SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT, CONTROL, AND PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE IN INSTALLATIONS IN DAMP ROOMS AND FLUID DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and method for management, control, and predictive maintenance in installations in damp rooms and fluid distribution networks, comprising the steps of: integrating an antenna (101, 101a...101e) inside at least one element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), wherein said antenna (101, 101a, ..., 101e) is configured for receiving the signal of an electromagnetic field generated around same; and wherein said antenna (101, 101a...101e) is connected with at least one controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100) configured for generating an electric and magnetic field around said antenna (101, 101a, ..., 101e); continuously measuring the variations in the electric and magnetic field generated around the antenna (101, 101a, ..., 101e); establishing a behavioral pattern of the installation in an element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7); and selecting an action to be performed in the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) depending on the established behavioral pattern.

Claims

1. A method for management, control, and predictive maintenance in installations in damp rooms and fluid distribution networks, comprising the steps of: integrating an antenna (101, 101a...101e) inside at least one element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7), wherein said antenna (101, 101a...101e) is configured for receiving the signal of an electromagnetic field generated around same; and wherein said antenna (101, 101a...101e) is connected with at least one controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100) configured for generating an electric and magnetic field around said antenna (101, 101a...101e); continuously measuring variations in the electric and magnetic field generated around the antenna (101, 101a...101e); establishing a behavioral pattern of the installation in an element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) corresponding with a disruption in the electric and magnetic field generated around the antenna (101, 101a...101e); and selecting an action to be performed in the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) depending on the established behavioral pattern.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is at least one selected from: a urinal (3), a bowl (4), a sink (5), a hand dryer (6), or a pipe (7).

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with an oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is a metallic region of the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

5. A system for control and predictive maintenance in installations in damp rooms and fluid distribution networks, comprising: an element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) integrating an antenna (101, 101a...101e) therein, and wherein said antenna (101, 101a...101e) is connected with at least one controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100) configured for generating an electric and magnetic field around said antenna (101, 101a...101e); wherein the at least one controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100) comprises at least one oscillator (102) connected with the antenna (101, 101a...101e) such that the signal of the antenna (101, 101a...101e) is feedback as input to the at least one oscillator (102); and wherein the input signal of the oscillator (102) is acquired by a processor (104) through an analog-to-digital converter (103); and wherein the processor (104) comprises a memory or memories storing a program or programs made up of instructions which, when run by the processor (104), cause the sensor (100) to: (a) continuously acquire the signal generated around the antenna (101, 101a...101e); (b) establish a behavioral pattern corresponding with the acquired signal corresponding with a disruption in the electromagnetic field generated around the antenna (101, 101a...101e).

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the processor (104) comprises a memory or memories storing a program or programs made up of instructions which, when run by the processor (104), cause the sensor (100) to send the behavioral pattern corresponding with the acquired signal to an external server (105) together with an identifier code of the antenna (101, 101a...101e) which has detected the disruption.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein the processor (104) comprises a memory or memories storing a program or programs made up of instructions which, when run by the processor (104), cause the sensor (100) to locally analyze said pattern and send an identification code of the analysis to the external server (105).

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the external server (105) is configured for fusing data originating at least from a plurality of sensors (100) positioned in different physical locations.

9. The system according to claim 5, wherein the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is at least one selected from: a urinal (3), a bowl (4), a sink (5), a hand dryer (6), or a pipe (7).

10. The system according to claim 5, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with the oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

11. The system according to claim 5, wherein the antenna is a metallic region of the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with an oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

13. The method according to claim 2, wherein the antenna is a metallic region of the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

14. The system according to claim 6, wherein the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is at least one selected from: a urinal (3), a bowl (4), a sink (5), a hand dryer (6), or a pipe (7).

15. The system according to claim 7, wherein the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is at least one selected from: a urinal (3), a bowl (4), a sink (5), a hand dryer (6), or a pipe (7).

16. The system according to claim 8, wherein the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) is at least one selected from: a urinal (3), a bowl (4), a sink (5), a hand dryer (6), or a pipe (7).

17. The system according to claim 6, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with the oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

18. The system according to claim 7, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with the oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

19. The system according to claim 8, wherein the antenna is a metallic part connected with the oscillator (102) of the controlled electromagnetic field sensor (100).

20. The system according to claim 6, wherein the antenna is a metallic region of the element installed in a damp room and/or fluid distribution network (3, 4, 5, 6, 7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A series of drawings and diagrams which help to better understand the invention and are expressly related to an embodiment of said invention, provided as a non-limiting example thereof, are very briefly described below.

