Thermal Dispersion Flow Meter for Fluid Leak Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water meter systems, employing paddle wheels or turbines, fail to detect small fluid leaks due to mechanical limitations, leading to undetected water loss and subsequent structural damage, property damage, and increased risk of mold and electrical shock.

Innovation Solution

A water flow monitor and alarm system using resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensor probes with no moving parts, capable of detecting flows as low as a few ounces per hour, integrated with a control panel that triggers an alarm and automatically shuts off the water supply, and includes features for real-time monitoring and user guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If paddle wheel or turbine meters are used to measure water flow, then the system can detect fluid flow, but small leaks slip past undetected due to mechanical limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak detection sensitivityVSAvoiddetection reliability for small flows

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical flow measurement systems (paddle wheels, turbines) with a thermal dispersion-based detection system. The thermal sensor detects temperature changes in water caused by heat transfer, enabling detection of extremely small flows without mechanical moving parts that would fail to register minor leaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the detection parameter from mechanical motion (rotations of paddle wheels) to thermal parameters (temperature changes). By measuring temperature dispersion and heat transfer rates, the system can detect minute flows that would be invisible to mechanical meters, fundamentally changing how flow is quantified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If mechanical flow meters are used, then the system structure is simple, but they fail to detect small leaks leading to property damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidundetected leak damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical moving parts by substituting them with a thermal sensor system. This replacement maintains relative simplicity while eliminating the blind spot for small leaks, as thermal sensors can detect minute heat transfer without requiring mechanical components to register flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter between water flow and detection. Instead of directly measuring flow mechanically, the system measures temperature changes caused by heat transfer in the water, providing a indirect but sensitive detection method that captures all flows including the tiniest leaks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If no leak detection system is installed, then the system cost is low, but water loss leads to structural damage and mold growth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidstructural damage and mold

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection and alarm systems that trigger before significant damage occurs. By continuously monitoring temperature changes and detecting even minute leaks early, the system provides advance warning that allows intervention before water accumulation causes structural damage or mold growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes continuous feedback through real-time temperature monitoring and alarm triggering. When leaks are detected, the system provides immediate feedback through alerts and automatic shutoff mechanisms, creating a closed-loop system that responds to water loss conditions and prevents progression to damaging levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively detects and mitigates water leaks, preventing structural damage and resource wastage by alerting homeowners or surveillance services and automatically shutting off the water supply, ensuring immediate and long-term protection of properties.

Implementation Method 1

thermal dispersion flow meter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal dispersion: Convection

Implementation Method 2

resistance temperature detector (RTD) sensor probes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS7308824B2Thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection

Publication Date: 2007.12.18 SENTINEL HYDROSOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes an ambient temperature RTD sensor and a flow rate RTD sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow RTD sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the RTD sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate RTD sensor may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks, and on certain conditions, a controller may close a supply line valve to avoid flooding of a structure.