AU2019100707A4 - Transmitter and buoy level gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a transmitter for measuring displacement and a buoy level gauge, comprising a wheel drum and a sensor apparatus for measuring displacement. The wheel drum includes a dosing wheel for supporting the belt and rotating with the belt and an outer magnet fixed on the shift of the dosing wheel; the sensor apparatus including a sensor, an inner magnet coupled to the sensor, and a sealed casing for casing the sensor and the inner magnet; the sealed casing is disposed at a position opposite to the outer magnet; the inner magnet is opposite to the outer magnet and forms a magnetic coupling, and when the belt moves and the dosing wheel rotates; a magnetic force between the inner magnet and the outer magnet drives the outer magnet to rotate synchronously, and the sensor measures an angle of rotation of the outer magnet and calculates a displacement of the belt according to the angle. Via adopting the invention, when the position of the flammable target is measured, the body cavity where the target is located is completely isolated from the electrical part to satisfy the explosion-proof requirement. 116 114 110 1 E 122 ~12112 17 125_

Description

TRANSMITTER AND BUOY LEVEL GAUGE

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates to the field of machinery, in particular to a transmitter and a buoy level gauge.

BACKGROUND [0002] The buoy level gauge is an intelligent liquid level measuring instrument that can be used in petroleum, chemical, metallurgy, pharmaceutical, food and other industries. Usually, the buoy level gauge is placed above the liquid level and the buoy is suspended at the liquid level. Since the height of the buoy changes in accordance with the change in the height of the liquid surface, the change in the height of the liquid surface is detected by detecting the change in the height of the buoy.

[0003] However, when the buoy level gauge has an internal electrical structure, when the buoy level gauge is placed above the liquid level, the electrical structure actually contacts the air in the chamber in which the liquid to be measured is located. If the liquid to be tested is volatile and flammable, such as petroleum, the buoy level gauge may spontaneously ignite, which may cause the liquid to be tested to catch fire or even cause an explosion. Therefore, there is a need for a buoy level gauge that satisfies explosion protection requirements.

SUMMARY [0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide a transmitter and a buoy level gauge to solve or alleviate one or more of the above technical problems in the prior art.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention provide a transmitter, comprising a wheel drum, and a sensor apparatus for measuring displacement; the wheel drum includes a dosing wheel for supporting the belt and rotating with the belt and an outer magnet fixed on the shift of the dosing wheel; the sensor apparatus including a sensor, an inner magnet coupled to the sensor, and a sealed casing for casing the sensor and the inner magnet; the sealed casing is disposed at a position opposite to the outer magnet; the inner magnet is opposite to the outer magnet and forms a magnetic coupling, and when the belt moves and the dosing wheel rotates; a magnetic force between the inner magnet and the outer magnet drives the outer magnet to rotate synchronously, and the sensor measures an angle of rotation of the outer magnet and calculates

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 a displacement of the belt according to the angle.

[0006] In one embodiment, the wheel drum further comprises at least one gear fixed between the dosing wheel and the outer magnet.

[0007] In one embodiment, the wheel drum comprises a plurality of gears, the edge of the first gear is coupled to the shift of the dosing wheel, the pinion on the shift of the i-th gear mesh the i+lth gear, and the shift of the last gear is coupled to the outer magnet.

[0008] In one embodiment, the transmitter further comprises a processor coupled to the sensor, the processor is located within the sealed casing.

[0009] In one embodiment, the sealed casing further comprises a transparent window and a display located below the window, and the display is coupled to the processor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the sealed casing further comprises a cover for covering the sealed casing, and the window is embedded in the cover.

[0011] In one embodiment, the wheel drum further comprises a mechanical casing, which contains the dosing wheel and all components connected to the dosing wheel, and provides with openings for the belt sliding in and out.

[0012] In one embodiment, the mechanical casing is further provided with a cover that is capped to a surface of the mechanical casing.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention provide a buoy level gauge, comprising a buoy apparatus and a transmitter according to any of claims 1 to 6; the buoy apparatus comprising a belt, a buoy for suspending on a liquid surface, and a counterweight connected to the buoy via the belt, wherein a difference between a gravity of the buoy and a buoyancy of the buoy is equal to a gravity of the counterweight.

