F17D1/00

System and method for agent-based control of sewer infrastructure
10113304 · 2018-10-30 · ·

The present invention is a method and system for control of sewer systems. The invention may implement ABRTC (RTC) to dynamically control of sewer systems to accomplish a desired outcome, such as CSO or SSO reduction or reduce water pollution or reduce surface flooding. In one embodiment, an Agent-Based RTC System assigns an agent to each sewer asset. Each agent measures the current state of its corresponding asset and assigns a virtual cost to any incoming flow to the asset based on the asset hydraulic or water quality state. The virtual cost is communicated to other assets upstream or downstream that may change the hydraulic or water quality state of the asset communicating the virtual cost. The network of agents may thus control the sewer to achieve the desired objective, such as asset hydraulic or water quality state.

MIXING VALVE
20180305909 · 2018-10-25 ·

A mixing valve that includes a housing having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve for controlling flow through the first outlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve for controlling flow through the second outlet to the mixing chamber; wherein the housing has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and the largest of these dimensions is no more than approximately 65 millimeters.

MIXING VALVE
20180305909 · 2018-10-25 ·

A mixing valve that includes a housing having a first outlet, a second outlet, and a mixing chamber; a first flow control valve for controlling flow through the first outlet to the mixing chamber; and a second flow control valve for controlling flow through the second outlet to the mixing chamber; wherein the housing has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension, and the largest of these dimensions is no more than approximately 65 millimeters.

Method of controlling mixing valve
10106964 · 2018-10-23 · ·

A method including configuring a valve so that an operating force to actuate the valve when in an open position is substantially independent of water flow. The valve includes a first valve member assembly comprising a spool having a connector portion; a first valve member mounted on the spool at a first location and configured to seat against a first valve outlet in a closed position of the valve; and a second valve member mounted on the spool at a second location spaced apart from the first location and configured to seat against a second valve outlet in the closed position of the valve. The method also includes controlling the valve to output a flow of the water having a desired flow rate by moving the spool in a linear direction with a portion of a stepper motor coupled directly to the connector portion of the spool.

Method of controlling mixing valve
10106964 · 2018-10-23 · ·

A method including configuring a valve so that an operating force to actuate the valve when in an open position is substantially independent of water flow. The valve includes a first valve member assembly comprising a spool having a connector portion; a first valve member mounted on the spool at a first location and configured to seat against a first valve outlet in a closed position of the valve; and a second valve member mounted on the spool at a second location spaced apart from the first location and configured to seat against a second valve outlet in the closed position of the valve. The method also includes controlling the valve to output a flow of the water having a desired flow rate by moving the spool in a linear direction with a portion of a stepper motor coupled directly to the connector portion of the spool.

Flow control system
10101754 · 2018-10-16 ·

An application for a flow control system includes a pressure vessel, positioned within the interior of a container which is fluidly interfaced to a downstream drainage system. The pressure vessel has at least one opening through its lower surface, through which it is slideably engaged over the exterior of a closed conduit which is in fluid communication with an upstream reservoir. There is no need for a seal between the pressure vessel and the closed conduit such that the interior of the pressure vessel is in fluid communication with the interior of the container. Additional openings, from the interior of the pressure vessel may also be provided. A means to restrain the pressure vessel from significant lateral movement is provided. As the fluid pressure rises in the pressure vessel in response to an increase in the fluid level in the upstream reservoir, the openings through the pressure vessel rise to prescribed level and the release rate of fluid into the downstream drainage system is maintained at a prescribed rate or range of rates as the fluid level continues to rise.

Jet control devices and methods

Examples of a jet control device are described. The jet control device can comprise a jet deflecting member that is configured to intercept and/or collide with a high speed jet emerging from a jet formation location. The interaction of the jet deflecting member and the jet can cause the high speed jet to be dispersed into a plurality of jets with a number of flow directions which may be sideways to an initial direction of the high speed jet. In one embodiment the deflecting member can include a liquid guide formed by injecting a fluid out of an outlet nozzle so that the liquid guide extends longitudinally away from the outlet nozzle. In another embodiment the deflecting member can include an array of solid pellets injected through an outlet in a direction of the emerging high speed jet and configured to collide with the emerging jet thereby deflecting its initial direction.

Jet control devices and methods

Examples of a jet control device are described. The jet control device can comprise a jet deflecting member that is configured to intercept and/or collide with a high speed jet emerging from a jet formation location. The interaction of the jet deflecting member and the jet can cause the high speed jet to be dispersed into a plurality of jets with a number of flow directions which may be sideways to an initial direction of the high speed jet. In one embodiment the deflecting member can include a liquid guide formed by injecting a fluid out of an outlet nozzle so that the liquid guide extends longitudinally away from the outlet nozzle. In another embodiment the deflecting member can include an array of solid pellets injected through an outlet in a direction of the emerging high speed jet and configured to collide with the emerging jet thereby deflecting its initial direction.

Process for transferring a liquid using a pump

A process to pump liquid held in a passive tank to an active tank when the active tank has a liquid level below a set point level and when the passive tank contains liquid at a temperature above the freezing point of the liquid, the active tank including a discontinuous level gauge configured to provide at least x+1 indications of the level of liquid in tank as a function of the relative position of a moving part with respect to x set point levels, x being at least equal to 2. The process includes: reading the level indication from a level gauge; starting a pump and measuring a time during which a pump transfers liquid; stopping the pump if this time is greater than a time constant, which depends on the value of the level indication, and if a next set point level is not reached.

Process for transferring a liquid using a pump

A process to pump liquid held in a passive tank to an active tank when the active tank has a liquid level below a set point level and when the passive tank contains liquid at a temperature above the freezing point of the liquid, the active tank including a discontinuous level gauge configured to provide at least x+1 indications of the level of liquid in tank as a function of the relative position of a moving part with respect to x set point levels, x being at least equal to 2. The process includes: reading the level indication from a level gauge; starting a pump and measuring a time during which a pump transfers liquid; stopping the pump if this time is greater than a time constant, which depends on the value of the level indication, and if a next set point level is not reached.