GB2586581A

GB2586581A - Improvements in or relating to fluid measurement devices

Info

Publication number: GB2586581A
Application number: GB1911301.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Davidson Scott
Original assignee: Radisoft Ltd
Current assignee: Radisoft Ltd
Priority date: 2019-08-07
Filing date: 2019-08-07
Publication date: 2021-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-07
Also published as: GB201911301D0; GB2586581B

Abstract

A fluid measurement device 1 for a fluid transfer apparatus 2 comprising at least one sensor 3 configured to measure at least one property of a fluid 4 in the fluid transfer apparatus, the device being operable to obtain measurement data from the or each sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the apparatus, the device being configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system 5, the device data being based at least in part on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor 3. The sensor may be a nephelometer to measure turbidity, particular matter or contaminants, and their concentration. The apparatus may be a central heating system with radiators 7 and boiler 6.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FLUID MEASUREMENT DEVICES

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a fluid measurement device, and, particularly but not exclusively, a fluid measurement system and associated methods.

Background to the invention

Fluid flowing in a fluid transfer apparatus, such as a central heating system, can accumulate debris, particulate matter and other contaminants, particularly when the fluid is circulated throughout the apparatus. In central heating systems, this effect can reduce the efficiency of the system. It would therefore be desirable for a user of a fluid transfer apparatus to be able to monitor the quality, or purity of fluid flowing in the fluid transfer apparatus.

Known fluid measurement devices for fluid transfer apparatuses typically require the user to visually inspect the fluid measurement device, which can be cumbersome for the user to do, particularly when the fluid measurement device is located in an awkward location.

The inventor of the present invention has appreciated the shortcomings in known fluid measurement devices.

Summary of the invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.

The fluid transfer apparatus may comprise a heating and/or cooling apparatus. The fluid transfer apparatus may be configured to be a fluid circulation apparatus. The fluid transfer apparatus may comprise a central heating and/or cooling system, or the like. The fluid transfer apparatus may comprise a fluid heating device. The fluid heating device may be a boiler, or the like. The fluid transfer apparatus may comprise one or more heat emitting modules. The, or each, heat emitting module may be a radiator, or the like.

The fluid may include one or more liquids. The fluid may include water.

The fluid may be substantially water. The fluid measurement device may be a water measurement or water monitoring device.

The at least one sensor may be configured to measure the turbidity of the fluid. The at least one sensor may be configured to detect the presence of particulate matter in the fluid. The at least one sensor may be configured to measure the concentration of particulate matter in the fluid. The at least one sensor may be configured to function as a nephelometer. The at least one sensor may be operable to detect the presence of one or more contaminants in the fluid. The at least one sensor may be operable to measure the concentrations of one or more contaminants in the fluid. The at least one sensor may be operable to detect the presence of one or more substances in the fluid. The at least one sensor may be operable to measure the concentration of one or more substances in the fluid. The substances may be iron oxide, magnetite, scale deposits, microbiological organisms, and/or particulate impurities.

The fluid measurement device may be operable to compare measurement data received from the at least one sensor with one or more reference values associated with a property of the fluid. The one or more reference values may be threshold values. The fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system may be configured to indicate that measurement data associated with a property of the fluid has exceeded a reference value.

The fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system may comprise one or more indicator elements configured to display monitor data. The monitor data may be based, at least in part, on the device data. The indicator element may include one or more visual indicator elements and/or one or more audio indicator elements. The visual indicator element may be one or more light emitting diodes, or the like. The monitoring system may be operable to continuously indicate the monitor data. The monitoring system may be operable to indicate data associated with at least one property of the fluid.

The monitoring system may be configured to receive data from one or more fluid measurement devices. The monitoring system may be configured as a central monitoring system configured to receive data from one or more fluid measurement devices. The monitoring system may be locatable in a different location to the fluid measurement device.

The monitoring system may be a remote monitoring system. In this arrangement, the monitoring system is located separate from the fluid measurement device.

The monitoring system may be operable to process data received from the fluid measurement device. The monitoring system may be operable to process data received from a plurality of fluid measurement devices.

