CN1856806A - Meter register and remote meter reader utilizing a stepper motor - Google Patents
Meter register and remote meter reader utilizing a stepper motor Download PDFInfo
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- CN1856806A CN1856806A CNA2004800165070A CN200480016507A CN1856806A CN 1856806 A CN1856806 A CN 1856806A CN A2004800165070 A CNA2004800165070 A CN A2004800165070A CN 200480016507 A CN200480016507 A CN 200480016507A CN 1856806 A CN1856806 A CN 1856806A
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Abstract
A meter for flowing material, e.g., water, has a meter register having an electronic display, e.g., an LED or LCD display, and a mechanical read-out display driven by a stepper motor to record units of water that flowed through the meter. In the event of an electrical power failure, the LED or LCD readout values are lost, however, the mechanical read-out values remain. Further, signals are transmitted to a microprocessor of a meter register to change the rotation of the stepper motor so that the meter register can be used with different types of meters. Still further, a meter generator co-acting with a meter register forwards an electrical pulse signal after a quantity of material or utility passes through a water meter to a microprocessor of a remote reader. The remote reader includes an odometer coupled to a stepper motor.
Description
The cross reference of related application
The application requires the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/478 of submission on June 13rd, 2003, the U.S. Provisional Application No.60/547 that on February 25th, 235 and 2004 submitted to, and 716 rights and interests, these are applied for reference in its entirety and incorporate into here.
Technical field
The present invention relates to be used to measure the fluent material for example meter register of the amount of water and the remote meter reading device that is connected to meter register, more specifically, relate to and utilize stepper motor to rotate the meter register of velocimeter runner and relate to the indoor and outdoor remote meter reading device that is connected to meter register, this meter reader adopts stepper motor to rotate the runner of velocimeter.
Background technology
Metering instrument such as water meter or gas meter flows through the Fluid Volume of instrument and the flow velocity under some situation.In general, these instrument comprise meter register.The material volume that this register is connected with this meter body measuring room and recorded stream is crossed.The water meter of technology has the meter register that is directly connected to this measuring room in the early time.This connection comprises the driving shaft of the element that is connected to drive chamber, drives a plurality of gears of velocimeter then in this drive shaft meter register.Although these toothed gearings are reliably, they are expensive and the precision of their this measuring rooms of friction effect of causing by these gears and mechanical seal.Afterwards, these meter registers changed with measuring room and had adopted magnetic to be connected.This has allowed the arrival of sealed register.The magnetic follower that provides in this register has been provided the sealed register of prior art, this magnetic follower and the magnetic driven device synergy that provides in this meter body.This magnetic follower is magnetically driven by this magnetic driven device, causes this toothed gearing to drive this velocimeter.The sealing register still has the problem of wearing and tearing and rubbing with relevant the reducing of the direct activation record device of prior art.
Afterwards, developed electronic logger, for example, resembled in the open WO02/073735 of the common PCT that transfers the possession of (hereinafter also be called " WO02/073735 ") disclosed.Disclosed meter register comprises the magnetic follower among the WO02/073735, by the battery feed circuit plate that provides in this register, uses pulse to produce electric signal from this magnetic follower.Use this electric signal that information about the material volume of this instrument of flowing through is provided.LED returned by this battery or LCD powers can obtain the flow of metering reading such as this instrument of flowing through by meter reader.Along with the appearance of long-distance metering, the necessity of LED or LCD or aspect mechanical reading the velocimeter such as gear drive generally do not needed.Yet,, can not obtain reading subsequently so if generation electric fault or cell voltage are used for operating this LED or LCD inadequately.Therefore, flow through during the cycle of in the end the keeping accounts fluid volume of this instrument can not be lost.Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide meter register to overcome this problem.
In addition, many different instrument manufacturers and dissimilar instrument are arranged, such as under the situation of fluid metering, it comprises multi-jet meters or volumeter.In general, each of these instrument all needs its own specific meter register, and this particular meter register not only makes the magnetic motion interrelated with the fluid volume of this instrument of flowing through, but also comprises the suitable transmission mechanism that is used for the particular type instrument.For example, 3/4 inch (20 millimeters (" mm ")) volumeter must have its own specific register, and even for the instrument that provides from same manufacturer, it can not use and 1 inch identical meter register of (25mm) volumeter.It may be extremely expensive that producer provides the different instrument register designs.In addition, if public utilities the different instrument that provides is provided or has the instrument of different linear modules, for each of those instrument, must have different registers so.Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of meter register, this register can use with measuring apparatus/register and instrument size more than one.
Summary of the invention
The present invention relates to have the utility meter register of electronic emitter, this electronic emitter transmits signals to independent receiver by communicating to connect.This register also comprises for example other indicator of water of mechanical velocimeter and sweep hand or fluent material, and this indicator passes through step motor drive.
Further, the present invention relates to be modified as the utility meter register of the instrument of many types and size.This remote register comprises question blank, and this question blank has the feature flowing information about the instrument of various sizes and type.Trigger this meter register then with the specific meter register characteristic of emulation.
