Dual MEMS Pressure Sensing in Gas Meters for Rapid Shutoff

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas meters lack cost-effective solutions for rapid automatic shutoff on high pressure, alarm on low pressure, and tampering detection, while also failing to provide a readout of instantaneous gas pressure.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of two MEMS pressure sensors, one in the gas-environment and one in the air-environment, with a processor to calculate pressure differences and trigger immediate shutoff or alarms based on threshold comparisons, and increased measurement rates during abnormal conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pressure sensors are used in gas meters, then pressure measurement capability is provided, but cost increases and rapid automatic shutoff functionality is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverapid automatic shutoff on high pressureVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure sensors with electronic pressure sensing elements integrated into the gas meter's existing electronic system. This substitution enables rapid automatic shutoff through electronic detection and control while reducing overall system cost by eliminating separate mechanical components and simplifying the measurement architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates pressure measurement functionality into the existing electronic control system of the gas meter, allowing the same electronic platform to perform both flow measurement and pressure monitoring. This multi-functionality approach reduces component count and cost while enabling rapid response for automatic shutoff operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If pressure sensing functionality is added to gas meters, then safety monitoring capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealarm on low pressure and tampering detectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines pressure sensing, flow measurement, and control functions into a single integrated electronic system within the gas meter. By merging these functions into one unified platform rather than using separate independent components, the system achieves enhanced safety monitoring capabilities while actually reducing overall device complexity through consolidation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing electronic control system of the gas meter is designed to perform multiple functions including flow measurement, pressure monitoring, alarm generation, and automatic shutoff control. This multi-functional approach enables comprehensive safety monitoring without adding separate dedicated systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If pressure measurement is implemented, then instantaneous gas pressure readout is provided, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadout of instantaneous gas pressureVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical pressure gauges or separate electronic pressure measurement systems with an integrated pressure sensing element that directly interfaces with the gas meter's existing electronic display and processing system. This substitution provides instantaneous pressure readout capability while reducing manufacturing cost by eliminating separate measurement and display components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enables cost-effective, rapid response to high or low pressure events and tampering, ensuring safety and reliability in gas meter operations.

Implementation Method 1

The first sensor may be a first micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems): Microelectromechanical Systems

Implementation Method 2

The second sensor may be a second micro electrical mechanical system (MEMS)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMEMS (Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems): Microelectromechanical Systems

Data Source

PatentUS20260049856A1Cost Effective Pressure Sensors for Gas Meters

Publication Date: 2026.02.19 ITRON INC

AI summary

Cost effective pressure sensors for gas meters are described herein. In an example, responsive to an abnormal condition at an ultrasonic metrology unit of a gas meter, rates of pressure sensor operation are increased. In the example, the operations may include: measuring gas-environment pressure values; measuring contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; calculating pressure difference values of the gas-environment pressure values minus the contemporaneous air-environment pressure values; and comparing pressure difference values to one or more threshold values.