Smart Gas Meter with Wireless Valve Control for Leak Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart gas meters lack a reliable and swift method to detect leaks in installations, which can lead to catastrophic consequences such as fires, explosions, and poisoning, and do not efficiently restore gas supply once the leak is corrected.
Innovation Solution
A smart fluid meter equipped with a processor module that evaluates fluid flow rates and communicates via a radio link to an electromechanical valve to detect leaks, interrupt the fluid supply, and reopen it once the issue is resolved, using authentication and encryption for secure operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a smart gas meter is equipped with leak detection capability and automatic cut-off function, then the safety and reliability of the system is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like electromechanical valve and communication interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the gas metering function with leak detection and automatic cut-off functions into a single integrated system. The processor module evaluates flow rate data from the metering mechanism and automatically triggers the electromechanical valve to close when a leak is detected, eliminating the need for separate detection devices and reducing overall system complexity despite adding safety capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic leak detection and self-cut-off functionality. The processor module continuously monitors flow rate and automatically closes the electromechanical valve when abnormal conditions are detected, enabling the system to protect itself without external intervention. This self-service capability improves reliability while minimizing the need for additional control systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fluid supply is interrupted quickly by closing the electromechanical valve upon leak detection, then the safety of the installation is improved, but the loss of time for restoring service increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by maintaining a history of cut-off events and automatically reopening the electromechanical valve after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since the last cut-off. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid restoration of service without requiring manual intervention or complex decision-making processes, thus reducing the time loss while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by automatically attempting to reopen the electromechanical valve after a predetermined time period following a cut-off event. This periodic retry mechanism ensures that service restoration is initiated systematically, balancing safety requirements with the need to minimize service interruption time. The periodic nature of this action provides predictable and manageable service restoration timing.
3Ease of operation
If the communication interface transmits both data and electrical energy via radio link, then the ease of operation is improved by wireless power transfer, but the use of energy increases due to continuous radio transmission requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface performs multiple functions simultaneously - it transmits both data commands and electrical energy wirelessly through the radio link. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate power wiring and simplifies the overall system operation, particularly for the cut-off unit which can be powered and controlled wirelessly. The dual function of the communication interface addresses the energy consumption issue by consolidating power and data transmission into a single system.
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 rapid detection and interruption of gas leaks, ensuring safety and quick restoration of service by automatically controlling the electromechanical valve based on flow rate thresholds, with secure communication and authentication to prevent fraud.
Implementation Method 1
a first communication interface arranged both to communicate via a radio link with a communication interface of a cut-off unit including an electromechanical valve, and also to transmit electrical energy via the radio link
Implementation Method 2
a first processor module arranged to evaluate the flow rate of fluid being supplied to an installation connected to the fluid meter
Implementation Method 3
a cut-off unit including an electromechanical valve
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid meter has a first communication interface and is connected to the cut-off unit having a communication interface. If the fluid flow rate remains greater than a first predetermined flowrate threshold for at least a first predetermined duration, to detect that there is a leak of fluid and to transmit an internal command frame incorporating a closing command to the communication interface of the cut-off unit. Following closing of the electromechanical valve, to acquire a first external command frame incorporating an opening command produced by the cut-off unit following manual action on an actuator member of the cut-off unit, to produce an internal command frame incorporating the opening command, and to transmit said internal command frame via the first communication interface to the communication interface of the cut-off unit in order to reopen the electromechanical valve.