Installed Valve Registration Using GPS and Secure Location Records
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Solution Overview
Problem
Valves for wastewater, water, or gas are often widely distributed and difficult to access, requiring regular maintenance, which is challenging due to their location and the need for precise registration without revealing their locations to third parties.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mobile communication device with a navigation satellite signal receiver to read and transmit valve markings and locations to a central server, allowing for precise registration and location tracking while maintaining secrecy, utilizing hybrid systems for improved location accuracy and incorporating unique markings for tracking and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If valve locations are registered in a central database for easy access and maintenance planning, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but valve position secrecy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments information access by creating different levels of database access. The central database stores precise valve locations, but access is segmented into different user roles: administrators can access precise locations for maintenance planning, while other users see only approximate or masked locations. This segmentation allows the same data to serve multiple purposes with different secrecy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality levels of location information are provided to different users or for different purposes. The database stores high-precision coordinates for internal maintenance use, while public or shared interfaces provide lower-precision or obfuscated location data. This local quality approach maintains secrecy while enabling efficient maintenance operations.
2Area of stationary object
If valves are widely distributed across large areas, then system coverage is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where maintenance personnel can report valve conditions, locations, and maintenance needs through mobile devices. This feedback loops back to the central database, enabling dynamic update of valve information. The system also provides feedback by guiding maintenance personnel to valve locations using navigation tools integrated with the database, making widely distributed valves accessible through intelligent routing and location guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical location-finding methods with electronic information systems. Instead of physically searching for distributed valves, the system uses centralized databases, mobile communication devices, and GPS navigation to guide maintenance personnel directly to valve locations. This substitution of mechanical search with electronic information retrieval dramatically improves accessibility despite wide distribution.
3Reliability
If regular service is required for distributed valves, then reliability is improved, but time and resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables preliminary action by maintaining a centralized database of all valve locations, specifications, and maintenance histories. Before maintenance personnel arrive at a site, the system can prepare maintenance orders, provide valve-specific instructions, and route personnel optimally. This preliminary preparation reduces on-site service time while maintaining reliability through consistent maintenance schedules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-service capabilities where valves equipped with sensors can automatically report their status, maintenance needs, and location information to the central database. This automated self-reporting eliminates the need for manual inspections of all valves, reducing service time while maintaining reliability through continuous monitoring. Maintenance personnel only need to respond to valves that actually need service.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable and efficient registration of valves, facilitating easy location and identification, while maintaining secrecy of valve positions, and allowing for precise tracking and maintenance planning.
Implementation Method 1
establishing a valve location by means of a navigation satellite signal receiver
Data Source
AI summary
A method of registering an installed valve (VLV) is disclosed,the installed valve (VLV) having a marking (MA) associated to an identity (ID),the method comprising the steps ofproviding a mobile communication device (DEV), the mobile communication device (DEV) comprising a navigation satellite signal receiver (NSSR),establishing a registration of the valve (VLV) by performing the following steps with the mobile communication device (DEV),reading the marking (MA) attached to the valve (VLV),establishing a valve location (VL) by means of the navigation satellite signal receiver (NSSR), andtransmitting at least one data package (DP) to a central server (CS), said at least one data package (DP) comprising a representation of the marking (MA) or the associated identity (ID) and the established valve location (VL),receiving at the central server (CS) said at least one data package (DP),establishing at the central server (CS) a valve record (VR) associating the identity (ID) to the established valve location (VL), andstoring the valve record (VR) in a database (DB).A digital photograph of the installed valve may also be included in the one or more data packages.