Utility Meter Sensor Adaptive Radiation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility meter sensors face challenges in accurately detecting the rotation of rotating elements due to ambient light variations and high power consumption, especially in battery-operated systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that adapt the intensity of emitted radiation based on reference values, using threshold values to filter out ambient light effects and optimize power usage by determining the instant value continuously or intermittently, and adjusting the radiation emitter's frequency and pulse width to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the emitter output intensity is kept as low as possible to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to detect every rotation of the rotating disc deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter output intensity is made dynamic rather than static. The system continuously adapts the emitter intensity based on real-time detection of rotation events, increasing intensity when rotations are detected and decreasing it when none are detected, thereby optimizing the balance between power consumption and detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the detection unit monitors rotation events and feeds this information back to the output intensity control unit, which then adjusts the emitter intensity accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures reliable detection while minimizing power consumption by reducing emitter intensity during periods without rotation events
2Reliability
If the emitter output intensity is increased to ensure every rotation is registered, then detection reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter intensity is dynamically adjusted based on detection needs rather than maintained at a constant high level. The system increases intensity only when rotation events are detected or anticipated, and reduces it during stable periods, achieving reliable detection with lower average power consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The emitter operates in a periodic manner rather than continuously at high intensity. The control unit modulates the emitter output based on the periodic detection of rotation events, activating high intensity only during relevant periods when rotations occur, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining detection reliability
3Measurement precision
If the sensor continuously monitors the rotating disc to detect every rotation, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring intensity is made dynamic, with the system adjusting its surveillance level based on current operating conditions. The control unit modulates the emitter and detector sensitivity based on detected rotation patterns, maintaining high measurement precision when needed while reducing power consumption during stable periods
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous monitoring is implemented through periodic sampling rather than continuous high-intensity observation. The system performs measurement cycles at appropriate intervals, detecting rotations when they occur while allowing power consumption to be reduced during intervals when no rotations are detected
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 cancels out noise caused by environmental conditions while reducing power consumption, ensuring accurate detection of rotating element movements and suitable for battery-operated utility meters.
Implementation Method 1
Sensors are optical sensors having emitters emitting radiation towards the rotating disc and detectors (or receivers) receiving reflected radiation from the reflective surface of the rotating disc
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method (400) for obtaining information from a utility meter (160), the method (400) comprising steps of directing (410) emitted radiation on to a rotating element (110) of the utility meter (160), receiving (420) incident radiation, the incident radiation comprising reflected radiation from a reflective surface (1102) of the rotating element (110), the reflective surface (1102) having a marker (1104), determining (430) an instant value of intensity of the incident radiation, determining (440) a reference value from earlier ones of the determined values of the intensity of the incident radiation and detecting (450) passing of the marker (1104), as a function of the reference value and the instant value.