[0018] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of the CEMF sensor implemented in the system for management, control, and predictive maintenance in installations in a damp room, for example a bathroom, object of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows a diagram of the system for management, control, and predictive maintenance in installations in damp rooms, object of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a urinal implementing the system of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a bowl implementing the system of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a sink implementing the system of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a hand dryer implementing the system of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a pipe installation implementing the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The invention is based on the implementation of CEMF technology described in documents EP2980609 and/or EP3553477 and the indications of which are herein by reference. Therefore, as can be observed in FIG. 1, the CEMF sensor 100 is based on an antenna 101, 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d, 101e which is connected with an oscillator circuit 102. The particularity of the CEMF sensor is that both the output and the input of the oscillator 102 are connected with the same antenna 101, such that the signal of the antenna 101 is feedback to the oscillator 102 itself. In other words, the emission of the signal of the oscillator 102 is proportional to the disruptions detected in the antenna 101, given that said disruptions are configured as the input of the oscillator circuit 102.

[0026] On the other hand, the same input signal of the oscillator 102 is acquired by a processor 104 through an analog-to-digital converter 103. The processor 104 further comprises a memory or memories storing a program or programs made up of instructions which, when run by the processor 104, cause the CEMF sensor 100 to: (a) continuously acquire the signal generated around the antenna 101; (b) establish a behavioral pattern corresponding with the acquired signal, and (c) send the behavioral pattern corresponding with the acquired signal to an external server 105 together with an identifier code of the antenna 101a...101e which has detected the disruption. The behavioral pattern can be sent to the server 105 in a continuous manner, with all the identified patterns being sent, or in a discrete manner, with only the patterns identified as erroneous patterns being sent. In another practical embodiment, the behavioral pattern could also be processed autonomously in the local processor and only an error code would be sent.

[0027] The external server 105 will be in charge of fusing data originating from the different sensors 100 positioned in different physical locations. Through the data fusion, it is therefore possible to establish preventive and/or corrective actions depending on the detected disruption.

[0028] One of the virtues of the present invention is that it can emit the electromagnetic field in a controlled manner by means of an active shield 106 by means of a low-impedance circuit, such that, through the only conducting element forming the emitting-receiving antenna, the electromagnetic field can be directed towards an area of influence that can be determined and configured for each specific application, as will be described hereinbelow.

[0029] As a result of this structure, the apparatus is capable of distinguishing, depending on the magnitude of change, i.e., depending on the generated disruption, if a person, an animal, or any other object is present, given that the invention is based on the capacity of the apparatus for measuring the variations of the electromagnetic field existing around each of the antennas to which the apparatus is connected, since the apparatus can be connected with several antennas, with the particularity that each of the antennas acts independently with respect to the others, i.e., each antenna has the same capabilities and functionalities in detecting the disruption, emits a controlled electromagnetic field, and in turn detects the disruptions of that field.

[0030] As indicated, the server 105 can establish preventive and/or corrective actions on the detected disruption. The versatility of the sensor 100 allows it to detect any foreign object and not only the presence of persons, as in the documents of the state of the art. In that sense, a sensor 100 located in a damp public room can detect, for example, the presence of insects or rodents. A blockage problem in the urinal or sink can also be detected through the continuous measurement of the electromagnetic and electric field around each antenna 101a...101e due to, for example, the detection of a foreign object, i.e., a plastic, a piece of paper, or the change in the disruption which entails a continuous increase in the water level. Another point to be considered is that the sensor 100 can detect the dripping or loss of water continuously, which can result in significant savings in water resources and a considerable reduction of costs of the installations. As a result of this structure, corrective measures, for example, closing the passage of water in a specific area or informing the cleaning staff, can be established from the server 105.

[0031] FIG. 2 shows the distributed diagram of the system for control and predictive maintenance in damp rooms for public and/or private use, object of the present invention. In that sense, a plurality of sensors 100a...100e can be observed, wherein each of the sensors is attached to a specific antenna 101a...101e arranged in different elements of a damp room, such as a urinal, FIG. 3, a bowl, FIG. 4, a sink, FIG. 5, or a hand dryer, FIG. 6. The distribution of the antennas 101a... 101e is very important, as will be explained below in reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. On the other hand, it is important to indicate that the structure of the sensor 100 may vary, including a plurality of antennas 101a... 101e, each connected with an oscillator circuit 102. The input signal of the oscillator circuit 102 will be connected with different analog-to-digital convertor circuits 103 and from these to a single processor 105 which will receive the signal of each of the antennas 101a... 101e.

