Abstract:
A method for retrofitting an existing natural gas line drainage point with a moisture detection capability includes inserting a conducting rod in a previously installed drainage pipe in the drainage point, where a lower extremity of the rod may be covered with an insulating material, exposing a section of the rod above the insulating material, where a lowest point of the section indicates a minimum level of moisture in the drainage point for which status reporting is required, attaching a diagnostic unit to both the drainage pipe and the conducting rod via electric leads, the unit including means to provide electric current and diagnose at least one of an electric short and an abrupt change in conductivity, and attaching means for transmitting an indication regarding a status for the drainage point.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/111,902, filed Nov. 6, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the removal of moisture from condensation in natural gas lines generally, and to retrofitting existing facilities in particular. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Natural gas is typically provided to end consumers via a network of pipes. For esthetic and security reasons these networks are typically buried underground. As unwanted moisture is typically mixed in with natural gas, a means to trap and drain this moisture is typically included in such networks. 
         [0004]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 1  which illustrates a typical drainage point  10  for a gas line  20 . Drainage point  10  comprises a manhole cover  30 , a drainage pipe  40 , and a collection trough  50 . Drainage pipe  40  is typically fixed in place with extending through a gas proof seal  55  and comprises a valve  60  for opening and closing pipe  40  to provide external access to gas line  20 . A typical drainage point  10  may extend to a depth of two or more meters from a surface  5 . A drainage point  10  is typically designed in such a manner that moisture from condensation will tend to pool in collection trough  50 . 
         [0005]    Moisture is typically drained from collection troughs  50  on regular basis by work crews. A work crew will typically remove manhole cover  30  to access drainage pipe  40 . They will then affix a suction hose (not shown) to pipe  40  and open valve  60 . Moisture in collection trough  20  is then removed by suction and stored in a mobile tank. Valve  60  is then closed, the suction hose removed and manhole cover  30  replaced. 
         [0006]    Drainage points  10  do not typically comprise means to indicate whether or not moisture has indeed collected in collection trough  50 . Accordingly, it is not unusual for a drainage point  10  to be serviced even though there is relatively little moisture collected in trough  50 . Conversely, it is also possible that a collection trough  50  may fill faster than expected and that the quality of the gas flowing through gas line  20  may be adversely affected before a drainage point  10  is serviced. 
         [0007]    A large city may have thousands of such drainage points  10  to service on a regular basis. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a utility line drainage point including a drainage pipe positioned inside a utility line, where the pipe is constructed of a conductive material and descends into a water collection trough, a conducting rod positioned inside of the drainage pipe, where a top portion of the rod is exposed above the pipe and a lower portion of the rod extends below the pipe, the lower portion being covered with an insulating material, a source of electric current attached to both the top portion and the drainage pipe, an electric short detector to detect an electric short that occurs when a level of water in the collection trough rises above the lower portion and comes in contact with both an exposed area of the conducting rod and the drainage pipe, and means to indicate a status for the drainage point. 
         [0009]    Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drainage pipe is from an original drainage point installation, and the conducting rod, the source, the detector and the means are retrofitted components of the drainage point. 
         [0010]    Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means to indicate comprise at least a wireless transmitter. 
         [0011]    Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the status is at least one of “service required” and “functioning properly”. 
         [0012]    Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the status is based on information provided by the electric short detector. 
         [0013]    Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the utility line drainage point also includes sensors for at least one of pressure, gas contamination, and residue, where the means to indicate may also be configurable to transmit data from the sensors. 
         [0014]    Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the utility line is a natural gas line. 
         [0015]    There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for retrofitting an existing natural gas line drainage point with a moisture detection capability including inserting a conducting rod in a previously installed drainage pipe in the drainage point, where a lower extremity of the rod may be covered with an insulating material, exposing a section of the rod above the insulating material, where a lowest point of the section indicates a minimum level of moisture in the drainage point for which status reporting is required, attaching a diagnostic unit to both the drainage pipe and the conducting rod via electric leads, the unit including means to provide electric current and diagnose at least one of an electric short and an abrupt change in conductivity, and attaching means for transmitting an indication regarding a status for the drainage point. 
