Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 8, 2007
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2012
Assignee:
Fairfax County Water Authority
Inventors:
Barth Robins Pitchford, William Dudley Pitchford, Robert Paul Simon, C. David Binning, David Lewis Rasmussen
Abstract: A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
March 2, 2010
Assignee:
Fairfax County Water Authority
Inventors:
Barth Robins Pitchford, William Dudley Pitchford, Robert Paul Simon, C. David Binning, David Lewis Rasmussen
Abstract: A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 20, 2009
Assignee:
Fairfax County Water Authority
Inventors:
Barth Robins Pitchford, William Dudley Pitchford, Robert Paul Simon, C. David Binning, David Lewis Rasmussen
Abstract: A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 8, 2007
Publication date:
December 13, 2007
Applicant:
Fairfax County Water Authority
Inventors:
Barth Pitchford, William Pitchford, Robert Simon, C. David Binning, David Rasmussen