Annular Turbine Flow Meter for Battery-Free Fireground Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow and pressure measurement devices in firefighting are limited by their reliance on batteries, which lead to reliability issues in high-rise fires and remote locations, and lack the ability to form networks for data collection, manipulation, and distribution, making it difficult to share real-time data among firefighters and for training and liability purposes.
Innovation Solution
A wire-free, self-powered flow and pressure measurement device that harvests energy from liquid flow using an annular turbine with magnets and coils, combined with polymeric and metal components to reduce RF inefficiencies, allowing for portable, robust, and network-capable data transmission to smartphones and other devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If battery-powered measurement devices are used, then portability and data collection capability are improved, but reliability is worsened due to battery limitations in high-rise fires and remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine housing is designed to harvest kinetic energy from water flow directly to power the measurement device's electronics, display, and wireless transmission functions. This self-powered mechanism eliminates battery dependencies while maintaining portability and operational reliability in remote locations and high-rise fires.
2Measurement precision
If conventional measurement devices are used, then basic flow and pressure measurement is achieved, but the ability to form networks for data collection and distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device integrates multiple functions including precise flow and pressure measurement, wireless data transmission, and network formation capabilities. This multi-functional design enables the device to operate both as a standalone measurement instrument and as a networked node for comprehensive data collection and distribution across firefighting operations.
3Ease of operation
If wire-free portable devices are used, then ease of use and portability are improved, but power availability is worsened due to battery limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the kinetic energy of water flow passing through the turbine housing to generate electrical power. This self-powered approach maintains wire-free portability while ensuring continuous power availability for electronics, display, and wireless transmission without relying on batteries.
4Use of energy by moving object
If permanently installed battery-powered devices are used, then power availability is improved, but portability and adaptability to different fire scenarios are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement device transitions from static permanently installed configurations to a dynamic portable design that adapts to various fire scenarios. The self-powered turbine mechanism enables the device to be deployed anywhere with water flow, providing both power availability and adaptability to different firefighting operations including high-rise fires and remote locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables reliable, real-time data collection and transmission of flow and pressure data without battery limitations, facilitating better decision-making during fires, enhancing training, and providing auditable records for liability defense and environmental management.
Implementation Method 1
an annular turbine with magnets and coils that harvests power from liquid flow
Implementation Method 2
polymeric and metal components to reduce RF inefficiencies that can occur due to reflection, absorption, and attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed portable self-powered flow measuring device has a non-metallic housing through which a fluid flows. An annular turbine spins within the housing, and has a set of inwardly-extending vanes set to reduce the pressure of the flowing fluid by more than 10%. A set of magnets that are spaced circumferentially about the turbine. Coils are mounted to the housing with axes that are radial to the axis of the central waterway. A set of circumferentially spaced reinforcing arms, one for each coil, are positioned outside the coils, the circumferential width of each reinforcing arm near the axial position of the turbine being no more than the radius of the coil.