         [0016]    Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes a configuration option for the diagnostic unit to use the means for transmitting to transmit the indication when at least one of an electric short and abrupt change in conductivity is diagnosed. 
         [0017]    Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for transmitting comprise at least a wireless transmitter. 
         [0018]    Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes the means to periodically transmit a signal to indicate that they are functioning properly. 
         [0019]    There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a data collection method including receiving on a moving vehicle, operational data transmitted from utility data points, where the vehicle is driving along a set route determined for purposes unrelated to data collection, and providing access to the received data for further processing related to a function of a utility associated with the utility data point. 
         [0020]    Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the set route is a garbage collection route. 
         [0021]    Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the utility data points transmit the operational data regarding at least one of electricity, water, telephone, sewage and wastewater. 
         [0022]    There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a data collection system implementable on a computing device, the system including a vehicle to drive along a set route, the route determined for purposes unrelated to data collection, and a data receiver installed on the vehicle to receive operational data transmitted from utility data points while the vehicle is driven along the set route, where the vehicle is driving along a set route determined for purposes unrelated to data collection and operation of the data receiver is independent of an activity for which the route is determined. 
         [0023]    Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route is a garbage collection route. 
         [0024]    Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the utility data points are associated with at least one of electricity, water, telephone, sewage and wastewater. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is schematic illustration of a typical prior art drainage point for a gas line; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a novel retrofitted monitored drainage point, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic illustration of a more detailed version of the top section of the drainage pipe represented in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic illustration of a retrofitted version of the section of drainage pipe in  FIG. 3A , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a novel process to convert the drainage point of  FIG. 1  to the drainage point of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0031]      FIGS. 5A-5I  are schematic illustrations of various parts of the drainage point of  FIG. 2  as it is assembled. 
       
    
    
       [0032]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0034]    Servicing drainage points  10  per a regular schedule without input regarding the current level of moisture in collection troughs  50  may be inefficient. Some drainage points  10  may be serviced even when though their current level of moisture may not require servicing at all. Conversely, some drainage points  10  may be serviced too infrequently, and the quality of natural gas passing through them may suffer as a result. 
         [0035]    A possible solution may be to reconstruct drainage points  10  to include moisture monitoring capabilities in order to provide current information regarding the need to drain moisture from collection troughs  50 . Unfortunately, such a solution may only be relevant for the installation of new gas line networks. It may no be cost/effective to entirely reconstruct or replace existing infrastructure where a network already exists. 
         [0036]    Applicants have realized that a simple cost/effective solution may be implemented on top of an existing infrastructure of prior art drainage points  10 . Reference is now made to  FIG. 2  which shows a novel retrofitted monitored drainage point  100 , constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Drainage point  100  may comprise existing infrastructure from the prior art, such as manhole cover  30 , drainage pipe  40 , collection trough  50 , gas line seal  55  and valve  60 . However, drainage point  100  may also comprise conducting rod  110 , insulating spacer  120 , T pipe  130  and diagnostic unit  150 . Diagnostic unit  150  may be connected to conducting rod  110  and drainage pipe  40  via electric leads  140 . Unit  150  may comprise an antenna  160  for transmission to a remote receiver (not shown). 
         [0038]    The position of valve  60  may be different than in the prior art. Instead of valve  60 , a T pipe  130  may placed at the end of drainage pipe  40 , and valve  60  reattached to T pipe  130 . It will be appreciated that an original valve  60  from the prior art may be used for the present invention without necessitating the replacement of the original part. 
         [0039]    Conducting rod  110  may be threaded into drainage pipe  40  such that insulating spacer may be located near, or in contact with, the bottom of trough  50 . Insulating spacer  120  may be made of a non conducting material such as plastic. Accordingly, spacer  120  may insulate between any water or other moisture in trough  50  and conducting rod  110 . 
