Remote Pressure Modeling for Flow-Free Water Network Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply networks face challenges in effectively controlling pressure regulating systems without flow sensors and with unknown pump characteristics, as existing solutions require either flow sensors or exact knowledge of pump characteristics, which are often unavailable or change over time.
Innovation Solution
A model formation module that creates a pressure control model using remote pressure values and load-dependent variables, such as pump speed and power consumption, without measuring or estimating flow values, allowing for adaptive control of pressure regulating systems and detection of leaks or changes in network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow sensors are installed to obtain flow values for controlling the pressure regulating system, then the control accuracy is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flow measurement function from physical flow sensors and replaces it with a virtual flow determination method. The flow value is calculated indirectly using the relationship between pressure values from remote pressure sensors and load-dependent variables, eliminating the need for physical flow sensors while maintaining control accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces pressure values from remote pressure sensors as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine flow values. Instead of measuring flow directly, the system uses pressure measurements at remote locations combined with load-dependent variables to calculate flow, serving as a non-intrusive intermediary measurement approach
2Measurement precision
If exact knowledge of pump characteristics is used to determine flow from electrical parameters, then the control precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates when characteristics change over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the model formation module continuously creates and updates a model representing the water supply network using actual pressure measurements from remote pressure sensors and observed load-dependent variables. This feedback loop allows the system to automatically adapt to changing pump characteristics without requiring manual recalibration or exact knowledge of pump parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-characterization by automatically determining the actual characteristics of the water supply network through continuous monitoring of pressure values and load-dependent variables. The model formation module enables the system to self-adjust and self-optimize without external intervention, making it independent of prior knowledge about pump characteristics
3Device complexity
If remote pressure sensors are used to create a model without flow values, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision for flow-dependent control may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from direct flow measurement to indirect flow determination through pressure measurements and load-dependent variables. By transforming the control approach from flow-based to pressure-and-load-based parameter control, the system achieves equivalent control precision with simpler instrumentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flow measurement system (flow sensors) with a computational approach using pressure sensors and mathematical modeling. The physical measurement of flow is substituted by calculating flow from pressure differentials and load characteristics, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining functional equivalence
Data Source
AI summary
A model formation module (25) is provided for creating a model for controlling a pressure regulating system (7) of a water supply network (5), wherein the water supply network (5) is equipped with one or more pressure sensors of which at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b) is arranged remotely from the pressure regulating system (7), the model formation module (25) being configured to communicate with the at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b). The model formation module (25) is configured to create said model without a measured, determined or estimated flow value on the basis of at least one remote pressure value determined by the at least one remote pressure sensor (17a,b) and on the basis of at least one load-dependent variable of the pressure regulating system (7), said model representing at least one pressure control curve for controlling the pressure regulating system (7).