Adaptive Flow Monitoring for Piping Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for detecting leaks in water piping systems are inadequate as they fail to consider individual circumstances and consumption patterns, leading to false alarms and unnecessary water supply shutdowns, particularly due to variations in household habits and usage patterns.
Innovation Solution
A control unit with a learning function that continuously samples flow data to recognize and adapt to specific consumption patterns, automatically updating parameters to detect various types of leaks, including small drip leaks and large flow leaks, and takes measures such as shutting off the water supply or issuing alarms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed thresholds for flow quantity or flow-free periods are used to detect leakage, then leakage detection can be implemented, but false alarms occur due to variations in consumption patterns and household habits
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to consumption patterns by continuously learning from flow data over time. Instead of using fixed thresholds, the system adjusts its detection parameters based on observed household habits, seasonal variations, and usage patterns, thereby maintaining high detection accuracy without false alarms caused by rigid threshold settings
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a learning mechanism that uses feedback from continuous flow monitoring to automatically adjust detection thresholds. By analyzing historical flow data and identifying normal consumption patterns, the system refines its leakage detection criteria over time, reducing false alarms while maintaining reliability
2Measurement precision
If pressure testing is performed to detect leakage, then accurate leakage detection can be achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to required shutdown of water supply and coordination with consumption-free periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous flow monitoring without interrupting water supply or requiring user action. By continuously sampling flow data and comparing it against dynamically learned patterns, the system achieves accurate leakage detection while maintaining uninterrupted water service, eliminating the need for scheduled pressure tests and user coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical pressure testing methods with electronic flow sensing and computational analysis. Instead of physically isolating sections and monitoring pressure changes, the system uses flow meters and algorithms to detect leakage patterns, thereby eliminating the need to shut off water supply and improving user convenience
3Ease of manufacture
If flow quantity measurement with fixed thresholds is used, then simple implementation is achieved, but false alarms occur during normal high consumption activities such as pool filling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts detection thresholds based on learned consumption patterns rather than using fixed values. By adapting to normal high-consumption activities like pool filling, the system maintains simple implementation while significantly reducing false alarms through pattern recognition and contextual understanding of household water usage
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system for monitoring of a piping system (2) and/or detection of one or more events in a piping system which comprises a shut-off valve (12), arranged in the piping system. The method comprises the steps of continuously or substantially continuously sampling values related to flow in the piping system. From the previous step obtained values related to flow, obtain a flow pattern for the piping system. From the flow pattern determining one or more parameters, and monitor and/or test the piping system during use of one or more of the in step c) determined parameters. The present invention provides a method and a system which can be used to detect leakage in piping systems.