Water Meter Temperature Profiling for Precise Leak Localization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating leaks in water supply networks, such as those using acoustic detection, struggle to accurately pinpoint the exact location, often requiring costly and time-consuming techniques like tracer gas or ground penetrating radar.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing the temporal temperature curve and water flow data from electronic consumption meters to calculate the length of pipe between the meter and the leak location, employing existing meter electronics for calculation without additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acoustic detection methods are used to detect leaks, then leak detection capability is improved, but exact location pinpointing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature as an intermediary parameter to bridge the gap between acoustic detection and precise location. Temperature sensors measure the thermal signature of leaking water, which serves as a mediator to determine exact leak location without requiring complex acoustic pinpointing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical/acoustic pinpointing systems with a simpler thermal measurement approach. Instead of using expensive ground penetrating radar or tracer gas methods, the invention uses temperature sensors to detect the thermal anomaly caused by leaking water, achieving precise location with simpler technology.
2Measurement precision
If additional pinpointing techniques such as tracer gas or ground penetrating radar are used, then leak location precision is improved, but cost and time consumption deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the consumption meter to perform leak location detection using its own integrated temperature sensor and processing capabilities. The meter autonomously measures temperature, determines temporal curves, and identifies leaks without requiring external specialized equipment or manual intervention, thereby reducing both cost and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the consumption meter a multi-functional device that not only measures water consumption but also detects and locates leaks using its integrated temperature sensor. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate specialized pinpointing equipment, reducing overall system cost and deployment time.
3Measurement precision
If additional pinpointing equipment is deployed, then leak location precision is improved, but device complexity and investment cost deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the leak detection and location functions into the existing consumption meter by integrating a temperature sensor. This combination eliminates the need for separate acoustic detectors, correlators, and ground penetrating radar equipment, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining precise leak location capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The consumption meter performs leak location detection using its own integrated temperature sensor and processing capabilities, eliminating the need for external specialized equipment. The meter autonomously measures temperature, determines temporal curves, and identifies leaks, thereby reducing both system complexity and investment cost.
4Area of stationary object
If a large area is searched for leak location, then comprehensive coverage is improved, but time consumption and traffic obstruction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual area-by-area searching with automated thermal detection. Temperature sensors continuously monitor the thermal signature across the network, automatically identifying the precise location of leaking water through its thermal anomaly, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual searches and traffic obstruction.
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 accurate and cost-effective leak localization using existing consumption meters, reducing the need for additional investments and improving efficiency in identifying leak locations.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature profile of the medium is used to locate the leak... the change of temperature in the water network between a water source and one or more water consumption meters on the consumer side
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locating a leak (19) in a water supply network with a water source (11) and one or more water consumption meters (21, 22) on the consumer side. The method includes calculating a length of the pipe (17) between the consumption meter (21) and the leak (19) location based on a temporal temperature curve and a quantity of water flowing through the at least one consumption meter (21).