Sensor Valve Control for Automatic Plumbing Leak Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The plumbing industry lacks innovative technologies for effectively detecting and addressing small leaks in plumbing systems, leading to significant property damage and economic losses due to the passive nature of fluid delivery systems, which have not evolved significantly since their initial development.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control device with a fluid pipe section, a coupled fluid valve, sensors for temperature, pressure, and flow rate monitoring, and a control device processor that can enter a pre-occupancy mode to automatically close the valve if preset thresholds are exceeded, communicating wirelessly with a central hub to alert users and control other devices, and equipped with LED, display, and audible alarm for notifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional passive fluid delivery systems are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the ability to detect and respond to leaks is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the plumbing network into multiple zones with individual control devices at each zone. Each control device independently monitors and controls fluid flow in its specific zone, enabling localized leak detection and response without requiring complex system-wide infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Control devices continuously monitor fluid flow parameters and provide feedback to the central hub. When leaks or abnormal conditions are detected, the system automatically responds by adjusting valve positions or alerting users, creating a closed-loop feedback mechanism that enhances reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual monitoring of fluid systems is used, then the system is easy to operate, but property damage from undetected leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control devices autonomously monitor fluid flow parameters, detect leaks, and trigger responses without requiring continuous human intervention. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-protection functions, automatically closing valves or sending alerts when abnormal conditions are detected, thereby reducing property damage while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fluid flow parameters and detects potential leak conditions before they cause significant damage. By identifying early signs of leaks through sensor data analysis, the system can trigger preventive actions such as closing valves or notifying users, preventing minor issues from escalating into major property damage.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive sensor monitoring is implemented, then leak detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each control device is equipped with sensors tailored to monitor specific parameters relevant to its location and function. Rather than implementing a uniform complex sensor suite throughout the system, each device has locally optimized sensing capabilities that detect leaks and abnormalities with high precision while keeping individual device complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control devices are designed as multi-functional units that integrate flow monitoring, leak detection, valve control, and communication capabilities in a single device. This universal design approach allows comprehensive monitoring with high measurement precision while reducing overall system complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control device includes a fluid pipe section including a fluid inlet and outlet connectable in series to a fluid pipe. A fluid valve is coupled in series within the fluid pipe section separating a fluid inlet and outlet side and controlling a fluid flow. An electric motor is mechanically connected to the fluid valve. A temperature sensor is connected to the fluid pipe section monitoring a temperature of the fluid flow. A pressure sensor is connected to the fluid pipe section monitoring a pressure of the fluid flow. A flow rate sensor is connected to the fluid pipe section monitoring a flow rate of the fluid flow. A control device processor is electrically connected to the electric motor and electrically connected to the sensors. A communication device coupled to the control device processor is for wirelessly connecting to a remotely disposed fluid monitoring and control system.