Wireless Water Leak Control With Ultrasonic Flow Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current leak detection technologies are inadequate for detecting small, intermittent leaks in hard-to-reach areas and are often costly and inefficient, leading to undetected water losses and property damage, while existing water meters lack real-time monitoring capabilities and are prone to accuracy issues over time.
Innovation Solution
A wireless water control system incorporating an ultrasonic flow meter, pressure and temperature sensors, a microturbine for power generation, and a membrane leak detection sensor that can detect small leaks and transmit data for remote monitoring, enabling autonomous operation and automatic response to leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spot leak detectors are used, then leak detection capability is provided, but they cannot detect small intermittent leaks in hard-to-reach areas and have form factor constraints requiring arduous installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the leak detection sensing elements from traditional enclosed detector housings and implements them as flexible, adhesive-mounted strips that can be conformally applied to various surfaces including hard-to-reach areas. This extraction allows the sensing functionality to be decoupled from bulky form factors, enabling easy installation while maintaining detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film adhesive strips as the sensor substrate, allowing the leak detection elements to conform to irregular surfaces and be easily applied without arduous installation. These flexible thin films can be mounted in hard-to-reach areas while maintaining sensitivity to small intermittent leaks.
2Reliability
If standard utility meters are used, then reliable water consumption measurement is achieved, but they lack real-time monitoring capabilities and lose accuracy over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where leak detection sensors continuously monitor for water leaks and provide real-time alerts when leaks are detected. This feedback loop enables immediate response to leaks, preventing water loss and damage while maintaining measurement reliability throughout the system's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical utility meters with electronic sensing systems including adhesive-mounted leak detectors, pressure sensors, and temperature sensors that provide both reliable measurement and real-time digital data transmission for continuous monitoring and analysis.
3Stress or pressure
If pressure regulators are installed inside building structure, then supply pressure control is achieved, but they cannot be remotely monitored or controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary electronic sensors and communication devices that bridge the gap between internally installed pressure regulators and remote monitoring systems. These intermediaries transmit pressure data and control signals through building structures, enabling remote monitoring and control while maintaining effective pressure regulation at the source.
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 in real-time, reducing water loss and property damage by providing accurate, remote monitoring and autonomous operation, improving water efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic flow meter
Implementation Method 2
microturbine for power generation
Implementation Method 3
The perforations in the membrane allow liquids to pass through fluid dynamics and capillary action from the nonconductive side of the membrane to the side on which the cathodes and anodes are affixed
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid control system which encompasses a leak sensor and a fluid control unit 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.