Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage tank, comprising a neck portion having an opening, the neck portion having side walls which define a first storage volume; a body portion connected to, and located below, the neck portion, the body portion having side walls and a base which define a second storage volume, wherein a section of the body portion is configured with a substantially rectangular cross-section in the horizontal plane, and wherein the second storage volume is greater than the first storage volume; and ribs projecting generally radially from the side walls of the neck portion and/or the body portion.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor comprises: a sensor base to couple to a vibration source; a piezoelectric transducer coupled on a first side of the transducer to the sensor base; at least one conductor coupled to the piezoelectric transducer; and a seismic weight positioned on a second side of the piezoelectric transducer; wherein the sensor base, the piezoelectric transducer and the seismic weight are aligned along an axis and arranged so that relative movement between the sensor base and the seismic weight arising from the vibration source causes a current to be generated in the piezoelectric transducer and an output signal corresponding to the generated current is detectable on the at least one conductor.

Abstract: Some embodiments facilitate remote monitoring of an activity at one or more facilities by a vehicle. Data is received at a communications interface from a remote device that is co-located with the vehicle. The data includes a vehicle identifier and a vehicle location indicator. A zone data record is accessed. The zone data record includes a plurality of zones, each zone having a virtual geographical boundary associated with a physical geographical area including at least one facility. It is determined that the vehicle is located within a zone of the zone data record for a preconfigured period of time based on the vehicle location indicator and the zone data record. Responsive to determining that the vehicle is located within the zone for the preconfigured period, performance of the activity at the one or more facilities by the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a vibration sensor. The vibration sensor comprises: a sensor base to couple to a vibration source; a piezoelectric transducer coupled on a first side of the transducer to the sensor base; at least one conductor coupled to the piezoelectric transducer; and a seismic weight positioned on a second side of the piezoelectric transducer; wherein the sensor base, the piezoelectric transducer and the seismic weight are aligned along an axis and arranged so that relative movement between the sensor base and the seismic weight arising from the vibration source causes a current to be generated in the piezoelectric transducer and an output signal corresponding to the generated current is detectable on the at least one conductor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a storage tank, comprising a neck portion having an opening, the neck portion having side walls which define a first storage volume; a body portion connected to, and located below, the neck portion, the body portion having side walls and a base which define a second storage volume, wherein a section of the body portion is configured with a substantially rectangular cross-section in the horizontal plane, and wherein the second storage volume is greater than the first storage volume; and ribs projecting generally radially from the side walls of the neck portion and/or the body portion.

Abstract: A valve key for operating a fluid control valve between states, the valve key comprising a body having a key portion configured for operating a correspondingly keyed part of the fluid control valve; a telemetry system and comprising sensors configured to output parameters relating to an orientation and a rotational movement of the body; a location-positioning module configured to receive data from GPS; a communications module for transmitting data; and a controller configured to determine one or more of for the key: an orientation between substantially vertical or horizontal positions, a number of rotations and geographical coordinates, wherein the controller is configured such that the telemetry system is set to a low-power state, and set to an operating state, in which the telemetry system modules and the controller are configured to record the number of rotations, when the body is oriented in substantially vertical or horizontal positions.

Abstract: A hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a switching device coupled to a hot water unit, a rainwater tank and a potable water source. The switching device is configured to selectively switch between a first state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the rainwater tank, and a second state, which allows fluid communication between the hot water unit and the potable water source. The hot water unit fluid supply control system comprises a control unit configured to: receive fluid characteristic information associated with fluid in the hot water unit from one or more sensors; activate or deactivate a pump of the rainwater tank based on a comparison of a fluid characteristic parameter of the fluid characteristic information with requirements of the hot water unit to thereby cause the switching device to assume the first or second state.

Abstract: A sensor unit support structure for supporting a sensor unit in a manhole. The support structure comprises an elongate beam adjustable along its length to span a width of the manhole and support the sensor unit within the manhole. The support structure further comprises first and second mounting brackets associated with respective first and second ends of the beam, each mounting bracket being configured to fasten the beam to an inner surface of the manhole. The support structure further comprises first and second temporary brackets associated with respective first and second mounting brackets. The first and second mounting brackets are configured to be removably coupled to the respective first and second temporary brackets, each temporary bracket being configured to engage a rim of the manhole to allow the first and second mounting brackets to be positioned in the manhole and temporarily supported in position until the mounting brackets are fastened to the inner surface of the manhole.

