Smart Flow Meter Power Circuit for Low Energy Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smart flow meters, which are battery-powered and network-connected, face challenges in balancing periodic reading frequency with battery resource constraints, leading to high power consumption and frequent maintenance needs, especially in large deployments.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a transducer generating an electrical output, a data storage element that changes state in response, and a power circuit that turns on only when necessary, reducing power consumption to a leakage current level, and includes a processing circuit that monitors fluid flow and enters a low power mode when flow is inactive, using a voltage regulator and wireless receiver for remote activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If smart flow meters perform periodic readings and communicate over the network, then accurate fluid flow monitoring is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter performs periodic readings at configurable intervals rather than continuously, allowing the system to balance monitoring accuracy with power consumption. The microcontroller enters sleep mode between readings and activates only when measurement is required, significantly reducing overall power usage while maintaining accurate periodic monitoring of fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on flow detection. When flow is detected, the system activates the transducer and microcontroller to perform measurements. When no flow is present, the system enters a low-power sleep state, optimizing the balance between monitoring accuracy and power consumption based on real-time conditions.
2Productivity
If smart flow meters are deployed in large numbers, then comprehensive fluid infrastructure monitoring is achieved, but maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter uses periodic readings at configurable intervals rather than continuous operation, dramatically extending battery life. This allows deployed units to operate for years on a single battery replacement, making large-scale deployments economically viable without frequent maintenance cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes automatic self-diagnosis and error logging capabilities that store operational data and fault information in non-volatile memory. This allows the flow meter to monitor its own health status and provide diagnostic information during maintenance visits, reducing the need for frequent check-ups and enabling longer intervals between maintenance operations.
3Speed
If the processing circuit remains continuously powered, then real-time fluid flow monitoring is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller dynamically transitions between active and sleep states based on flow detection. When flow is detected, the system activates the processing circuit for real-time monitoring. When no flow is present, the circuit enters sleep mode, reducing power consumption while maintaining the capability for rapid response when flow occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a flow detection mechanism that activates the processing circuit only when flow is detected, rather than keeping it continuously powered. This preliminary detection approach ensures real-time monitoring capability is available when needed while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
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 significantly reduces power consumption, extending battery life and minimizing maintenance, allowing for the use of smaller batteries and reducing costs while maintaining accurate fluid flow monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input
Implementation Method 2
The transducer may comprise an inductor-capacitor tank circuit
Implementation Method 3
The transducer may comprise a piezoelectric transducer
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may include a transducer configured to generate an electrical output responsive to an input, and a data storage element configured to change state responsive to the transducer. The electronic device may include a power circuit configured to turn on and supply power responsive to the data storage element changing state, and a processing circuit configured to be powered by the power circuit.