IP Library Granted Patent US 12,135,532
Granted Patent B2
US 12,135,532 · App. 17/005,511 · Granted Nov 5, 2024

Flow monitor and power generator and methods for flow monitoring and power generation

Inventors: Himanshu Subhash Amin (Solon, OH); Michael E. Giorgi (Hudson, OH)
Assignee: Guard Dog Valves LLC
G05B19/042G05B2219/2639
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,135,532
App. No.
17/005,511
Granted
Nov 5, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Techniques regarding material flow regulation and power generation are provided herein. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can regard a device or system for regulating material flow and power generation. The system can comprise a processor that executes computer executable components stored in a memory. The system can also comprise a coupling component which can secure the system to a pipe. The system can further comprise a power generation component that can generate power from material flowing through the pipe and a power output component which can output power generated by the power generation component.

Claims (62)

1. A system, comprising:

a processor that executes computer executable components stored in a memory;

a coupling component that secures the system to a pipe;

a power generation component that generates power from material flowing through the pipe;

a power storage component that stores power generated by the power generation component;

a power output component that outputs power generated by the power generation component;

a tracking component that tracks and records information relating to the system;

an analysis component that analyzes the tracked and recorded information;

an artificial intelligence component that learns power needs of an at least one product that receives power generated by the power generation component;

a configuration component that determines a desired material flow;

a regulation component that adjusts material flow through the pipe, wherein:

when the artificial intelligence component is active, the regulation component adjusts material flow according to the learned power needs of the at least one product; and

when the artificial intelligence component is not active, the regulation component adjusts material flow according to the desired material flow determined by the configuration component; and

a power component that:

in response to determining that a receiver is connected to the system, outputs the generated power to the receiver via the power output component; and

in response to determining that a receiver is not connected to the system, stores the generated power via the power storage component.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a power storage component that stores power received from the power output component.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the power generation component comprises a turbine generator.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the material flowing through the pipe comprises natural gas.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the material flowing through the pipe comprises water.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the information further comprises a presence of water inside a structure containing the system.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: an artificial intelligence component that determines the relevance of the power generated to a context of the valve device in association with an external condition.

8. The artificial intelligence component of claim 7 , wherein the relevance of the power generated is determined using machine learning.

9. The power generation component of claim 1 , further comprising: a locking component which prevents a turbine from rotating.

10. The power generation component of claim 9 , further comprising: a braking component which reduces rotational speed of a turbine.

11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a replaceable battery that receives the power generated from material flowing through the pipe.

12. A method, comprising:

determining, by a system comprising a processor and coupled to a pipe, a flow of material through the pipe;

generating, by the system, power from material flowing through the pipe;

tracking and recording, by the system, information relating to the system;

analyzing, by the system, the tracked and recorded information;

learning, by the system, power needs of an at least one product that receives power generated by the system;

determining, by the system, a desired material flow of material flowing through the pipe;

adjusting, by the system, material flow through the pipe, wherein:

the material flow is adjusted according to the learned power needs of the at least one product; or

the material flow is adjusted according to a predetermined desired material flow; and

determining, by the system, whether a receiver is connected to the system, wherein:

where it is determined that a receiver is connected to the system, outputting, by the system, the generated power to the receiver; and

where it is determined that a receiver is not connected to the system, storing the generated power to a power storage device coupled to the system.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising detecting a condition external to the system by a sensor communicatively coupled to the system.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the adjusting comprises stopping the flow of material through the pipe.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

monitoring, by the system, a volume of the flow through the pipe.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

outputting, by the system, a signal comprising information determined during the monitoring.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the outputting comprises powering a device coupled to the system.

18. A non-transitory computer readable program product that facilitates operations of a valve device, the computer program product comprising readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

enable a turbine of the valve device to generate electricity;

determine a current flow of material through the valve device;

determine a desired flow of material through the valve device;

learn power needs of an at least one product that receives the electricity generated by the valve device;

determine whether a receiver is connected to the valve device, wherein:

when the receiver is connected, adjusting the flow of material according to the power needs of the at least on product;

when the receiver is not connected, adjusting the flow of material according to the determined desired flow of material through the valve device;

cause an output component to direct the electricity generated by the turbine to an output location of the valve device;

determine an amount of electricity generated by the turbine;

store information associated with the determined the amount of electricity to a memory of the valve device.

19. The non-transitory computer readable program product of claim 18 , wherein the program instructions further cause the processor to:

employ machine learning and artificial intelligence to determine relevance of the electricity generated to a context of the valve device in association with an external condition.

20. The non-transitory computer readable program of claim 18 , wherein the program instructions further cause the processor to:

generate a signal corresponding to the information.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: AMIN, HIMANSHU S.; GIORGI, MICHAEL E.
To: GUARD DOG VALVES LLC
Reel/Frame 053626/0355 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62926902 · Oct 28, 2019
Related Publication 20210124323A1 · Apr 29, 2021