Portable Meter Test Assembly for On-Site Fluid Accuracy Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid meter testing systems require meters to be removed and transported to a testing facility, which is inconvenient and may not be feasible in all situations, especially for in-field accuracy testing without disconnecting the meter.
Innovation Solution
A portable meter test assembly that can be brought to the location of the fluid meter, allowing for on-site testing without removing the meter. The assembly connects to the home's or building's outside hose bib, allowing a volume of water to be tested and compared to the building's water meter for accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the meter is removed and transported to a testing facility for accuracy testing, then the meter can be tested for accuracy, but the process becomes inconvenient and may not be feasible in all situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable test assembly as an intermediary device that connects to the meter in-place. This assembly includes a flow meter, pressure gauge, and control valves that serve as mediators to measure water flow and pressure without requiring meter removal. The test assembly acts as a bridge between the water supply and the meter, enabling accuracy testing while the meter remains installed in the building.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a portable replica testing system that can be deployed at the location of the meter. Instead of transporting the actual meter to a fixed testing facility, the system creates a portable copy of the testing capability that can be brought to any location. This portable assembly replicates the functions of a fixed testing facility including flow measurement, pressure measurement, and volume calculation.
2Ease of operation
If the meter remains installed in the building, then testing can be performed in-field without disconnecting the meter, but the testing system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the testing system into separate functional modules: a flow meter for measuring water flow rate, a pressure gauge for measuring water pressure, control valves for regulating flow, and a portable power source. These segmented components can be independently manufactured and assembled into a compact portable unit, reducing overall complexity while maintaining in-field testing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable test assembly is designed to perform multiple functions within a single device: it measures flow rate, measures pressure, calculates volume, and can test meters of various types. The universal design allows the same portable assembly to test different meter configurations and locations without requiring specialized equipment for each specific testing scenario.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a portable test assembly is used to test the meter in-place, then the meter can be tested without removal, but the assembly requires additional components such as pressure gauge, valves, and power source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple necessary components into a single integrated portable assembly. The flow meter, pressure gauge, control valves, and power source are merged into one compact unit that can be carried to the testing location. This merging reduces the number of separate items that need to be managed and simplifies the overall system while maintaining all necessary functions for in-place meter testing.
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 on-site testing of fluid meters, reducing the need for meter removal and facilitating timely identification and replacement of inaccurate meters, thereby ensuring accurate water usage measurements and billing.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure gauge located on the linear fluid passageway adjacent the inlet port... The pressure gauge is configured to identify an active line pressure from a fluid source
Implementation Method 2
a flow meter located on the linear fluid passageway adjacent the first valve... The flow meter is configured to determine a flow rate and total volume
Data Source
AI summary
A portable meter test assembly is provided that includes a case. An inlet port is located adjacent the case. An outlet port is located adjacent the container portion of the case. A fluid passageway extends from the inlet port to the outlet port. A pressure gauge, valve, and flow meter are located on the fluid passageway. A power source provides power to the flow meter. The pressure gauge is configured to identify a pressure from a fluid source. The valve is configured to open and close in order to allow and prevent fluid from passing through the fluid passageway. The flow meter is configured to determine a flow rate.