Method and Device for the Assessment of Fluid Collection Networks

Abstract

An improved method for monitor a fluid collection network is disclosure. The improved method includes installing several monitoring devices into sewer system manholes, recording fluid level and flow, reading the recorded data, and displaying the data in chart or map form. Data may be displayed in two or three dimensional maps that may be overlaid with information of topography, street maps, and single or multiple sewer systems. Data displayed on the maps may include fluid flow rates, fluid levels, derivatives and integrals of flow rates, and differences in fluid levels or flow between monitoring devices.

1 . A sewer analysis computer system for displaying fluid flow information relating to and facilitating removal of obstructions in a municipal sewer system having fluids traveling through a plurality of pipes and a plurality of manhole access points to the pipes, the computer system programmed to:
 receive a plurality of first values from a plurality of measurements of a plurality of fluid flows through a portion of the plurality of pipes near a first set of the plurality of manhole access points during a first time interval;   simultaneously display the plurality of first values with a plurality of animated ribbons sequentially illustrating a time range less than the first time interval, wherein each animated ribbon simultaneously displays at least three measurements at unique times in a single pipe of the municipal sewer system; and   indicate a first obstruction in the municipal sewer in response to the first values from a first of the plurality of pipes increasing in response to a rain event before the average of the plurality of first values.   
     
     
         2 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  further programmed to:
 receive a plurality of second values representative of a second portion of the plurality of flows through the plurality of pipes for a second time interval at a second set of the plurality of access points to the plurality of pipes, the plurality of second locations selected based upon problem indicia in the plurality of first values. 
 
     
     
         3 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 2  wherein
 the second set of the plurality of access points to the plurality of pipes are clustered around the first obstruction. 
 
     
     
         4 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 2  wherein
 the first set of the plurality of manhole access points includes more than 5% of all of the manhole access points in the municipal sewer system. 
 
     
     
         5 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 2  wherein
 the first time interval is at least 30 days. 
 
     
     
         6 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of animated ribbons are displayed on a three dimensional chart, the three dimensional chart having the plurality first values displayed on a vertical/z-axis, the first time range displayed on a perspective/y-axis, and the plurality of animated ribbons dispersed according to the first locations along a horizontal/x-axis. 
 
     
     
         7 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  wherein
 the first values include a first set of acceleration values and a first set of pressure values. 
 
     
     
         8 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 7  further comprising
 a first of the plurality of animated ribbons only illustrating the first set of acceleration values, and 
 a second of the plurality of animated ribbons only illustrating the first set of pressure values. 
 
     
     
         9 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 8  wherein
 the plurality of animated ribbons are displayed on a three dimensional chart, the three dimensional chart having the plurality first values displayed on a vertical/z-axis, the first time range displayed on a perspective/y-axis, and the plurality of animated ribbons dispersed according to the first locations along a horizontal/x-axis; and 
 the first of the plurality of animated ribbons is offset from the second of the plurality of animated ribbons along the vertical/z-axis. 
 
     
     
         10 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  further programmed to:
 simultaneously display a line chart with the plurality of animated ribbons, wherein the line chart includes a highlighted region representative of the time range shown by the plurality of animated ribbons. 
 
     
     
         11 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 10  further programmed to:
 receive a user selection of particular location on the line chart and update the time range in response to the user selection. 
 
     
     
         12 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 10  further programmed to
 indicate a second obstruction in the municipal sewer in response to the first values from a second of the plurality of pipes remaining elevated after the rain relative to the average of the plurality of first values. 
 
     
     
         13 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  further programmed to compile an information set from a topographic map and a sewer map; and
 designate the plurality of first locations using the information set. 
 
     
     
         14 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of first values are substantially time synchronized. 
 
     
     
         15 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  further programmed to normalize the first values for each of the plurality of pipes in the municipal sewer system. 
     
     
         16 . The sewer analysis computer system of  claim 1  wherein
 the plurality of animated ribbons are area filled three dimensional animated ribbons displayed on a three dimensional map, the plurality of area filled three dimensional animated ribbons having the first values displayed on a height/z-axis and time displayed on a perspective axis; and 
 the area filled three dimensional animated ribbons positioned on the three dimensional map at a plurality of positions representing the first locations. 
 
     
     
         17 . A computer system for identifying a location of restriction, infiltration, and/or inflow of storm water runoff into a sewer system covering a specified area, the computer system configured to:
 receive a topographical map of the specified area;   convert the topographical map to a three dimensional image of the specified area;   analyze the three dimensional image to predict an area of storm water runoff or collection during wet weather;   receive a map of the sewer system;   overlay an image of the map of the sewer system on the three dimensional image;   identify a portion of the sewer system located at the area of storm water runoff or collection during wet weather and identify the location of potential infiltration and inflow of storm water runoff into the sewer system during wet weather;   receive a depth of flow measurement from the location for a time interval; and   illustrate the depth of flow measurement at the location as an animated ribbon sequentially showing a time range less than the time interval, the animated ribbon displayed on a three dimensional chart having the depth of flow displayed on a vertical/z-axis, time displayed on a perspective/y-axis.   
     
     
         18 . A method of evaluating a gravity-type flow conveyance system having a known geometry, the method comprising the steps of:
 identifying a plurality of access points in the hydraulic conveyance system;   identifying sources of flow input to the system upstream of each access point identified;   measuring a depth of flow at each access point for a time interval;   illustrating the depth of flow at each access point as an animated ribbon sequentially showing the depth of flow for a time range less than the time interval, the animated ribbons displayed on a three dimensional chart having the depth of flow displayed on a vertical/z-axis, time displayed on a perspective/y-axis, and uniquely identified data from the plurality of access points displayed along a horizontal/x-axis; and   comparing the animated ribbons to evaluate whether flow restrictions may exist in the conveyance system.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of
 prioritizing maintenance on the system based on the comparison of animated ribbons. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of
 inspecting portions of the system for restrictions based on the comparison of animated ribbons; and 
 measuring a flow at a location based on the comparison of animated ribbons.