Flow Meter With Integrated Shut-Off Valve and Hall Effect Remote Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters in residential and commercial facilities face issues with performance degradation over time, mechanical wear leading to reading errors, and the need for periodic replacement, while lacking integrated shut-off valves and efficient remote reading capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter with an integrated shut-off valve and remote read access, featuring a directly mounted quarter-turn valve and a Hall effect sensor with magnet and sensors for electronic flow monitoring, allowing for remote operation and long-range wireless communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical flow meter with oscillating piston or vaned wheel is used, then the flow measurement can be achieved, but mechanical wear over time results in reading errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical odometer-like member with an electronic flow sensor that uses a Hall effect sensor and magnet to detect flow. This eliminates mechanical wear and reading errors while maintaining the ability to measure flow accurately over the service life of the meter.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter incorporates self-diagnostic capabilities and automatic shut-off functionality that monitor its own performance and maintain accuracy without requiring external intervention or periodic replacement.
2Ease of operation
If a separate shut-off valve is mounted adjacent to the flow meter, then the valve can be operated to isolate the meter, but the device complexity increases and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the shut-off valve directly into the flow meter body, combining two previously separate components (valve and meter) into a single unified device. This reduces the number of separate components, simplifies installation, and eliminates the need for additional mounting space adjacent to the meter.
3Extent of automation
If existing flow meters are replaced with internet-enabled meters for long-range monitoring, then remote reading capability is improved, but the meter body and flow monitoring head unit must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the flow meter with universal compatibility, allowing it to function with both traditional mechanical readout and electronic remote reading capabilities. The integrated electronic flow sensor and communication module enable long-range monitoring while the compact design allows installation in existing meter locations without requiring replacement of the entire meter body or flow monitoring head unit.
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 enables accurate and efficient remote operation of shut-off valves and electronic flow monitoring, facilitating easy retrofitting and maintaining reading accuracy within existing space constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The flow monitoring sensor is a Hall effect sensor including a magnet and at least one sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter has an integrated automatic shut-off valve and remote read access. The meter includes a body having an inlet and an outlet and a rotating element positioned in the body that rotates in response to a fluid flow through the flow meter body. A shut-off valve is disposed on the valve body at the inlet. The flow meter can include a flow monitoring sensor including a head unit mounted on the flow meter. The flow monitoring sensor includes a body, a control panel, and circuitry. The flow monitoring sensor includes a Hall effect sensor including a magnet and at least one sensor. The magnet is disposed on the rotating element and the sensor is located in the head unit.