Bentley Systems, Inc.

Haestad Methods, Inc.

Jack S Cook, Jr

Robert F Mankowski

Zheng Yi Wu

Thomas M Walski

Gregg A Herrin

Wayne R Hartell

Benjamin D Wilson

Ming Jin

Samuel R Coran

Sasa Tomic

Scott P Devoe

Robert A Gurrieri

Diego Alexander Diaz Pabon

Michael E Tryby

Ezio Todini

Daniel Bowdler

Shaoyu Yang

John A Roulier

Michael K Glazner

Ronghe Wang

Benjamin John Ewing

Danny L Fread

Daniel Bishop

A method and system for performing a criticality analysis of a water distribution network is provided. The method and system provides for segmentation of the system which allows a user to determine the set of elements that comprise segments, which in turn are the smallest portion of a water distribution system that can be isolated by valving. Isolating valves are included as elements in the set of elements that are used by an associated hydraulic solver engine to segment the water distribution network. Once the network has been segmented, a criticality analysis is performed whereby a hydraulic simulation is run for an outage of one or more segments, and the shortfall in demand supplied to other segments is calculated. The system provides for a linking of the ability to automatically identify segments with a hydraulic analysis model to enable a user not only to identify segments, but to rank their importance based on a variety of user defined metrics.

Computer modeling software for analysis of the criticality of elements in a water distribution system

A software program and associated web-based portal is provided for industry-specific product comparison. The program and an associated web portal allows the user the ability to search multiple manufacturers' catalogs and to enter a query based upon customized search criteria. Query results are returned of products that satisfy the user's search criteria. The query is made available to manufacturers whose products are identified in the query results and a communication link is provided whereby such manufacturers can contact the user to discuss the product identified in the search. The user can respond using the message board associated with the web portal. The program and portal can also integrate updates to pump manufacturers' catalogs and can also produce best-fit solutions for users' design criteria.

System for providing collaborative communications environment for manufacturers and potential customers

A database design modeling system for managing data facets for design scenarios as a collection of hierarchical unitized data alternatives is provided. The database design model allows for easy access to data while providing a single persistant location for any one specific data record, thereby reducing any problems associated with conventional data duplication. Further, all data stored within the database is unitized thus eliminating the need for the user to do the unit mapping. According to one aspect of the present invention, a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) modeling system can be constructed that allows for exercising multiple 'What if?' scenarios with minimal user intervention and errors by 1) storing data using a normalized hierarchical storage structure, 2) providing data address indirection means to access data available from a multitude of data sources, 3) providing an object model to leverage programmable support to the orthogonal data views, and 4) providing a GIS client user interface allowing the user to construct a scenario and to view scenario results.

Method and system for the storage and use of engineering modeling alternatives with unitized data

A method and system for providing hydraulic modelers with the ability to accurately produce a surface representation of flow data that incorporates transitional elements in the underlying gravity hydraulic network is provided. The method includes triangulating surface techniques and smooth surface techniques that employ functions that enforce rules that preserve monotonicity as well as to preserve Q=0 when TW=HW. The value of Q can be calculated as well as the partial derivatives in the TW and HW directions for a point of interest. A smooth surface interpolation of the data, which maintains the above-noted conditions, and allows the quick evaluation of flow for any point in the data set, is provided.

Universal hydraulic solver with techniques for improving the representation of flow data

A method and system for optimization of a simplified engineering model is provided. A software tool efficiently simplifies an engineering model such as a water distribution system and preserves the hydraulic accuracy of the simplified model. The system includes a software program that employs a genetic algorithm to evolve solutions for reinstating the behavior of the original network into a simplified network. The genetic algorithm can be used for identifying the less sensitive hydraulic elements (links and nodes), and removing them or replacing them with the best-fit element parameters produced by the genetic algorithm module of the present invention. A element-by-element skeletonization approach generates the layout of a skeleton network and then identifies potential equivalent elements for replacing series pipes and loops. Yet another alternative includes taking a skeleton network model, and using the techniques of the present invention, optimizes the demand distribution and pipe conductance of the skeletonized model.

Technique for optimization of a simplified network model

A database design modeling system for managing data facets for design scenarios as a collection of hierarchical unitized data alternatives is provided. The database design model allows for easy access to data while providing a single persistant location for any one specific data record, thereby reducing any problems associated with conventional data duplication. Further, all data stored within the database is unitized thus eliminating the need for the user to do the unit mapping. According to one aspect of the present invention, a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) modeling system can be constructed that allows for exercising multiple 'What if?' scenarios with minimal user intervention and errors by) storing data using a normalized hierarchical storage structure,) providing data address indirection means to access data available from a multitude of data sources,) providing an object model to leverage programmable support to the orthogonal data views, and) providing a GIS client user interface allowing the user to construct a scenario and to view scenario results.

A method and system for reduction of a network topology-based system having automated optimization features is provided. The method allows for skeletonization to be performed by one or more desired processes including Data Scrubbing, Parallel and Series Pipe Removal techniques, and Branch Trimming techniques. The Data Scrubbing technique includes a loop retaining sensitivity setting that allows the user to determine how large the hydraulic loops are that remain in the system. The data scrubbing technique also includes a network-walking feature in which the software will check each element, when desired, and determine whether it is safe to remove that element without affecting the topological and hydraulic connectivity of the engineering model being reduced. The feature also includes a genetic algorithm-based feature that allows for hydraulics or system behavior to be reintroduced into the model, which may have been eliminated when the elements that gave rise to those effects were removed using the data scrubbing skeletonization technique.

Method and system for reduction of a network topology-based system having automated optimization features

An hydraulics software system for a one-dimensional hydrodynamic numerical model for modeling unsteady flows in sewer and storm water urban drainage systems is provided. The inventive software uses as a numerical model, an implicit four-point, finite-difference solution technique to solve the one-dimensional Saint-Venant equations. The software is designed to select that numerical model, or equation that best describes, or best exhibits the behavior of each of the various structures and flows encountered in complex hydrodynamic systems such as a sewer and storm water drainage systems. Local partial initial modification for subcritical and supercritical transcritical flows is provided. Relaxation for pipe/channel networks are included for achieving computational performance and robustness for commercial software for practical use in water resource engineering.

Method and system for developing a numerical dynamic sanitary sewer and storm water drainage simulation model

A method for estimating the relative speed factor parameter for a variable speed pump in a hydraulic network sufficient to maintain a fixed pressure at a control node is provided. A desired operating characteristic is determined and this is inserted into a matrix of equations describing the hydraulic system. The largely symmetrical matrix includes certain aspects of the system representing the variable speed pumps which are non-symmetrical. Non-symmetrical portions of the matrix are separated out and solved using an LU factorization technique. Non-sparse, non symmetric matrices are generated and the difference in head correction is solved for to compute the updated nodal head vector and ultimately determine the variable pump speed parameter. The invention allows estimation of the variable speed factor for a variable speed pump drive sufficient to maintain a fixed pressure at a control node. The system fully integrates variable pump speed operation with the status and control capabilities of known hydraulic network solvers.

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Bethlehem, CT, United States of America

Jack S Cook, Jr