Gas Meter Tamper Prevention via Intermediate Valve Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas meters are vulnerable to tampering and suffer from dust contamination, which affects the solenoid valve's operation and increases pressure differences due to the lack of effective protection for the metering device and solenoid valve.
Innovation Solution
A gas meter design with an intermediate positioning of the metering device between inlet and outlet ducts, incorporating a dust deposit chamber and a mechanical filtering partition with specific mesh openings to divert and filter dust, and an on-off valve positioned at the outlet mouth to prevent tampering and dust ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the metering device is positioned adjacent to the outlet connection element for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gas meter is divided into separate functional sections: a first section containing the metering device and a second section containing the outlet connection element. This segmentation physically separates the metering device from direct access through the outlet, preventing tampering while maintaining operational accessibility through dedicated access points.
Solution Approach 2:
A mesh protection filter is introduced as an intermediary element between the metering device and the outlet connection element. This filter acts as a physical barrier that prevents direct access to the metering device through the outlet, thereby securing it against tampering attempts while allowing gas flow to pass through.
2Ease of manufacture
If the solenoid valve is positioned at the inlet mouth for simple installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but dust contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solenoid valve is extracted from its conventional position at the inlet mouth and relocated to the outlet mouth. This extraction removes the solenoid valve from the dust-prone environment at the inlet, protecting it from dust contamination while maintaining its functional role in controlling gas flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning of the solenoid valve is changed from a single-point location at the inlet mouth to a different spatial location at the outlet mouth. This dimensional relocation places the solenoid valve in a cleaner environment away from dust sources, thereby reducing contamination risks.
3Reliability
If a mesh protection filter is placed between the metering device and outlet connection element, then security against tampering is improved, but dust particles are not effectively collected
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh protection filter serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously provides tamper protection and dust collection functionality. The filter is positioned to block direct access to the metering device while also capturing dust particles from the gas flow, addressing both security and contamination concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh protection filter is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a security barrier against tampering attempts and simultaneously serves as a dust collection mechanism. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making a single element responsible for both protection and filtration.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the filter is positioned before the solenoid valve, then dust collection is improved, but pressure difference increases due to saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is extracted from its conventional upstream position before the solenoid valve and relocated to a position where it does not create excessive pressure differences. This extraction allows the filter to collect dust effectively while minimizing its impact on system pressure by positioning it in a location with adequate flow capacity.
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
Enhances security against tampering and maintains performance by isolating the metering device and solenoid valve from dust, ensuring consistent operation and reduced pressure differences.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical filtering partition (27) interposed between the bottom side (13) and the top side (12), comprising a mesh portion (28) with through openings (28a)
Implementation Method 2
a dust deposit chamber (26) designed to hold back the dust and defined between the bottom side (13) of the box-shaped body (11) and the mechanical filtering partition (27)
Data Source
AI summary
A gas meter includes: a box-shaped body, an inlet mouth and an outlet mouth suited to allow the passage of a gas flow and defined on the box-shaped body, wherein inside the box-shaped body there is a metering device designed to measure one or more parameters for the determination of the gas flow rate, the metering device being provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The gas meter includes: an inlet duct extending from the inlet mouth towards an opposite side of the box-shaped body, an outlet duct extending between the outlet mouth and an opposite side of the box-shaped body, the metering device being positioned in an intermediate area between the inlet duct and the outlet duct.