Leak Management System Flow Discrepancy Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current leak detection and control systems for water distribution systems lack comprehensive and automated methods to identify discrepancies in substance flow data and respond effectively to leaks, leading to potential water waste and property damage.

Innovation Solution

A leak management system comprising substance flow sensors, a processor, memory, user interface, and a substance flow shutoff, which analyzes flow data to identify discrepancies and automatically transmit alerts and activate the shutoff to prevent leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated leak detection and control systems are implemented, then water waste and property damage are reduced, but system complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-monitoring and self-response through flow sensors that continuously detect discrepancies and automatically activate shutoff valves without human intervention, allowing the system to service itself and resolve leaks autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where flow sensors monitor substance flow data, compare expected versus actual flow patterns, and automatically trigger alerts and shutoff actions when discrepancies are detected, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to leak conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If continuous monitoring of substance flow data is performed, then leaks are detected earlier, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection timeVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system rushes through rapid automated detection and response cycles when discrepancies are detected, quickly activating shutoff valves to minimize water waste and damage while maintaining continuous monitoring capability for early leak detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Loss of substance

If automated shutoff activation is implemented, then water loss is minimized, but false alarms may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidfalse alarm rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of flow data patterns before activating shutoff valves, comparing actual flow against expected flow patterns to verify genuine leaks versus normal variations, and can send preliminary alerts for user confirmation before automatic shutoff to reduce false alarms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10317306B2Systems and methods for detecting and controlling leaks

Publication Date: 2019.06.11 SAIDI ALI

AI summary

Systems and methods for detecting and controlling leaks via analysis of substance flow data. A leak management system including a processor that receives substance flow data from a plurality of substance flow sensors, analyzes the substance flow data to identify at least one discrepancy within said substance flow data, and transmits at least one alert and/or takes preventative or corrective action upon identification of said at least one discrepancy. In one aspect, identifying said at least one discrepancy includes identifying a predetermined difference between the value read at the primary one of the plurality of substance flow sensors and the sum of all values read at all of the secondary ones of the plurality of substance flow sensors, wherein the predetermined difference accounts for a margin of error. Flow sensors may be recharged by the flow of the substance through the sensor.