Fluid Leak Detection Using Flow and Pressure Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid supply monitoring systems fail to accurately detect and differentiate between actual leaks and false alarms, leading to inefficiencies in water conservation and potential property damage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply monitoring system that uses a combination of flow sensors, pressure sensors, and a controller to capture flow data, detect fluid pressure, and verify potential leaks by comparing consumption data against time and volume limits, distinguishing between actual leaks and sensor or valve failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fluid monitoring system uses flow sensors and pressure sensors to detect leaks, then the ability to detect potential leaks is improved, but the system generates false alarms that reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a verification procedure that provides feedback by re-evaluating leak conditions after closing the control valve. The controller monitors whether flow rate returns to normal after valve closure, and uses this feedback to confirm or dismiss the initial leak detection, thereby reducing false alarms while maintaining detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by closing the control valve immediately upon detecting potential leak conditions, then verifies the diagnosis. This preliminary isolation action allows the system to test the leak hypothesis by observing system response before committing to a false alarm, thus improving reliability
2Loss of substance
If the system closes the valve immediately upon detecting potential leaks, then water conservation is improved, but operational efficiency decreases due to unnecessary valve closures from false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary valve closure as a diagnostic test rather than a final action. By closing the valve temporarily to verify whether flow rate normalizes, the system can confirm actual leaks before permanent isolation, ensuring water conservation while avoiding unnecessary operational disruptions from false alarms
Solution Approach 2:
The verification procedure uses feedback from flow rate measurements after valve closure to determine whether the initial alarm was genuine. If flow returns to normal after closure, the system identifies a false alarm and can reopen the valve, thus maintaining operational efficiency while still preventing water loss from actual leaks
3Reliability
If the system implements a verification procedure to reduce false alarms, then reliability is improved, but the response time for isolating actual leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary valve closure as part of the verification process, which actually reduces total isolation time for genuine leaks. By closing the valve immediately upon detection and then verifying, the system isolates actual leaks faster than systems that wait for extended confirmation periods, while the quick verification prevents false alarm penalties
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 system effectively identifies and isolates actual leaks, reducing false alarms and enhancing water conservation by accurately differentiating between leak conditions and sensor or valve issues, thereby minimizing property damage and operational inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid sensor configured to capture flow data identifying a flow rate of a fluid through the supply line
Implementation Method 2
A pressure sensor is configured to detect a fluid pressure at the control valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid supply monitoring system includes a fluid sensor configured to identify a flow rate of a fluid through a supply line. The system comprises a valve configured to control the flow rate through the supply line and a pressure sensor configured to detect a fluid pressure. A controller is configured to receive the flow rate data and identify fluid consumption from the supply line based on the flow rate. The controller is further configured to compare the fluid consumption of a usage event to one of a time limit and a volume limit. In response to the fluid consumption exceeding the time limit or the volume limit, the controller controls the valve to a closed position and identifies a potential fluid leak. With the valve in the closed position, the controller processes a verification procedure that identifies whether the potential fluid leak is an actual fluid leak.