Sensor System for Dendritic Fluid Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor systems for dendritic fluid systems face limitations in accuracy, cost, and maintenance due to the physical environment, bandwidth constraints, and high costs, particularly in detecting fluid leaks and flow rate in complex systems like municipal water distribution networks, where sensors often require frequent maintenance and are prone to errors in harsh conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system comprising magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, encapsulated sensor systems, and valve controllers that use wireless communication to monitor fluid flow and detect leaks, with a networked architecture for remote data processing and automated valve control, employing Hadamard sampling techniques to enhance measurement precision and reduce waste by allowing partial system operation during leak detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If wireless sensor systems are deployed in dendritic fluid systems, then measurement speed and temporal precision are improved, but system cost and bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (acoustic, magnetic field, pressure) into integrated sensor systems that can detect multiple parameters simultaneously. This merging reduces the total number of separate wireless sensor nodes needed, thereby lowering overall system cost and bandwidth requirements while maintaining high measurement speed and temporal precision through multi-parameter monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor systems are designed to perform multiple functions - detecting fluid flow, leaks, pressure changes, and equipment malfunctions using the same wireless infrastructure. This multi-functionality allows a single wireless sensor deployment to address multiple monitoring needs, reducing both system cost and bandwidth consumption compared to dedicated single-purpose sensor systems.
2Measurement precision
If more sensors are deployed to improve leak detection sensitivity, then measurement precision is improved, but system cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection modalities (acoustic sensors for leak sounds, magnetic field sensors for flow measurement, pressure sensors for differential pressure detection) into coordinated sensor systems. This combination allows each sensor type to compensate for the limitations of others, achieving high leak detection sensitivity without requiring a large number of individual sensors, thereby controlling system cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses acoustic sensors as intermediaries to detect leaks by listening for characteristic sounds, which provides high sensitivity without requiring direct contact with the fluid or installation in hard-to-reach locations. This intermediary approach maintains measurement precision while reducing deployment complexity and cost.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in harsh environments for direct monitoring, then measurement accuracy is improved, but reliability and ease of maintenance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions acoustic sensors and magnetic field sensors as intermediaries that can detect fluid system parameters without being directly exposed to harsh fluid environments. Acoustic sensors listen for leak sounds through pipe walls from a distance, and magnetic field sensors measure flow through external magnetic coupling, both maintaining measurement accuracy while improving reliability by avoiding direct contact with corrosive or high-pressure fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical contact-based sensors with non-contact or minimal-contact sensing methods. Magnetic field sensors use electromagnetic fields to measure flow rate without mechanical moving parts in the fluid path, and acoustic sensors use sound wave detection instead of mechanical flow measurement, thereby improving reliability in harsh environments while maintaining measurement precision.
4Loss of substance
If continuous monitoring is implemented to detect leaks promptly, then loss of substance is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring cycles where sensors continuously scan for leaks at scheduled intervals rather than maintaining constant high-power transmission and processing. The acoustic sensors periodically listen for leak sounds, and the system transitions between active sensing and low-power states, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective leak detection capability to minimize fluid loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from initial detection results to adjust monitoring intensity. When no leaks are detected, the system reduces monitoring frequency to conserve energy. When anomalies are detected, the system increases sampling rate and activates additional sensors, ensuring prompt leak detection and fluid loss prevention only when necessary, thereby optimizing the balance between substance loss reduction and energy consumption.
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
The system improves leak detection sensitivity and reduces waste by enabling efficient monitoring and control of fluid systems with fewer sensors, lowering operational costs and maintaining system functionality while minimizing maintenance needs, thus reducing physical and financial losses.
Implementation Method 1
The first sensor is oriented to measure a magnetic field generated by a water meter along a first axis, the second sensor is oriented to measure the magnetic field along a second axis different from the first axis, and the third sensor is oriented to measure the magnetic field along a third axis different from the first axis and the second axis
Data Source
AI summary
An improved sensor system is provided that monitors and controls a dendritic fluid system. A dendritic fluid system can include artificial components and/or natural components that carry fluid from a source to a destination through a series of paths. The sensor system can include magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, encapsulated sensor systems, pressure regulators, and valve controllers to monitor and control the dendritic fluid system. For example, magnetic field sensors, acoustic sensors, and/or pressure regulators can be used to measure the flow of fluid within a dendritic fluid subsystem and/or to detect potential leaks. The encapsulated sensor systems and/or valve controllers can be used to detect fluid levels in a contained system and control valves to adjust the fluid levels in the contained system to a desired level.