External Sewer Alarm Probe for Blockage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sewer alarm systems often require components to extend into the pipe, leading to potential clogs, inaccurate readings due to air or debris, and are difficult to install without reducing pipe capacity or accessibility, failing to detect blockages early enough for proactive maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A sewer alarm system that is mounted externally on the drain line using a retrofitted pipe section with a flexible seal, featuring probes positioned to detect fluid accumulation without obstructing the pipe flow, allowing for early detection of blockages without extending into the pipe interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If probes are extended into the pipe interior to detect fluid accumulation, then detection capability is improved, but pipe clogging and debris accumulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device is extracted from the pipe interior and mounted on the exterior surface of the pipe. The probe elements are positioned to contact the pipe exterior rather than extending into the pipe interior, eliminating the clogging problem while maintaining detection capability through external fluid level sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe exterior surface acts as an intermediary between the external alarm device and the internal fluid. The probe elements contact the pipe exterior to detect fluid accumulation, using the pipe wall as a mediator to transmit detection information without requiring internal penetration.
2Loss of time
If alarm device is mounted inside the pipe, then early detection of blockages is achieved, but pipe capacity and flow are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device is removed from the pipe interior and installed on the exterior surface. This extraction allows the device to detect fluid accumulation early through external probing while completely preserving the pipe's internal capacity and flow characteristics.
3Loss of time
If probes are positioned to detect fluid early, then proactive maintenance is enabled, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm device is extracted to the pipe exterior where installation is simplified and does not require pipe disassembly or internal access. The device can be mounted on accessible external surfaces while still achieving early detection through strategically positioned probe elements that contact the pipe exterior at critical locations.
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 provides accurate and early detection of pipe blockages, preventing costly backups and damage by alerting users through audible or visual signals, ensuring timely maintenance without impairing the pipe's flow or capacity.
Implementation Method 1
the alarm device includes a pair of probe elements positioned to contact an exterior surface of the section of pipe when the alarm device is installed on the section of pipe
Data Source
AI summary
According to some embodiments, sewer alarm devices and apparatus are provided for detecting the presence of liquid within a pipe. In some embodiments, the devices and apparatus include a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, and a probe housing, extending from the bottom portion of the housing to a bottom surface area of the probe housing and sized to fit within an interior of a wye connector, the wye connector having an interior extending into an interior of the pipe. At least a first probe is disposed within the probe housing and exposed to an area between the bottom surface area of the probe housing and the interior of the pipe.