Water meter powered by energy produced from fluid flow pressure changes
AssigneeIdeavipu Oy
InventorMika Pukari
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A water meter reading device having a piston (503) or a membrane (527) that moves with the pressure changes of the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network is disclosed. The movement charges a capacitor (704) with electric energy released for reading the water meter. This makes it possible to realize the system without a battery, as the electricity needed for reading the water meter, and communicating the water meter reading to the water company, is used at the same moment that the electricity is generated. This also has the consequence that the water meter readings occur at the same time as the pressure changes in the water pipe (301, 501, 601) network.
Claims14
An on-site self-powered water meter reading and transmitter system deriving operation power from pressure changes of a fluid in a water pipeline network, the reading and transmitter system comprising:
- a piston or a membrane configured to load a mechanical spring of a spring-loaded generator to extract mechanical energy from pressure changes in the water pipeline network,
- wherein the piston or membrane is mechanically driven by pressure changes in the water pipeline network,
- wherein the piston or membrane drives the mechanical spring storing mechanical energy, and
- wherein the mechanical spring when released is configured to drive an electro-magnetic motor and generate electric power configured to power a reading of a water meter and transmission of the water meter reading to a receiver.
A method, comprising:
- using a piston or membrane to load a mechanical spring of a spring-loaded generator, to extract mechanical energy from pressure changes in a water pipeline network, comprising:
- mechanically driving the piston or membrane with pressure changes in the water pipeline network;
- and
- driving the mechanical spring storing mechanical energy using the piston or membrane;
- releasing the mechanical spring to drive an electro-magnetic motor and generate electrical power;
- and
- powering a reading of a water meter, and transmission of the water meter reading to a receiver, using the generated electrical power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.