Water-Flow Micrometer Hibernation for Low-Power Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-flow monitoring systems in multi-unit housing or commercial complexes face challenges such as the need for complex installations, reliance on power-consuming wireless communications, susceptibility to tampering, and inefficiencies in billing due to lack of individual metering, especially in buildings without central plumbing for each unit.
Innovation Solution
A micrometer system with a long-lasting power source, tamper-proof design, and low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) communication, featuring compact, easy-to-install micrometers with hibernation mode, mounted on water outlets, and a wireless transmission module for monitoring individual water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple water meters are installed in each unit for accurate monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring function into distributed micrometer nodes, each independently monitoring a specific water outlet. Each micrometer is a self-contained unit with sensor, processor, and transmission module, eliminating the need for complex centralized metering infrastructure while achieving unit-level monitoring precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical water meters with electronic flow sensors that detect water flow through non-contact or minimal-contact methods. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity, eliminates moving parts requiring maintenance, and enables integration with digital transmission systems for remote monitoring.
2Ease of operation
If wireless transmission modules are used for remote monitoring, then ease of operation is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The micrometer system employs periodic transmission cycles where data is buffered locally and transmitted at intervals rather than continuously. The low-power wide-area network module enters sleep mode between transmissions, dramatically reducing energy consumption while maintaining remote monitoring functionality through scheduled updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters including data sampling frequency, transmission power, and sleep duration based on water usage patterns and battery status. This adaptive parameter adjustment optimizes the balance between monitoring accuracy and energy conservation, extending battery life while maintaining operational effectiveness.
3Ease of manufacture
If micrometers are made compact for easy installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The micrometer design nests components hierarchically within the compact housing: the flow sensor is integrated into the water flow path, the printed circuit board accommodates the processor and transmission module in stacked arrangement, and the battery is positioned to maximize space utilization. This nested layout achieves compact form factor while maintaining proper spacing and thermal management for reliable operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for water-flow monitoring comprising at least one micrometer, a gateway and a server, wherein the micrometer comprising: a housing, an inner tubular member, a rotating member, a sensing module, a transmission module, a power unit, a memory, and a processor, and wherein the tubular member is located inside the housing, and have an in and out connecting means and wherein the connecting means is connected to a distributing conduit on one side and associated with a water-flow outlet on the other side, and wherein the rotating member is designed to rotate upon the flow of water through said tubular member, and the sensing module is sensing the amount of water flow through the micrometer to said water-flow outlet, with accordance to the rotation of said rotating member, and wherein the micrometer is designed to have a hibernation mode, said hibernation mode starts according to a predefined condition and is terminated upon the sensing of water flow.