Integrated Gas Meter Shutoff Control With Adaptive Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas supply management systems require multiple devices and additional equipment for effective reading and control, which increases system complexity and volume, and lacks compactness and self-sufficiency.
Innovation Solution
A compact device with an input and output connector for gas flow, equipped with sensors, a gas supply blocking mechanism, and a control logic unit that allows for consumption reading and safe gas supply management without additional equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple devices and additional equipment are used for gas supply reading and control, then the system can achieve effective monitoring and control functions, but the system complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple previously separate devices into a single integrated device. The counter housing serves as the structure for both the reading device and the blocking device. The control unit integrates multiple functions including consumption reading, threshold comparison, and blocking control. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining all necessary monitoring and control functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it reads gas consumption data, compares consumption against threshold values, detects tampering attempts, controls the blocking mechanism, and communicates with external systems. This multi-functionality is achieved through a universal control unit that manages all these operations within a single device structure, reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive gas supply management capability.
2Reliability
If sensorized devices are used to detect tampering, then security is improved, but the volume of the system increases due to enveloping ducts or additional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper detection sensors are integrated directly into the compact device housing rather than requiring separate sensorized devices to envelop the duct. The motion sensor and inclination sensor are positioned within the existing device structure, allowing tamper detection functionality to be added without increasing overall system volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensors are nested within the device housing structure. The motion sensor detects attempts to remove or move the entire device, while the inclination sensor detects attempts to open or tamper with the housing. These sensors are embedded in the existing structure rather than adding external layers, maintaining compactness while providing comprehensive tamper detection.
3Measurement precision
If dynamic threshold adaptation is implemented based on user habits and environmental conditions, then the control accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the control logic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adapts threshold values based on learned user consumption patterns and environmental conditions. The control unit stores historical consumption data and automatically adjusts threshold values to reflect typical user behavior and seasonal variations. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high monitoring accuracy without requiring manual threshold reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously monitors actual consumption against adaptive thresholds and learns from deviations. When consumption patterns change, the system adjusts thresholds accordingly. This feedback loop enables automatic adaptation to user habits and environmental conditions, improving measurement precision while the integrated control unit manages the complexity of the adaptive logic.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a device (1), for reading and controlling the gas supply, wherein there is an input connector (11) and an output connector (12) of a pipe in which gas flows from a distribution network towards at least one residential user, comprising a control logic unit (2) for the operation of said device (1), which includes a plurality of sensors (3) operationally connected to said control logic unit (2), for measuring values of physical quantities, a gas supply blocking member (4), operationally connected to said control logic unit (2), wherein said control logic unit (2) includes: a threshold value access module (21) configured to receive, from an archive, first and/or second predetermined threshold values; a first comparison module (22) configured to compare said values measured by said plurality of sensors (3) with said first predetermined threshold values; a recording module (23), operatively connected to said plurality of sensors (3), configured to record one or more time series of said values measured by each sensor of said plurality (3); a processing module (24) configured to process said one or more time series recorded by said recording module; a second comparison module (25) configured to compare said one or more recorded time series with said second predetermined threshold values; an interruption module (26) configured to send an alarm signal and activate said blocking member (4) to block the gas supply, if said measured values are higher than said first predetermined threshold values; and a reopening module (27) configured to send an inhibition command of said blocking member (4) to inhibit said blocking member (4) and allow the gas supply, if said measured values are higher than said first predetermined threshold values and if the values obtained from a processing of said one or more series, by means of said processing module, are lower than said second predetermined threshold values. The present invention also concerns an operating method of said device.