US 11,754,432 B2
System and method for detecting problems within compound water meters
David Mackie, Austin, TX (US); Stefan Grefen, Nierstein (DE); and Corey James Boelter, Round Rock, TX (US)
Assigned to Olea Networks, Inc., Bee Cave, TX (US)
Filed by Olea Networks, Inc., Bee Cave, TX (US)
Filed on Jan. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/154,410.
Prior Publication US 2022/0228901 A1, Jul. 21, 2022
Int. Cl. G01F 25/10 (2022.01); G01D 4/00 (2006.01); G01F 1/60 (2006.01); G06Q 50/06 (2012.01)
CPC G01F 25/10 (2022.01) [G01D 4/004 (2013.01); G01F 1/60 (2013.01); G06Q 50/06 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a compound water meter, comprising:
a pipe system that includes a low flow section, a high flow section and a bypass section;
a first valve located at a junction between the low flow section and the high flow section, wherein the first valve is pressure operated to direct fluid flow into the low flow section and/or the high flow section based on a pressure at the first valve;
a low flow meter for monitoring the fluid flow through the low flow section;
a high flow meter for monitoring the fluid flow through the high flow section; and
a second valve, which redirects the fluid flow through the bypass section and bypasses the low flow meter and the high flow meter when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened;
a plurality of sensors coupled at various points within the compound water meter, wherein the plurality of sensors include:
a first sensor package coupled to the low flow meter to monitor operation of the low flow meter; and
a second sensor package coupled to the high flow meter to monitor operation of the high flow meter;
a third sensor package coupled to the bypass section to monitor the fluid flow, a water pressure of the fluid flow, or a combination of the fluid flow and the water pressure through the bypass section when the second value is opened;
a processing device coupled to receive sensor data from the plurality of sensors and configured to execute program instructions to analyze the sensor data to detect problems within the compound water meter, wherein the processing device is configured to execute the program instructions to analyze the sensor data received from one or more sensors included within the first sensor package, the second sensor package and the third sensor package to detect:
(a) a crossover failure within the compound water meter, wherein the crossover failure occurs when the first valve fails to redirect the fluid flow from the low flow section to the high flow section at a specified fluid flow rate; and
(b) a bypass open condition within the compound water meter, wherein the bypass open condition occurs when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened to redirect the fluid flow through the bypass section and bypass the low flow meter and the high flow meter.