Liquid Consumption Classification via Flow and Pressure Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring liquid consumption in supply units, such as buildings, cannot accurately identify specific high-consumption liquid consumers, leading to inefficiencies in optimizing or reducing overall liquid usage.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves detecting liquid consumption processes on a liquid line, determining parameters like volume flow, flow duration, liquid pressure, and usage patterns, and assigning consumption to specific liquid consumer classes based on these parameters, using a measuring device and data processing system to classify and display individual consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If consumption meters are used to measure total liquid consumption, then liquid consumption can be measured, but the consumption of specific liquid consumers cannot be identified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid consumption measurement by analyzing temporal patterns, flow rates, and pressure variations to divide the total consumption into individual consumer contributions without physical segmentation of the measurement device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate parameters such as flow rate, pressure, and temporal patterns as mediators to infer individual consumer consumption from aggregate measurements, enabling identification without direct measurement of each consumer
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and complex analysis are used to identify specific consumers, then consumer identification accuracy improves, but system complexity and computational effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing single consumption meter perform multiple functions by analyzing not only total consumption but also temporal patterns, flow rates, and pressure variations to identify individual consumers, eliminating the need for multiple physical sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the consumption meter to self-analyze the aggregate data it already collects, using temporal and flow pattern analysis to identify individual consumers without requiring additional measurement infrastructure or complex external analysis systems
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 the separate determination and classification of liquid consumption for specific consumers, allowing for targeted optimization and reduction of overall liquid usage by identifying high-consumption patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the supply line
Implementation Method 2
by monitoring pressure transients in a fluid within a fluid distribution system using a sensor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method for determining the liquid consumption of a plurality of liquid consumers (1, 2, 3), comprising at least the following steps: a) detecting a liquid consumption process (4) at a liquid line (5) by means of which a liquid can be supplied to the plurality of liquid consumers (1, 2, 3); b) determining a liquid consumption during the liquid consumption process (4); c) determining at least one parameter (6, 7) of the liquid consumption process (4); and d) assigning the liquid consumption to a liquid consumer class depending on the at least one parameter (6, 7). Furthermore, a data processing system and a computer program product for executing the method are proposed.