Gas AMI Telemetry Nodes for Cathodic Protection Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current telemetry systems for gas utilities are labor-intensive and costly, particularly in monitoring pressure and cathodic protection systems, and lack efficient methods for collecting high-resolution temperature data, leading to inaccurate gas consumption measurements and billing issues due to power constraints at measurement sites.
Innovation Solution
A telemetry system utilizing low-power consumption nodes and endpoints, including battery-powered devices, that transmit utility usage data and operational conditions over an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) network, enabling efficient monitoring and billing adjustments based on micro-climactic conditions, with features like voltage measurement for fault identification in cathodic protection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional telemetry systems are used for monitoring pressure and cathodic protection systems, then system integrity can be monitored, but the systems are labor-intensive and expensive to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring processes with automated electronic telemetry systems that use microcontrollers, sensors, and wireless communication to automatically collect and transmit data from remote locations, eliminating the need for labor-intensive manual readings and visits
Solution Approach 2:
The telemetry system enables self-monitoring capability where the system automatically performs measurements, validates data quality, and transmits information without requiring human intervention, allowing the monitoring function to serve itself continuously
2Measurement precision
If high-resolution temperature data is collected at multiple points throughout the service territory, then billing accuracy can be improved by accounting for micro-climactic conditions, but the cost of deployment increases due to power requirements for radio systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic wake-sleep cycles where the microcontroller and radio remain in low-power sleep mode and only activate periodically to perform measurements, validate data, and transmit information, dramatically reducing average power consumption while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs battery-powered endpoints with long-life batteries designed to operate for extended periods without replacement, accepting the trade-off of using disposable power sources rather than requiring AC power infrastructure at remote locations
3Ease of operation
If cellular modems with large batteries are used at measurement sites lacking AC power, then data transmission is enabled, but frequent battery replacement is required increasing maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the power consumption parameters by using ultra-low-power microcontrollers and radios with optimized sleep modes, extending battery life from months to years, thereby eliminating the need for frequent maintenance in practical deployment
4Loss of information
If pressure recorders use paper charts that are replaced weekly or downloaded to portable computers, then pressure data can be recorded, but the process is labor-intensive and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical paper chart recorders with electronic pressure sensors connected to microcontrollers that automatically digitize, validate, and wirelessly transmit pressure data, eliminating manual chart reading, transcription, and data transfer processes
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed are apparatus and related methodologies for transmitting data in a gas AMI network. Data may be transmitted bi-directionally between selected endpoint devices and data collection devices to central or head end equipment. Transmitted data may include parameter updating data for selected endpoint devices, and collected data from selected endpoint devices. Endpoint physical area conditions may be monitored for selected of the endpoint devices including monitoring for and reporting of physical changes in the area surrounding cathodic protection systems. The present concepts may be extended to implementation in conjunction with water and electricity metering environments.