[0014] In one embodiment, further comprising a sheave for supporting the belt; when the buoy level gauge measures the level of the liquid, the sheave is fixed on the same level as the transmitter and supports the belt with the transmitter together.

[0015] In one embodiment, further comprising a riser display for measuring the height of the counterweight.

[0016] Any one of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or advantages: [0017] The embodiment of the invention provides the transmitter and the buoy level gauge for forming a magnetic coupling between the inner magnet fixed in the sensor apparatus and the outer magnet of the wheel drum, so that the wheel drum and the sensor apparatus can rotate synchronously. Since the inter magnet and the outer magnet are completely isolated by the sealed casing, so that the body cavity where the target is located is completely isolated from the

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 electrical part, and it can satisfy the explosion-proof requirements.

[0018] The above summary is for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended to be limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments and features described above, further aspects, embodiments and features of the present invention will be readily apparent by reference to the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a transmitter provided by the present invention.

[0020] FIG.2 is a functional diagram of one embodiment of a buoy level gauge provided by the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a buoy level gauge provided by the present invention.

[0022] FIG.4 is a schematic view showing the mounting of one embodiment of a buoy level gauge provided by the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the mounting of one embodiment of a buoy level gauge provided by the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] In the following, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. The described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative rather.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms center, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, thickness, upper, lower, front and the like is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is merely for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and does not indicate or imply the indicated device or The elements must have a particular orientation, are constructed and operated in a particular orientation and are therefore not to be construed as limiting.

[0026] Moreover, the terms first and second are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying a relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining first and second may include one or more of the features either explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 present invention, the meaning of a plurality is two or more unless specifically and specifically defined otherwise.

[0027] In the present invention, the terms installation, connected, connected, fixed and the like shall be understood broadly, and may be either a fixed connection or a detachable connection, unless explicitly stated and defined otherwise; may be mechanical connection, electrical connection, or communication;,may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, may be the internal connection of two assemblys or the interaction of two assemblys . For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood on a case-by-case basis.

[0028] In the present invention, the first feature on or under the second feature may include direct contact of the first and second features, and may also include first and second features, unless otherwise specifically defined and defined. It is not in direct contact but through additional features between them. Moreover, the first feature above, square and above the second feature includes the first feature directly above and above the second feature, or merely indicating that the first feature level is higher than the second feature. The first feature below, below and below the second feature includes the first feature directly above and above the second feature, or merely the first feature level being less than the second feature.

[0029] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples for implementing different structures of the present invention. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present invention, the assemblys and arrangements of the specific examples are described below. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. In addition, the present invention may be repeated with reference to the numerals and/or reference numerals in the various examples, which are for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and do not indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and/or arrangements discussed. [0030] Referring to FIG. 1, it is a schematic cross-sectional view of a transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that the transmitter may be the transmitter 100 as shown in FIG. 1, or may be used for detecting the displacement of the liquid level or other objects to be measured in other forms or applications. In the present embodiment, a schematic cross-sectional view of the transmitter 100 is shown to explain the technical scheme based on the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily change the form without making creative improvements, and it is within the scope of the present invention to make transmitters 100 of different forms. It should be noted that the transmitter 100, which is manufactured or formed based on the ideas described herein, should be considered to be within the scope of the present invention even if the structure or configuration is different.

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 [0031] The transmitter 100 provided by the embodiment of the invention includes a wheel drum 110 and a sensor apparatus 120 for measuring displacement. The wheel drum 110 includes a dosing wheel 111 for supporting the belt and rotating with the belt and an outer magnet 112 fixed on the shift of the dosing wheel 111. In the present embodiment, the belt 211 may include a steel strip, a rope, or the like. The sensor apparatus 120 includes a sensor 121, an inner magnet 122 coupled to the sensor 121, and an sealed casing 123 casing the sensor 121 and the inner magnet 122. The sensor 121 can detect the angle of rotation of the inner magnet 122. The sealed casing 123 may also be referred to as a housing that may shield electrical signals or avoid transferring electrical energy out of the casing. It has good sealing performance and can be a metal casing or an insulating material casing, etc. The sensor apparatus 120 is disposed at a position opposite the outer magnet 112 such that the inner magnet 122 is opposed to the outer magnet 112 and forms a magnetic coupling. When the dosing wheel 111 is rotating, the outer magnet 112 connected to the dosing wheel 111 also rotates. Since the inner magnet 122 forms a magnetic coupling with the outer magnet 112, the inner magnet 122 also rotates, and the rotation angle of the inner magnetl22 coincides with the rotation angle of the outer magnet 112. Further, since the sensor 121 is connected to the inner magnetl22, the sensor 121 can measure the angle at which the outer magnet 112 rotates by the aforementioned magnetic coupling. Then, according to the angle at which the outer magnet 112 rotates, the displacement of the belt 211 on the dosing wheel 111 can be calculated.

