Sprinkler Head Conductivity Sensor for Water Quality Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no practical method to monitor the quality of extinguishing water in sprinkler systems, particularly in the dead-end sections where sprinkler heads are attached, leading to potential biofilm growth, corrosion, and contamination issues that can impair system function.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the measurement of electrical conductivity of extinguishing water using a conductivity sensor integrated into the sprinkler head, allowing for local monitoring of water quality and detection of changes that indicate potential issues, with data transmission to a control center for evaluation and necessary interventions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If extinguishing water remains in the sprinkler system for long periods without replacement, then the system maintains operational readiness, but the water quality deteriorates due to biofilm growth, corrosion, and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operational readinessVSAvoidwater quality deterioration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by measuring the electrical conductivity of extinguishing water at regular intervals before quality deterioration becomes critical. The conductivity sensor detects early signs of contamination, corrosion, or biofilm formation, enabling preventive maintenance actions to be taken before the water quality impairment affects system reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sprinkler system is sterilized using antimicrobial gas or nitrogen gas displacement, then biofilm growth and corrosion are prevented, but the system complexity and operational intervention requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiofilm growth and corrosion preventionVSAvoidsystem treatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously or periodically measuring the electrical conductivity of extinguishing water and using this information to assess water quality. The measurement results provide feedback on the actual condition of the water, enabling condition-based maintenance decisions rather than relying on complex preventive treatment systems or fixed schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical and chemical treatment systems (such as gas sterilization or nitrogen displacement apparatus) with a simple electrical conductivity measurement system. This substitution uses electrical measurement to detect water quality changes, eliminating the need for complex treatment infrastructure while achieving the same protective effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If no monitoring method is implemented, then the system remains simple and easy to operate, but water quality changes indicating corrosion or contamination go undetected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwater quality status information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex monitoring infrastructure with a simple electrical conductivity measurement system integrated into the sprinkler head. This substitution maintains system simplicity while providing continuous water quality information, as electrical conductivity measurements can be taken without disrupting system operation or requiring complex sampling apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical 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 effective monitoring and maintenance of extinguishing water quality, preventing corrosion and contamination by identifying changes in conductivity, thereby ensuring the sprinkler system's reliability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a measurement of the electrical conductivity of the extinguishing water located in the sprinkler system is carried out and a quality and/or a quality change of the extinguishing water is inferred from a measured conductivity value

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conductivity measurement: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12145014B2Method for monitoring the quality of fire-fighting water in sprinkler systems, and sprinkler head

Publication Date: 2024.11.19 JOB LIZENZ GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A method of monitoring quality of extinguishing water in a sprinkler system by measuring electrical conductivity of the extinguishing water on at least one sprinkler head connected to an extinguishing water line. A quality and/or quality change of the extinguishing water is inferred from a measured conductivity value. A sprinkler head is disclosed that is suitable for carrying out the method. This sprinkler head has a connection fitting having a pipe section for connection to a free end of an extinguishing water pipe. A closure piece selectively closes the pipe section or free end of the extinguishing water pipe. A thermal trigger element holds the closure piece in a closed position in a normal state, and permits the closure piece to move into an open position at a trigger temperature. A conductivity sensor for measuring the electrical conductivity of the extinguishing water is provided on the sprinkler head.