Sensing and notification systems and methods

Abstract

A water-borne hazard detection and notification system deployed between water treatment facilities and water's points of use can include sensors (e.g., flow rate, microorganism detectors, and chemical detectors) and can be microprocessor controlled. Sensors detect microorganisms and / or chemicals within a water distribution system. Treatment areas can be deployed at various stages along a water distribution system, allowing for protection redundancy. Detector and / or treatment systems can be networked to remote monitoring systems (e.g., networked data / communications equipment located with agencies operating and command and control units) through wired and / or wireless network communication means and devices. Data networked monitoring and assessment can enable rapid deployment of counter measures (e.g., valve shut-off, UV treatment, field team deployment). Systems can be staged, providing for a system comprising more than one detection, shut-off and / or treatment. Staging can provide for concentrated redundancy prior to delivery of water to its point of use.

Description

APPLICATION PRIORITY [0001] This application claims priority as a continuation application to patent application Ser. No. 10 / 389,355, filed Mar. 13, 2003, entitled “LASER WATER DETECTION, TREATMENT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, which claims priority to a provisional patent application Ser. No. 66 / 364,509 filed Mar. 14, 2002 entitled “LASER WATER DETECTION, TREATMENT AND NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS.”BACKGROUND [0002] The water supplied to U.S. communities is potentially vulnerable to terrorist attacks by insertion of biological agents. The possibility of such attacks is now of considerable concern. Biological agents could be a threat if they were inserted at critical points in a water supply system; theoretically, they could cause a large number of casualties. [0003] History repeats itself. Deliberate chemical biological contamination of water supplies has been a common occurrence throughout history. Attacks have ranged from the crude dumping of human and animal cadaver...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a system for protecting water supplies from physical security threats. The system includes sensing and notification systems, as well as treatment areas to cleanse water. The treatment areas use laser light sources to kill harmful microorganisms. The system can also include flow sensors and microorganism detectors to activate the laser light sources. The system can be staged and include means to detect and analyze microorganisms and chemicals in the water distribution system. The technical effects of the invention include improved security and protection of water supplies from physical threats.

Problems solved by technology

Particles can cause light to be absorbed or scattered, thereby reducing the effectiveness of laser treatment, therefore filtration prior to laser treatment is preferred.

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