Further, the present invention relates to adopt the utility meter recorder system of remote reader system.This remote reader system comprises that the signal that use produces from meter reading system causes that mechanical velocimeter is by stepper motor driven device.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the side view of utility meter;
Fig. 2 is the meter register vertical view of prior art;
Fig. 3 is the side view of the instrument shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is the partial cross section side view of meter register constructed in accordance;
Fig. 5 is the vertical view of the register shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is shown in Fig. 4 and the partial cross section front elevation synergistic meter register of instrument;
Fig. 7 A is the chart of the curved line relation of various accuracy of instrument of expression and flow velocity;
Fig. 7 B is the chart of the curved line relation of expression various instrument per minute pulse and flow velocity;
Fig. 8 is the form of the corresponding various types of meters code of expression;
The graphic representation of Fig. 9 meter register that to be plan constructed in accordance use with particular meter;
Figure 10 is a meter register constructed in accordance, and this register has switch so that this meter register can use with various instrument;
Figure 10 A is the enlarged drawing of Figure 10 border circular areas, and it represents one group of switch;
Figure 11 is a meter register constructed in accordance, and this register is connected to the outer meter reading device of device, and this meter reading device has the aforementioned switches shown in Figure 10 A;
Figure 12 is the side view of remote meter reading system constructed in accordance;
Figure 13 is the synoptic diagram of remote meter reading system, and it shows from first waveform of this meter reading system emission;
Figure 14 is the synoptic diagram of remote meter reading system, and it shows from second waveform of this meter reading system emission;
Figure 15 is the synoptic diagram of remote meter reading system, and it shows from the 3rd waveform of this meter reading system emission;
Figure 16 is the synoptic diagram of remote meter reading system, and it shows from the 4th waveform of this meter reading system emission;
Figure 17 is the synoptic diagram of remote meter reading system, and it shows from the 5th waveform of this meter reading system emission;
Figure 18 is the skeleton view of remote meter reading device that adopt, constructed in accordance in the meter reading system shown in Figure 12-17;
The water meter side view of Figure 19 prior art;
Figure 20 is the water meter side view of another prior art;
Figure 21 is the water meter side view of another prior art; And
Figure 22 is the side view of remote meter reading device constructed in accordance.
Embodiment
In the following argumentation of non-limiting example of the present invention, when it illustrate in the accompanying drawings the time, the term of space or direction such as " inside ", " outside ", " left side ", " right side ", " on ", D score, " level ", " vertical " or the like be relevant with the present invention.Yet, be appreciated that the present invention can suppose various interchangeable directions, therefore, this term should not be considered as restriction.All numerals of the expression size of using in instructions and claims in addition,, physical features or the like are interpreted as all passing through in all cases term " approximately " and modify.Therefore, unless indication on the contrary, the numerical value that proposes in instructions below and claims can change according to the expection attribute, manages to obtain this expection attribute by practice of the present invention.More at least, do not expect to limit the application of the principle that is equivalent to claims scope, consider the significant figure quantity of report and by using common rounding technology to make up each digital parameters at least.And four corner disclosed herein all is interpreted as and comprises subrange arbitrary and that all wherein comprise.For example, the scope of regulation " 1 to 10 " should be understood to (comprising 1 and 10) the arbitrary and whole subrange that comprises between minimum value 1 and the maximal value 10; That is, all subranges that begin and finish with maximal value 10 or littler value with minimum value 1 or bigger value, and all subranges between this, for example, 1 to 6.3 or 5.5 to 10 or 2.7 to 6.1.Equally, as used herein term such as " be positioned at ... on " or " be supported on ... on " expression location or be supported on ... go up and needn't directly contact this surface.
Further, in the argumentation of non-limiting example of the present invention, should be appreciated that, because the present invention can have other embodiment, so the invention is not restricted to the described application of concrete non-limiting example that illustrates and discuss.In addition, term is used to describe rather than limit as used herein, unless indication is arranged in addition, identical Reference numeral refers to similar elements.
Discuss non-limiting example of the present invention to be used on the water meter, yet, be appreciated that, the invention is not restricted to this, for example, these non-limiting examples of the present invention can be used with the sender unit of any kind, but the invention is not restricted to this, for example, can with measure material for example any kind signal transmitter table of fluid ratio such as water and gas motion use, but the invention is not restricted to this.Although do not limit the present invention, the water meter of discussing below is a disclosed type among the WO02/073735, and the document is incorporated into here by reference.Provide the argumentation substantially of disclosed water meter among the WO02/073735 at this; For the detailed argumentation of this water meter, can be with reference to WO02/073735.
Fig. 1 represents for example water meter of disclosed type among the WO02/073735 of utility meter.This instrument 10 comprises meter body 12, meter register 14 and flow metering chamber 15.The invention is not restricted to this flow metering chamber, in practice of the present invention, can use any kind that uses in the prior art, for example positive displacement chamber or blade or composite injection measuring room.In operation, this measuring room has the motion measuring element that drives the magnetic driven wheel usually, and the magnetic follower gear that provides in this meter register 14 magnetically is provided this magnetic driven wheel.By this way, can seal this register 14, and not be directly connected on the driving element in this flow metering chamber 15.