Abstract: A pressure sewer control system includes a server in communication with one or more pressure sewer installations across a communications network, each of the one or more pressure sewer installations including a controller and one or more sewerage tanks. The server is configured to: determine weather data for a region associated with the pressure sewer installation; estimate power generating capability of a weather-dependent power generator based on the weather data; receive fluid level data indicative of a fluid level in the one or more sewerage tanks from the controller; determine whether a pump action should be instigated by the controller to pump fluid from the sewage tank based on the estimated power generating capability of the weather-dependent power generator and the fluid level data; and transmit a pump control instruction to the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a pump control system for a pressure sewer installation. The system comprises a controller arranged to control supply of power to a pump of the pressure sewer installation. The controller is arranged to receive an output signal from a sensor in a fluid reservoir of the pressure sewer installation, the output signal being indicative of a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A memory is accessible to the controller and is arranged to store operation information pertaining to operation of the pressure sewer installation. A wireless transceiver is in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an access chamber to a pipe network. The system includes at least one sensor for determining a fluid condition associated with fluid in a conduit of the pipe network and at least one threshold level indicator for determining a threshold fluid level in the access chamber, the at least one threshold level indicator being associated with the at least one sensor. The system further includes a controller for receiving output signals from the at least one sensor and the at least one threshold level indicator and for controlling supply of power to the at least one sensor and a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network. The controller is arranged to supply power to the at least one sensor in response to receiving an output signal from the at least one threshold level indicator indicative of the fluid level having exceeded the threshold fluid level.

Abstract: A pressure sewer control system includes a server in communication with one or more pressure sewer installations across a communications network, each of the one or more pressure sewer installations including a controller and one or more sewerage tanks. The server is configured to: determine weather data for a region associated with the pressure sewer installation; estimate power generating capability of a weather-dependent power generator based on the weather data; receive fluid level data indicative of a fluid level in the one or more sewerage tanks from the controller; determine whether a pump action should be instigated by the controller to pump fluid from the sewage tank based on the estimated power generating capability of the weather-dependent power generator and the fluid level data; and transmit a pump control instruction to the controller.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a management system for controlling operations of a reservoir. The management system comprises a wireless transceiver in communication with a controller associated with the reservoir to allow the management system to communicate with the controller over a communications network. The management system further comprises a processor for determining weather data for a particular region, wherein the reservoir is associated with the region, determining operation instructions based on at least the weather data; and transmitting via the wireless transceiver a command signal to the controller, wherein the command signal includes operation instructions for activating a flow control mechanism associated with the reservoir.

Abstract: Some embodiments facilitate remote monitoring of an activity at one or more facilities by a vehicle. Data is received at A communications interface from a remote device that is co-located with the vehicle. The data includes a vehicle identifier and a vehicle location indicator, A zone data record is accessed. The zone data record includes a plurality of zones, each zone having a virtual geographical boundary associated with a physical geographical area including at least one facility. It is determined that the vehicle is located within a zone of the zone data record for a preconfigured period of time based on the vehicle location indicator and the zone data record. Responsive to determining that the vehicle is located within the zone for the preconfigured period, performance of the activity at the one or more facilities by the vehicle is determined.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a pump control system for a pressure sewer installation. The system comprises a controller arranged to control supply of power to a pump of the pressure sewer installation. The controller is arranged to receive an output signal from a sensor in a fluid reservoir of the pressure sewer installation, the output signal being indicative of a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A memory is accessible to the controller and is arranged to store operation information pertaining to operation of the pressure sewer installation. A wireless transceiver is in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an access chamber to a pipe network. The system comprises at least one sensor for determining a fluid condition associated with fluid in a conduit of the pipe network and at least one threshold level indicator for determining a threshold fluid level in the access chamber, the at least one threshold level indicator being associated with the at least one sensor. The system further comprises a controller for receiving output signals from the at least one sensor and the at least one threshold level indicator and for controlling supply of power to the at least one sensor and a wireless transceiver in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network. The controller is arranged to supply power to the at least one sensor in response to receiving an output signal from the at least one threshold level indicator indicative of the fluid level having exceeded the threshold fluid level.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to methods and systems for providing a computerised safety monitor application in a handheld mobile computing device. An example method comprises: within the safety monitor application, allowing user configuration of a monitor time period; executing a timer function to run a timer from a beginning of the monitor time period; in response to a signal from the movement detection component indicative of movement of the mobile computing device by more than a threshold movement amount, resetting the timer to run from the beginning of the monitor period; and in response to the timer reaching an end of the monitor time period, generating and transmitting an alarm message to at least one remote destination using the wireless communication means of the handheld mobile computing device.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a fluid monitoring system, comprising: a housing positioned in-ground above a buried fluid conduit, the housing having a lockable access hatch to allow access to an internal volume of the housing from surface level; at least one sensor accessible through the internal volume and arranged to sense at least one condition of fluid in the fluid conduit; and a wireless telemetry unit supported in the housing and coupled to receive output signals from the at least one sensor in relation to the at least one condition. Some embodiments relate to methods usable by such systems. Some embodiments relate to fluid supply/drainage zone monitoring systems and methods employing multiple in-ground installations.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to a pump control system for a pressure sewer installation. The system comprises a controller arranged to control supply of power to a pump of the pressure sewer installation. The controller is arranged to receive an output signal from a sensor in a fluid reservoir of the pressure sewer installation, the output signal being indicative of a measured fluid level in the fluid reservoir. A memory is accessible to the controller and is arranged to store operation information pertaining to operation of the pressure sewer installation. A wireless transceiver is in communication with the controller to allow the controller to communicate with a remote server over a communications network.