[0032] As indicated, the distribution of the antennas 101a...101e in each of the elements of the damp room is very important. In FIG. 3 it can be seen how the antenna 101a is integrated in the body of the urinal 3. The antenna 101a is materialized in a metallic strip which is housed inside the lower area of the body of the urinal 3. Therefore, it is completely invisible, and therefore tamper-proof, and allows disruption detection ranges of up to 1.5 meters. When a person approaches, it generates a disruption in the electromagnetic field generated around the antenna 101a and actuates the water mechanism when the person moves away. Nevertheless, that is only its normal use. Given the sensitivity of the sensor 100, the disruption is also different when water falls at an abnormal rate, when there are foreign objects, such as paper, plastics, or others, or when the water level increases without emptying. In other words, in the sensor 100 since establishing the type of disruption seeks not only to compare signals one by one, but rather characterizes typical data sequences or situations. For example, a typical situation consists of going from “no detection” to “detection of a person,” from there to the “detection of water falling” and finally “the person moving away” and “not water falling”. The occurrence of a failure in the detections typical of that sequence evidently points to an error in urinal 3, so the server 105 can identify the preventive and/or corrective measure suitable for each identified error. For example, the measures to be taken are not the same when a person is detected and water is not falling, that is, an error due to the water being shut off, for example, as when a continuous fall of water is detected without any presence, due to the breakage of the shut-off cock, or a detection of any other type.

[0033] In the application in a bowl 4 shown in FIG. 4, the present invention is essentially applied in a manner like the urinals 3. In that sense, the antenna 101b surrounds the upper portion of the bowl 4, creating an electromagnetic field around same for detecting a person sitting on the bowl 4. In normal operation, when the person gets up and moves away from the bowl 4, the sensor 100 activates the passage of water from the cistern 41. Again, and like in the preceding case, the advantage of the invention does not lie in the presence detection, but rather in the identification of behavioral patterns of the person and of the bowl 4 which can lead to different preventive or corrective actions depending on the identified failure. For example, it is possible to detect if the person has been sitting on the cover 42 and not on the bowl itself, so it becomes unnecessary to enable the passage of water. It is also possible to detect fouling on the upper edge of the bowl 4 or a blockage caused by paper or the like, which may involve automatically informing cleaning services and, where appropriate and if it is implemented in this manner, provided that the presence of a person is not detected, shutting down said bowl by means of closing the door for accessing same until the cleaning staff enables it.

[0034] In the application in a sink 5 shown in FIG. 5, the antenna 101c completely surrounds the outer upper edge of the sink 5 to create an electromagnetic field around the sink 5. It is therefore possible for the passage of water through the faucet 51 to be enabled when the user arrives and makes contact, and the mentioned faucet 51 turns off when the user removes his/her hands, resulting in a hygienic system. Like in the cases described in FIGS. 3 or 4, the usefulness and advantage of the system does not lie in the mere detection, but rather in the recognition of behavioral patterns typical of a user of a sink, such that proper use or improper or erroneous use of the element is established. For example, the typical sequence is “moving hands closer” - “turning the faucet on” - “removing hands” - “turning the faucet off”. The antenna 101c will detect any disruption in the field created around same which corresponds with those actions. Nevertheless, if any of those steps fails or unforeseen events arise, such as the detection of a foreign element like paper or plastic in the sink itself, it can generate different corrective or preventive actions. Even though the preceding sequence is carried out, if the sensor 100 detects a disruption that can be classified as an additional disruption, such as the presence of a large amount of paper in the sink 5, it can cause the faucet 51 to not turn on or water outflow to be regulated to prevent further blockage. In certain applications, a type of user notification display requesting the removal of the paper and/or justifying the absence of water in the faucet 51 may even exist.

[0035] In the application in hand dryers 6 shown in FIG. 6, there is basically an antenna 101d surrounding the lower portion thereof, at the hot air outlet. The advantages described in FIGS. 3 to 5 are the same for the hand dryer as it relates to an invisible and tamper-proof system which allows behavioral pattern detection and not only presence detection, which is a small part of the behavioral pattern, due to the changes that different actions generate in the electromagnetic field around the antenna 101d and which in turn cause different corrective or preventive responses from the server 105.

[0036] Finally, FIG. 7 shows an application in a pipe network of the type used in the petrochemical industry or in a public potable water management network. In this application, there is essentially an antenna 101e surrounding the pipe 7. The advantages described for the preceding examples are reproduced in this embodiment as it relates to an invisible, tamper-proof, and easy-to-implement system which allows detecting the pressure of the passage of fluid and any minimum change in said pressure, such that any unexpected change in pressure due to changes that different actions generate in the electromagnetic field around the antenna 101e and which in turn cause different corrective or preventive responses from the server 105 can be established and characterized.