With reference to figure 2, the vertical view of the prior art meter register of being indicated by Reference numeral 14 is shown equally.Usually, the register 14 of prior art comprises the streak plate 18 with velocimeter 20 and runner, sweep hand or index dial 22.The rotation of magnetic follower causes that index dial 22 rotates and this velocimeter 20 of various gear rotating drive.
With reference now to Fig. 2 and 3,, this register 14 also comprises the body that wherein receives magnetic follower 26 or covers 24.Driving shaft 28 is connected to magnetic follower 26.The driven wheel (not shown) connects this driving shaft 28 and a plurality of gear 30 and this driven wheel synergy.Driving shaft 32 connects one of these gears, and then is connected to this index dial 22.Lens 34 connect these bodies or cover 24 and have the sealed register of window with visible this streak plate to provide.The rotation of magnetic follower 26 causes that driving shaft 28 rotates, and causes that therefore driven wheel (not shown) and gear 30 rotate, itself then cause this driving shaft 32 and index dial 22 rotates.The rotation of these gears 30 also drives this velocimeter 20.
Register constructed in accordance 40 has been shown among Fig. 4-6.Be similar to the register 14 of prior art, this register comprises body or covers 42 and lens 44.Provide magnetic follower 46 and this magnetic follower 46 to be pivotally connected to and have microprocessor circuit plate 48 by driving shaft 47.Magnetic trigger switch or reed switch 50 (only illustrating one among Fig. 4 and 6) are provided on the bottom surface of this circuit board 48 and are suitable for triggering and stopping using by magnetic follower 46.This microprocessor is connected to this reed switch 50 and battery 52.This reed switch 50 is indicated the rotation of this measuring room in the mode of discussing below.Active display (LED) or LCD (LCD) 54 (being illustrated among Fig. 5 significantly) are provided and it are electrically connected to this circuit board 48 and battery 52 in any mode easily.Equally, provide stepper motor or stepping solenoid 56 and it is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the battery 52 of this circuit board 48.In a non-limiting example of the present invention, this stepper motor 56 is mechanically connected to velocimeter 58 (being shown clearly among Fig. 5).This stepper motor 56 can be the same type of motor of using in many battery powered wrist-watches.For example, but do not limit the present invention, the axle of this stepper motor rotate according to each pulse 3.6 degree ground and with direct supply for example battery 52 be that power turns round.Streak plate 60 with suitable cutouts (being shown clearly among Fig. 5) is provided, and this suitable cutouts is used for LCD or LED 54 and this velocimeter display 58.This meter register 40 is suitable for connecting or being connected to meter body 63, and this meter body 63 has drive magnet 64.Provide second stepper motor 65 to drive this sweep hand 22.This stepper motor 65 is also connected to this microprocessor.
With reference to figure 6, in operation, the measuring room 62 of this instrument or meter body drives this drive magnet 64 at first direction 66.The magnetic force of this drive magnet 64 causes that this magnetic follower 46 similarly rotates on first direction 66.Magnetic-pulse triggers and inactive this reed switch 50, and the concurrent radio signal of rotation of these reed switch 50 these measuring rooms of indication is to this microprocessor.This microprocessor makes pulse relevant with flow volume and/or flow velocity, and then transmits a signal to LED or LCD 54 with the flow velocity of indication through the material of this instrument 63.Replacedly, LED or LCD54 can indicate the volume of the material of this instrument 63 of flowing through.Simultaneously, this circuit board 48 transmits a signal to this stepper motor or stepping solenoid 56 by this microprocessor, this signal causes that the solenoidal axle of stepper motor or stepping (not shown) rotates, itself then cause this velocimeter, machinery, gear device rotates with the flowed through volume of material of this instrument 63 of indication.Replacedly, this stepper motor or stepping solenoid 56 can drive the gearing that is connected to this velocimeter 58.Alternatively, this circuit board 48 can also transmit a signal to antenna, the flowed through volume of material of this instrument 63 of this antenna then transmit a signal to the outer meter reading device of device, this meter reading device recording.For the argumentation of the outer meter reading device of auto levelizer that transmits about meter register, can be with reference to WO02/073735.
If there are electric fault in battery 52 attenuations or this circuit board 48, this LED or LCD54 will lose its reading separately, and this stepper motor 56 will stop to drive this velocimeter 58.Equally, as a result the storer of this microprocessor also will lose wherein comprise about the information of this meter reading such as the quantity of material of this instrument of flowing through.Yet, in practice of the present invention,, also can keep about the reading of this velocimeter 58 even this stepper motor 56 will stop to drive this velocimeter 58.The quantity of material of this instrument of having flowed through before the moment of having indicated just in time the apparatus failure at battery dies and/or circuit board 48 to take place about the reading of this velocimeter 58.Therefore, meter reader can be carried out the visual reading of this velocimeter.This velocimeter reading is flow through the later on material of this instrument of the last meter reading when the operation of these batteries and/or circuit board, for example but do not limit the amount of water of the present invention.Although this velocimeter reading will stop can not to move the time when this battery dies and/or circuit board become, it will have indication from flow through later on some quantity of material of this instrument of this last reading.Therefore, when this meter register stops to write down operating position, expend for the public utilities in this cycle, public utilities supplier for example can deduct some expenses.In other words, public utilities supplier can collect expense to this cycle, and this cycle from the moment to this instrument last reading begins to finish to the moment of battery 52 attenuations and/or circuit board 48 generation electric short circuits.
