Water Meter Temperature Validation for Accurate Network Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The temperature of water in water supply networks, particularly in buildings, is often unsuitable for monitoring due to discrepancies between the water temperature near the water meter and the actual network temperature, especially with increased ambient temperatures and shallower pipe laying, complicating accurate temperature determination.
Innovation Solution
A method using a water meter with integrated quantity and temperature sensing devices to verify a storage condition based on water flow, ensuring the recorded temperature corresponds to the network temperature, allowing reliable temperature determination by storing and transmitting this information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water meters are located inside buildings for ease of operation and maintenance, then the water meter is accessible for reading and servicing, but the temperature of water in the water meter differs from the actual water supply network temperature, making temperature monitoring inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by checking flow conditions before accepting temperature measurements. It records flow quantity information and verifies that sufficient water has flowed through the meter to ensure the water temperature reflects the actual network temperature rather than building ambient temperature, thus preparing the measurement conditions in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses flow quantity information as an intermediary indicator to verify temperature measurement validity. By checking whether recorded flow quantities meet minimum thresholds, the system indirectly confirms that the water in the meter has been recently replenished from the network, serving as a mediator between the meter location and temperature accuracy
2Ease of manufacture
If pipes are laid at shallower depths (0.8-1.0m) instead of deeper (2.0m) for cost reduction, then installation costs decrease, but the water temperature in the network increases due to higher ambient temperatures, making it harder to maintain required maximum temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors water temperature and provides feedback on the actual network temperature conditions. By recording and evaluating temperature data against required thresholds (e.g., 25°C maximum for Legionella prevention), the system enables detection of temperature excursions caused by shallow pipe laying, allowing for corrective actions or warnings
3Reliability
If comprehensive temperature monitoring is implemented to ensure water temperature compliance, then temperature control reliability improves, but device complexity and measurement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the water meter multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its traditional flow measurement function and temperature monitoring function. The water meter includes both a quantity sensing device and a temperature sensing device, allowing a single existing infrastructure component to serve multiple purposes without adding separate dedicated monitoring equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the water meter's own operational data (flow quantity recordings) to verify the validity of its temperature measurements. The meter self-evaluates whether recorded flow quantities indicate that the water temperature reading is representative of the actual network temperature, eliminating the need for external verification systems
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 monitoring of water supply network temperatures by utilizing existing water meter data for temperature verification, ensuring reliability and compliance with temperature requirements, and providing additional functionalities like frost protection.
Implementation Method 1
at least one temperature piece of information relating to a temperature of the water located in the area of the water meter is recorded by means of a temperature sensing device
Implementation Method 2
at least one quantity piece of information relating to a quantity of water flowing to the point of consumption via the connection device is recorded by means of a quantity sensing device of the water meter
Implementation Method 3
the temperature of the water in the water meter only corresponds to the temperature of the water in the water supply network at those times when the water in the water meter was immediately present within the water supply network. Otherwise, according to Newton's law of cooling, the temperature of the water in the water meter gradually approaches the temperature prevailing in the vicinity of the water meter
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Method for determining the temperature of the water present in a water supply network (1), wherein the water supply network (1) is connected to a consumption point (2) located in the building via a connection device (3) leading from outside into the building, wherein the connection device (3) includes a water meter (4) also located in the building, wherein at least one quantity information (15) relating to a quantity of water reaching the consumption point (2) via the connection device (3) is recorded by means of a quantity measuring device (17) of the water meter (4), wherein at least one temperature information (16) relating to a temperature measuring device (18) is recorded, wherein the fulfillment of a storage condition is checked, which is fulfilled or can only be fulfilled ifif it can be seen from the quantity information (15) or at least one of the quantity information (15) that a temperature of the water located in the area of the water meter (4) corresponds to the temperature of the water present in the water supply network (1), wherein, upon fulfillment of the storage condition, the at least one currently recorded temperature information (16) is stored on a data storage device (20) and/or used to determine the temperature of the water present in the water supply network (1).