Fluid Meter Standby Exit Circuit for Flow-Triggered Wake-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid meters require large batteries or rechargeable systems with significant bulk and cost due to intermittent fluid flow, necessitating frequent replacements and high power consumption, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A fluid meter with a standby output circuit driven by fluid flow, using a generator to generate electricity and a control unit to manage standby modes, reducing power consumption by activating only when necessary, and including a transistor and control element for efficient wake-up and return to standby.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a battery is used to provide independent power supply to the fluid meter, then the meter can operate without electrical grid connection, but the battery size and cost increase significantly to provide power for long periods
Solution Approach 1:
The meter alternates between active measurement mode and deep standby mode, activating only when fluid flow is detected. This periodic operation pattern allows the use of smaller energy storage elements since power is needed only intermittently rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric generator is driven by the fluid flow itself to recharge the battery, making the system self-sufficient. The fluid that the meter measures also provides the energy to power the meter, eliminating the need for large external power sources.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a rechargeable battery powered by fluid-driven generator is used, then the power supply can be sustained longer, but the battery electrical storage capacity must be large due to intermittent fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates in periodic cycles of activation and standby, drawing power from the battery only when fluid flow is present and the generator can recharge it. During standby periods with no flow, the meter consumes minimal power, extending the effective duration of the battery's useful capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter changes its operational state between full activity and deep standby, dramatically reducing power consumption parameters during standby. This allows the same battery to provide sustained power over longer periods without increasing storage capacity.
3Reliability
If the fluid meter operates continuously to maintain responsiveness, then measurement capability is always available, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The meter activates measurements periodically based on fluid flow detection rather than continuously. The standby output circuit detects voltage from the generator and triggers activation only when needed, maintaining measurement reliability while minimizing power consumption during idle periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the standby output circuit to detect when fluid flow generates voltage, automatically triggering activation. This feedback mechanism ensures the meter responds reliably to actual measurement needs without continuous operation, optimizing the balance between responsiveness and power consumption.
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
Achieves low power consumption during standby, allowing smaller energy storage elements, reducing size and cost, while maintaining responsiveness for metrological measurements and data communication.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator (12) configured to be driven by the flow of fluid in the fluid pipeline and to generate electricity
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid meter configured to perform metrological measurements in a fluid circulation pipe, comprising: - an electric generator (12) configured to be driven by the fluid circulation, - at least one metrological sensor (4) configured to perform metrological measurements in the fluid pipe (2), - a control block (6) configured to receive the metrological measurements, - a first standby output circuit (20) coupled to the electric generator (12) at a first end (22) and to the control block (6) at a second end (24), and configured to generate an edge on a first electrical signal (INT1) at the second end in response to the establishment of a voltage at the first end caused by the driving of the electric generator by the fluid circulation, the control block being configured to implement a standby output of the fluid meter in response to the edge on the first electrical signal.