[0032] Further, in the present embodiment, since the electrical components connected to the inner magnet 122 and the mechanical components connected to the outer magnet 112 are completely isolated by the sealed casing 123, when the mechanical components are measuring the object, the chamber in which the object is located can be completely isolated from electrical components to satisfy explosion protection requirements.

[0033] In some embodiments, the wheel drum 110 may also include at least one gear 113 that may be fixed between the dosing wheel 111 and the outer magnet 112. The measurement range of the transmitter 100 can be increased by adding the gear 113. That is, the processor can accurately calculate the displacement of the belt 211 according to the quantity of the gears 113 and the angle rotation of the outer magnet 112.

[0034] In some embodiments, the wheel drum 110 can include a plurality of gears 113 coupled to the dosing wheel 111. For example, the gear 113 is counted from the side close to the dosing wheel 111, the edge of the first gear is coupled to the shift of the dosing wheel 111. the shift of the gear is a pinion, and the pinion of the i-th gear mesh the gears on the edge of the i+lth gear. The shift of the last gear is coupled to the outer magnet. For example, as shown in

2019100707 27 Jun 2019

FIG. 1, the gear 113 connected to the dosing wheel 111 includes a first gear 1131 and a second gear 1132. The shift of the first gear 1131 meshes with the edge of the second gear 1132. Via these two gears, the measurement range of the transmitter can be expanded and satisfies the needs of on-site measurement.

[0035] In some embodiments, the transmitter 100 also includes a processor 124 coupled to sensor 121, which is located within the sealed casing 123. The processor 124 can be a circuit board, an integrated chip, or the like. The processor 124 can receive the signal of the sensor 121. This signal includes the measured rotation angle of the outer magnet 112. The processor 124 calculates the rotation angle of the outer magnet 112 to obtain the displacement of the belt 211.

[0036] In some embodiments, the sealed casing 123 can also include a transparent window 125 and a display 126 located below the window 125. And the display 126 is coupled to the processor 124, which can display the displacement of the belt calculated by the processor 124. Moreover, the window 125 can protect the display 126.

[0037] In some embodiments, the sealed casing 123 further includes a cover 127 for securing the window 125 and covering the opening of the sealed casing 123. The upper and lower surfaces of the window 125 are respectively engaged with the upper and lower surfaces of the cover 127, the two upper surfaces are at the same level, and the two lower surfaces are at the same level. In the case where the components of the electrical part need to be calibrated, modified or replaced, the sealed casing 123 can be opened by removing the cover 127.

[0038] In some embodiments, the wheel drum 110 further includes a mechanical casing 114. The dosing wheel 111 and components coupled to the dosing wheel 111 are disposed within the mechanical casing 114, provided with an opening 115 or openings 115 for the belt slides in and out. The belt 211 may enter in the mechanical casing 114 through the sliding-in opening 115 and be placed on the dosing wheel 111 along the dosing wheel 111. Finally, the belt 211 comes out of the sliding-out opening 115 and is connected to the counterweight. Generally, the opening 115 is disposed below the dosing wheel 111, and the belt 211 is placed on the dosing wheel 111. When the belt 211 passes through the opening 115, there is no friction between the belt 211 and the opening 115.

[0039] In some embodiments, the mechanical casing 114 is also provided with a cover 116 that is bolted to one surface of the mechanical casing 114. This surface has an opening. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 116 is disposed on a surface opposite to the dosing wheel 111 but not opposite to the gear 113.

[0040] In addition, in some embodiments, the surface of the mechanical casing 114 close to the outer magnet 112 is in contact with the surface of the sealed casing 123, and the surface on

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 which the sealed casing 123 and the mechanical casing 114 abut each other may be referred to as an isolation layer 128. The sealed casing can be fixed to the mechanical casing 114.

