Low power regulator system and method
AssigneeFisher Controls International LLC
InventorsRichard J. Vanderah, Paul R. Adams, David E. Woolums, Jon B. Milliken
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors. The controller and each of the individual sensors are activated as required to collect sensor data during a sampling period thereby reducing the amount of power consumed by the pressure regulator system. Further power conservation measures are implemented by using a battery sensor to monitor the capacity of the pressure regulator battery and placing the pressure regulator in reduced power consumption operating modes as the capacity of the battery is reduced.
Claims29
A method for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors where the controller is configured to collect sensor data, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the controller in a first mode;
- issuing a first controller command to activate a selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- placing the controller in a second mode for a first predetermined period of time where the controller consumes a reduced amount of power in the second mode than when operating in the first mode;
- placing the controller in the first mode after the first predetermined period has lapsed;
- and
- issuing a second controller command to collect sensor data from the selected sensor.
A method for collecting sensor data in a pressure regulator system including a controller and a plurality of sensors, where the controller is configured to collect sensor data from each of the plurality of sensors during a sampling period, and wherein the controller is adapted to be placed in an operational made or in a sleep mode where the controller consumes a reduced amount of power when operating in the sleep mode than when operating in the operational mode, the method comprising the steps of:
- activating a first selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- placing the controller in the sleep mode for a first predetermined period of time where the first predetermined period of time approximately equals the amount of time necessary for the first selected sensor to warm up sufficiently to provide accurate sensor data;
- collecting sensor data from the first selected sensor;
- deactivating the first selected sensor;
- activating a second selected sensor of the plurality of sensors;
- placing the controller in the sleet mode for a second predetermined period of time with a second predetermined period of time approximately equals the amount of time necessary for the second selected sensor to warm up sufficiently to provide accurate sensor data;
- collecting sensor data from the second selected sensor;
- and
- deactivating the second selected sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.