The monitoring system may be a server-based monitoring system. The monitoring system may include a server. The server may be configured to obtain device data from the fluid measurement device, or from or a plurality of fluid measurement devices. The server may be configured to provide data received from the, or each, fluid measurement device to one or more computing devices and/or website elements. The monitoring system may be configured to provide data received from the, or each, fluid measurement device to one or more computing devices and/or website elements.

The monitoring system may be a web-based monitoring system. The monitoring system may include one or more website elements. The monitoring system may include one or more website elements configured to display data received from the, or each fluid measurement device. The monitoring system may include one or more website elements configured to display data based, at least in part, on the measurement data received from the at least one sensor. The monitoring system may include a network formed from a plurality of computing devices. The monitoring system may be a network-based monitoring system. The monitoring system may be based on a network-based system. The monitoring system may be implemented on a distributed computer network.

The monitoring system may be configured to associate data from the, or each, fluid measurement device with one or more user accounts. The monitoring system may be configured to regulate access to the one or more user accounts. The monitoring system may include one or more user authentication elements. The, or each, user authentication element may be configured to regulate user access to fluid measurement device data associated with one or more specific user accounts.

The monitoring system and/or the fluid measurement device may be configured to display data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 5 minutes of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor. The monitoring system and/or the fluid measurement device may be configured to display data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 3 minutes of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor. The monitoring system and/or the fluid measurement device may be configured to display data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 1 minute of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to continuously obtain measurement data from the at least one sensor.

The fluid measurement device may be operable to measure at least one property of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be operable to measure the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be operable to measure the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus based, at least in part, on measurement data obtained from the at least one sensor.

The at least one sensor may be an optical sensor. The at least one sensor may be a magnetic sensor. The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more optical sensors. The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more magnetic sensors. The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more optical sensors and one or more magnetic sensors. The fluid measurement device may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to measure at least one property of the fluid.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to be a compact device. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be a rugged device. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be a portable device. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be a compact, rugged, and portable device.

The fluid measurement device may be configured not to obstruct the flow of fluid in the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be arranged external to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one sensor may be arranged external to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be arranged to be outside of the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one sensor may be arranged to be outside of the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable adjacent to a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one sensor may be locatable adjacent to a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable adjacent to a fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one sensor may be locatable adjacent to a fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable adjacent to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The at least one sensor may be locatable adjacent to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be an external fluid measurement device arranged to not be in contact with the fluid in the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer device. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be engageable with a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be engageable with one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The, or each, fluid flow component may be a pipe member, or the like. The, or each, fluid flow component may be a copper pipe member, or the like. The, or each, fluid flow component may have a diameter of between approximately 20 mm and approximately 30 mm. The, or each, fluid flow component may have a diameter of approximately 28 mm. The, or each, fluid flow component may have a diameter of approximately 22 mm.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to be releasably engageable with the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be releasably engageable with at least one fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The fluid measurement device may be connectable to one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be configured to be connectable between two or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be configured to permit the fluid to flow through at least a portion of the device. The fluid measurement device may be locatable in the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may comprise a fluid inlet configured to engage with a fluid outlet of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may comprise a fluid outlet configured to engage with a fluid inlet of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more fluid flow components. The fluid flow component of the fluid measurement device may be configured to engage with one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be configured to permit fluid to flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet thereof at a pressure of up to approximately 7 bar, optionally up to approximately 6 bar, optionally up to approximately 5 bar.

The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more connector mechanisms configured to engage with one or more corresponding connector mechanisms of the fluid transfer apparatus. The connector mechanisms may be compression fittings, or the like.

The monitoring system may include one or more monitoring modules. The monitoring system may include a plurality of monitoring modules. At least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to receive device data from the fluid measurement device. The, or each, monitoring module may be configured to receive device data. The, or each, monitoring module may be configured to transmit data, the date being based at least in part on the received device data. At least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to receive device data from the fluid measurement device and to communicate the device data to at least one other monitoring module. In this arrangement, at least one of the monitoring modules is a local monitoring module and at least one of the monitoring modules is a remote monitoring module.

The remote monitoring module may be a central monitoring module configured to obtain data from one or more local monitoring modules. The remote monitoring module may be a web-based monitoring module, or system.

