Certain aspects and features include techniques for reporting resource flow at a metering device. In an example, a metering device measures resource flow by measuring a pressure or a flow rate. The metering device sets a reporting rate to a default reporting rate. The metering device transmits communications indicating the measured resource flow to an external device at the reporting rate. The metering device detects seismic activity at the metering device. The metering device determines that the seismic activity exceeds a seismic threshold. The metering device, in response to determining that the seismic activity exceeds the seismic threshold, adjusts the reporting rate to an event reporting rate, and starts an event time period. The metering device, transmits communications indicating the measured resource flow to the external device at the event reporting rate during the event time period.

A control system for a natural gas distribution network, includes: a processing unit suited to communicate, through corresponding signals, with one or more control devices operatively connected to the distribution network; a rechargeable battery which supplies power to the processing unit; a power supply device suited to recharge the rechargeable battery. The power supply device includes: a thermoelectric generator connected to the rechargeable battery; a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger respectively in contact with two opposite sides of the thermoelectric generator; a vortex tube which receives part of the natural gas from the distribution network and divides it into a colder portion and into a warmer portion; a first duct suited to convey the colder portion into the first heat exchanger; a second duct suited to convey the warmer portion into the second heat exchanger.

A control system for a natural gas distribution network, includes: a processing unit suited to communicate, through corresponding signals, with one or more control devices operatively connected to the distribution network; a rechargeable battery which supplies power to the processing unit; a power supply device suited to recharge the rechargeable battery. The power supply device includes: a thermoelectric generator connected to the rechargeable battery; a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger respectively in contact with two opposite sides of the thermoelectric generator; a vortex tube which receives part of the natural gas from the distribution network and divides it into a colder portion and into a warmer portion; a first duct suited to convey the colder portion into the first heat exchanger; a second duct suited to convey the warmer portion into the second heat exchanger.

In one example, there is provided a computer-implemented method for estimating, at a given time, a fluid flow state in a conduit of a property, comprising: obtaining historical data associated with at least one fluid flow state in the conduit, wherein the historical data comprises a history of the probability of the at least one fluid flow state in the conduit; obtaining a probability model for the at least one fluid flow state, wherein a probability for the at least one fluid flow state is a function of the historical data associated with the at least one fluid flow state; obtaining observed data associated with the property, the observed data including a measure representative of fluid flow in the conduit; and estimating a fluid flow state in the conduit of the property at the given time, based on the historical data associated with the at least one fluid flow state, the probability model and the observed data.

In one example, there is provided a computer-implemented method for estimating, at a given time, a fluid flow state in a conduit of a property, comprising: obtaining historical data associated with at least one fluid flow state in the conduit, wherein the historical data comprises a history of the probability of the at least one fluid flow state in the conduit; obtaining a probability model for the at least one fluid flow state, wherein a probability for the at least one fluid flow state is a function of the historical data associated with the at least one fluid flow state; obtaining observed data associated with the property, the observed data including a measure representative of fluid flow in the conduit; and estimating a fluid flow state in the conduit of the property at the given time, based on the historical data associated with the at least one fluid flow state, the probability model and the observed data.

A water meter system and method may provide inline flow monitoring and leak detection that may track real-time water usage. The water meter system and method may utilize one or more dual pressure sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors to detect leaks quickly and automatically turn off a valve. A spool may be utilized that may provide the dual pressure sensors on opposite sides of a ball valve to separate upstream and downstream pressure zones when the valve is closed.

A water meter system and method may provide inline flow monitoring and leak detection that may track real-time water usage. The water meter system and method may utilize one or more dual pressure sensors and/or ultrasonic sensors to detect leaks quickly and automatically turn off a valve. A spool may be utilized that may provide the dual pressure sensors on opposite sides of a ball valve to separate upstream and downstream pressure zones when the valve is closed.

A gas transfer and depressurization system that is configured to transfer gas from a first location to a second location wherein during the transfer of gas the pressure of the first location is reduced. The gas transfer and depressurization system includes a drive chamber having an interior volume with a drive assembly movably disposed therein. A first cylinder and a second cylinder are operably coupled to the drive chamber on opposing sides thereof. The drive assembly includes a drive rod having portions extending into the first cylinder and second cylinder wherein the drive rod has pistons formed on opposing ends thereof. A controller is operably coupled to a compressed air source and is configured to provide compressed air into said drive chamber so as to reciprocally move the drive assembly. Gas blocks and coupling block are additionally present and facilitate flow of gas intermediate the first and second cylinders.

An automated method of pipeline sensor integration for product mapping of a pipeline network is provided. The method includes acquiring, by a plurality of sensors of the pipeline network, first sensor responses of a pipeline in the pipeline network when a first hydrocarbon product is flowing through the pipeline. The method further includes using a prediction circuit to receive the acquired first sensor responses, integrate the received first sensor responses into one or more integrated first sensor responses in order to improve accuracy of the received first sensor responses, and identify the first hydrocarbon product in the pipeline based on the integrated first sensor responses. The prediction circuit is built from training data using a machine learning process. The training data includes first training sensor responses of the pipeline by the plurality of sensors acquired at a previous time when the first hydrocarbon product was flowing through the pipeline.

A system which detects gas leaks near devices which use “natural gas” or other flammable gases such as methane, ethane, propane or butane and implements multiple automatic responses to the detection of such leaks including emitting audible alarms, contacting utility and emergency service providers, and shutting off the flow of the flammable gases is disclosed. Optional to the system allowing the system to report on the approximate location of the leak and/or the approximate danger level caused by the leak by reporting on the gas/air ratios in the area are also disclosed. A method for implementing the method of the invention is also disclosed.