[0041] In another aspect, as shown in FIG. 2, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a buoy level gauge 200, which includes a buoy apparatus 210 and the transmitter 100 provided by any of the above embodiments. The buoy apparatus 210 includes at least a belt 211, a buoy 212 for suspending on a liquid surface, and a counterweight 213 coupled to the buoy 212 by the belt 211. The difference between the gravity of the buoy 212 and the buoyancy of the buoy 212 is equal to a gravity of the counterweight 213. The assembly view shown in Figure 2, within the dashed line is the electrical component of the transmitter 100. Beyond the dashed line are the mechanical components of the transmitter 100 and the buoy apparatus 210. Among them, the buoy 212 receives a downward gravity G and an upward buoyancy F, and the corresponding counterweight 213 receives a downward gravity L. At this time, the buoy 212 is in a suspended state, and the relationship of the three forces may be: F+L=G.

[0042] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the buoy level gauge 200 may further include a sheave 220 for supporting the belt 211. When the buoy level gauge 200 measures the liquid level, the sheave 220 is at the same level as the transmitter 100 and supports the belt 211. [0043] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, it is a schematic view of the buoy level gauge 200 installed in the liquid tank 250. The buoy level gauge 200 may also include a riser display 230. The riser display 230 is welded to the side surface of the liquid tank 250 by the angle steel 251, and the riser display 230 is fixed to the side surface of the liquid tank 250. The riser display 230 is used to measure the height of the counterweight 213. The riser display 230 includes a riser 231 and a magnetic flip display 232. The riser 231 is used to facilitate the movement of the counterweight 213 up and down, avoiding the occurrence of shaking, and improving the measurement accuracy of the transmitter 100. The magnetic flap display 232 is disposed outside the riser 231. The counterweight 213 is mounted with magnet. The magnetic flap display 232 moves as the counterweight 213 moves, and the magnetic flap display 232 can be displayed at a position where the counterweight 213 reaches the riser 231, thereby achieving the purpose of observing the liquid level change on-site.

[0044] refering to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, an application example of a buoy level gauge 200 will be described in the following. The buoy level gauge 200 is installed through the top of the tank to satisfy the requirements for level measurement. The liquid level gauge can be used in conjunction with the intelligent tank management system used in production of the enterprise. And it can centrally measure, control, display and print reports on the liquid level, temperature and pressure of all tanks in the tank area. According to the above parameters, the automatic

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 measurement of the tank area and the uploading of data can be carried out, thus realizing “convenient” and “intuitive” and realizing the intelligent management of the modem tank area. [0045] The measurement of the buoy level gauge 200 of this application example is based on the principle of buoyancy balance. A magnetic coupling is formed between the inner magnet 122 of the transmitter 100 fixed to the buoy level gauge 200 and the precision machined wheel drum 110 (ie, the outer magnet 112), so that the wheel drum 110 and the inner magnet 122 of the transmitter 100 form a synchronous rotation. The inner magnet 122 is connected to the electrical component. Since the inner magnet 122 wheel and the wheel drum 110 (the outer magnet 112) are completely isolated by the sealed housing 123, the chamber of the liquid can be completely isolated with the electrical portion, thereby satisfying the explosion-proof requirements.

[0046] During the measurement of the liquid level by the buoy level gauge 200, since the buoy 212 is simultaneously subjected to three forces, the gravity G of the buoy 212, the buoyancy F, and the gravity L of the counterweight 213. As the liquid level changes, the relationship between the forces is always: F+L=G. When the specific gravity of the liquid is constant, the height of the buoy 212 may vary with the change of the liquid level.

[0047] At this time, the angle rotation of the wheel drum 110 is transmitted to the sensor 121 of the transmitter 100 by magnetic coupling, and the signal is sent to the microprocessor 124 via the data collector for calculation. And after calculation, the value of the liquid level is obtained. Finally, the value of the liquid level is converted to a standard signal and transmitted to a control room.

[0048] See the installation diagram of the instrument in Figure 4. The installation order of the instrument is as follows:

[0049] First, the magnetic flip display 232 is mounted in the riser 231 to the installation of the riser display 230.

