Ring Main Water Consumption Measurement with Flow Direction Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking water systems with ring mains cannot accurately determine individual drinking water consumption in each separate ring line, leading to contamination issues in rarely used consumers when trying to measure overall consumption per party in buildings.
Innovation Solution
A method using separate measuring devices with connections for supply and return lines in each ring main to determine drinking water consumption, featuring at least two flow meters to differentiate between consumption and circulating water, with communication between devices for precise recording and coordination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ring pipelines are installed to ensure regular flow and prevent contamination, then water quality is improved, but the ability to determine individual consumption per ring line is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ring pipeline system into multiple measurement segments by installing separate measuring devices at different locations. Each measuring device is assigned to a specific ring line and measures flow in one direction only, enabling precise consumption determination for each segment while maintaining the beneficial circulation flow of the ring system.
2Measurement precision
If a tree structure piping system is used to determine consumption per party, then measurement capability is improved, but contamination occurs in rarely used consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic flow measurement that adapts to the bidirectional nature of ring pipelines. The measuring devices dynamically identify flow direction and measure accordingly, allowing the system to maintain the static tree-structure measurement capability while operating within the dynamic ring pipeline configuration that prevents contamination.
3Loss of information
If measuring devices are installed in ring mains to determine consumption, then consumption data is obtained, but differentiation between consumed and circulating water becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific measurement functions to specific locations in the ring pipeline system. Each measuring device is strategically positioned to measure flow in only one direction on its assigned ring line, creating local measurement zones that prevent double-counting of circulating water while capturing all consumption data for that segment.
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 and precise measurement of drinking water consumption per ring line, preventing contamination by distinguishing between consumed and circulating water, thus ensuring accurate accounting and regular flushing without germ contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The flow rate per ring line is determined using at least one measuring device, with each ring line having a separate measuring device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
Method and measuring device (5) for determining the drinking water consumption in a drinking water system (1), preferably in a building, with a riser (2) and several ring mains (3) branching off from it and rejoining it in the direction of flow, wherein each ring main (3) has at least one consumer (4) and at least one measuring device (5), wherein the consumption of the drinking water in each ring main (3) is determined with a separate measuring device (5).