Flushable Pill Sensor Tracking for Pipe Leak and Blockage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Homeowners face challenges in detecting and addressing water leaks and blockages in pipes and foundations due to the difficulty and cost of frequent inspections, leading to potential extensive damage that may go unnoticed.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system with sensors and processors to analyze environmental data, including water pressure and pipe conditions, using AI and machine learning to detect leaks and blockages, and employing water-resistant pill sensors and robot balls to track and clear obstructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If homeowners frequently inspect pipes and foundations to detect leaks and blockages, then detection reliability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection reliabilityVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-monitoring sensors that automatically detect leaks, blockages, and water pressure issues without requiring homeowner intervention. The sensors continuously monitor pipe conditions and foundation water pressure, sending alerts only when abnormalities are detected, thereby eliminating the need for frequent manual inspections while maintaining high detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual inspection is replaced with electronic sensing systems that use pressure sensors, flow meters, and moisture detectors to automatically monitor pipe and foundation conditions. This substitution of mechanical inspection with electronic monitoring enables continuous detection without time investment from homeowners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If homeowners frequently inspect pipes and foundations to detect leaks and blockages, then detection reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection reliabilityVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous manual inspection, the system uses selective monitoring that activates only when abnormal conditions are detected. Sensors monitor key parameters continuously but generate alerts only when thresholds are exceeded, providing adequate detection coverage at reduced cost compared to comprehensive continuous human inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If sensors and monitoring systems are installed to detect leaks and blockages automatically, then inspection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system is divided into independent modular sensor units that can be installed at different locations (pipes, foundations, water heaters). Each sensor unit operates independently and communicates with a central controller, allowing the system to be scaled according to needs and simplifying installation and maintenance while maintaining high detection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If AI and machine learning are used to analyze environmental data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection precisionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

AI and machine learning algorithms serve as intermediary processing layers between raw sensor data and diagnostic conclusions. The algorithms analyze patterns in environmental data (temperature, humidity, pressure, flow) to precisely identify leak locations and blockage conditions, improving detection precision while keeping the physical device structure relatively simple by offloading complex analysis to software.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12385590B2Flushable pill sensor

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

AI summary

A system and method for detecting blockages or leaks in a piping system. A water-resistant pill sensor is tracked while it travels through the piping system. The pill sensor's travel speed, travel time, movement, images, audio, and/or other data determines if a leak or blockage exists, and if so, an electronic notification detailing the blockage or leak, its location, and corrective action is sent.