Now accessible as those of ordinary skills, the present invention has overcome the problem and the restriction of the meter register of prior art.More specifically, if battery dies, if perhaps there is electric fault, a large amount of income of public utilities possible loss of instrumentation register so, wherein this meter register has the electronic meter registers that has LED and LCD.The meter register that comprises feature of the present invention has stepper motor 56 and velocimeter 58 has overcome this problem.Further, with respect to the electronic logger of use stepper motor described herein or stepping solenoid-activated velocimeter, the manufacturing of all mechanical recorders all is expensive in the prior art.Another advantage of the present invention is that the pulling force to this magnetic follower gear that this gearing causes eliminated by the present invention on prior art, and this causes instrument to have the more pin-point reading of water operating position.Further, the present invention allows the comparison of LED 54 readings and this velocimeter 58 readings, if these readings are significantly different, this comparison can indicate whether there is fault in this instrument so.Even another advantage of the present invention is it by the electronics process meter information, this meter register 14 also looks like mechanical recorder.If LED 54 readings do not exist, this is real especially so.Equally, substituted volume, the present invention can also provide flow rate information on these LED 54 readings, and it will participate in Leak Detection in this case.Equally, believe and to use this stepper motor 56 and velocimeter device 58 to replace LED or LCD devices 54.Therefore, this register 40 will have the outward appearance of the register 14 of the prior art of being similar to.And, replace this magnetic follower 46, can provide the magnetic trigger switch such as reed switch and this drive magnet 64 synergies, to eliminate and these reed switch 50 synergistic magnetic followers 46.Therefore, the rotation of this drive magnet 64 will produce magnetic-pulse and give magnetic trigger switch (reed switch 50), and this magnetic trigger switch will be electrically connected to this circuit board 48 then.This has reduced the pulling force to drive magnet in the meter body 64, and believes that this can improve the precision of this instrument.
Another problem of discussing in the background technology of the present invention relates to meter register, and this meter register not only all must design uniquely for different instrument producers but also for the different size of same manufacturer production and the instrument of model.With reference to figure 7A, each instrument has performance curve, and for example, about the precision at each flow velocity place, for the standard W series turbine that Sensus sells, the estimated performance curve is a curve 68; For the propeller meter that Sensus sells, the estimated performance curve is 69; And the multi-jet meters (PMM) of selling for Sensus, the estimated performance curve is a curve 70.Further, each meter register has specific per minute magnetic-pulse relation, and this magnetic-pulse concerns corresponding flow velocity, for example, with reference to figure 7B, about the per minute magnetic-pulse of corresponding flow velocity, the multi-jet meters register that Master Meter sells has the expection relation shown in the curve 72; The turbo flow meter register that Badger Meter sells has the expection relation shown in the curve 73; And the volumeter register that Neptune sells has the expection relation shown in the curve 74.
As shown in Figure 8, the instrument with the microprocessor of various performance curves, various instrument and various sizes the invention provides computer memory.Especially, for example be used for 5/8 " volumeter of the A of producer of (15 millimeters (" mm ")) water meter will have title " code 1 ", and have the performance curve that provides in the computer memory and provide be listed in flow velocity on the question blank to the relation of per minute pulse.Equally, " flow velocity that provides in the performance curve that provides in the computer memory and the question blank relation to the per minute pulse is provided equally respectively (15 millimeters) water meter the positive displacement 5/8 of the B of producer.So same for the multi-jet meters of the various sizes of the C of producer, D and E.
With reference to figure 9, show meter register constructed in accordance 78, it comprises and transmits and receives antenna 80 in this meter register 78.Signal controller 82 is provided, and this signal controller 82 transmits 84 to meter register 78 by the mode that transmits and receives antenna 86 that provides in this controller 82.This signal controller 82 sends this signal and is connected to which instrument to discern this register 78.For example, this signal controller 82 can send signal 84 with indicate that this meter register 78 and the C of producer produce 5/8 " (15 millimeters) multi-jet meters is connected, therefore, will send this code 3 to this meter register 78 with this microprocessor of programming.It 88 be 5/8 " (15 millimeters) multi-jet meters this meter register 78 of having programmed of the C of producer production with indication to this signal controller 82 that this meter register 78 transmits then.Therefore, these meter register 78 emulation are used for the 5/8 " meter register of (15 millimeters) multi-jet meters that the C of producer produces.
