Valve-Mounted Electromechanical Flow Controller for Pressure Fluid Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for controlling and measuring the output pressure of fluids in containers under pressure fail to track fluid consumption and communication, making it difficult to determine the amount of fluid used and remaining, especially in applications like 'nomadic gas' bottles where precise tracking is necessary for administrative and billing purposes.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical device that can be attached to any valve without modifying it, featuring a dosing knob with sensitive elements and an electronic circuit that processes data from a pressure sensor, allowing for local or remote display and transmission of fluid flow rates and remaining amounts, ensuring traceability of consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external pressure sensors or flow regulators are connected to measure and control fluid pressure, then pressure control and measurement capability is improved, but the system cannot track fluid consumption and communicate it for subsequent reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device: the valve body incorporates both the flow regulation mechanism and the consumption tracking system with sensor and communication capabilities. This merging allows the device to simultaneously control fluid flow and track/communicate consumption data, resolving the contradiction between pressure control capability and consumption information tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve device is designed as a multi-functional system that performs pressure regulation, flow control, consumption measurement, and wireless communication simultaneously. This universal design enables a single device to replace multiple separate components, providing both pressure control and consumption tracking without requiring additional external systems.
2Loss of information
If the valve system is modified to add consumption tracking capabilities, then consumption traceability is improved, but the original technical and security features of the valve manufacturer are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The consumption tracking system is merged into the valve body itself rather than being added as a separate external modification. The sensor, processor, and communication modules are integrated within the existing valve structure, allowing consumption tracking to be implemented without altering the fundamental design or security features of the original valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by incorporating a minimal invasive sensor system that interfaces with the fluid flow without disrupting the valve's original mechanical or security components. The consumption data is collected through this intermediary sensor system and processed separately, maintaining the integrity of the original valve while enabling traceability.
3Ease of operation
If electronic selection systems are used for flow control, then flow rate selection capability is improved, but the equipment strength and reliability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control system is segmented into discrete pre-set flow rate options rather than using continuous electronic adjustment. This segmentation provides robust mechanical selection points that maintain equipment strength while still offering multiple flow rate choices, combining mechanical reliability with operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical flow control with an integrated system that uses electronic sensing and communication to provide flow rate selection capability. However, the core flow regulation mechanism maintains its mechanical integrity, substituting only the selection and monitoring aspects with electronic components that do not compromise the overall equipment strength.
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 precise tracking of fluid consumption and remaining amounts, maintaining the original technical and security features of the valve while providing enhanced strength and functionality compared to existing electronic selection systems.
Implementation Method 1
pressure sensor (S2) for reading the outlet pressure of the fluid of the container (1)
Implementation Method 2
electromechanical switch (S1) for controlling and identifying the positions of the dosing knob (S1.1) of the container (1)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling, measuring and reporting a physical quantity, more specifically to an apparatus that can be adapted to any valve of a container containing a fluid under pressure, more particularly a device that can be adapted to any valve of a container containing a gas or liquid under pressure. It has a particularly advantageous application in the general field of measuring the pressure of the output flow of fluid, in particular industrial or medicinal fluids contained in bottles. The machine comprises the support, electromechanical switch constituted by the dosing knob and the support for the dosing knob which incorporates the electronic circuitry for controlling the rate of fluid flow by pressure sensor for reading the output pressure of the fluid from the container and by the data processing system for processing the data obtained by the electromechanical switch and by the pressure sensor. This information can be viewed on the display or remotely transmitted.