Wireless Leak Sensing and Flow Control for Small Water Leaks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detection systems are inadequate for detecting small, intermittent leaks in hard-to-reach areas, and water meters lack real-time monitoring and control capabilities, leading to undetected water loss and infrastructure damage.
Innovation Solution
A wireless fluid control system incorporating an ultrasonic flow meter, pressure and temperature sensors, and a microturbine generator for autonomous operation, with leak detection using a membrane sensor and wireless transmission to a gateway and cloud server for real-time monitoring and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spot leak detectors with casings are used, then leak detection capability is provided, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase due to form factor constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential leak detection function from the traditional enclosed detector design. The leak sensing elements (conductive strips) are separated from the electronic control components, allowing the sensing portion to be placed in hard-to-reach areas while the processing unit remains accessible. This extraction resolves the contradiction by enabling leak detection capability without the form factor constraints of traditional enclosed detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent components: conductive strips for sensing, wireless communication modules, and processing units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the conductive strips can be placed in constrained spaces while other components are positioned for ease of installation and maintenance, resolving the form factor contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If standard utility meters are used, then water consumption measurement is provided, but real-time monitoring capability is lost due to infrequent field service checks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where ultrasonic flow meters constantly measure water flow and wirelessly transmit data to remote servers. This real-time feedback enables immediate detection of leaks and abnormal consumption patterns, resolving the contradiction by providing both precise measurement and continuous monitoring capability that eliminates the information loss inherent in periodic manual readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical periodic reading system with electronic ultrasonic flow measurement and wireless data transmission. This substitution eliminates the need for physical meter reading while providing continuous real-time data, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preventing information loss between reading intervals.
3Stress or pressure
If pressure regulators are installed inside building structure, then supply pressure control is achieved, but remote monitoring capability is lost making failure detection difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediaries between the pressure regulators and remote monitoring systems. These intermediaries enable pressure sensors integrated with the regulators to transmit failure data and operational status remotely, resolving the contradiction by maintaining pressure control functionality while eliminating the information loss that prevents failure detection.
4Measurement precision
If membrane leak sensors with conductive strips are used, then small leak detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases due to sensor array configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the membrane sensor with conductive strips that serve multiple functions: detecting leaks, determining leak location, and assessing leak severity. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving high measurement precision for small leaks while avoiding the need for multiple separate sensor systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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
The system effectively detects and responds to small leaks, monitors water quality and pressure, and provides real-time data analysis for efficient water management, reducing damage and costs associated with undetected leaks and infrastructure issues.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic flow meter, with the flow meter measuring a flow rate of water
Implementation Method 2
a microturbine generator for autonomous operation... an electromagnetic hydro turbine for recharging the onboard low voltage battery bank
Implementation Method 3
a membrane sensor comprising a set of electrically-conductive strips arranged in a pattern on one side of a two-sided thin film nonabsorbent membrane... detect when electrical flow is received through the liquid conduit
Implementation Method 4
fluid pressure sensor... The pressure sensor is intended to determine when there are physical changes in the pressure regulating valve as well as potential leaks
Implementation Method 5
temperature sensor... The temperature probe is designed and integrated into the system to determine when freeze conditions are imminent
Data Source
AI summary
A leak detection and control system which encompasses a membrane leak sensor and a fluid control device adapted for installation on a fluid supply line, both capable of wireless data communication with a gateway acting as an interface between the leak sensor and fluid control unit and a cloud server or a remote user application.