Compressed Air Pipe Network Evaluation Without Layout Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for evaluating pressure loss in pipe networks require labor-intensive input of layout information, which is often difficult to obtain, especially for equipment installed under ceilings or floors, and rely on expensive and durable flow rate sensors for measuring consumption flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A pipe network evaluation device that estimates pipe resistance and calculates pressure loss without requiring layout information by using pressure and flow rate data from known parts of the network, allowing for the evaluation of pressure loss and consumption flow rates in terminal equipment without installing flow sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If layout information is input for each equipment to calculate pressure loss, then calculation accuracy is improved, but operator burden and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically acquires layout information from building drawings and performs visual inspection to extract equipment positions and pipe routes, eliminating the need for manual information input. The pipe network model self-updates based on acquired layout data, allowing operators to simply select evaluation targets without detailed data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-acquires and stores layout information from building drawings before the evaluation process. By preparing the pipe network model in advance with embedded layout data, the system enables rapid evaluation without requiring operators to input information at the time of calculation.
2Loss of information
If visual inspection is performed to obtain layout information, then equipment positions can be identified, but difficulty increases for equipment under ceilings or floors
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual visual inspection with automated image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. These computational methods can analyze building drawings and detect equipment positions regardless of their location, eliminating the limitations of human visual inspection for concealed equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses building drawings as an intermediary to obtain layout information indirectly. Instead of directly observing physical equipment positions, the system extracts layout data from architectural plans, which contain comprehensive information about equipment locations including those under ceilings or floors.
3Measurement precision
If flow rate sensors are installed to measure consumption flow rate, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual model of the pipe network that replicates physical flow characteristics. By measuring pressure differences at accessible locations and using this virtual model to simulate and calculate consumption flow rates, the system obtains accurate measurements without installing physical flow sensors at terminal equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts the measurement function from physical flow sensors and transfers it to a computational model. By separating the sensing function (pressure measurement at accessible points) from the measurement target (consumption flow rate at terminal equipment), the system achieves accurate measurement without direct sensor installation at difficult locations.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a pipe network evaluation device that is capable of calculating a pressure loss in a pipe network and a consumption flow rate of compressed air in each terminal equipment without inputting layout information on devices, even in a case where there are some devices, the layout information about which is difficult to ascertain visually or obtain from a building drawing, or the like. Provided is a pipe network evaluation device that estimates the resistance of a pipe, the layout information about which is unknown, on the basis of pressure data on compressed air in an air tank, flow rate data on compressed air supplied from the air tank, layout unknown-part pipe outlet pressure data, for which layout information is unknown, and layout known-part pipe layout information, for which layout information is known.