Replacedly, as shown in Figure 10 and 10A, one group of switch 90 is provided for meter register 89.These switches of this group switch 90 can be dual in line switch, and when arranging with concrete numerical order and/or lexicographic order, these dual in line switchs indicate this meter register how to carry out and it will be connected which instrument with.For example, but do not limit the present invention, if the position of the switch provides indication " 1000 ", it means code " 1 ", 5/8 " A of producer of (15 millimeters) volumeter, its indication has been 5/8 " (15 millimeters) volumeter this meter register 78 of having programmed of the A of producer production.Therefore, these meter register 78 emulation are used for the 5/8 " meter register of (15 millimeters) volumeter that the A of producer produces.
Figure 11 shows has the Dialog that meter reading system is sold such as Master Meter company limited
The meter register 92 of meter reading system, this meter reading system have the remote reader 93 that is connected to this register by lead connection 94.Usually, battery 95 (shown in phantom) provides power supply to this remote reader 93.Replacedly, replace lead to connect 94, the radio communication device that adopts radiowave can be provided.This remote reader 93 comprises reading element 96, and the non-contact reading device can act synergistically with this reading element 96, such as Dialog reader, LED digital indicator 97, and resembles the aforesaid velocimeter 98 that is driven by stepper motor 99 (shown in phantom) here.By this layout, remotely transmit a signal to this remote reader 93 via this lead connection 94 or by radiowave.Storage this signal information of carrying and display it by light-emitting diode display 97 in the computing machine of this remote reader 93, it also shows by this velocimeter 98 that is driven by this stepper motor 99.If there are electric fault in these battery 95 attenuations or this far distance instrument 93, meter reader can obtain reading from this velocimeter 98 so.This remote reader can also provide the LCD of indication flow velocity or LED to show.Although this is not the most accurate meter reading of this meter register, as mentioned above, have with LED and show that meter register that combine, velocimeter driven by stepper motors is with useful, for example with the reading of losing whole meter reading period expense in pairs than, the quantity of material that flows through is collected the charges to the final user, and this quantity of material that flows through is determined according to this velocimeter.
Refer back to Fig. 5, can provide infrared sensor 100 and infrared transmitter 102 to be respectively applied for to receive and send infrared signal, the microprocessor communication of itself and this meter register.In this case, can use the transponder (not shown) to indicate which kind instrument to use with this meter register 44.Equally, may calibrate the register that is used for this particular meter alternatively.Particularly, can calibrate this instrument and meter register by to should register meter reading and specific performance properties curve.For example, when hanging down flow velocity, the pulse of this stepper motor per gallon can be X, and when middle flow velocity, the per gallon pulse that is used for stepper motor can be Y, and when high flow rate, the per gallon pulse of this stepper motor can be Z.Also can calibrate in a similar fashion from these readings that the synergy of this reed switch 50 (Fig. 4 and 6) and this magnetic follower 46 obtains, for example, can be in the standing test support or calibrate this instrument in the open air.Equally, after calibration, adjusting this velocimeter reading for this microprocessor by outside infrared sensor 100 transmission signals is setting value, and the velocimeter 58 that can set this stepper motor or 56 drivings of stepping solenoid is any number, such as " 0000 ".For example, if meter register breaks down and has the velocimeter reading of " XXXX ", can trigger the stepper motor of this velocimeter of driving so by this microprocessor, in the open air with generation reading " XYXZ ", perhaps any other number, so this meter register is consistent with desired value.
Further, because the present invention only adopts the stepper motor device, so drive this stepper motor to adjust this velocimeter by adjusting pulse, this meter register can be used for the flow measuring apparatus of all types and size, for example, fluid for a unit, this stepper motor is modulated in energy impulse after this magnetic follower 460 changes, yet, in another case, for the fluid of a unit, this stepper motor is modulated in energy impulse after this magnetic follower 460 five changes.
Figure 12-18 shows remote meter reading system 110 constructed in accordance (Figure 13-16) and 111 (Figure 17).Particularly, Figure 12 ordinary representation comprises the remote meter reading system 110 of instrument such as water meter 112.This water meter 112 comprises the water meter body with measuring room and meter register.In practice of the present invention, the preferred use comprises this meter register 40 feature of the present invention and that discuss above; Yet, the invention is not restricted to the type maybe water meter, flow metering chamber and/or the metering house of this design, and in this embodiment practice of the present invention, can use any kind described here and prior art such as but not limited to any kind among the WO02/073735.Meter is connected to this water meter 112.The meter of the type does not limit the present invention.In practice of the present invention, the meter of using the Rockwell world to sell with trade mark GTR, but be not limited thereto.Usually, this meter comprises with the synergistic device of this meter register, perhaps as is known in the art, this meter is the part of this meter register, wherein, and after a series of rotations, this metering instrument chamber causes the signal that will produce, for example electric signal.As can be understood, this signal can produce by optical reading system or magnetic frame of reference, and its sweep hand with meter register acts synergistically.Because meter is known in the art, so think that the further argumentation about meter there is no need.
