Apparatus and Method for Measuring Water Quality in a Water Meter Data Collection System
OwnerRichard A. Meeusen, Gregory M. Gomez +4inventors
InventorsRichard A. Meeusen, Gregory M. Gomez, Donald J. Faber, Dennis J. Webb, Daniel D. Zandron, Mark Lazar
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Abstract
A system for monitoring water quality in a water meter data collection system having a plurality of metering end points (E) for measuring consumption includes a plurality of chemical biological and environmental sensors (S1, S2) disposed in a distribution system near or within the distribution end points (A, B), with the sensors (S1, S2) generating electrical signals through a network (G) that can be processed and communicated with the water meter data to a collection station (D) from the metering end points (E).
Claims20
-20. (canceled)
Apparatus for sensing water quality at a water metering system end point, the apparatus comprising:
- a fluid flow metering element and a device that converts metering signals or movements of a flow metering element to electrical signals representing units of consumption;
- communication interface circuitry for converting the electrical signals representing units of consumption to meter data signals;
- means for electronically communicating the meter data signals to an external data collection device;
- and
- a sensor disposed in or near the fluid flow metering element to associated therewith and to sense a quality of the water, said sensor producing a water quality status signal to the communication interface circuitry, and
- wherein the communication interface circuitry is responsive to the water quality status signal to incorporate said water quality status signal into a group of data signals including meter data signals;
- and
- wherein said means for electronically communicating the meter data will also communicate the water quality status signal in a transmission to a collection station in a water meter data collection network.
A method for sensing water quality at a water metering system end point, the method comprising:
- converting movements of a fluid flow metering element to electrical signals representing units of consumption;
- converting the electrical signals representing units of consumption to meter data signals;
- electronically communicating the meter data signals to an external data collection device;
- and
- sensing a quality of the water in or near the fluid flow metering element, said sensor producing a water quality status signal;
- and
- including said water quality status signal in a group of meter data signals to be transmitted to a collection station;
- and
- electronically communicating the water status signal with the meter data to a collection station in a water meter data collection network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.