         [0040]    Electric leads  140  may connect diagnostic unit  150  to both conducting rod  110  and drainage pipe  40 . Diagnostic unit  150  may comprise means to pass an electric current through leads  140 . Unit  150  may also comprise means to detect an electric short or an abrupt change in conductivity through leads  140 . It will be appreciated that conducting rod  110  and drainage pipe may not touch one another. Accordingly, an electric current passed through leads  140  may not normally cause an electric short. However, if the level of water in collection trough  50  rises past insulating spacer  120 , the water may conduct electricity between conducting rod  110  and drainage pipe  40 , thus causing an electric short or an abrupt change in conductivity. 
         [0041]    It will therefore be appreciated that by detecting an electric short or an abrupt change in conductivity, diagnostic unit  150  may receive an indication that the level of water in collection trough  50  may have reached or exceeded a point at which drainage point  100  should be drained. At such a time, diagnostic unit  150  may transmit an indication of the need for service to a remote transmitter via antenna  160 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 3A and 3B , to which reference is now made, may together illustrate the modifications that may be made to the prior art in order to implement drainage point  100 .  FIG. 3A  shows the top section of a prior art drainage pipe  40  with a valve  60  screwed in and positioned at the top. When servicing a drainage point  10 , valve  60  may be opened in order to enable a suction pipe to be attached to top aperture  61 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3B  shows the modifications required to turn drainage point  10  into drainage point  100 . T pipe  130  may now separate between drainage pipe  40  and valve  60 . Conducting rod  110  may be threaded through pipe  40  with insulating spacer  120  attached at its end. Leads  40  may connect between unit  150 , rod  110  and pipe  40 . 
         [0044]    It will be appreciated that conducting rod  110  may be made of the same material as drainage pipe  40 . In such manner, it may be assumed that they may corrode at a similar rate and metal pairing effects may be reduced to a minimum. Therefore they may be expected to be replaced at the same time in order to save on the eventual cost and effort of replacement. 
         [0045]    Unit  150  may use antenna  160  to transmit an indication that water should be drained from point  100  as necessary. It will also be appreciated that the actual servicing of drainage point  100  may be generally the same as with the prior art. Valve  60  may be opened to enable a suction hose to be attached to aperture  61  and the water may be drained from collection trough  50 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 4 , to which reference is now made, shows a block diagram of the steps that may be necessary to convert a drainage point  10  to a drainage point  100 .  FIGS. 5A-5I , to which reference is now also made, show various representations of parts of an exemplary drainage point  100  as they are assembled. 
         [0047]      FIG. 5A  shows an exemplary drainage pipe  40  and attached valve  60  as they may appear in an exemplary drainage point  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5B , valve  60  may be removed (step  210 ) from pipe  40 , in order that a T pipe  130  may be inserted (step  220 ) between them as shown in  FIG. 5C . These three parts may then be fastened (step  230 ) to each other as shown in  FIG. 5D . 
         [0048]    A conducting rod  110  may then be inserted (step  240 ) into drainage pipe  40  as shown in  FIG. 5E . It will be appreciated that the lower portion of rod  110  may be covered with an insulating material in order to form spacer  120 . It will also be appreciated that drainage points  10  in a given network may not have a uniform depth. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 5F , conducting rod  110  may be custom cut (step  250 ) on location to correspond to the dimensions of a given existing drainage point  10 . At the same time the insulating material covering rod  110  may also be trimmed to provide conducting surfaces at the top and at a desired water detection line (not shown). 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIG. 5G , an end cap  170  may be mounted (step  260 ) to close drainage pipe  40  and hold rod  110  in place inside pipe  40 . For illustrative purposes,  FIG. 5H  shows conducting rod  110  outside of drainage pipe  40 . Rod  110  may comprise a top area of exposed conductive material, an end cap  170 , an internal spacer  180 , exposed area  190 , and insulating spacer  120 . As discussed hereinabove, conducting rod  110  may preferably be constructed of the same material as pipe  40 . End cap  170  may fix rod  110  in place when placed inside pipe  40 . Internal spacer  180  may be formed of a non conductive material such as plastic and may extend to a greater width than the rest of rod  110 , thus preventing rod  110  from excessive movement within pipe  40 . Accordingly, exposed area  190  may not come in physical contact with a side of pipe  40 . 
