Self-Powered Fluid Flow Metering Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow meters, such as smart water and gas meters, face power supply limitations, leading to potential interruptions in fluid supply when battery power is depleted, causing inconvenience to users.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow metering device equipped with a power generator that harnesses fluid flow energy to power a detector, microcontroller, and memory, allowing continuous operation and data recording without external power, featuring a low power mode for basic operations and a high power mode for data conversion and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a battery-powered smart meter is used for fluid flow measurement, then measurement functionality is improved, but power supply duration is limited and may cause service interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the battery power supply with a power generation device that harnesses energy from fluid flow. This merging allows the meter to switch between battery power and generated power, eliminating the limitation of finite battery life while maintaining continuous measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The power generation device enables the meter to generate its own power from the flowing fluid, making the system self-sufficient. The fluid flow that passes through the meter provides energy to drive the measurement functions, reducing dependence on external battery replacement.
2Duration of action of moving object
If power generation components are added to the meter, then power supply duration is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow itself serves dual purposes: it is both the medium being measured and the energy source for power generation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate power supply infrastructure, as the operational fluid provides both measurement data and electrical energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic principles by harnessing the kinetic energy of the flowing fluid through a power generation device (such as a micro-turbine or generator coupled to a flow sensor). This approach integrates power generation directly into the fluid flow path without requiring additional complex mechanical drive systems.
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
Ensures uninterrupted fluid supply measurement by generating power from fluid flow, avoiding interruptions and enhancing operational convenience by using internal or external power sources as needed, allowing for continuous data recording and transmission.
Implementation Method 1
When a fluid flows in the supply tube, the power generator generates a supplying power through flow of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow metering device and a method thereof are provided. The fluid flow metering device includes a fluid flow detector, a memory, a micro controller and a power generator. The fluid flow detector is disposed in a supply tube of a fluid flow provider. When the fluid flows in the supply tube, the power generator generates a supplying power through flow of the fluid, and provides the supplying power to the fluid flow detector, the memory and the micro controller. When the fluid flow detector detects the flow of the fluid, the fluid flow detector detects the flow of the fluid outputted from the supply tube to derive a detecting value. The micro controller receives the detecting value and writes the detecting value into the memory, or the micro controller converts the detecting value into a flow value and writes the flow value into the memory.