Innovative Wireless Technologies, Inc.

Flowserve Management Company

Flowserve Corporation

Paul Ralph Carpenter

Luke Koleszar

James Edward Silverstrim

Paul E Schmidt

W Eric Holland

Daniel H Carlson

Mark D Ollander

Michael Adam Rumore

Kent D Colling

Steve Harrison

Matthew A Fisher

Tim Dechant

Daniel E Carlson

A near field energized electronic valve actuator includes a power receiver that enables powering of control electronics using wireless RF energy received from an external device such as a laptop computer or smart cellular telephone handset when conventional power is unavailable to the actuator, thereby enabling exchange of data between the external device and the control electronics. Embodiments further enable data exchange between the control electronics and non-volatile memory during the wireless energization. The data can be exchanged, for example, during initial configuration of the actuator before customer delivery, during an unpowered maintenance period to retrieve operational log information stored by the control electronics, and/or to retrieve valve position information measured by a position sensor and/or fault-relevant data from the actuator when power has been interrupted due to an actuator or valve failure.

Near field RF powered electronic valve actuator

Described are methods and systems for collision avoidance in an underground mine environment that use one or more of a computer vision component, an asset tracking system, and a motion detection component for the purpose of determining and responding to potential collision threats. Imaging is captured and processed in real time, so that assets of interest can be identified and used in evaluating potential for collision with other assets. Location data from an asset tracking system is likewise evaluated and used to determine proximity of assets in relation to the host. A final input is provided by the motion detection component that intelligently determines movement patterns and direction of travel. Once these components' inputs are collectively evaluated, a proximity or a threat value is generated which determine an audible or visual signal or action to prevent collision and increase safety in unfavorable conditions.

Collision avoidance system and method for an underground mine environment

Methods and apparatus for forming and maintaining an ad hoc mesh network suitable for reliable voice and data communications in underground, industrial and other hazardous environments. This invention includes support for cooperative negotiation of dedicated transmission bandwidth for all fixed network nodes, determination of network time synchronization without a pre-determined time master, discovery and merging of adjacent ad hoc mesh networks, and routing techniques for voice, data and network status packets which react instantaneously to network topology changes. Furthermore this invention provides a reliable communication network for mobile nodes carried by personnel and sensor nodes that are fixed or mobile that supports voice, data and tracking/situation awareness. A current application for this technology is a coal mine communication system with an operations center to dispatch, monitor and control coal mine operation including communication and location of mine personnel, and environmental conditions in the mine.

Distributed ad hoc mesh network protocol for underground mine and hazardous area communications

A method for forming a protocol structure for use in an ad hoc, distributed, scaleable wireless sensor node network which enables nodes to join the network autonomously without there being a designated, permanent central time reference and for enabling such nodes to synchronize timing with each other and with other nodes in the network. The method involves discovering the active channel changing sequence used by the network, synchronizing communications of a new node with the remainder of the nodes in the network and scanning communications channels to detect merging clusters of nodes.

Distributed ad hoc network protocol using synchronous shared beacon signaling

Methods and apparatus for global wireless sensor network architecture and protocol for remote supervision, asset control and operational management based on localized clusters of autonomous sensor/supervision/operational sensor nodes capable of ad hoc interconnection with nearby nodes and connection to gateway nodes with increased network functionality. These localized cluster nodes send data to gateway nodes either directly or through multi-hop transactions. The gateway nodes are, in turn, connected to other gateway nodes and operations control centers either through wireless or wired data communications links. Utilizing the Internet for long range interconnectivity, the network is scaleable to a global level. The resulting network is based on an ad hoc mesh topology to allow flexibility in network modification and expansion and is comprised of a tiered structure defined by increasing functionality. A current application for this technology is the remote control and supervision of lighting systems for facilities and municipalities on a local, national and/or global basis from centralized regional operations centers.

Method and apparatus for management of a global wireless sensor network

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Lynchburg, VA, United States of America

Paul Ralph Carpenter