Duct Information Modules for Redundant Positional Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing duct systems lack efficient methods for locating individual duct lines, especially when obscured, leading to errors and high maintenance costs due to the unreliability of tracer wires, which can become disassociated or damaged during construction, and lack redundancy in functionality.
Innovation Solution
An electronic module housing apparatus is attached to ducts, emitting positional and duct properties signals, allowing for accurate location and mapping, with redundancy in the system to bypass malfunctioning modules and ensure continuous signal routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tracer wire is used to locate ducts, then location capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to disassociation or damage during construction
Solution Approach 1:
The duct system is divided into multiple duct sections, each equipped with its own transmitter module. This segmentation ensures that if one module fails or is damaged, other modules continue to provide location information for their respective duct sections, thereby maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter modules are integrated directly into the duct sections during manufacturing, providing built-in redundancy and protection against tracer wire disassociation or damage. This prior integration cushions against the harmful effects of construction disturbances that typically affect separate tracer wires.
2Reliability
If tracer wire is used to locate ducts, then location function is provided, but system complexity increases due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter modules serve multiple functions: they provide location information for duct sections, identifies specific duct types, and enable network communication between adjacent modules. This multi-functionality achieves redundancy without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each transmitter module autonomously provides location and identification information for its associated duct section. The modules self-organize into a network where adjacent modules can communicate, providing automatic redundancy without requiring complex external monitoring systems.
3Measurement precision
If individual duct location information is required, then mapping precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for additional identification components
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter module integrates multiple functions including location signaling, duct identification, and network communication capabilities into a single compact unit. This merging provides precise individual duct location information without requiring separate identification components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter module creates an information copy of the duct section it is attached to, encoding duct identification and location data that can be read remotely. This information copying enables precise duct identification without adding physical complexity to the duct structure itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The present inventive concept includes a duct system and method for using same to map and locate ducts. A preferred embodiment of the duct system includes a duct, a plurality of electronic information modules and an oversheath at least partially covering the plurality of information modules and fixing the information modules to the duct. The plurality of information modules are configured to emit a positional signal to enable location of the information modules and associated duct(s) and/or mapping of the duct system.