[0050] Next, the tank top flange 241, the flange tube 242, the transmitter 100, the cross tube 243, the sheave 220, the flange tube 242, and the sanitary flange 244 are assembled together, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0051] Finally, after verifying that the mounting dimensions are correct, the cover 116 of the transmitter 100 and the cover of the sheave 220 are opened, the steel strip 211 is inserted from the opening 115 of the mechanical casing 114 and placed on the dosing wheel 111, then passes out of the other opening 115 of the mechanical casing 114, and attacheds to the guide wheel of the sheave 220. Next, the steel cable 245, the buoy 212, and the counterweight 213 are installed. Also, the steel cable 245 is mounted on the top of the tank 250 and in the riser 231 of the riser display 230.

2019100707 27 Jun 2019 [0052] Referring to Figure 5, the operation of the buoy level gauge 200 will be described below.

[0053] 1. Display part of on-site measurement:

[0054] 1.1 the buoy 212 moves up and down as the liquid level changes;

[0055] 1.2 the movement of the buoy 212 drives the steel strip 211 to move;

[0056] 1.3 through the rotation of the dosing wheel 111 and the sheave 220, the counterweight

213 moves up and down in the riser 231;

[0057] 1.4 the magnetic flap display 232 is mounted outside the riser 231, and a magnet is mounted on the counterweight 213. The magnetic flap display 232 is magnetized with the magnet. When the counterweight 213 reaches a certain position in the riser 231, the magnetic flap display 232 moves with the counterweight and displays the position where the counterweight is located, thereby realizing the effect of on-site observation..

[0058] 2. Description of the operation of the transmitter 100:

[0059] 2.1 the buoy 212 moves up and down as the liquid level changes (refer to Fig.4);

[0060] 2.2 the movement of the buoy 212 drives the steel belt 211 to move;

[0061] 2.3 the dosing wheel 111 rotates as the steel strip 211 moves;

[0062] 2.4 rotating the dosing wheel 111 to rotate the first gear 1131;

[0063] 2.5 the rotation of the first gear 1131 drives the rotation of the second gear 1132;

[0064] 2.6 the rotation of the second gear 1132 drives the rotation of the outer magnet 112;

[0065] 2.7 the outer magnet 112 is magnetically coupled with the inner magnet 122, and the inner magnet 122 rotates with the rotation of the outer magnet 112;

[0066] 2.8 the sensor 121 detects the rotation of the inner magnet 122 and transmits the detected angular change to the circuit board 124;

[0067] 2.9 the circuit board 124 calculates the change in angle to obtain a change in displacement and transmits a corresponding electrical signal to the control room.

[0068] The above is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any variation or substitution can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope of the present disclosure. These should be covered by the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims (5)

1. 2019100707 27 Jun 2019

   WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

   1. A transmitter for measuring displacement, comprising a wheel drum, and a sensor apparatus for measuring displacement;

   the wheel drum includes a dosing wheel for supporting the belt and rotating with the belt and an outer magnet fixed on the shift of the dosing wheel; the sensor apparatus including a sensor, an inner magnet coupled to the sensor, and a sealed casing for casing the sensor and the inner magnet;

   the sealed casing is disposed at a position opposite to the outer magnet; the inner magnet is opposite to the outer magnet and forms a magnetic coupling, and when the belt moves and the dosing wheel rotates; a magnetic force between the inner magnet and the outer magnet drives the outer magnet to rotate synchronously, and the sensor measures an angle of rotation of the outer magnet and calculates a displacement of the belt according to the angle.
2. 2. The transmitter according to claim 1, wherein the wheel drum further comprises at least one gear fixed between the dosing wheel and the outer magnet.
3. 3. The transmitter according to claim 2, wherein the wheel drum comprises a plurality of gears, the edge of the first gear is coupled to the shift of the dosing wheel, the pinion on the shift of the i-th gear mesh the i+lth gear, and the shift of the last gear is coupled to the outer magnet.
4. 4. A buoy level gauge, wherein comprising a buoy apparatus and a transmitter according to any of claims 1 to 3; the buoy apparatus comprising a belt, a buoy for suspending on a liquid surface, and a counterweight connected to the buoy via the belt, wherein a difference between a gravity of the buoy and a buoyancy of the buoy is equal to a gravity of the counterweight.
5. 5. The buoy level gauge according to claim 4, wherein further comprising a sheave for supporting the belt; when the buoy level gauge measures the level of the liquid, the sheave is fixed on the same level as the transmitter and supports the belt with the transmitter together.