At least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to be a local monitoring module associated with at least one fluid measurement device.

at least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to be a remote monitoring module configured to receive data from one or more local monitoring modules. At least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to be a local monitoring module associated with at least one fluid measurement device, and at least one of the monitoring modules may be configured to be a remote monitoring module configured to receive data from one or more local monitoring modules. The remote monitoring module may be operable to receive data from a plurality of local monitoring modules, each local monitoring module being configured to receive device data from one or more fluid measurement devices.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to communicate with the monitoring system by way of a wired communication link. The fluid measurement device may be configured to communicate with the monitoring system by way of a wireless communication link. The fluid measurement device may be configured to communicate with at least one monitoring module using a wireless communication link. The fluid measurement device may be configured to communicate with at least one monitoring module using a wired communication link. Each monitoring module may be configured to communicate with at least one other monitoring module using a wireless communication link.

The wireless communication link may include a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to communicate with the local monitoring module using at least one of: a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link, and the local monitoring module may be configured to communicate with the remote monitoring module using at least one of: a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link.

The fluid measurement device may comprise one or more processer elements configured to process measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor of the device. The processor element may be an electronic processor element. The processor element may be a microprocessor.

The fluid measurement device may include one or more electrical power supply elements. The electrical power supply element may be one or more batteries, one or more replaceable batteries, one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more energy generating devices and/or one or more energy harvesting devices. The energy harvesting device may be a thermoelectric generator, a Peltier device, or the like.

The monitoring system may be operable to receive measurement data from one or more fluid measurement devices, the, or each, fluid measurement device being a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the, or each, fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement from the, or each, 15 sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.

The fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system may be operable to communicate with a control system. The fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system may be operable to provide data to the control system based, at least in part, on measurement data received from the, or each, sensor. The control system may be configured to control, at least in part, the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus. The control system may be configured to control the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus based, at least in part, on the data received from the fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system.

The control system may include a temperature regulation element. The control system may be operable to regulate the temperature of fluid flowing in the fluid transfer apparatus. The temperature regulation element may be a thermostat, or the like.

The fluid measurement device may be locatable on, or adjacent to, one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable between two or more components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable between two or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The fluid measurement device may be locatable at a point in the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus that is between a heating element and a heat emitting element of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The monitoring system, the fluid measurement device and/or the control system may include a user interface. The user interface may include a graphical user interface and/or one or more buttons, or the like.

The fluid measurement device may be configured to have a weight of approximately less than or equal to 220 grammes, optionally approximately less than or equal to 200 grammes.

The device may be configured to obtain measurement data from the at 25 least one sensor when the surrounding temperature is between approximately -10 °C and 120 °C.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system is operable to obtain device data from a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the monitoring system is configured to receive device data from the device, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the present invention or its embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the second aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid measurement system, the system comprising: a monitoring system; and a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to the monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first and/or second aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first and/or second aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the third aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring at least one property of a fluid flowing in a fluid transfer apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor; arranging the fluid measurement device relative to the fluid transfer apparatus such that the sensor can obtain the measurement data; and using the fluid measurement device to obtain the measurement data.

The method may comprise the step of measuring the turbidity of the fluid. The method may comprise the step of detecting the presence of particulate matter in the fluid. The method may comprise the step of measuring the concentration of particulate matter in the fluid. The method may comprise the step of detecting the presence of one or more contaminants in the fluid. The method may comprise the step of measuring the concentrations of one or more contaminants in the fluid. The method may comprise the step of detecting the presence of one or more substances in the fluid. The method may comprise the step of measuring the concentration of one or more substances in the fluid. The substances may be iron oxide, magnetite, scale deposits, microbiological organisms, and/or particulate impurities.

The method may comprise the step of comparing measurement data received from the at least one sensor with one or more reference values associated with a property of the fluid. The one or more reference values may be threshold values. The method may comprise the step of indicating that measurement data associated with a property of the fluid has exceeded a reference value. The method may comprise the step of displaying fluid measurement device data and/or monitor data. The monitor data may be based, at least in part, on the fluid measurement device data. The method may comprise the step of providing one or more visual indicator elements and/or one or more audio indicator elements.

The method may comprise the step of continuously indicating the monitor data. The method may comprise the step of indicating data associated with at least one property of the fluid.

