Utility Network Pressure Sensor Calibration via Elevation Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current utility networks face challenges in accurately controlling and monitoring fluid pressure at consumer sites, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the lack of reliable, up-to-date pressure data, which can result in pressure anomalies and equipment wear.
Innovation Solution
A system for calibrating consumption-meter-integrated pressure sensors using a reference pressure sensor and data collector, which communicates with consumer site sensors to adjust their readings based on elevation differences and fluid pressure estimates, ensuring accurate and continuous pressure monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pressure sensors are deployed at numerous consumer sites to monitor fluid pressure, then the reliability and up-to-date status of pressure data is improved, but the device complexity and calibration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A reference pressure sensor is introduced as an intermediary element to facilitate calibration of multiple consumer site pressure sensors. This single reference sensor serves as a mediator that enables accurate calibration across the entire network without requiring complex individual calibration procedures for each sensor, thereby improving pressure data reliability while managing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors are calibrated frequently to maintain accurate pressure data, then the measurement precision is improved, but the time and resources required for calibration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calibration actions by establishing a reference pressure sensor that can be used for subsequent calibration operations. This preliminary setup enables faster, more efficient calibration of consumer site sensors against the reference, reducing the time and resources required for frequent calibration while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Speed
If pressure sensors are used to detect pressure anomalies quickly, then the response time to pressure issues is improved, but the risk of false readings due to uncalibrated sensors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback through continuous monitoring and comparison of pressure readings against the reference sensor. This feedback mechanism enables quick detection of pressure anomalies while maintaining measurement precision, as any deviations from the reference calibration can be identified and corrected, preventing false readings while preserving rapid anomaly detection capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system 100 for calibrating pressure sensors 130, 131 in a utility network 101 is provided, the system 100 comprising a plurality of consumer sites 110, 111 in the utility network 101 each comprising a consumption meter 120, 121 arranged for measuring a flow rate of the utility at the consumer site 110, 111 and having first communication means 140, 141 for communicating data 150, 151 representing the flow rate at the consumer site 110, 111; a pressure sensor 130, 131 arranged to measure a fluid pressure of the utility at the consumer site 110, 111 and having second communication means 160, 161 for communicating data 170, 171 representing the fluid pressure at the consumer site 110, 111 and for receiving calibration data 260, 261, and having calibration means for calibration of the pressure sensor 130, 131 based on such calibration data 260, 261; first registration means 180 for registration of the elevation at each consumer site 110, 111 and communicating data 190, 191 representing such consumer site elevation; a reference pressure sensor 200 arranged at a reference site 210 in the utility network 101, the reference pressure sensor 200 being arranged to measure the fluid pressure at the reference site 210 and having third communication means 220 for communicating data 230 representing the fluid pressure at the reference site 210; second registration means 240 for registration of the elevation at the reference site 210 and communicating data 241 representing such reference site elevation; a data collector 250 arranged to receive all of said data 150, 151 representing the flow rate at the consumer site 110, 111 from each of consumptions meters 120, 121, all of said data 160, 161 representing the fluid pressure at the consumer site 110, 111 from each of the pressure sensors 130, 131, all of said data 190, 191 representing consumer site elevation, the data 230 representing the fluid pressure at the reference site 210, as well as the data 241 representing the reference site elevation, and for communicating calibration data 260, 261 to each of the pressure sensors 130, 131 for their calibration; and a computing unit 251 connected to the data collector 250, and being arranged to, for each consumer site 110, 111: calculate the elevation difference between the reference site 210 and the consumer site 110, 111; estimate the fluid pressure at the consumer site 110, 111 from the fluid pressure at the reference site 210 and the elevation difference for the consumer site 110, 111; and provide calibration data 260, 261 to the data collector 250 for calibration of the pressure sensor 130, 131 based on such estimated fluid pressure. The system provided is capable of precisely calibrating pressure sensors in a utility network.