A method is provided for detecting and quantifying leaks in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may have a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, consumer areas or applications. The method includes: a start-up phase; a training or estimation phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group of sensors; calculating or determining the value of a second group of sensors from the readings from the first group of sensors; comparing the calculated or determined values of the second group of sensors with the read values of the second group of sensors and determining the difference between them; determining, on the basis of a residual value analysis, whether there is a leak in the gas network; generating an alarm and/or generating a leakage rate and/or generating the corresponding leakage cost if a leak is detected.

A method is provided for detecting and quantifying obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may be provided with a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, or consumer areas. The method includes: a possible start-up phase; a baseline or zero phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group and second group of sensors; re-estimating, determining or calculating the physical model or mathematical relationship on the basis of the read measurements from the sensors; determining or calculating of the existence of an obstruction in the system based on the difference and/or its derivatives between the parameters of the physical model or mathematical relationship as determined during the baseline or zero phase and the operational phase; generating an alarm and/or generating a degree of obstruction and/or generating the corresponding obstruction if an obstruction is detected.

A method is provided for detecting and quantifying obstructions in a gas network under pressure or vacuum. The gas network may be provided with a sensor(s) capable of recording the status of a source(s), consumers, or consumer areas. The method includes: a possible start-up phase; a baseline or zero phase; and an operational phase. The operational phase includes: reading out the first group and second group of sensors; re-estimating, determining or calculating the physical model or mathematical relationship on the basis of the read measurements from the sensors; determining or calculating of the existence of an obstruction in the system based on the difference and/or its derivatives between the parameters of the physical model or mathematical relationship as determined during the baseline or zero phase and the operational phase; generating an alarm and/or generating a degree of obstruction and/or generating the corresponding obstruction if an obstruction is detected.

The present invention provides a system for regulating fluid flow made up of a solenoid valve interposed on a fluid supply line; a light switch that controls a light; a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the primary side is placed in intermediate electrical communication with the light switch and the light, wherein the secondary side is in electrical communication with the solenoid valve, and wherein the solenoid valve allows flow through the fluid supply line when the light switch is activated and prevents flow through the fluid supply line when the light switch is deactivated.

A system for forecasting leaks in a fluid-delivery pipeline network. The system identifies a subsystem in the pipeline network that comprises a plurality of topologically connected stations. The system accesses historical temporal sensor measurements of a plurality of variables of the stations that are directly connected and generates a temporal causal dependency model for a first control variable at the first station in the subsystem, based on the plurality of time series of sensor measurements of a second variable of the first station, and temporal delay characteristics of the plurality of time series of sensor measurements of the second variable at the stations directly connected to the first station. The system automatically calculates a normal operating value of the first control variable at the first station and the deviations between actual measured values and the normal operating value and determines a threshold deviation that indicates a leak event.

An apparatus for detecting leaks from a gas pipeline or storage system includes a light source configured to emit a beam with at least one spectral component capable of interacting with pipeline gas, a reflector configured to reflect a portion of the beam, an optical detector configured to detect the reflected beam, a signal processing module coupled to the output of the optical detector configured to analyze the detected beam and output a measured concentration value that characterizes the amount of target gas in the beam path, and a statistical processing module coupled to the signal processing module configured to store and analyze the measured concentration value. The statistical processing module is further configured to compute a value based on statistical information associated with the stored plurality of concentration values and compare the computed value to a first predetermined threshold, and transmit a first alarm signal if the computed value is greater than the first predetermined threshold.

An apparatus for detecting leaks from a gas pipeline or storage system includes a light source configured to emit a beam with at least one spectral component capable of interacting with pipeline gas, a reflector configured to reflect a portion of the beam, an optical detector configured to detect the reflected beam, a signal processing module coupled to the output of the optical detector configured to analyze the detected beam and output a measured concentration value that characterizes the amount of target gas in the beam path, and a statistical processing module coupled to the signal processing module configured to store and analyze the measured concentration value. The statistical processing module is further configured to compute a value based on statistical information associated with the stored plurality of concentration values and compare the computed value to a first predetermined threshold, and transmit a first alarm signal if the computed value is greater than the first predetermined threshold.

Following an explosion, fire, flood, water damage, or other event, consumption data of utility resources such as gas and water may be used to determine a cause of the event. For example, an interrogation may be used to read data logging data from a data collection device. The data logging data may include a record of consumption data for a resource spanning a time of an event. The data logging data may be analyzed to determine whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event.

Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.

Methods and systems for duct protection of a vehicle are provided. The methods and systems provided include an apparatus for containing a flow of fluid discharged from a fracture in a duct. The apparatus includes a ballistic containment layer and an insulation sheath coupled to the ballistic containment layer. The insulation sheath includes a first air containment layer, an insulation layer, and a second air containment layer.