The method may comprise the step of locating the monitoring system in a different location to the device. The method may comprise the step of locating the fluid measurement device in a different location to the monitoring system.

The method may comprise the step of arranging the monitoring system to be a remote monitoring system. In this arrangement, the monitoring system is located separate from the fluid measurement device.

The method may comprise the step of processing data received from the fluid measurement device. The method may comprise the step of using the monitoring system to process data received from the fluid measurement device. The method may comprise the step of processing data received from a plurality of fluid measurement devices. The method may comprise the step of using the monitoring system to process data received from a plurality of fluid measurement devices.

The method may comprise the step of providing a server. The server may be configured to obtain device data from the fluid measurement device, or from or a plurality of devices. The server may be configured to provide data received from the, or each, fluid measurement device to one or more computing devices and/or website elements.

The method may comprise the step of providing data to one or more computing devices and/or website elements. The method may comprise the step of providing data from the, or each, fluid measurement device to one or more computing devices and/or website elements. The method may comprise the step of using the monitoring system to provide data received from the, or each, fluid measurement device to one or more computing devices and/or website elements.

The method may comprise the step of using one or more website elements to display data received from the, or each fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system. The method may comprise the step of using one or more website elements to display data based, at least in part, on the measurement data received from the at least one sensor. The method may comprise the step of providing data from the fluid measurement device to at least a part of the monitoring system using a distributed computer network.

The method may comprise the step of associating data from the, or each, fluid measurement device with one or more user accounts. The method may comprise the step of regulating access to the one or more user accounts. The method may comprise the step of providing one or more user authentication elements. The, or each, user authentication element may be configured to regulate user access to device data associated with one or more specific user accounts.

The method may comprise the step of displaying data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 5 minutes of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor. The method may comprise the step of displaying data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 3 minutes of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor. The method may comprise the step of displaying data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor, within approximately 1 minute of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor.

The method may comprise the step of continuously obtaining 5 measurement data from the at least one sensor.

The method may comprise the step of measuring at least one property of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of measuring the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of measuring the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus based, at least in part, on measurement data obtained from the at least one sensor.

The method may comprise the step of arranging the device to be external to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of arranging the at least one sensor to be external to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of arranging the fluid measurement device to be outside of the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of arranging the at least one sensor to be outside of the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the fluid measurement device adjacent to a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the at least one sensor adjacent to a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the fluid measurement device adjacent to a fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the at least one sensor adjacent to a fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the fluid measurement device adjacent to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of locating the at least one sensor adjacent to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The method may comprise the step of engaging the device with a portion of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of engaging the fluid measurement device with one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The method may comprise the step of releasably engaging the fluid measurement device with the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of releasably engaging the fluid measurement device with at least one fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The method may comprise the step of connecting the fluid measurement device to one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of connecting the fluid measurement device between two or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of arranging the fluid measurement device relative to the fluid transfer apparatus to permit the fluid to flow through at least a portion of the device. The method may comprise the step of locating the fluid measurement device in the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of engaging a fluid inlet of the fluid measurement device with a fluid outlet of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of engaging a fluid outlet of the fluid measurement device with a fluid inlet of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of engaging a fluid flow component of the fluid measurement device with one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus.

The monitoring system may include one or more monitoring modules. The monitoring system may include a plurality of monitoring modules. The method may comprise the step of using at least one of the monitoring modules to receive device data from the fluid measurement device. The method may comprise the step of using at least one of the monitoring modules to receive device data from the fluid measurement device and to communicate the device data to at least one other monitoring module. In this arrangement, at least one of the monitoring modules is a local monitoring module and at least one of the monitoring modules is a remote monitoring module.

The method may comprise the step of configuring at least one of the monitoring modules to be a local monitoring module associated with at least one fluid measurement device, and configuring at least one of the monitoring modules to be a remote monitoring module configured to receive data from one or more local monitoring modules. The method may comprise the step of using the remote monitoring module to receive data from a plurality of local monitoring modules, each local monitoring module being configured to receive device data from one or more fluid measurement devices.

The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device to the monitoring system by way of a wired communication link. The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device to the monitoring system by way of a wireless communication link. The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device to at least one monitoring module using a wireless communication link. The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device to at least one monitoring module using a wired communication link. The method may comprise the step of transferring data from each monitoring module to at least one other monitoring module using a wireless communication link.

