Fluid Manifold with Integrated Flow Sensors for Water Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing global population and limited water resources lead to challenges in housing development due to water shortages, necessitating efficient monitoring and management of water usage in plumbing systems.
Innovation Solution
A fluid manifold system equipped with flow sensors, such as ultrasonic, hall effect, or electromagnetic sensors, that channels and monitors fluid flow within plumbing systems, enabling real-time monitoring of water usage, leak detection, and automatic control of water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional water distribution systems are used without monitoring, then device complexity is low, but water usage efficiency and leak detection capability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates flow sensors, pressure sensors, and control valves directly into the manifold structure, merging multiple monitoring and control functions into a single integrated unit. This reduces the need for separate external monitoring devices and improves reliability while managing complexity through consolidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold system is designed to perform multiple functions: distributing fluid to multiple outlets, monitoring flow rates, detecting leaks, and automatically controlling valve operations. This multi-functionality improves water usage monitoring reliability without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
2Measurement precision
If manual water usage monitoring is used, then measurement precision is insufficient, but automation extent is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring methods with electronic sensors (flow sensors, pressure sensors) and automated control systems. This substitution enables precise digital measurement of fluid flow parameters and automatic response to detected conditions, significantly improving measurement precision while implementing high-level automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fluid flow parameters using sensors and provides real-time feedback to control valves automatically. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables precise measurement and immediate automated correction of abnormal conditions, achieving both high measurement precision and extensive automation.
3Loss of energy
If no real-time monitoring is implemented, then water waste is high, but use of energy is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous real-time monitoring of fluid flow parameters through continuously operating sensors and uninterrupted data processing. This continuous action enables immediate detection of leaks or abnormal usage patterns, preventing water waste while the energy consumption is offset by the value of water conservation achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated control system operates autonomously to detect and respond to abnormal conditions without human intervention. The system self-regulates valve operations based on sensor inputs, reducing water waste through automatic correction while minimizing the need for additional energy-intensive manual monitoring and intervention.
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 manages water distribution, reduces waste, and allows for smart water usage monitoring, enabling better planning and conservation by providing detailed usage statistics and alerts for potential issues, thus addressing the constraints imposed by water scarcity.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid flow sensor(s) can be an ultrasonic flow sensor
Implementation Method 2
The fluid flow sensor(s) can be an ultrasonic flow sensor, hall effect flow sensor
Implementation Method 3
The fluid flow sensor(s) can be an ultrasonic flow sensor, hall effect flow sensor, electromagnetic flow sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid manifold is capable of channeling and monitoring fluid flow within a fluid distribution system. The manifold includes one or more input lumens. Each input lumen associated with a respective inlet port. The manifold also includes a plurality of output lumens such that each output lumen is associated with a respective outlet port and at least one input lumen is coupled to two or more output lumens. The manifold also includes one or more flow sensors capable of measuring fluid flow parameters of fluid flowing through at least one of the one or more input lumens and the plurality of output lumens. In some implementations, a flow sensor can be mounted to each output lumen of the manifold.