Wireless Hydrant Sensor Preserves Water Main Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In municipal water systems, accurately monitoring and controlling water flow is challenging due to difficulties in placing sensors, which can weaken water mains and require extensive wiring, making it hard to maintain necessary flow for health and safety.
Innovation Solution
A fire hydrant design incorporating a sensing assembly with a vein, electronics, and an antenna, allowing for wireless communication of water flow data, eliminating the need for extensive wiring and minimizing interference with the water supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in the water main to monitor flow, then flow monitoring capability is improved, but the structural integrity of the water main deteriorates due to weaknesses caused by sensor installation
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing assembly is extracted from the water main and relocated to the fire hydrant body. The vein extends from the water main through the fire hydrant to the sensing assembly, allowing flow monitoring without installing sensors directly in the water main, thus preserving water main integrity while maintaining monitoring capability.
2Measurement precision
If sensors are installed to monitor water flow, then flow data acquisition is improved, but device complexity increases due to extensive wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The sensing assembly includes a microcontroller and wireless transceiver that transmit flow data wirelessly to a remote monitoring station, eliminating the need for extensive wiring and reducing system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are placed in the field to monitor flow, then monitoring accuracy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in sensor placement and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing assembly is merged with the fire hydrant structure, combining the monitoring function with an existing infrastructure element. This integration allows for easier installation since the sensing assembly is installed as part of the fire hydrant rather than separately in the water main, and simplifies maintenance by providing centralized access through the fire hydrant.
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 efficient and wireless monitoring of water flow characteristics, enhancing the ability to maintain necessary flow for health and safety without compromising the integrity of the water mains.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor in fluid communication with the channel
Implementation Method 2
an antenna in electrical communication with the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing assembly includes an electronics assembly for use with a fire hydrant, the electronics assembly comprising: a sensor in fluid communication with the channel; at least one battery in electrical communication with the sensor; an antenna in electrical communication with the sensor; and a cover protecting the sensing assembly.