The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device to the local monitoring module using at least one of: a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link, and transferring data from the local monitoring module to the remote monitoring module using at least one of: a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link.

The method may comprise the step of using the fluid measurement device to process the measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor. The method may comprise the step of using one or more processer elements of the fluid measurement device to process measurement data obtained from the, or each, sensor of the device.

The method may comprise the step of using the monitoring system to receive measurement data from one or more devices, the, or each, device being a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the, or each fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement from the, or each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.

The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system to a control system.

The method may comprise the step of transferring data from the fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system to the control system, the data being based, at least in part, on measurement data received from the, or each, sensor. The method may comprise the step of configuring the control system to control, at least in part, the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of using the control system to control the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus based, at least in part, on the data received from the fluid measurement device and/or the monitoring system.

The method may comprise the step of regulating the temperature of fluid flowing in the fluid transfer apparatus. The method may comprise the step of using the control system to regulate the temperature of fluid flowing in the fluid transfer apparatus.

The method may comprise the step of displaying information to a user.

The method may comprise the step of receiving, or prompting, input from a user. The method may comprise the step of providing one or more user interfaces. The method may comprise the step of obtaining measurement data from the at least one sensor when the surrounding temperature is between approximately -10 °C and 120 °C.

Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second and/or third aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second and/or third aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fourth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of measuring at least one property of a fluid flowing in a fluid transfer apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining measurement data from a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor, and processing the measurement data.

Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the present invention may include one or more features of the first, second, third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention or their embodiments. Similarly, embodiments of the first, second, third and/or fourth aspects of the present invention may include one or more features of the fifth aspect of the present invention or its embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a fluid measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 2 illustrates the operation of the fluid measurement device of Fig. 1.

Description of preferred embodiments

With reference to Fig. 1, a fluid measurement device 1 for a fluid transfer apparatus 2 is shown.

The fluid measurement device 1 includes a nephelometer (an example of 25 a sensor 3) configured to measure at least one property of water (an example of a fluid 4) for use with the fluid transfer apparatus 2. The fluid measurement device 1 is operable to obtain measurement data from the sensor 3 associated with at least one property of the fluid 4 located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus 2 and the device 1 is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system 5, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device 1 from the sensor 3.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the fluid transfer apparatus 2 is a central heating system comprising a fluid heating device 6, such as a boiler, and three heat emitting modules 7, such as radiators.

It will be understood that the fluid transfer apparatus 2 is a water circulation system and, therefore, the build-up of contaminants in the water will have an adverse impact on the fluid transport efficiency of the heating system. It is therefore advantageous to monitor the quality of the water so that the user of the heating system can opt to take action to improve the fluid transport efficiency.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the sensor 3 is a nephelometer. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments the sensor 3 could be configured to measure the turbidity of the fluid 4, to detect the presence of particulate matter in the fluid 4, to measure the concentration of particulate matter in the fluid 4, to detect the presence of one or more contaminants in the fluid 4, to measure the concentrations of one or more contaminants in the fluid 4, to detect the presence of one or more substances in the fluid 4, and/or to measure the concentration of one or more substances in the fluid 4. Furthermore, the sensor 3 could be configured to detect the presence of, or measure the concentration of, iron oxide, magnetite, scale deposits, microbiological organisms, and/or particulate impurities.

The fluid measurement device 1 is operable to compare measurement data received from the at least one sensor 3 with one or more reference, or threshold, values associated with a property of the fluid 4, and the device 1 and the monitoring system 5 are configured to indicate that measurement data associated with a property of the fluid 4 has exceeded a reference value. In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the device 1 and the monitoring system 5 include one or more indicator elements configured to display monitor data based, at least in part, on the device data. The indicator element includes one or more visual indicator elements and/or one or more audio indicator elements. The monitoring system 5 and the device 1 include a user interface, including a graphical user interface and one or more buttons.

The monitoring system 5 is operable to continuously indicate the monitor data and to indicate data associated with at least one property of the fluid 4.

