Static Gas Meter Charging Pack Energy Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Static gas meters require battery power to operate and communicate measurement data, leading to high energy consumption and reduced battery life, especially when using radio transmitters for remote communication, which can stress batteries and reduce their lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A static gas meter uses a charging pack powered by a booster circuit controlled by the meter's control unit to optimize energy storage and usage, disconnecting from the battery during transmission and using stored energy to reduce current peaks and prolong component life, with a DC-DC converter providing a constant voltage to the transmission system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radio transmitter is used for remote communication of consumption measurements, then communication capability is improved, but battery life is reduced due to high current peaks during transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The charging pack is charged in advance during intervals between transmissions, storing energy that will be used during the next transmission event. This preliminary energy storage allows the transmitter to operate without drawing high currents from the battery, thus preserving battery life while maintaining communication capability
Solution Approach 2:
The charging pack acts as an intermediary energy storage device between the battery and the radio transmitter. It absorbs energy during low-demand periods and releases it during high-demand transmission periods, isolating the battery from damaging current peaks while enabling reliable communication
2Power
If high voltage is maintained on the charging pack for long periods between transmissions, then energy availability for transmission is ensured, but the intrinsic life and physical characteristics of the charging pack deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining constant high voltage on the charging pack, the system uses periodic charging where the pack is charged to high voltage only briefly before each transmission, then discharged. This periodic high-voltage exposure significantly extends the charging pack's operational life while ensuring sufficient energy is available when needed
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
This solution extends the life of both the battery and charging pack by optimizing energy usage, reducing power consumption, and preventing high voltage stress, thereby enhancing the meter's operational longevity and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A static gas meter (1) of the innovative type comprising: a battery (11) for generating a power supply voltage; a charging pack (13) for storing an energy; a voltage control circuit (15) for controlling a charging of the charging pack (13) by increasing a voltage from a value supplied by the battery (11) to a value for charging the charging pack (13)
Implementation Method 2
a charging pack (13) for storing an energy
Implementation Method 3
with a DC-DC converter providing a constant voltage to the transmission system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A static gas meter is described comprising a control unit (7), a measuring circuit (6) for detecting gas consumptions, a wireless transmission system (8) for transmitting measurements made by the measuring circuit, a charging pack (13) for storing energy to be released to the transmission system in case of need. A battery generates a power supply voltage for supplying the control unit, the measuring circuit and the transmission system. A voltage regulating system (14, 15,16) is operatively connected to the control unit (7), to the battery and to the charging pack and it is controlled by the control unit (7) such that it regulates the charging of the charging pack (13). A method for transmitting gas consumption measurements made by a gas meter of the static type is also described.