Smart Water Valve Leak Detection Using Usage Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water monitoring systems lack the ability to accurately detect and identify water leaks in residential and commercial properties, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from undetected leaks.
Innovation Solution
A smart water valve system equipped with sensors and machine-learning algorithms that monitor water flow rates, temperatures, and usage profiles to detect leaks and identify the source, allowing for real-time notifications and automatic flow adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional water monitoring systems are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot accurately detect and identify water leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water monitoring function into multiple specialized sensors (flow sensors, temperature sensors, acoustic sensors) distributed throughout the property, each detecting specific leak characteristics. This segmentation enables accurate leak detection while keeping individual sensor units simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized control system acts as an intermediary that collects data from multiple simple sensors, processes the information using leak detection algorithms, and identifies the source of leaks. This intermediary consolidates complexity in a single unit while allowing individual sensors to remain simple.
2Loss of substance
If no leak detection system is installed, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but water waste and potential damage occur from undetected leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects leaks, identifies their sources, and notifies property owners without requiring manual inspection or intervention. This self-service capability reduces water waste while maintaining relatively simple installation through automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback about water flow patterns and detects deviations that indicate leaks. This feedback mechanism enables automatic leak identification and notification, reducing water waste while keeping the system manageable through automated responses.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive leak detection is implemented, then leak identification accuracy is improved, but the time and computational resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes baseline water flow patterns and device usage profiles during normal operation. When a leak occurs, the system compares real-time data against these pre-established patterns, enabling rapid and accurate leak source identification without requiring extensive real-time analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for water monitoring are disclosed. A system includes one or more processors and one or more computer storage media storing instructions that are operable, when executed by the one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include determining with a leak sensor that a water leak is occurring at a property; after determining that the water leak is occurring at the property, determining that a water usage profile of a particular water consuming device matches characteristics of the water leak; based on determining that the water usage profile of a particular water consuming device matches characteristics of the water leak, identifying a water consuming device that is likely leaking; and in response to identifying the water consuming device that is likely leaking, performing a system action.