Flow Measuring Instrument with Wind Velocity Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow measurement systems face challenges in accurately determining watercourse flow rates due to environmental influences like wind and temperature, which can lead to measurement errors, especially when surface water velocity is affected by nearby airflows.
Innovation Solution
A flow measuring instrument integrating a contactless flow rate sensor and a wind velocity sensor, which calculates the average flow rate by combining data from both sensors, including wind direction, water level, and channel geometry, using a control unit and potentially a calibration table, to account for wind effects and improve measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a contactless flow rate sensor is used to measure watercourse flow, then the device is protected from damage by floating materials, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to environmental influences such as wind and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wind velocity sensors and temperature sensors as intermediary measurement devices that detect environmental conditions affecting the flow measurement. A control unit processes these environmental measurements and uses them to compensate for measurement errors in the flow rate sensor, thereby maintaining accuracy without compromising the contactless design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring environmental parameters (wind velocity, temperature) and using this information to correct or compensate for deviations in flow rate measurements. The control unit adjusts the measurement results based on the detected environmental conditions, creating a closed-loop system that maintains measurement precision.
2Device complexity
If separate evaluation systems are used for various sensors, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to lack of integrated environmental compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensors (flow rate sensor, wind velocity sensors, temperature sensors) and their evaluation functions into a single integrated measuring instrument. The control unit consolidates the processing of all sensor data, enabling cross-compensation between different measurement types and improving overall measurement accuracy while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
The integrated system provides more accurate flow rate measurements by accounting for wind velocity and direction, reducing errors caused by environmental factors and enhancing robustness against damage from floating materials, while allowing for precise calculation of flow rates and flood warnings.
Implementation Method 1
a flow rate sensor, which preferably uses contactless measuring, for detecting a local flow rate of the watercourse
Implementation Method 2
a wind velocity sensor for detecting the wind velocity, preferably at the location at which the measuring instrument is attached
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow measuring instrument which ascertains the water level of a watercourse, the flow rate of the watercourse at a specific location, and the wind velocity at the location of the measuring instrument, and these three measurement data are incorporated in the calculation of the average flow rate of the watercourse and/or of the calculation of the flow. By taking the wind velocity above the watercourse into consideration, calculation of the flow can be improved.