In order to keep the deterioration of water distribution pipes from progressing, a tap water management system is provided with: a water pressure detection unit for detecting the water pressure in at least one location in a water distribution pipe for carrying clean water from a water distribution site to a consumer. and transmitting the detection result as water pressure information; a deterioration detection unit for detecting deterioration in at least one location in a water distribution pipe, and transmitting the detection result as deterioration information; a water distribution planning unit for causing a water distribution plan that is a plan for water distribution pressure to be determined on the basis of information regarding past water demand; a deterioration-reducing water distribution planning unit for deciding, on the basis of the water distribution plan, the water pressure information, and the deterioration information, a deterioration-reducing water distribution plan according to the extent of deterioration; a water distribution pressure changing unit for changing the water distribution pressure of the water distribution pipe; and a water distribution pressure control unit for controlling the water distribution pressure changing unit on the basis of the deterioration-reducing water distribution plan.

A model formation module (25) is provided for creating a model for controlling a pressure regulating system (7) of a water supply network (5), wherein the water supply network (5) is equipped with one or more pressure sensors of which at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b) is arranged remotely from the pressure regulating system (7), the model formation module (25) being configured to communicate with the at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b). The model formation module (25) is configured to create said model without a measured, determined or estimated flow value on the basis of at least one remote pressure value determined by the at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b) and on the basis of at least one load-dependent variable of the pressure regulating system (7), said model representing at least one pressure control curve for controlling the pressure regulating system (7).

A system is provided for differentiating between water usage of multiple water consumers using a common distributed water infrastructure. The system receives from a water sensor that is upstream of a plurality of appliances, signals indicative of water usage, and constructs from the signals a plurality of water event profile signatures. The system associates, based on differences between similar water event profiles, at least one water event profile signature with a first water consumer and associates a second water event profile signature with a second water consumer, and stores the water event profile signatures for the first water consumer and the second water consumer. The system constructs current water event profiles reflecting subsequent water usage in the distributed water infrastructure, and attributes a first current water event profile to the first water consumer and attributes a second current water event profile to the second water consumer.

An electricity generating device comprising a housing; a first lobed rotor and a second lobed rotor rotatably arranged in a fluid passage enclosed by the housing such that the lobes of the first and the second lobed rotor intermesh to create a barrier between a high-pressure and a low-pressure side of the housing during operation of the device; a first electricity generator to which the first lobed rotor is coupled, the first electricity generator being capable of varying the load of the first lobed rotor; and a second electricity generator to which the second lobed rotor is coupled, the second electricity generator being capable of varying the load of the second lobed rotor. There is also provided a method of synchronizing rotational positions of a first lobed rotor coupled to a first electricity generator and a second lobed rotor connected to a second electricity generator in a turbine.

A control system (15) controls a water supply from at least two separate input lines (3i-k) into a sector (1) of a water supply network. The control system (15) is configured to receive input flow information indicative of the water input flow (q.sub.i-k) through each of the input lines (3i-k). The control system (15) is configured to receive input pressure information indicative of the input pressure (p.sub.i) in at least one (3i) of the input lines (3i-k). The control system (15) is configured to receive pressure information indicative of at least one pressure value (p.sub.cri,m,n) determined by a pressure sensor (7m,n) within the sector (1). The control system (15) is configured to control the input pressure (p.sub.i) by controlling at least a pressure regulating system (13i) at an input line (3i) based on the input flow information from all input lines (3i-k) and based on the sector pressure information.

A control system (15) controls a water supply from at least two separate input lines (3i-k) into a sector (1) of a water supply network. The control system (15) is configured to receive input flow information indicative of the water input flow (q.sub.i-k) through each of the input lines (3i-k). The control system (15) is configured to receive input pressure information indicative of the input pressure (p.sub.i) in at least one (3i) of the input lines (3i-k). The control system (15) is configured to receive pressure information indicative of at least one pressure value (p.sub.cri,m,n) determined by a pressure sensor (7m,n) within the sector (1). The control system (15) is configured to control the input pressure (p.sub.i) by controlling at least a pressure regulating system (13i) at an input line (3i) based on the input flow information from all input lines (3i-k) and based on the sector pressure information.

A system and method for flushing a drinking water installation, comprises at least one riser or distribution pipe, branch pipes connected to the riser or distribution pipe, as well as consumer devices and flushing stations connected to the branch pipes. The flushing stations have measuring devices for the temperature change in the branch pipe or the throughflow through the branch pipe, and/or measuring devices for the temperature change or the throughflow. The system includes and the method uses a control unit which is connected to the measuring devices by means of data cables or by radio. The control unit has an evaluation module for the data transmitted by the measuring devices, and the evaluation module is set up to determine, on the basis of the transmitted data, which flushing stations need to be flushed simultaneously in order for the riser or distribution pipe to be flushed.

A system and method for flushing a drinking water installation, comprises at least one riser or distribution pipe, branch pipes connected to the riser or distribution pipe, as well as consumer devices and flushing stations connected to the branch pipes. The flushing stations have measuring devices for the temperature change in the branch pipe or the throughflow through the branch pipe, and/or measuring devices for the temperature change or the throughflow. The system includes and the method uses a control unit which is connected to the measuring devices by means of data cables or by radio. The control unit has an evaluation module for the data transmitted by the measuring devices, and the evaluation module is set up to determine, on the basis of the transmitted data, which flushing stations need to be flushed simultaneously in order for the riser or distribution pipe to be flushed.

An apparatus for controlling fluid flow, including a temperature sensitive material, having a first physical property at a first temperature and a second physical property at a second temperature, a device for controlling fluid flow, and a device for connecting the temperature sensitive material to the fluid flow control device. The connecting device may be configured so that the fluid flow control device is in a first position at the first temperature and in a second position at a second temperature. The temperature sensitive material may be aluminum wire or stainless steel wire. The temperature sensitive material may have the shape of an Archimedean spiral. The connecting device may be a motion amplifier. The first temperature may be a cryogenic temperature.

A system is provided for tracking, in a distributed water infrastructure, water usage by category. The system may comprise at least one processor configured to receive from at least one sensor associated with the distributed water infrastructure signals indicative of water usage in the distributed water infrastructure. The system may, based on the signals indicative of water usage, construct a plurality of profiles. The system may assign each profile to one of a plurality of water usage categories. The system may collect, from the at least one sensor, signals indicative of water usage for substantially all water delivered through the distributed water infrastructure in a time period. The system may construct a plurality of water usage profiles in the aggregate, encompassing substantially all water delivered through the distributed water infrastructure in the time period. The system may assign each constructed water usage profile to one of the plurality of water usage categories. The system may output, for display, water usage for the time period for each of the plurality of water usage categories.