Meter 115 shown in meter 114 shown in Figure 13-16 and Figure 17 is connected to remote reader 118 by lead 116.One type of prior art syringe has shown such system, and therefore, by the motor in the potential pulses driving remote reader 118 of this meter 114 and 115 generations, it transfers to drive velocimeter.Yet the problems of the prior art are that many such meter become out-of-date.And many manufacturers adopt unique generator-type signal to drive this remote reader.Therefore, because these remote reader-type systems are progressively eliminated by manufacturer, become more difficult so replace them.
Dissimilar current impulses has been shown among Figure 13-17, and this depends on manufacturer, and these current impulses can produce by this meter 114.Figure 13 shows from first voltage pulse signal 120 of this meter 114 emissions.Figure 14 shows second voltage pulse signal 122 from this generator 114.Figure 15 shows the tertiary voltage pulse signal 124 from this generator 114.Figure 16 shows the 4th voltage pulse signal 126 from this generator 114.Figure 17 shows the 5th voltage pulse signal 128 from switching regulator generator 115.These signals provide the information that can be used for determining through the specific discharge of this instrument, for example, but do not limit the present invention, fix time the cycle switch of these signal 128 these generators 115 of operation this switch that closes really for each pulse.In operation, the specific discharge through this instrument is represented in pulse.
With reference to Figure 18, this remote reader 118 comprises shell 130, and this shell 130 holds the mechanical velocimeter 132 with a group or a plurality of runner 136.Stepper motor 134, rotation or linear stepper motor are mechanically connected to this machinery velocimeter 132 in the prior art manner known, to rotate the runner of this velocimeter 132.Provide battery 138 with to 134 power supplies of this stepper motor, and this battery 138 is electrically connected to circuit board 140.Non-polarized connector 142 and polarization connector 144 are electrically connected to this circuit board 140 in any mode easily, and this circuit board 140 is electrically connected to this stepper motor 134 in any mode easily.In operation, shown in Figure 13-15, this non-polarized meter 114 will be electrically connected to this non-polarized connector 142 by lead 116, and as shown in Figure 17, this polarization generator 115 will be electrically connected to this polarization connector 144 by lead 116.As schematically showing among Figure 17, the meter 114 with switch closure device will need this meter 114 to be electrically connected to the non-polarized connector 142 that is used for switch closure via lead 116.
This circuit board 140 comprises that suitable filtrator is only to receive positive voltage pulse.Further, this circuit board 140 comprise comparison from the power supply of these generators whether at the circuit more than 6 volts.Further, this circuit board 140 comprises and can determine that this positive voltage pulse time is whether greater than 15 milliseconds circuit.This circuit board 140 has the circuit that the positive part from the potential pulse of this meter 114,115 is converted into digital signal.Use is amplified this digital signal and is sent this suitable electric signal to this stepper motor 134 from the power supply of this battery, rotates with the suitable runner 136 that causes this velocimeter 132.Then, this stepper motor 134 will advance the first velocimeter runner fixed amount, for example or 3.6 the degree or 36 the degree each pulse.Than under the situation as shown in Figure 17, the emission digital signal also arrives the polarization connector 144 that is used for switch closure through lead 116 in this switching regulator meter 115.Amplify this signal to advance this velocimeter runner as previously shown by battery-powered circuit board 140.
The present invention allows the general form remote meter reading system that can operate basically in the meter formula system of any kind almost.Therefore, the remote reading formula system 111 shown in the remote reading formula system 110 shown in Figure 13-16 and Figure 17 can be used to comprise the field of many dissimilar meter 114,115, and this has caused single reader formula system 110 or 111.Further, can improve this remote reader 118 (Figure 18) by producing wireless signal, with launch this meter information such as the water volume of this water meter 112 of flowing through to remote data collecting systems (being sometimes referred to as gatherer), or send by various phones or other communicator via the circuit that on this circuit board, provides.
If not whole replacements, adopt the present invention of stepper motor 134 to replace the needed most of gear train of remote reader of prior art so.Further, in order to make this velocimeter reading related,, can improve the present invention by adjusting the setting on this velocimeter 132 with the reading of this instrument 112.
Figure 19 shows the prior art water meter 200 with meter register 201, this meter register 201 comprises LCD or LED velocimeter display 202, hall-effect switch, reed switch or wiegand metal sensor 204 (wiegand wire pickup), battery supply 206 and has microprocessor circuit plate 208 that this microprocessor is used for that the original signal from this reed switch, hall-effect switch or wiegand metal sensor 204 (wiegand wire pickup) is converted into this velocimeter and shows 202.Can provide circuit to connect 210 being electrically connected to remote reader 212 via lead 214 and 216 from the original signal of this circuit board 208.Many manufacturers are produced the sample of these type meter registers such as Master Meter, and these samples are used for multi-jet meters, volumeter and eddy-current flowmeter.
Figure 20 shows the prior art instrument 218 that comprises scrambler 220, and this scrambler 220 has and is used to receive the terminal 222 of lead 224,226 and 228 will be electrically connected to this remote reader 212 from the original signal of this scrambler 220.This scrambler can be the Sensus about PD
ERC or Neptune ARB, turbine or compound meter, but be not limited thereto.
