possible due to the
"Seebeck" or thermoelectric effect. This effect makes it possible
to directly convert heat energy into electrical electricity.
[0039] Generated electrical energy can be used to directly power
the smart jacket electronics or charge the onboard battery.
Thermoelectric generators have typical efficiencies of around 5-10%
(each device producing on the order of microvolts per degree
Kelvin). As an example, copper-constantan produces 41 micro volts
per degree Kelvin, requiring the use of several devices to produce
a sufficient output voltage for direct or indirect power.
[0040] The smart jacket concept can be extended to include the idea
of harvesting energy in the form of heat from the pipe and
converting it to electrical energy to power smart jacket
electronics, communications. This power harvesting capability will
free the smart jacket from the need to have internal batteries or
external power.
[0041] In addition, for smart jackets that are used outdoors they
may be used in conjunction with solar cells, to provide direct
power to the smart jacket electronics as well as indirect power
through charging of the batteries.
[0042] Power management electronics make it possible to construct a
smart jacket that includes any combination of power generation and
energy storage devices, for example batteries, fuel cells, solar
cells, thermoelectric generators, micro-steam turbines, etc. to
provide a constant stream of power to the smart jacket
components.
Smart Jacket Network
[0043] An integral part of the smart jacket assembly is the radio
92 that enables bi-directional flow of control signals and
telemetry. As such, a facility instrumented with radio equipped
smart jackets 120 can form explicit or ad-hoc networks (see FIG. 7)
that can forward and relay information between smart jacket
devices. Furthermore, smart jackets 120 can interface with external
networks to provide remote displays of status and enable remote
control. FIG. 7 is conceptual illustration of the radio equipped
smart jacket system forming an ad-hoc network. A first smart jacket
system 120 is shown, with a first zone of radio signal
communication 122. The first zone of radio signal communication, as
well as every other zone of radio signal communication, is that
zone where the radio 92 in the respective smart jacket system is
able to transmit and receive radio signals. A second smart jacket
system 124 is shown, with a second zone of radio signal
communication 126. A third smart jacket system 128 is shown, with a
third zone of radio signal communication 130. A fourth smart jacket
system 132 is shown, with a fourth zone of radio signal
communication 134. A fifth smart jacket system 136 is shown, with a
fifth zone of radio signal communication 138. A sixth smart jacket
system 140 is shown, with a sixth zone of radio signal
communication 142. A seventh smart jacket system 144 is shown, with
a seventh zone of radio signal communication 146. An eighth smart
jacket system 148 is shown, with an eighth zone of radio signal
communication 150. Whenever two or more smart jacket systems are
within a single zone of radio signal communication, those two or
more smart jacket systems can communicate with each other via their
respect radios 92.
[0044] A smart jacket network, thus formed, provides significant
value to the facility owner/operator. The network serves as a
monitoring and diagnostic device for the entire pipe network in the
same way that a single jacket monitors the valve (or similar
device) that it encloses. Furthermore, smart jackets can contain
additional features unrelated to piping that enhance facility
safety, security, and operations.
[0045] For example, a smart jacket equipped with motion detectors
can publish activity through the network to the remote control
station. This provides a significant ability to enhance facility
security and simultaneously monitor pipeline performance.
Smart Jacket Sensors
[0046] The smart jackets sensors may include humidity, pressure,
vibration, inertial, anti-tamper, visual and thermal cameras, point
and line lasers to provide advanced diagnostics and auxiliary
monitoring functionality.
[0047] For example, a networked smart jacket with visual or thermal
cameras could monitor pipe performance and serve a facility
security function as well.
[0048] Another example, a line laser could provide a safety
function by having the microphone-equipped smart jacket issue a
warning to approaching personal to watch out for "hot pipes" and
low hanging structures that present risk for head injury. There are
a million other examples.
[0049] The smart jacket can also support control and actuation in
either individual or networked modes. Example uses of smart jacket
actuation include facility access control, lighting control,
temperature control, etc.
[0050] Smart jackets can be configured to with a variety of sensors
and actuators to perform an essentially limitless number of
facility monitoring and control functions. Furthermore, the control
and monitoring of these functions can be transported to a remote
monitoring facility by the smart jacket network.
[0051] For example, if a component fails the smart jacket could
communicate the failed status of the device into the smart jacket
network and affect an upstream bypass that would keep the steam
supply moving through a parallel path and effectively take the
failed component off line.
Advanced Smart Jacket Pipeline Diagnostics
[0052] Smart Jackets in individual or networked configurations can
perform advanced pipeline diagnostics. For example, an individual
smart jacket can be configured to monitor the inflow and outflow
temperature of a valve (or other device) using, for example, a
two-temperature measuring means arrangement, see FIG. 8. This
configuration enables advanced diagnostics on performance and
provides redundancy to the to energy savings calculation. FIG. 8
shows a semi-exploded view of a smart jacket system 120 comprising
a device, in this example a stream trap 208, to be enclosed by the
thermal insulation jacket 10 (not shown). The smart jacket system
120 will comprise a first temperature measuring means 200 to detect
the inflow temperature of the stream, and a second temperature
measuring means 204 detects the outflow temperature of the stream.
The temperature measuring means will be in communication with the
microcontroller 80 (not shown).
[0053] This arrangement in the preceding paragraph can be extended
to multiples of sensors of the types described previously. This
increasingly potent combinations device-level and network level
functions are made possible using the smart-jacket-network. As
previously described network level functions can include pipeline
diagnostics, facility monitoring, security, and safety (as
examples). The smart jacket system 120 may be configured such that
the microcontroller 80 is in signal communication with a remote
monitoring facility, such as a site control room.
[0054] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", and
"third", and the like may be used herein to modify elements
performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do
not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the
modified elements unless specifically stated.
[0055] While the disclosure has been described with reference to
several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *