Abstract: A method and apparatus for valve position state estimation within a conduit or conduit network, comprising: acoustically coupling a plurality of acoustic sensors to a fluid disposed within the conduit or conduit network, wherein one of the plurality of acoustic sensors is disposed upstream of a valve under test and one of the plurality of acoustic sensors is disposed downstream of the valve under test; transmitting a structured acoustic signal from a transmitting acoustic sensor to a receiving acoustic sensor, wherein the structured acoustic signal passes through the valve under test between the transmitting acoustic sensor and the receiving acoustic sensor; at the transmitting acoustic sensor, receiving a reflected structured acoustic signal after the structured acoustic signal is reflected from the valve under test; and, using a two-port analysis, characterizing a flow state of the valve under test based on the structured acoustic signal received at the receiving acoustic sensor and the reflected structured

Abstract: Pipeline networks are ubiquitous for transporting fluids. Failure modes may result in a wide spectrum of negative effects ranging from energy loss to revenue loss to catastrophic failure with loss of life. The present invention introduces innovative technology to detect, identify and locate events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network. The present invention addresses the issues with the prior art based on the following innovations—exploiting the signal processing enabled by detecting a passive acoustic signal in conjunction with both an active reflected acoustic signal and an active transmitted acoustic signal within a pipeline segment. These measurements can be aggregated to reduce the effects of ambient noise and improve the invention's ability to detect, identify and locate anomalous events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network.

Abstract: Pipeline networks are ubiquitous for transporting fluids. Failure modes may result in a wide spectrum of negative effects ranging from energy loss to revenue loss to catastrophic failure with loss of life. The present invention introduces innovative technology to detect, identify and locate events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network. The present invention addresses the issues with the prior art based on the following innovations—exploiting the signal processing enabled by detecting the passive acoustic signal in conjunction with both an active reflected acoustic signal and an active transmittive acoustic signal within a pipeline segment. These measurements can be aggregated to reduce the effects of ambient noise and improve the invention's ability to detect, identify and locate anomalous events representing failure modes and/or precursors to failure modes within a pipeline network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for valve position state estimation within a conduit or conduit network, comprising: acoustically coupling a plurality of acoustic sensors to a fluid disposed within the conduit or conduit network, wherein one of the plurality of acoustic sensors is disposed upstream of a valve under test and one of the plurality of acoustic sensors is disposed downstream of the valve under test; transmitting a structured acoustic signal from a transmitting acoustic sensor to a receiving acoustic sensor, wherein the structured acoustic signal passes through the valve under test between the transmitting acoustic sensor and the receiving acoustic sensor; at the transmitting acoustic sensor, receiving a reflected structured acoustic signal after the structured acoustic signal is reflected from the valve under test; and, using a two-port analysis, characterizing a flow state of the valve under test based on the structured acoustic signal received at the receiving acoustic sensor and the reflected structured

Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring system for a conduit network including one or more conduit sections joined at one or more conduit nodes, including: one or more sensor devices disposed at selected ones of the one or more conduit nodes, wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for sensing a blockage or breakage in an associated conduit section, and wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for communicating blockage or breakage information to a central location. Optionally, each of the sensor devices includes one of an audio sensor device and a radio frequency sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for sensing the blockage or breakage in the associated conduit section by measuring an attribute of a transmitted/received signal, alone or in combination with another sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for communicating the blockage or breakage information to the central location via a wireless link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high temperature thermoelectric generator. The generator includes at least one thermocouple thermally connected to a high temperature surface, a power management circuit adapted to receive electric power from the at least one thermocouple and provide a regulated output voltage, and a storage device adapted to receive the regulated output voltage from the power management circuit such that the output voltage charges the storage device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a monitoring system for a conduit network including one or more conduit sections joined at one or more conduit nodes, including: one or more sensor devices disposed at selected ones of the one or more conduit nodes, wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for sensing a blockage or breakage in an associated conduit section, and wherein each of the one or more sensor devices is operable for communicating blockage or breakage information to a central location. Optionally, each of the sensor devices includes one of an audio sensor device and a radio frequency sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for sensing the blockage or breakage in the associated conduit section by measuring an attribute of a transmitted/received signal, alone or in combination with another sensor device. Each of the sensor devices is operable for communicating the blockage or breakage information to the central location via a wireless link.