Multi-channel flow sensing with shared data acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing demand for water in densely populated areas leads to higher costs for utility infrastructure, and existing metering systems are often costly to retrofit in non-uniform dwelling structures, making accurate and affordable water consumption measurement challenging, especially in cost-sensitive areas.
Innovation Solution
A multi-channel flow sensing system with first and second flow-sensing transducers in each channel, coupled with a data acquisition system that transmits and receives sensing signals, allowing for cost-effective measurement and billing of water flow, using common components to reduce costs across channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate metering systems are installed for each channel in non-uniform dwelling structures, then accurate water consumption measurement is achieved, but upgrade costs increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple flow measurement channels into a single integrated metering system. The housing contains multiple channels that can simultaneously measure water flow for different consumers or purposes, eliminating the need for separate metering devices and reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining measurement accuracy for each channel
Solution Approach 2:
The metering system is designed with universal applicability to non-uniform dwelling structures through its multi-channel configuration. The system can accommodate different channel configurations and measurement requirements within a single device, making it adaptable to various retrofitting scenarios without requiring custom-designed separate meters for each channel
2Measurement precision
If metering systems are retrofitted in non-uniform dwelling structures, then water consumption can be fairly apportioned, but installation costs vary considerably and often exceed affordable pricing
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple measurement functions into a single integrated housing, the system reduces the total number of components that need to be installed and configured. This consolidation lowers installation labor costs and simplifies the retrofitting process for non-uniform dwelling structures, making the system more affordable while maintaining accurate measurement capabilities
3Productivity
If infrastructure is updated on an as-needed basis to meet increasing water demand, then basic utility delivery is maintained, but metering costs increase and affordability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-channel metering system provides universal functionality that can serve multiple measurement needs simultaneously. As water infrastructure is expanded to meet increasing demand, this universal metering device can accommodate multiple channels in a single unit, preventing the need to install multiple separate metering systems and thereby controlling costs while supporting increased water delivery capacity
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-channel flow sensing system typically includes first and second flow-sensing transducers arranged in each channel. A data acquisition system is coupled to the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The data acquisition system is arranged to transmit and/or receive a sensing signal from at least one of the first and second transducers of each of the channels. The received sensing signals are sequentially converted and accumulated as data for billing in accordance with the measured flow within each channel. Using common components within the data acquisition system for measuring the various channels reduces costs and increases affordability in cost-sensitive areas.