Dry Pipe Sprinkler RFID Waveguide for Corrosion Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire protection systems, particularly dry pipe sprinkler systems, face challenges in communication and corrosion monitoring due to the need for extensive wiring and battery maintenance, which can be costly and prone to interference, and corrosion within pipes can lead to performance issues and leaks.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwave or RF signals as a communication medium within the pipes of fire protection systems, allowing for low-power device communication and corrosion monitoring without external power sources, using RFID tags and processing circuits to control actuators and detect corrosion through signal processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive wiring and battery power sources are used for communication devices in fire protection systems, then communication functionality is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional wired mechanical communication systems with wireless RFID communication. The RFID tags and readers enable data transmission without physical connections, eliminating extensive wiring while maintaining communication reliability between fire protection devices and monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional system where the same communication infrastructure supports multiple devices (sprinklers, sensors, actuators) and functions (monitoring, control, diagnostics). This universal platform reduces overall system complexity compared to dedicated wiring for each device type.
2Reliability
If traditional wired communication systems are used in fire protection systems, then communication stability is maintained, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes wired mechanical communication with wireless RFID technology. This replacement maintains communication stability through standardized RFID protocols while dramatically simplifying installation, as no physical wiring is required for communication devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags are designed to be passive and self-powered by electromagnetic fields from readers, requiring no installation of power sources at each communication point. This self-service characteristic eliminates complex power wiring while maintaining reliable communication.
3Use of energy by moving object
If battery power sources are used for communication devices, then device operation is enabled, but maintenance requirements and interference risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces battery-powered electronic communication devices with passive RFID tags that harvest energy from electromagnetic fields. This substitution eliminates batteries and their associated maintenance while reducing electromagnetic interference risks from power management circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags utilize energy harvesting from the electromagnetic fields generated by readers, enabling self-powered operation without external battery sources. This self-service power supply mechanism eliminates maintenance requirements and reduces interference from battery management systems.
4Device complexity
If microwave/RF signals are used for communication in fire protection systems, then wiring requirements are reduced, but signal reliability in metal pipes must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the metal fire protection pipes themselves as intermediary waveguides for microwave/RF signal transmission. This intermediary approach allows signals to travel through the existing metal infrastructure without requiring separate communication wiring, while the pipe walls guide and contain the electromagnetic signals for reliable transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the fire protection pipes serve dual functions: fluid transport and electromagnetic signal guidance. This multi-functionality reduces wiring requirements by utilizing the existing pipe infrastructure for both its original purpose and as a waveguide for RFID communication signals.
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
This solution enables a reliable, wireless communication system within fire protection systems that reduces the need for extensive wiring and battery maintenance, while continuously monitoring corrosion levels and predicting pipe failures, thus enhancing system reliability and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The pipes of the fire protection system can act as a waveguide through which electronic components of the sprinkler system can communicate
Implementation Method 2
The RFID tag antenna is positioned within the pipe system and is configured to transmit and receive RF signals to and from the RFID reader antenna and local processing unit
Implementation Method 3
The power circuit is operatively coupled to the processing circuit and the RFID tag antenna and supplies power to the processing circuit and the RFID tag antenna
Data Source
AI summary
A fire protection system includes a pipe system in fluid communication with a water source. A local processing unit is operatively coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader antenna. Sensors monitoring a sensor area for the presence of a fire are in electrical communication with the local processing unit. Fluid distribution devices in fluid communication with the pipe system are configured to deliver water from the water source to the sensor area. An RFID tag apparatus is coupled to one of the fluid distribution devices and includes an RFID tag antenna positioned within the pipe system and is configured to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals to and from the RFID reader antenna and local processing unit, through the pipe system.