Communicating Gas Socket with Fluidic Oscillation Flowmeter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas distribution sockets in hospitals lack precise monitoring of gas flow rates and remote communication capabilities, leading to inaccuracies in gas delivery quantification and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A communicating gas distribution socket equipped with a fluidic oscillation flowmeter and telecommunication means, featuring a valve system, on-board electronics for signal processing, and wireless communication technologies like LoRa or Sigfox, allowing remote transmission of flow rate data and reducing maintenance frequency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional flowmeters (ball flow liter or flowmeter with integrated pressure reducer) are used, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is poor (accuracy of ±10% to ±30%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flowmeter with integrated pressure reducer and telecommunication module into a single unified socket assembly. This merging eliminates the need for separate external flowmeter devices while providing precise flow rate measurement (±2% accuracy) and remote monitoring capabilities, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The socket is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: gas flow control, precise flow rate measurement, pressure reduction, and wireless telecommunication. This multi-functionality integrates what were previously separate components into one universal device, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing complexity
2Loss of information
If conventional flowmeters without telecommunication means are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of information is significant (cannot remotely monitor flow rates)
Solution Approach 1:
The socket incorporates telecommunication means that automatically transmit flow rate data to remote monitoring systems. This feedback mechanism eliminates information loss by continuously reporting actual flow rates, while the automated nature of the transmission maintains ease of operation without requiring additional manual steps
Solution Approach 2:
The socket performs self-monitoring and self-reporting of flow rate data through integrated telecommunication means. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual reading and recording by operators, preventing information loss while maintaining operational simplicity
3Reliability
If frequent maintenance operations are performed, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity is reduced (downtime for maintenance)
Solution Approach 1:
The socket includes remotely replaceable batteries that can be monitored and replaced without physical access to the socket interior. This preliminary action capability allows maintenance to be performed only when necessary (based on battery status monitoring), maintaining reliability while minimizing interruptions to gas distribution productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical flow measurement systems with a fluidic oscillation flowmeter that has no moving parts requiring maintenance. This substitution eliminates mechanical wear and tear, ensuring long-term reliability while maintaining continuous operation and productivity
4Measurement precision
If high power consumption components are used, then the measurement precision and telecommunication capability are improved, but the use of energy increases (reducing battery life)
Solution Approach 1:
The telecommunication module is designed to transmit data periodically rather than continuously, and the flowmeter uses oscillation-based measurement that consumes minimal energy. This periodic action approach maintains measurement precision and communication capability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption to extend battery life
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 precise and remote monitoring of gas flow rates with high accuracy, significantly reducing energy consumption and extending battery life, thus enhancing the efficiency and autonomy of gas distribution sockets.
Implementation Method 1
a fluidic oscillation flow meter, which makes it possible to measure, with high accuracy, the flow rate of the gas
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a communicating, i.e., connected, gas distribution outlet (31) comprising an outlet body (32), a gas flow control system (38), a fluidic oscillation flowmeter (47), signal processing means (49), and at least one telecommunications module (51, 52), electrically connected to the signal processing means (49) and configured to wirelessly transmit one or more measurement signals from the signal processing means (49) to at least one communication network, said at least one telecommunications module (51, 52) comprising at least one radio modem (51) associated with at least one transmitting/receiving antenna (52). Use of a communicating gas distribution outlet (31) according to the invention for distributing a gas within a hospital building, in particular oxygen, air, or nitrous oxide (N2O).