Figure 21 shows another prior art instrument 230 that comprises generator remote register 232, and this generator remote register comprises and is used to receive the terminal 234 of lead 236 and 238 will be electrically connected to this remote reader 212 from the signal of this generator remote register 232.This meter register is Master Meter
Electric power output printer, Sensus
GTR, the register that also has AMCO Elster, Neptune and Badger to produce.
Although these instrument shown in Figure 19-21 are qualified, when meter register failure, have problems.Another defective of these meter registers is to read this meter register by meter reader, and by using the long haul radio frequency readings, trend is to eliminate artificial reading.Yet, under the situation of electronic meter registers, may there be serious electric leakage about existing battery, and under the situation in the urban district with old register, this old register still remains the tenure of use in many years, replaces these old meter registers and has sizable expense.
Under these situations, can provide the remote reader shown in Figure 22.This remote reader 239 is similar to remote reader 118, but preferably is connected to buildings or outside, house or inner.This remote reader 239 comprises body 240, antenna/acceptor device 242, conductor terminal 246, microprocessor 248, replaceable battery or power supply 250, stepper motor 252, circuit board controller 254 and is connected to the DIP switch 256 of this circuit board 254.Lead 214,216 or 224,226,228 or 236,238 separately is connected to suitable terminal 246.Arbitrary independent screw terminal is used for each type signal that particular meter produces, and perhaps programmes as DIP switch 256, and this microprocessor 248 is selected suitable processing.These terminals 246 are electrically connected to microprocessor 248, circuit board controller 254 and battery 250.Then, drive this stepper motor 252 from lead 214,216 and 224,226,228 or 236,238 appropriate signals that receive, this stepper motor 252 is electrically connected to this circuit board controller 254.Then this mechanical display 258 that causes this remote reader 212 is to change in preceding described similar fashion about remote reader 118.Equally, signal can be from these antenna/acceptor device 242 emissions, so that meter reading can remotely read by radio signal.Compare with the light-emitting diode display of the register 201 shown in Figure 19, the signal that drives this stepper motor and this antenna produces needs sizable energy.Therefore, this independent replaceable power supply that offers remote reader 212 can be replaced battery easily, and this becomes necessary.Further, break down, can obtain the reading that interrupts at least from the last reading of this instrument if this mechanical display 258 has guaranteed the LED/LCD display of these meter registers.
The present invention allows public utilities progressively to adopt and replaces instrument so that they are converted to the outdoor/radio meter reading from the requirement of indoor meter reading, and does not need to replace prematurely these instrument.This can save time and money resources for public utilities.In other words, the present invention allows public utilities, and especially little and medium and small public utilities progressively improves radio reading ratio, and need not scrap scrambler or generator instrument or replace new relatively instrument.The present invention allows progressively to adopt new system by the speed with public utilities budget support, improves the utility meter frame of reference.
The form of the present invention of more than describing and illustrating is represented of the present invention exemplary and nonrestrictive embodiment.Be understood that not break away from instruction of the present invention, can make various distortion, the present invention limits by the technical scheme of asking for protection below.
Claims (21)
1. meter register is used to measure the quantity of material of instrument with drive unit of flowing through, and comprising:
Body;
Signal generation device, it is held by described body and is adapted to pass through this drive unit and drives;
Signal receiving device, it is suitable for receiving the signal of described signal generation device, and described signal receiving device is suitable for the conversion of signals of this reception is become electric signal;
First device is used to receive this electric signal and shows with first of the material that causes this instrument of flowing through; With
Second device is used to receive electric signal and shows with second of the described material that causes the described instrument of flowing through.
2. the meter register described in claim 1, wherein said first device comprises digital indicator.
3. the meter register described in claim 2, wherein said first device is one of LCD or light emitting diode indicator.
4. the meter register described in claim 1-3, wherein said second device comprises the stepper motor that is connected to velocimeter.
5. the meter register described in claim 4, wherein said velocimeter is mechanical velocimeter.
6. the meter register described in claim 1, wherein said drive unit comprises magnetic driven device, described signal generation device comprises the magnetic follower, and signal receiving device comprises reed switch.
7. instrument comprises:
Body, the cavity that its qualification is flowed through;
Measuring room, it is held by described body;
Register, it is connected to described body and communicates by letter with this measuring room, and described register has mechanical drive system with the driving device frame of reference, and this mechanical reading system indicates the material volume of this meter body of flowing through;
The electronical reading system, it is connected to described register to be used to produce electric signal, and this electric signal is indicated the material volume of this register body of flowing through; With
The electronic/mechanical system, electronical reading system shown in it is electrically connected to, so electric signal causes that described mechanical drive system drives described mechanical reading system.
8. the instrument described in claim 7, wherein said mechanical drive system comprise the stepper motor that is connected to described mechanical reading system, so electric signal causes that this stepper motor rotates and drive this mechanical reading system.
9. the instrument described in claim 8, wherein said mechanical reading system comprises velocimeter.
10. the instrument described in claim 8, wherein said mechanical reading system is by this stepper motor driven arrow indicator.
11. the instrument described in claim 7-10, wherein said mechanical reading system is the velocimeter of gear drive.