In the embodiment illustrated and described here, the monitoring system 5 is configured to receive data from one or more devices 1. Thus, the monitoring system 5 is configured as a central monitoring system 5 configured to receive data from one or more devices 1. Typically, the monitoring system 5 is locatable in a different location to the device 1. For example, the monitoring system 5 could be located in an industrial location and each device 1 could be located in a domestic setting.

The monitoring system 5 is operable to process data received from the device 1 and to display data to the user of the monitoring system 5 based on the processed data from the device 1.

The monitoring system 5 includes a server 5b configured to obtain device data from the device 1, or from or a plurality of devices 1 via a local monitoring module 5a. The server 5b is thus, in this embodiment, a remote monitoring module, which obtains data from each local monitoring module 5a. The server 5b is configured to provide data received from the, or each, device 1 to one or more computing devices 5c and/or website elements 5d. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment, the computing devices 5c and website elements 5d are remote monitoring modules.

The monitoring system 5 therefore includes one or more website elements 5d configured to display data based, at least in part, on the measurement data received from the sensor 3. Although not shown, the monitoring system 5 is implemented on a distributed computer network, such as the internet. For example, typically multiple servers 5b will be linked over the internet and used to relay data to computing devices 5c and website elements 5d, thus a user can view sensor data associated with the performance of the heating system by logging on to a website.

The monitoring system 5 is configured to associate data from each device 1 with one or more user accounts and is configured to use one or more user authentication elements to regulate access to device data associated with one or more specific user accounts. In this way, each user can only view data associated with their own device(s) 1.

The monitoring system 5 and the device 1 are configured to display data based at least in part on measurement data obtained from the sensor 3 within approximately 1 minute of the measurement data being obtained by the sensor 3.

The device 1 is configured to continuously obtain measurement data from the sensor 3.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the device 1 is operable to measure the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus 2 based, at least in part, on measurement data obtained from the at least one sensor 3.

The device 1 is configured to be a compact, rugged, and portable device 1. It is therefore easy to install the device 1 in a fluid transfer apparatus 2, such as a central heating system.

The device 1 is configured not to obstruct the flow of fluid 4 in the fluid transfer apparatus 2, as the sensor 3 is arranged external to (and is outside of) the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus 2. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the sensor 3 is located between two fluid flow components 8 of the fluid transfer apparatus 2. Fluid 4 therefore flows from one fluid flow component 8, though the device 1, and through another fluid flow component 8, without being obstructed by the sensor 3.

The device 1 is configured to be engageable with two fluid flow components 8 of the fluid transfer apparatus 2, and is connected between them. This ensures that the device 1 can be fixedly secured to the fluid transfer apparatus 2 in a reliable manner, and that the position of the sensor 3 relative to the fluid 4 flowing in the device 1 is fixed. Typically, the fluid flow components 8 are pipe members, although it will be appreciated that other fluid flow components 8 could be used, including other fluid measurement devices 1. In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the device 1 comprises a fluid inlet configured to engage with a fluid outlet of a fluid flow component 8 of the fluid transfer apparatus 2. The device 1 also comprises a fluid outlet configured to engage with a fluid inlet of a fluid flow component of the fluid transfer apparatus 2.

The device 1 comprises a fluid flow component, such as a conduit, which is arranged in fluid communication with two of the fluid flow components 8 of the fluid transfer apparatus 2. In this embodiment, the sensor 3 is arranged to obtain measurement data by transmitting light through the fluid flow component of the device 1 in a nephelometer arrangement.

The device 1 is configured to permit fluid 4 to flow between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet thereof at a pressure of up to approximately 7 bar. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the device 1 could be configured to allow fluid flow therein at higher or lower pressures.

The device 1 comprises connector mechanisms (typically compression fittings) configured to engage with one or more corresponding connector mechanisms of the fluid flow components 8 of the fluid transfer apparatus 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, the server 5b is operable to receive data from a further local monitoring module 5a'. The further local monitoring module 5a' is configured to receive data from a further fluid transfer apparatus 2' comprising an associated further fluid measurement device 1'. Thus, the server 5b, functioning as a remote monitoring module, is a central module configured to receive data from a plurality of local monitoring modules 5a, 5a', each local monitoring module 5a, 5a', being configured to receive device data from a fluid measurement device 1, 1'.

