Hydrant Valve Opening Sensing With Single-Magnet Hall Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire hydrants lack visual indicators for determining the open position of their valves, and existing sensor devices are complex and costly to maintain.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device using a single permanent magnet and magnetic field sensors to detect the distance change between the magnet and sensor, allowing accurate determination of the valve's opening degree.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing sensor devices are used to determine valve opening degree, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor device is segmented into two separate components: a permanent magnet attached to the operating device and magnetic field sensors attached to the fitting housing. This segmentation allows each component to be simple while achieving accurate measurement through their interaction, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic field is introduced as an intermediary between the operating device and the sensors. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field that varies with the operating device position, and the magnetic field sensors detect this variation. This intermediary enables precise measurement without requiring direct mechanical connection or complex sensor mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If existing sensor devices are used to determine valve opening degree, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability worsens due to malfunction susceptibility
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the permanent magnet from the magnetic field sensors, the system eliminates mechanical wear and connection failures that would reduce reliability. The magnetic coupling provides contactless measurement, making the system more reliable while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces mechanical measurement systems with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of using mechanical linkages, gears, or contact式 sensors that are prone to wear and failure, the system uses magnetic field interaction to determine valve opening degree, significantly improving reliability.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to fire hydrants to show valve position, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that translates the mechanical position of the valve into a detectable signal without requiring physical modifications to the hydrant structure. This allows easy determination of valve position while maintaining the simplicity of the existing hydrant design.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding mechanical visual indicators such as pointers, windows, or markings to the hydrant, the invention uses magnetic field sensing to determine valve position. This electronic/magnetic approach replaces mechanical indication systems, avoiding structural complexity while improving ease of operation.
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
The solution provides a simple, reliable, and cost-effective method to determine the valve opening with high accuracy, suitable for retrofitting existing valves and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor device (4) is proposed which comprises an arrangement (10) with at least one magnetic field sensor (11), in particular a Hall sensor, and a single permanent magnet (12) interacting with the at least one magnetic field sensor (11)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sensor device (4) for determining the degree of opening of a valve (2) of a fitting (1), in particular a hydrant, comprising an arrangement with at least one magnetic field sensor (11), in particular a Hall sensor, and a single permanent magnet (12) interacting with the at least one magnetic field sensor (11), wherein the fitting (1) has a fitting housing (5) and an operating device (3) movable relative to the fitting housing (5) between a closed position and an open position, in particular comprising a rotatable spindle (7), for the valve (2), wherein the permanent magnet (12) can be arranged in and/or on the fitting housing (5) and the at least one magnetic field sensor (11) can be arranged in and/or on the operating device (3), or wherein the at least one magnetic field sensor (11) can be arranged in and/or on the fitting housing (5) and the permanent magnet (12) can be arranged in and/or on the operating device (3), such thatthat in an arranged state, when the operating device (3) is actuated, at least one distance signal, which can be attributed to a change in distance between the permanent magnet (12) and the at least one magnetic field sensor (11), can be detected by the at least one magnetic field sensor (11), wherein the opening degree of the valve (2) can be determined based on the at least one distance signal. Furthermore, a fitting (1) and a method for determining an opening degree of a valve (2) of a fitting (1) are claimed.