Pipe Surface Metering Using Audio and Temperature Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water metering systems require individual flow meters for each unit in multi-unit buildings, which is impractical and costly, and existing methods lack efficiency in measuring water flow without installing dedicated meters.
Innovation Solution
A method using surface meters with microphones and thermometers attached to pipes to collect audio and temperature data, allowing for the calculation of relative water usage between pipes without the need for individual flow meters, enabling the determination of water flow through pipes by analyzing changes in audio and temperature data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual flow meters are installed for each unit in multi-unit buildings, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic sensors and temperature sensors as intermediary devices attached to the exterior of pipes to detect water flow characteristics. These sensors act as mediators between the flowing water and the measurement system, allowing flow detection without direct insertion of meters into the pipe system, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical flow meters with an acoustic-based detection system. By using acoustic sensors to detect vibrations and sound waves generated by flowing water, along with temperature sensors to detect thermal changes, the system substitutes mechanical measurement mechanisms with acoustic and thermal field-based detection, simplifying the overall device structure
2Reliability
If traditional water metering systems are used, then measurement reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into separate functional modules: acoustic sensors for flow detection, temperature sensors for thermal characterization, and processing units for data analysis. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates easier manufacturing and deployment of the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement platform that can be applied to various pipe types and configurations in multi-unit buildings. The system uses standard acoustic and temperature sensors that can be attached to different pipe materials and diameters, making the solution universally applicable across different building types without requiring custom-designed meters for each scenario
3Ease of operation
If surface meters with acoustic and temperature sensors are used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where acoustic sensor data and temperature sensor data are continuously monitored and processed together. The system uses feedback from both sensor types to compensate for environmental variations and improve the accuracy of relative water usage calculations, maintaining measurement precision while enabling easy operation through automated processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent analyzes changes in acoustic parameters (sound intensity, frequency) and temperature parameters over time to determine water flow characteristics. By monitoring parameter changes rather than absolute values, the system achieves accurate relative measurements that are robust to environmental conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated parameter tracking
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 accurate calculation of water consumption for individual units in multi-unit buildings without installing dedicated flow meters, reducing installation costs and complexity while providing a practical solution for water usage monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, from a first meter that is connected to a first pipe, first audio data collected during a time period
Implementation Method 2
receiving, from a first meter that is connected to a first pipe, first temperature data collected during the time period
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for metering water are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of receiving, from a first meter that is connected to a first pipe, first audio data collected during a time period and first temperature data collected during the time period. The actions further include receiving, from a second meter that is connected to a second pipe, second audio data collected during the time period and second temperature data collected during the time period. The actions further include, based on the first audio data, the first temperature data, the second audio data, and the second temperature data, determining a first amount of material that has flowed through the first pipe during the time period relative to a second amount of material that has flowed through the second pipe.