# US 2019/0356537 A1 · System using remote telemetry unit having a capacitor based backup power system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0356537 A1 - Document ID: US20190356537A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/412,655 - Filed: 2019-05-15 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-16 - Assignees: Electric Pump, Inc. - Inventors: Bruce Grindeland - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190356537A1 ## CPC - F04B 51/00: Testing machines, pumps, or pumping installations - F04B 23/04: Combinations of two or more pumps - G01R 31/08: Locating faults in cables, transmission lines, or networks - G01R 31/40: Testing power supplies (testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10) - H04L 41/0677: Localisation of faults - H04L 41/0681: Configuration of triggering conditions - H04L 43/08: Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters - H04L 43/0823: Errors, e.g. transmission errors - F04B 2207/703: Stopping - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A system is presented that monitors the condition of a plurality of pumps in a system of pumps using a remote telemetry unit (RTU) associated with each pump. The RTUs have a sensor configured to detect when a power failure occurs and a power backup system that includes at least one capacitor that is configured to power the RTU in response to a power failure long enough for the RTU to transmit a power failure signal to a computer system that monitors the status of the pumps. The computer system initiates a delay timer in response to receiving a power failure signal and transmits a power failure signal to a technician if a power up signal is not received within the time set by the delay timer. Using capacitors instead of batteries allows the RTU to be sealed within a container and/or a potting compound. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for monitoring the operation of a system of a plurality of pumps, the steps comprising: providing a plurality of remote telemetry units (RTUs) with at least one associated pump, wherein the RTUs are configured to detect a power failure and have at least one capacitor configured to provide temporary power to the RTU in the event of a power failure; wirelessly connecting the plurality of RTUs to a computer system; detecting a power failure by a first RTU; powering the first RTU using at least one capacitor for a temporary period of time; transmitting a power failure signal by the first RTU to the computer system after the power failure is detected by the first RTU; setting a delay timer by the computer system in response to receiving the power failure signal from the first RTU; indicating the first RTU is in a power failure state if a power-up signal is not received by the computer system within the amount of time set by the delay timer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first RTU is configured to detect a power failure using a sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one capacitor of the first RTU is housed within a sealed housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first RTU is configured to detect a power failure using a sensor, wherein the sensor of the first RTU is housed within a sealed housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one capacitor of the first RTU is sealed in a potting compound. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first RTU is configured to detect a power failure using a sensor, wherein the sensor of the first RTU is sealed in a potting compound. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of RTUs are displayed on an interactive map. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is a cloud based server. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is a computer master unit which is part of a mesh network within wireless communication range of the plurality of RTUs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is connected to a cellular tower. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is connected to a cloud based server. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the computer system is connected to a computer interface which is reviewed by a technician that monitors the system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the power failure state is confirmed for the first RTU when a power-up signal is not received within a predetermined amount of time set by the delay timer and a power failure signal is transmitted to a technician that monitors the system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the power failure state is confirmed for the first RTU when a power-up signal is not received within a predetermined amount of time set by the delay timer and a power failure signal is displayed on a computer interface on an interactive map to a technician that monitors the system. ### Claim 15 A communication system for indicating a failure state of a pump, the system comprising: a pump; a remote telemetry unit (RTU) electrically connected to the pump; the RTU configured to detect a power failure; the RTU having a power backup system having at least one capacitor, wherein the power backup system is configured to provide temporary power to the RTU when a power failure is detected by the RTU; the RTU having a communication module including an antenna that is configured to transmit signals regarding the condition of the RTU; a computer system configured to receive signals from the RTU indicating a present condition of the RTU; wherein the computer system is configured to send out an alert to a technician when a failure state is confirmed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising the RTU having a sensor configured to detect a power failure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the computer system is configured to initiate a delay timer if the present signal received from the RTU indicates a condition of the RTU is FAILED. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 wherein the computer system is configured to indicate the RTU is in a FAILED condition if the computer system receives a FAILED signal from the RTU and the computer system does not receive a GOOD signal from the RTU within an amount of time set by a delay timer initiated by the computer system. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, further comprising the RTU having a constant current charging system configured to charge the at least one capacitor of the power backup system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the computer system annunciates a FAILED condition to a receiver monitored by a technician when the FAILED signal is received by the computer system and a GOOD signal is not received within a period of time set by a delay timer initiated in response to the FAILED signal being received. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the computer system is configured to initiate an alarm start delay timer if the signal indicates a condition of the remote telemetry unit is FAILED and the previously recorded condition was GOOD. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the remote telemetry unit is arranged in a sealed structure. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein a power backup system of the remote telemetry unit is entirely within a sealed structure. ### Claim 24 A communication system for indicating a failure state of a pump, the system comprising: a pump; a remote telemetry unit (RTU) electrically connected to the pump; the RTU configured to detect a power failure; the RTU having a communication module including an antenna that is configured to transmit signals regarding the condition of the RTU; the RTU including a power backup system having at least one capacitor; the RTU, including the power backup system having at least one capacitor, positioned within a sealed housing; wherein when a power failure occurs the RTU detects the power failure; wherein when the RTU detects a power failure has occurred the at least one capacitor of the power backup system provides temporary power to the RTU; wherein when a power failure occurs and the at least one capacitor of the power backup system provides temporary power to the RTU, the RTU transmits a power failure signal to a computer system that is configured to monitor the status of the RTU; wherein when the computer system that is configured to monitor the status of the RTU receives a power failure signal from the RTU, the computer system initiates a power failure delay timer and the computer system transmits a power failure signal to a technician if a power up signal is not received within a delay period of the power failure delay timer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, further comprising the RTU having a sensor configured to detect a power failure. ### Claim 26 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the at least one capacitor of the power backup system is sealed within a potting compound. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the computer system configured to monitor the status of the RTU is a computer master unit. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The system of claim 26, wherein the computer system configured to monitor the status of the RTU is a server in the cloud. ### Claim 29 A communication system for indicating a failure state of a pump, the system comprising: a pump; a remote telemetry unit (RTU) electrically connected to the pump; the RTU configured to detect a power failure; the RTU having a communication module including an antenna that is configured to transmit signals regarding the condition of the RTU; the RTU including the power backup system having at least one capacitor; the RTU, including the power backup system having at least one capacitor, sealed within a potting compound; wherein when a power failure occurs the RTU detects the power failure; wherein the RTU detects a power failure has occurred the at least one capacitor of the power backup system provides temporary power to the RTU; wherein when a power failure occurs and the at least one capacitor of the power backup system provides temporary power to the RTU, the RTU transmits a power failure signal to a computer system that is configured to monitor the status of the RTU; wherein when the computer system that is configured to monitor the status of the RTU receives a power failure signal from the RTU, the computer system initiates a power failure delay timer and the computer system transmits a power failure signal to a technician if a power up signal is not received within a delay period of the power failure delay timer. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29, further comprising the RTU having a sensor configured to detect a power failure. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29, wherein the at least one capacitor of the power backup system is sealed within a potting compound. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29, wherein the computer system configured to monitor the status of the RTU is a computer master unit. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The system of claim 29, wherein the computer system configured to monitor the status of the RTU is a server in the cloud.