Valve Consumption Module Using Vibration and Rotation Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydraulic parks, it is challenging to monitor water consumption in real time at fire hydrants without intrusive modifications or replacing existing valves, as they often lack integrated fluid consumption meters.
Innovation Solution
A module comprising a rotary operating member with vibration and rotation sensors, along with a control unit, is mounted on the valve to estimate fluid consumption by measuring vibrations and rotations, allowing for non-intrusive monitoring without replacing the valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a water meter is integrated into the valve, then fluid consumption can be measured accurately, but the modification becomes intrusive and impacts water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vibration sensors and rotation sensors as intermediaries to indirectly measure fluid consumption. Instead of directly placing a meter in the water flow path, the system measures vibrations and rotations of the valve operating member, which correlate with fluid flow characteristics. This intermediary approach enables accurate measurement without intrusive modification of the valve or water flow path.
2Measurement precision
If all valves are replaced with metered valves, then fluid consumption can be monitored, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement functionality from the valve body itself and places it in a separate, attachable module. The vibration sensor and rotation sensor are mounted on the external operating member rather than being integrated into the valve body. This extraction approach allows existing valves to be equipped with measurement capabilities through simple attachment, avoiding the need to replace entire valve systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The operating member serves multiple functions: it continues to control the valve flow while simultaneously serving as a mounting platform for vibration sensors and rotation sensors. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement devices and reduces overall system complexity and cost.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vibration and rotation sensors are used to estimate flow, then non-intrusive measurement is achieved, but measurement reliability must be validated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the control unit continuously processes data from vibration and rotation sensors to estimate fluid consumption. The system uses the correlation between mechanical vibrations/rotations and fluid flow characteristics to maintain reliable estimation. Feedback loops allow the system to adapt to varying flow conditions and maintain measurement accuracy without intrusive modification.
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 reliable real-time estimation of fluid consumption at the valve outlet without interfering with the fluid circulation zone, optimizing electrical consumption by adjusting sensor configurations based on activity levels.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor arranged to measure vibrations of the operating member
Implementation Method 2
a rotation sensor arranged to measure a rotation of the operating member
Implementation Method 3
the vibration sensor is an accelerometer, notably mounted directly on the rotating actuator of the module
Implementation Method 4
the magnetic field sensor can be a magnetometer, particularly one configured to measure variations in a magnetic field in the vicinity of the actuating element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a module (2) for analysing the consumption of a fluid leaving a valve (1), comprising: a rotary operating member (21) intended to be mounted on the valve and able to control the flow of fluid leaving the valve, a vibration sensor (3) designed to measure vibrations (X, Y, Z) of the operating member, a rotation sensor (5) designed to measure a rotation (R) of the operating member, a control unit (6) designed to detect a flow of fluid leaving the valve on the basis of the vibrations of the operating member as measured by the vibration sensor and to determine a flow rate (Cmin, Cmax) of this flow of fluid on the basis of the vibrations of the operating member as measured by the vibration sensor and of the rotation of the operating member as measured by the rotation sensor.