Flue Pipe Identification via Microchip for Gas Appliance Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flue pipe systems for domestic gas appliances face instability and safety risks due to non-standard connections and unauthorized pipe sections, which can lead to gas leakage, as they lack effective identification and characterization methods.
Innovation Solution
Each flue pipe section is equipped with a microchip connected to an electrical conductor, allowing the gas appliance to recognize and identify the pipe section's characteristics, such as length, diameter, and pressure coefficient, preventing unauthorized connections and ensuring safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-standard pipes or unauthorized pipe sections are used to reduce cost, then installation cost is reduced, but connection stability and safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by equipping pipe sections with identification devices (microchips, RFID tags, or visual identifiers) before installation. This allows the gas appliance controller to verify authorization and characteristics in advance through electrical connection, preventing unauthorized pipes from being installed. The identification information is prepared beforehand and automatically read during connection, enabling pre-verification without increasing installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the gas appliance controller read identification information from connected pipe sections and verify authorization. The controller receives feedback signals from the pipe's identification device and can detect connection status through electrical conductors. This feedback mechanism ensures only authorized pipes are recognized and allows the system to take security measures if unauthorized pipes are detected, thereby maintaining connection stability.
2Reliability
If electrical conductors and identification devices are added to pipe sections to enable recognition, then safety and authorization verification are improved, but device complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the electrical conductor to serve multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for power/signal transmission and simultaneously carries identification information for pipe recognition. The identification device is integrated into the pipe structure, and the same electrical connection mechanism used for appliance operation is also used to read pipe identification, eliminating the need for separate identification wiring and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by implementing visual identification markers (colors, patterns, codes) that replicate or represent the pipe's authorization and characteristics. These visual copies provide redundant identification information that can be verified without electrical connection, offering a simpler alternative or supplement to electronic identification systems.
3Loss of information
If traditional electrical conductors and resistors are used to identify pipe length, then identification capability is provided, but mechanical and electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the identification function with the existing electrical conductor already present in the pipe section. Instead of adding separate resistors or identification components, the identification information is integrated into the electrical conductor itself (through embedded microchips, RFID tags, or conductor resistance characteristics). This combination eliminates separate identification wiring and simplifies both mechanical and electrical connections while preserving pipe characteristic information.
4Measurement precision
If pipe sections are equipped with identification devices for precise pressure loss estimation, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by having the electrical conductor and identification device serve multiple purposes: they provide both operational electrical connection and precise identification of pipe characteristics (length, diameter, material). This multi-functionality allows the same component to enable accurate pressure loss estimation without requiring additional specialized sensors or measurement devices, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by implementing visual identification markers (colors, patterns, codes) that represent pipe characteristics such as length and diameter. These visual copies allow quick identification and classification of pipe sections without requiring complex electronic reading systems, providing a cost-effective method for precise pressure loss estimation based on visual inspection or simple scanning.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a flue pipe section for a gas appliance comprising a pipe body with two opposite ends open and an identification device disposed on the pipe body. The identification device correlates with characteristic information of the pipe section so that a gas appliance connected with the pipe section can identify if this pipe section is authorized or not.