         [0050]    It will be appreciated that the location of exposed area  190  may determine a threshold depth for water that should be drained from collection trough  50 . Water touching insulating spacer  120  may not cause a short when drainage point  100  may be in operation. However, once the water level may reach exposed area  190 , the water may complete a circuit between conducting rod  110  and pipe  40 , thus causing an electrical short. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 5I , electrical leads  140  may then be connected (step  270 ) to conducting rod  110  and drainage pipe  40 . As discussed hereinabove, leads  140  may be connected (step  280 ) to diagnostic unit  150  ( FIG. 2 ) to complete the conversion of drainage point  10  to drainage point  100 . 
         [0052]    It will be appreciated that during operation of drainage point  100 , water rising in collection trough  50  to the level of exposed area will cause an electric short, which may in turn trigger diagnostic unit  150  to transmit a signal to a remote receiver that may indicate that service may be required for drainage point  100 . 
         [0053]    It will also be appreciated that there may be a limit to how long a drainage point  10  may be open before escaping natural gas may pose a health risk to service crew and passersby. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the time required for a service crew to convert the prior art to drainage point  100  may be five to ten minutes. 
         [0054]    The signal from unit  150  may be relatively weak and may require a service crewman to periodically check each drainage point  100  by walking nearby with a receiver in order to receive signals as they are transmitted. In accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, an external display screen on the surface side of drainage point  100  may be attached to unit  150 . In such an embodiment, a crewman may check the status of a drainage point  100  by reading from the display without having to open manhole cover  30 . 
         [0055]    In accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display may not be attached directly to unit  150 , but instead may receive signals via antenna  160 . In accordance with another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display may be located inside drainage point  100  under manhole cover  30 . In accordance with yet another alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, diagnostic unit  150  may use antenna  160  to transmit a request for servicing either directly or via relay to a communications network for further processing. It will be appreciated that transmissions via antenna  160  may comprise an indication of the location of the drainage point requiring servicing. 
         [0056]    It will be appreciated that in accordance with all of the above alternative preferred embodiments, the status of a given drainage point may be determined prior to actually attempting to drain it. It will further be appreciated, that the structural integrity of an original drainage point  10  may not be impacted by the act of conversion to a drainage point  100 . Original gas line seal  55  may be left intact throughout the conversion process. All the necessary modifications may be performed on the portion of drainage pipe  40  visible above gas line seal, or via drainage pipe  40  itself. Furthermore, manhole cover  30  may not require any modification, further limiting the exposure to potential structural damage during the process. Accordingly, the risk of incurring a gas leak may be minimal, and the cost of conversion in terms of time and expense may be significantly lower than other alternatives. 
         [0057]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, service crew may not have to proactively check individual drainage points  100  to identify drainage points  100  requiring servicing. Instead, receivers may be installed on vehicles with known static routes that may cover a target grid as part of the routine performance of other, seemingly unrelated tasks. For example, municipalities tend to have fleets of garbage trucks that have set routes that are followed according to a set generally rigid schedule. Receivers may be attached to such trucks to receive transmissions from antennas  160  as the trucks are driven along their regular route. On a periodic basis, for example at the end of a route, at the end of a day or during travel in real time, transmissions received by the receivers may be downloaded and analyzed in order to determine which drainage points  100  may require servicing. 
         [0058]    The method detailed hereinabove may entail the periodic and routine collection of service requests transmitted from gas line drainage points by receivers on vehicles driving set routes as per a set schedule for purposes unrelated per se to data collection. It will be appreciated that such a method may be applied to a variety of other scenarios as well. For example, in addition to service requests, other information may also be added to such transmissions. Such other information may include, for example, an “OK” signal indicating that antenna  60  may still be functioning properly, or information from other sensors installed in drainage point  100 . Such sensors may include, for example, pressure sensors, and detectors for specific levels of contamination in gas mixture and/or residue. 
         [0059]    Furthermore, such transmissions may be used to report information regarding the status of data points for other utilities with similarly wide distribution such as electricity, water, telephone, and sewage and wastewater. It will also be appreciated that such transmissions may also originate from any relevant utility data point such as usage meters, and that the transmitted information may be any relevant operational data, either current or historical. 
         [0060]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.