12. the instrument described in claim 7-10 is wherein away from location, described meter register and described meter body ground described electronical reading system, described electronic/mechanical system and described mechanical reading system.
13. a general purpose instrument read-record device comprises:
Body;
Signal generation device, it is held by described body and is adapted to pass through the drive unit driving, and it is suitable for producing corresponding to the quantity of material of the instrument of flowing through and/or the signal of flow velocity;
Signal receiving device, it is suitable for receiving the signal of described signal generation device, and described signal receiving device has indicates the flow through quantity of material of instrument and/or the device of flow velocity; With
Be used to adjust the device of described signal, it is used to change the signal of this drive unit reception so that it is related with this particular type instrument.
14. the meter register described in claim 13, wherein this signal generation device is a magnetic driven device.
15. the meter register described in claim 13, wherein this signal receiving device is the magnetic follower.
16. the meter register described in claim 13, the wherein said device that is used to adjust described signal comprises question blank, and wherein trigger and describedly be used to adjust the device of described signal to change the signal that this drive unit receives by the login question blank, with the instrument of corresponding particular type.
17. a meter reading system comprises:
Instrument;
Meter, itself and described instrument synergy, after some materials or public utility were flowed through this instrument, described meter produced electric impulse signal; With
Remote reader, it is electrically connected to described meter, comprises that the described remote reader of velocimeter is connected to stepper motor, and wherein this electric impulse signal causes that this stepper motor changes the reading on the described velocimeter.
18. the meter reading system described in claim 17, wherein this electric impulse signal is selected from one group of polarization pulse signal and non-polarized pulse signal, and this remote reader comprises that also being used for first of this polarization pulse signal connects with second being connected of being used for this non-polarized pulse signal, battery, is connected to the battery and first and second microprocessor linked, and this microprocessor connects this stepper motor.
19. a method that is used for obtaining from instrument reading comprises step:
(a) provide have measuring room instrument to be used for the quantity of material of measurement flow warp;
(b) provide the drive unit that is connected to measuring room, this measuring room is suitable for providing drive signal;
(c) provide register to act synergistically with described drive unit; With
(d) produce electronic signal and on mechanical display, produce reading to cause electronics demonstration and drive stepping motor.
20. the method described in claim 19, wherein this mechanical display is a velocimeter.
21. a method that is used for upgrading general purpose register to instrument comprises step:
(a) be provided for the instrument of the material volume of measurement flow warp;
(b) provide and be suitable for and the synergistic meter register of a plurality of instrument;
(c) provide signal about this instrument to this meter register; With
(d) make this meter register and this instrument synergy so that this meter register provides flow information that should instrument.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US47823503P | 2003-06-13 | 2003-06-13 | |
| US60/478,235 | 2003-06-13 | ||
| US60/547,716 | 2004-02-25 | ||
| US10/864,308 | 2004-06-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN1856806A true CN1856806A (en) | 2006-11-01 |
Family
ID=37196012
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA2004800165070A Pending CN1856806A (en) | 2003-06-13 | 2004-06-10 | Meter register and remote meter reader utilizing a stepper motor |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (1) | CN1856806A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101799958A (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2010-08-11 | 彭希南 | Non-contact IC card type U-shaped digital water gauge |
| CN103180692B (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2015-12-02 | 英国仪表资产有限公司 | Long-distance metering device |
| CN110945329A (en) * | 2017-07-25 | 2020-03-31 | 埃科莱布美国股份有限公司 | Fluid flow meter with normalized output |
| CN111928915A (en) * | 2020-07-20 | 2020-11-13 | 安徽翼迈科技股份有限公司 | Direct reading method for passive photoelectric direct-reading electromechanical separation meter module |
| US11454526B2 (en) | 2017-07-25 | 2022-09-27 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Fluid flow meter with linerarization |
-
2004
- 2004-06-10 CN CNA2004800165070A patent/CN1856806A/en active Pending
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103180692B (en) * | 2008-10-09 | 2015-12-02 | 英国仪表资产有限公司 | Long-distance metering device |
| CN101799958A (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2010-08-11 | 彭希南 | Non-contact IC card type U-shaped digital water gauge |
| CN110945329A (en) * | 2017-07-25 | 2020-03-31 | 埃科莱布美国股份有限公司 | Fluid flow meter with normalized output |
| CN110945329B (en) * | 2017-07-25 | 2021-08-20 | 埃科莱布美国股份有限公司 | Fluid flow meter with normalized output |
| US11454526B2 (en) | 2017-07-25 | 2022-09-27 | Ecolab Usa Inc. | Fluid flow meter with linerarization |
| CN111928915A (en) * | 2020-07-20 | 2020-11-13 | 安徽翼迈科技股份有限公司 | Direct reading method for passive photoelectric direct-reading electromechanical separation meter module |
| CN111928915B (en) * | 2020-07-20 | 2022-05-03 | 安徽翼迈科技股份有限公司 | Direct reading method for passive photoelectric direct-reading electromechanical separation meter module |
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Open date: 20061101 |