In the embodiments illustrated and described here, the device 1 is configured to communicate with the monitoring system 5 by way of a wireless communication link. In this embodiment, the device 1 is configured to communicate with the local monitoring module 5a using Bluetooth (an example of a wireless communication link) and the local monitoring module 5a is configured to communicate with the server via LoRaWAN (an example of a wireless communication link).

However, in other embodiments, the device 1 could be configured to communicate with the monitoring system 5 by way of a wired communication link, or by way of a wired communication link and a wireless communication link. For example, the device 1 could communicate with the local monitoring module 5a via a wired link, and the local monitoring module 5a could then communicate with the server 5b via a wireless communication link. The, or each wireless communication link may include a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link. However, it should be understood that other types of wireless communication link could be used.

The device 1 includes an electronic processer element configured to process the measurement data obtained from the sensor 3. The device 1 also includes an electrical power supply element, which in this embodiment is a battery. However, it should be understood that the electrical power supply element may be one or more batteries, one or more replaceable batteries, one or more rechargeable batteries, one or more energy generating devices and/or one or more energy harvesting devices, and the energy harvesting device (if included in the device 1) may be a thermoelectric generator, a Peltier device, or the like.

As shown in Fig. 1, the device 1 is operable to communicate with a control system 10 to provide data to the control system 10 based, at least in part, on measurement data received from the sensor 3. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the device 1 and/or the monitoring system 5 could be configured to provide data to the control system 10.

The control system 10 is configured to control, at least in part, the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus 2 based, at least in part, on the data received from the device 1. The control system 10 includes a thermostat (an example of a temperature regulation element 11), and the control system 10 is operable to regulate the temperature of the fluid 4 flowing in the fluid transfer apparatus 2.

The device 1 is configured to obtain measurement data from the sensor 3 when the surrounding temperature is between approximately -10 °C and 120 °C.

With reference to Fig. 2, a method of measuring at least one property of a fluid flowing in a fluid transfer apparatus will be described. In the method of Fig. 2, the device 1 of Fig. 1 is used. However, it should be appreciated that any suitable device 1 could be used to implement the method shown in Fig. 2. Thus, in this embodiment, a fluid measurement device 1 for a fluid transfer apparatus 2 is arranged relative to a fluid transfer apparatus 2. The fluid measurement device 1 comprises at least one sensor 3 configured to measure at least one property of a fluid 4 for use with the fluid transfer apparatus 2. It should be understood that there are many devices and sensors that are suitable for measuring at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus.

The device 1 is operable to obtain measurement data from the sensor 3, 5 the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus 2.

The first step 100 is to obtain the measurement data from the fluid measurement device 1. It should be understood that the first step 100 could include the initial step of providing the fluid measurement device 1 and arranging the fluid measurement device 1 relative to the fluid transfer apparatus 2.

The next step 110 is to use the device 1 to process the data in some way. 15 For example, raw data received from the sensor 3 could be compressed, or otherwise processed, prior to carrying out the next step of the method.

The next step 120 is to use the device 1 to communicate device data to a local monitoring module 5a, the device data based, at least in part on the measurement data received by the device 1 from the at least one sensor 3. It will be understood that there are a wide variety of monitoring systems 5 that could be configured to be suitable for this purpose.

The next step 130 is to transfer data from the local monitoring module 5a to a remote monitoring module 5b. It will be understood that a variety of local and remote monitoring modules 5a, 5b, could be used. Furthermore, it should be understood that a wide variety of arrangements of the monitoring system 5, including the monitoring modules 5a, 5b (if used) could be used.

In this embodiment of the invention, the final step 140 is to transfer data 5 from the remote monitoring module 5b to one or more computing devices 5c and website elements 5d. It will be understood that different types of computing device 5c and website element 5d could be used.

It will be appreciated that other steps of the method could be implemented 10 within the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, and that the steps shown are exemplary only.

Modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it will be understood that in some embodiments, each fluid measurement device 1 could be configured to communicate directly with the server 5b. Furthermore, each local monitoring module 5a could be configured to obtain data from a plurality of fluid measurement devices 1. Moreover, the arrangement of the server 5b and the local monitoring modules 5a is provided as an example only, and other arrangements of the monitoring system 5 are possible. For example, a plurality of servers 5b could be used.

