Gas Meter Pressure Detection Using Flow-Triggered Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas meters, powered by batteries, face challenges in timely detecting gas pressure irregularities due to power consumption limitations, leading to delayed closure of safety valves, which can exceed the reaction times prescribed by safety standards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a controller that uses flow rate data from a flow rate sensor to trigger additional pressure measurements at regular intervals, allowing for timely detection of pressure irregularities while maintaining energy efficiency by activating the pressure sensor only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If pressure measurements are performed at long intervals to save power, then battery lifetime is extended, but detection latency increases and safety response is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor operates in dynamic power states (sleep and active) rather than a fixed state. The system transitions between these states based on flow rate conditions, enabling adaptive power management that reduces consumption during normal operation while maintaining rapid response capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flow rate sensor data as feedback to trigger pressure measurements. When the flow rate sensor detects abnormal flow conditions, it triggers an immediate pressure measurement, creating a feedback loop that ensures timely detection of pressure irregularities without requiring continuous pressure monitoring.
2Reliability
If pressure measurements are performed frequently to improve detection timeliness, then safety response is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing continuous pressure measurements (excessive action), the system performs partial measurements only when flow rate criteria are met. This partial action approach maintains safety reliability by triggering measurements during abnormal conditions while avoiding unnecessary power consumption during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the pressure sensor based on flow rate conditions. When flow rate exceeds thresholds, the pressure sensor transitions from low-power mode to active measurement mode, dynamically adjusting its operation to balance reliability and power consumption.
3Speed
If the pressure sensor remains in active state for rapid detection, then detection speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure sensor operates periodically rather than continuously, entering sleep mode between measurements and activating only when triggered by flow rate anomalies. This periodic operation maintains the ability for rapid detection when needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems for operating gas meters are described herein. The systems may include a gas measuring system connectable to a gas line, where the gas measuring system may include a flow rate sensor, a pressure sensor, and a controller in communication with the flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor. The flow rate sensor and the pressure sensor may be configured to sense measures of a gas passing through the gas line. The controller may repeatedly obtain pressure measurements at set pressure measurement times. Measures from the flow sensor may be monitored and when a measure from the flow sensor measure meets a flow rate criteria, the controller may trigger an extra pressure measurement without waiting for a next pressure measurement time. The controller may initiate closing of a gas valve when a measure from the pressure sensor exceeds a threshold value.