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  System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery systemUSPTO Application #: 20080109186Title: System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system Abstract: A system for detecting defects in a fluid delivery line is provided, the system comprising a plurality of sensors disposed in a fluid delivery line, wherein each one of the plurality of sensors comprises a mote coupled to a plurality of sensing devices disposed in a film system, wherein a first mote being configured to receive data from at least one second mote, wherein the first mote being further configured to transmit data collected from the plurality of sensing devices coupled the first mote and received data from the at least second mote, a communications hub configured to receive sensor data from at least one mote, and a processor coupled to the antenna, the processor being configured to analyze sensor data received from the at least one mote. (end of abstract) Agent: Akerman Senterfitt - West Palm Beach, FL, US Inventors: JOHN L. FERENCZI, WILLIAM G. BARRUS USPTO Applicaton #: 20080109186 - Class: 702187 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080109186. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention is related to the field of sensing devices and more particularly, to sensing and monitoring conditions for fluid delivery systems BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]The detection of problems in a fluid delivery system is generally problematic. The most common problems leading to catastrophic failures in such systems, such as minor leaks, contamination, or pump or other equipment breakdown, are generally undetectable until a severe failure occurs, often resulting in large costs associated not only with the ensuing repairs, but also associated with the subsequent clean up of the material released as a result of the failure of the fluid delivery system. In many cases, clean up costs can escalate quickly, especially for potentially volatile or hazardous substances, such as fuel products or cleaning products. However, clean up costs comprise only one aspect of the financial loss to the business. In industries relying on fluid delivery systems, a catastrophic event represents not only a repair and clean up cost associated with the event, but also a loss on the goods being transported in the fluid delivery system. Therefore, businesses involved in such an enterprise are often seeking ways to minimize such types of losses by attempting to predict when catastrophic failures will occur and planning accordingly by exchanging parts out on a regular basis or budgeting for such events. However, even such measures do not always protect the business adequately, as the result and frequency of such events is often unpredictable. [0003]In general, in order to prevent failures, businesses rely on careful monitoring of a fluid delivery system in order to detect any variation in the performance of the system. Such monitoring of fluid delivery systems generally comprises monitoring of the various components at all times. For example, pressure gauges may be installed at various points in the delivery system. Additionally, equipment performance, such as pump temperature or pump rotation speed, may also be monitored. Another method of monitoring fluid delivery systems is the manual inspection of the various components of the system. However, a manual inspection of the various components can be not only time-consuming, but also difficult where components of the system may be installed such that a thorough inspection is physically difficult to accomplish. In either case, once a problem is detected, the system is shutdown and the problem is verified and repaired if necessary. [0004]However, the difficulty in using such systems is that any subtle signals that may signal an impending failure are often difficult, if not impossible to discern from the normal variation in performance of the system. Furthermore, these types of monitoring systems rely on statistical analysis and action is generally only taken when the data being monitored exceeds a pre-determined tolerance range or the calculated useful lifetime of a component has elapsed. Therefore, such systems are incapable of detecting subtle changes that may be precursors of a severe failure. [0005]One method of differentiating between normal fluctuations and indicators of impending failure is an extended analysis of the monitored data. Experiments in many fields have found that patterns of impending damage in many types of networks start to form hours, perhaps days before a crisis situation occurs. The method of detecting these patterns in such networks has been very limited until recent years. It also been demonstrated that continuous pattern sampling and analysis can show that even for systems only demonstrating apparently random fluctuations, once a problem exists in a network, the underlying organizing patterns associated with a failure will eventually reach a terminal, perhaps crisis situation. [0006]For example, studies of the human brain show that the natural disharmonic state of human brainwaves tends to harmonize to a single frequency pattern prior to the occurrence of some types of seizures. In such individuals, it has been demonstrated that the movement of the brain to such a harmonious state can sometimes be detected hours, even days, before a seizure episode. [0007]In a fluid delivery system, the same phenomena can occur. However, detecting such problems in real time and identifying the failure point is problematic. Even if data from various existing monitoring devices could be collected and analyzed, because of the subtle variations sought to be detected, existing instrumentation, such as pressure gauges, flow meters, and thermometers, is often insufficient. Furthermore, when dealing with fluid delivery lines that extend over long distances, perhaps over hundreds of miles, the cost of constructing, maintaining, installing, and monitoring such devices can be costly and cumbersome. Therefore, there is a need for utilizing newer technologies, capable of deployment over long distances and having lower cost of operation, such as miniature sensors, wireless data acquisition, and advanced computing methods, for use in failure prediction systems for fluid delivery systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008]The present invention provides for monitoring of fluid delivery systems using a system of remote sensing devices. The remote sensing devices can be configured to detect minor variations in the flow of material being transported. The remote sensing devices collect data that can be analyzed using a computing device, which can then determine when a pattern predicting an impending failure emerges. [0009]One embodiment of the invention is a system including a plurality of sensors disposed in a fluid delivery line, where each one of the plurality of sensors consists of a mote coupled to a plurality of sensing devices disposed in a film system. In the system, a first mote can be configured to receive data from other motes. The first mote can be further configured to transmit data collected from the plurality of sensing devices coupled to the first mote and received data from the at least second mote. The system can also include a communications hub configured to receive signal carrying sensor data from at least one mote. The system can also include a processor coupled to the communications hub, where the processor can be configured to analyze sensor data received from the at least one mote. [0010]In some embodiments, the plurality of sensing devices can include a plurality of activating devices coupled to plurality of corresponding signaling devices, where the response of an activating device activates a corresponding signaling device. In some embodiments, a signal produced by at least a first one the signaling devices is different from a signal produced by at least another of the signaling devices. In some embodiments, the signaling devices can consist of RF tags. In some embodiments, at least a first one activating devices is adapted to respond differently than another of the activating devices. [0011]In various embodiments, the film system consists at least two layers of film, where the sensing devices are disposed therebetween. In some embodiments the film system further includes a middle layer of film between the plurality of activating devices and the plurality of corresponding devices. [0012]Other embodiments, when configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein, can include methods or computer-readable storage medium having computer code for performing the various processes and processes disclosed herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013]There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. [0014]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0015]FIG. 2 is an illustration of a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0016]FIG. 3 is an illustration of an array of sensing devices in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0017]FIG. 4 is an illustration of a sensor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0018]With reference now to the various figures in which like elements are identically numbered throughout, a description of the various embodiments of the present invention will now be provided. While the invention is disclosed in the context of a single arrangement, it can be appreciated that the invention can include numerous modifications from the presented embodiment. [0019]FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 100 for monitoring pressure patterns in a fluid delivery system 110. The system 100 illustratively includes a plurality of sensors 120 that collect data regarding the flow of a product 130 through the fluid delivery system 110. In the various embodiments, the product 130 can comprise any gas, liquid, or solid materials that can be delivered via a fluid delivery system 110, such as water, oil, natural gas, and semi-fluid solid substances such as grains. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a sensor 120 is configured to detect changes in pressure. In other embodiments, the sensors 120 can be adapted to chart other physical properties of the product 130, including, but not limited to, temperature, density, pH, color, transparency, or chemical composition. Continue reading... Full patent description for System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Precision diagnostic method for the failure protection and predictive maintenance of a vacuum pump and a precision diagnostic system therefor Next Patent Application: Measurement data communication device, information acquiring device, and system Industry Class: Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the System and methods for predicting failures in a fluid delivery system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.19857 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
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