Smart monitoring unit apparatus for real-time monitoring and active management of upstream and downstream pressure and flow, incorporating self-cleaning and plug-and-play maintenance

Abstract

Provided herein is a fluid control apparatus comprising real-time monitoring and active management of upstream and downstream pressure and flow, incorporating self-cleaning and plug-and-play maintenance.

1 . A fluid control apparatus for real-time monitoring and active management of upstream and downstream pressure and flow, incorporating self-cleaning and plug-and-play maintenance, the apparatus comprising:
 an upstream electro-mechanical shut-off valve;   a flow sensor;   an upstream pressure sensor;   a pressure management device;   a downstream pressure sensor;   an electro-mechanical drain, pressure relief, and flush valve;   a downstream electro-mechanical shut-off valve;   a data receiving device;   a data storage device;   a computing device;   and a communication device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the data receiving device, the data storage device, the computing device, and the communication device are integrated into a single control device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 2 , wherein the control device is set to actively maintain and adjust the apparatus downstream pressure within a set operating band under flow conditions. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 3 , wherein the control device is set to actively maintain and adjust the apparatus downstream pressure within a set operating hand under no-flow conditions; 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 4 , wherein the upstream shut-off valve is electro-mechanically actuated by the control device. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 5 , wherein the downstream shut-off valve is electro-mechanically actuated by the control device. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 6 , wherein the upstream and downstream shut-off valves are controlled to open slowly. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 7 , wherein the upstream and downstream shut-off valves are controlled to close slowly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 8 , wherein the pressure management device is contained within a pressure management cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the pressure management cartridge fits inside a receptacle, which is a permanent component of the apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 10 , wherein the pressure management cartridge is replaceable. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 11 , wherein the pressure management cartridge is disposable. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 12 , wherein the pressure management cartridge includes a pressure reduction valve which sets the apparatus downstream pressure based on continuously monitored flow conditions. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 13 , wherein the pressure management cartridge has a guide pin which fits in a slot in the receptacle to guide the cartridge into place. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 14 , wherein the receptacle has a sensor which senses when the pressure management cartridge has been inserted correctly. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus in  claim 15 , wherein a locking mechanism secures the pressure management cartridge in place when the sensor indicates that the pressure management cartridge is inserted correctly. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 16 , wherein both the receptacle and pressure management cartridge have upstream and downstream seals so that the pressure management cartridge is able to hold pressure when locked in place. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 17 , wherein the pressure management device is controlled by a mechanical gear within the pressure management cartridge. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 18 , wherein the receptacle includes an electro-mechanical actuator which mates with the pressure management cartridge gear. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus in  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical actuator rotates the cartridge gear to a downstream pressure set by the control device. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 20 , wherein the pressure management cartridge includes upstream and downstream filters to reduce fouling of the cartridge internals. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 21 , wherein the apparatus performs self-cleaning operations to reduce fouling of the cartridge internals. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 22 , wherein the apparatus performs self-cleaning operations to reduce fouling of the electro-mechanical valves. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 23 , wherein the apparatus purges to maintain downstream pressure under no-flow conditions by cycling the drain, purge, and flush valve. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 24 , wherein the apparatus actively compensates for downstream pressure drop in high-flow conditions. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 25 , wherein the control device determines that the pressure management cartridge is degraded but functional. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , wherein the control device indicates pressure management cartridge replacement is recommended. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 27 , wherein the control device determines that the pressure management cartridge has degraded beyond safe operation. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the control device indicates pressure management must be replaced. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 28 , wherein the control device closes the upstream and downstream shut-off valves. 
     
     
         31 . The apparatus in  claim 2 - 30 , wherein the control device opens the drain, purge, and flush valve to drain and depressurize the apparatus. 
     
     
         32 . The apparatus in  claim 31 , wherein the control device determines that the apparatus has been depressurized. 
     
     
         33 . The apparatus in  claim 9 - 32 , wherein the control device unlocks the pressure management cartridge, so that the cartridge can be replaced. 
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 9 - 33 , wherein once the pressure management cartridge has been replaced, the control device closes the drain, purge, and flush valve. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 34 , wherein, the control device opens the upstream and downstream shut-off valves. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus in  claim 35 , wherein the newly inserted pressure management cartridge is set to the previously established safe operating pressure. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 1 - 36 , wherein in case of loss of electrical power, the upstream and downstream electro-mechanical shut-off valves will remain open, and the electro-mechanical drain valve will remain closed.