Robert Francis Simon

US Patent:

7605485, Oct 20, 2009

Filed:

Feb 27, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/038151

Inventors:

Barth Robins Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William Dudley Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert Paul Simon - Fairfax VA, US
C. David Binning - Warrenton VA, US
David Lewis Rasmussen - Vienna VA, US

Assignee:

Fairfax County Water Authority - Fairfax VA

International Classification:

F03B 13/00
H02P 9/04
H02P 15/00
H02K 49/02

US Classification:

290 43, 290 54, 310103, 310105

Abstract:

A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.

US Patent:

7671480, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Aug 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/201429

Inventors:

Barth Robins Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William Dudley Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert Paul Simon - Fairfax VA, US
C. David Binning - Warrenton VA, US
David Lewis Rasmussen - Vienna VA, US

Assignee:

Fairfax County Water Authority - Fairfax VA

International Classification:

F03B 13/10
H02P 9/04

US Classification:

290 43, 290 54

Abstract:

A system and method for generating and harvesting energy in response to the flow of water through rotating device, such as a nutating or oscillating disk. Mechanical energy from flow of water is converted into electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. For example, the power generation system may be used to power electronic and mechanical devices used in automated meter reading (AMR) systems. The power generator system may recharge a storage circuit that enables long term AMR operations without the need for battery replacement. The power generation system, in various embodiments, can provide additional power for two-way communication and other sensors such as pressure, temperature, water quality and services such as remote shut-off, event-based messaging, and water quality monitoring.

US Patent:

8279080, Oct 2, 2012

Filed:

Jun 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/760200

Inventors:

Barth Robins Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William Dudley Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert Paul Simon - Fairfax VA, US
C. David Binning - Warrenton VA, US
David Lewis Rasmussen - Vienna VA, US

Assignee:

Fairfax County Water Authority - Fairfax VA

International Classification:

G08C 15/06

US Classification:

34087002, 34087007, 73195, 7386177, 7386178

Abstract:

A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e. g. , residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.

US Patent:

8567757, Oct 29, 2013

Filed:

Nov 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/950474

Inventors:

Barth R. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
John H. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William D. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Donald S. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Steven Nagel - Maryland Heights MO, US
Benedict J. Nardi - Thurmont MD, US
Russell S. Smith - Boyds MD, US
Robert Simon - Fairfax VA, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/02

US Classification:

25112904, 25112901, 251 65, 251 68, 251 74, 251248, 137 39, 137 784, 340 561, 340 1324

Abstract:

A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.

US Patent:

20130113631, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Jun 8, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/492410

Inventors:

Barth R. PITCHFORD - Fairfax VA, US
William D. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert P. Simon - Fairfax VA, US
Steven Nagel - Maryland Heights MO, US
Benedict J. Nardi - Thurmont MD, US
Russell S. Smith - Boyds MD, US

International Classification:

G08C 17/02

US Classification:

34087002

Abstract:

A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.

US Patent:

20130207815, Aug 15, 2013

Filed:

Aug 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/585046

Inventors:

Barth Robins Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William Dudley Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert Paul Simon - Fairfax VA, US
C. David Binning - Warrenton VA, US
David Lewis Rasmussen - Vienna VA, US

International Classification:

G01D 4/00

US Classification:

34087002

Abstract:

A remote water meter monitoring system is provided. A mesh network-type transceiver unit is coupled to a water meter housing having a water counting mechanism inside to transmit water consumption information as well as other sensor information, such as backflow detection, water pressure, and water metrics (e.g., residual chlorine and temperature) to a central server system via a bridge device and a corresponding mesh network. Mechanical energy from the water flowing through the water meter housing is converted to electrical energy via an energy conversion unit. An electrically powered shut off valve is remote addressable via the transceiver unit.

US Patent:

20140061519, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Oct 28, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/064290

Inventors:

Barth R. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
John H. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
William D. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Donald S. Pitchford - Fairfax CA, US
Steven Nagel - Maryland Heights MO, US
Benedict J. Nardi - Thurmont MD, US
Russell S. Smith - Boyds MD, US
Robert Simon - Fairfax VA, US

International Classification:

F16K 31/06

US Classification:

25112904

Abstract:

A low-cost safety valve for gas lines and similar supply lines that can be remotely activated via a secure wireless link employing a low leakage sealing mechanism that is compatible with low energy actuators to for extended battery life. A miniaturized controller and wireless electronics assembly provides the control mechanism for actuating the valve, as well as reporting data regarding the valve status to wireless interrogators or external networks via an ad hoc wireless network. A variety of simple magnetic valve operating mechanisms can be implemented with the miniaturized electronic control circuits and the valve body. Such control actuation mechanisms enable automatic resetting or manual resetting valves. The gas line shut off valve can provide important safety benefits at an affordable price.

US Patent:

20160025514, Jan 28, 2016

Filed:

Aug 10, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/822431

Inventors:

- Atlanta GA, US
William D. Pitchford - Fairfax VA, US
Robert P. Simon - Fairfax VA, US
Steven Nagel - Maryland Heights MO, US
Benedict J. Nardi - Thurmont MD, US
Russell S. Smith - Boyds MD, US

International Classification:

G01D 4/00
H02K 7/18
H02J 7/34
H04W 52/02

Abstract:

Examples of generating power through the flow of water are disclosed. In one example, remote water meter monitoring system includes an energy converter and a sensor. The energy converter is in fluid connectivity with water flowing through a pipe, the energy convertor being driven by a mechanical energy of water flowing through the pipe to convert the mechanical energy into an electrical energy for charging a battery connected to the energy converter. The sensor detects a level of a property of the water, the sensor being powered by the battery connected to the energy converter.