Remote Water Meter Valve Control for Profile-Based Flow Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water meters lack dynamic control capabilities to flexibly and efficiently regulate water supply in response to varying circumstances at customer sites, such as time-specific conditions and customer profiles, within the water distribution network.
Innovation Solution
A water meter system with a water flow regulating valve that can assume three positions (fully open, closed, and intermediate) controlled by an actuator, coupled with a processing and communicating unit that receives and correlates valve setting data from a remote water provider center with customer profiles and pressure sensor data to adjust the valve position accordingly, using LPWAN or NB-loT communication for bidirectional data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a water meter uses a simple on/off valve control mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different customer profiles and water pressure conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control mechanism transitions from static on/off positions to dynamic multi-position control with at least three predetermined positions (fully open, fully closed, and intermediate positions). The actuator can automatically set the valve to different positions based on received setting data, enabling adaptive response to varying customer profiles and water pressure conditions while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from binary (on/off) to multi-level valve positions. By receiving water flow regulating valve setting data that specifies different positions, the system adapts the water flow rate dynamically according to customer profiles and pressure conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If a water meter implements dynamic control with multiple valve positions and remote communication, then the adaptability to customer profiles and pressure conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing and communicating unit serves multiple functions: it receives water flow regulating valve setting data from remote centers, correlates this data with customer profiles, processes pressure sensor readings, determines appropriate valve positions, and controls the actuator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a remote water provider centre as an intermediary that generates and transmits valve setting data to the water meter. This intermediary handles complex control logic and customer profile management centrally, allowing the local water meter to maintain relatively simple hardware while achieving sophisticated adaptive control through the intermediary system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the water flow regulating valve has multiple predetermined positions with intermediate flows, then the flexibility of water supply control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control mechanism transitions from static on/off positions to dynamic multi-position control with at least three predetermined positions (fully open, fully closed, and intermediate positions). The actuator can automatically set the valve to different positions based on received setting data, enabling adaptive response to varying customer profiles and water pressure conditions while maintaining reasonable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve control is segmented into discrete predetermined positions rather than continuous adjustment. This segmentation provides sufficient flexibility for different water supply scenarios (full flow, restricted flow, shut-off) while simplifying the control mechanism compared to continuous variable control, balancing flexibility with device complexity
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 dynamic and efficient water supply management at customer sites by automatically adjusting water flow based on customer profiles and real-time pressure data, allowing for advanced water flow control and leakage detection, ensuring optimal water distribution and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure sensor configured to detect water pressure upstream of the water flow regulating valve
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Water meter, configured to supply water at a customer site, including: − a water flow regulating valve configured to assume at least three predetermined positions including a fully open position configured to let a maximum water flow to be supplied at said customer site, a closed position configured to prevent water flow to be supplied at said customer site, and at least one intermediate position configured to let at least one respective intermediate water flow, lower than the maximum water flow, to be supplied at said customer site; − an actuator operatively coupled to the water flow regulating valve and configured to automatically set a current position of the water flow regulating valve selected out of said at least three predetermined positions; − a pressure sensor configured to detect water pressure upstream of the water flow regulating valve; − a processing and communicating unit, operatively connected to the actuator, that is configured to communicate with a remote water provider centre to receive water flow regulating valve setting data, wherein said processing and communicating unit is further operatively connected to said pressure sensor to receive water pressure data sensed by said pressure sensor; wherein said processing and communicating unit is configured to control the actuator to cause the water flow regulating valve to assume said current position corresponding to valve position setting data that are correlated to said water flow regulating valve setting data and to said water pressure upstream of said water flow regulating valve detected by said pressure sensor, wherein said water flow regulating valve setting data are in turn correlated to a customer profile.