Whilst the sensor 3 illustrated and described here is a nephelometer, it will 25 be understood that other types of sensor 3 could be used.

A wide variety of configurations and arrangements of the device 1 and the monitoring system 5 could be used, besides the specific embodiments illustrated and described here.

Claims

Claims 1. A fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.
2. The fluid measurement device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to function as a nephelometer.
3. The fluid measurement device of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor is configured to measure or detect at least one of: the turbidity of the fluid, the presence of particulate matter in the fluid, the concentration of particulate matter in the fluid, the presence of one or more contaminants in the fluid, the concentrations of one or more contaminants in the fluid, the presence of one or more substances in the fluid, and the concentration of one or more substances in the fluid.
4. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is operable to compare measurement data received from the at least one sensor with one or more reference values associated with a property of the fluid, and wherein the device and/or the monitoring system are configured to indicate that measurement data associated with a property of the fluid has exceeded a reference value.
5. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the 5 device and/or the monitoring system comprise one or more indicator elements configured to display monitor data, the monitor data being based, at least in part, on the device data.
6. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring system is a remote monitoring system and is configured to receive measurement data from a plurality of fluid measurement devices according to any preceding claim.
7. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the 15 monitoring system is a web-based monitoring system implemented on a distributed computer network.
8. The fluid measurement device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the monitoring system is configured to associate device data received from 20 each fluid measurement device with one or more user accounts.
9. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is operable to measure the fluid transport efficiency of the fluid transfer apparatus, based, at least in part, on the measurement data obtained from the at least one sensor.
10. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured such that the sensor is locatable external to the fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus, such that the device does not obstruct the flow of fluid in the fluid transfer apparatus, the device being operable to obtain the measurement data when the sensor is located external to the fluid flow path.
11. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the 5 fluid measurement device is releasably engageable with one or more fluid flow components of the fluid transfer apparatus.
12. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid measurement device is configured to communicate with the monitoring system by way of a wireless communication link.
13. The fluid measurement device of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication link includes at least one of: a radio frequency communication link, a Bluetooth communication link, a general packet radio services communication link, and/or a LoRaWAN communication link.
14. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the monitoring system includes a plurality of measurement modules, wherein at least one of the measurement modules is configured to receive device data from the device and to communicate the device data to at least one of the other measurement modules.
15. The fluid measurement device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the measurement modules is configured to be a local measurement module associated with at least one fluid measurement device, and at least one of the measurement modules is configured to be a remote monitoring system configured to receive data from one or more local measurement modules.
16. The fluid measurement device of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the device is configured to communicate with at least one measurement module using a wireless communication link.
17. The fluid measurement device of claim 16, wherein the wireless communication link includes one or more Bluetooth links.
18. The fluid measurement device of any preceding claim, wherein the device and/or the monitoring system are operable to provide data to a control system based, at least in part, on the measurement data obtained from the at least one sensor, and wherein the control system is configured to control the operation of the fluid transfer apparatus based, at least in part, on the data received from the device and/or the monitoring system.
19. The fluid measurement device of claim 18, wherein the fluid transfer apparatus is a fluid heating or cooling system and the control system is operable to regulate the temperature of the fluid flowing in the heating or cooling system.
20. A monitoring system, wherein the monitoring system is operable to obtain device data from a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the monitoring system is configured to receive device data from the device, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.
21. A fluid measurement system, the system comprising: a monitoring system; and a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to the monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor.
22. A method of measuring at least one property of a fluid flowing in a fluid transfer apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fluid measurement device for a fluid transfer apparatus, the fluid measurement device comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure at least one property of a fluid for use with the fluid transfer apparatus; wherein the device is operable to obtain measurement data from the, or 25 each, sensor, the measurement data being associated with at least one property of a fluid located in a fluid flow path of the fluid transfer apparatus; and wherein the device is configured to communicate device data to a monitoring system, the device data being based, at least in part, on the 30 measurement data received by the device from the at least one sensor; arranging the fluid measurement device relative to the fluid transfer apparatus such that the sensor can obtain the measurement data; and using the fluid measurement device to obtain the measurement data.