GB2264342A - Flow meter mounting assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to allow monitoring of a flow-way 4 of a flow meter 2 after it has been installed, there is provided a passageway 9 leading from an opening 19 in the flow-way 4 to a test point 8, which may have a removable plug 14 accessible from above a mounting plate 1 for the flow meter 2. To prevent stagnation of fluid in the passageway 9, there is a wall 10 which divides the passageway into two parts, and which may have a protrusion 11 extending into the flow-way 4. Thus fluid 20 is caused to flow through the passageway 9, and turbulence (24, Fig. 2) is created, ensuring mixing of fluid in all sections of the passageway 9. <IMAGE>

Description

FLOW METER MOUNTING ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for mounting a flow mater. It is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with arrangements in which that flow meter unit is for metering the flow of water.

In GB-A-2210465, GB-A-2230614, GB-A-2232181, GB A-2239711 and GB-A-2244812, I discussed various meter mounting assemblies. Aspects of the present invention seek to modify and adapt such assemblies. In the meter mounting assemblies discussed in the above specifications, a flow meter unit was mounted on a meter support assembly containing flow-ways leading to and from the flow meter unit. In some of the assemblies described in the above specifications, the meter mounting assembly comprised an upper support plate and a lower base plate interconnected by upstanding pillars, with the flow-ways extending therebetween. The flow-way leading to the flow meter unit preferably contained a stop-cock.

In GB-A-2239711, I discussed arrangements in which there were two one-way valves in the flow-way leading from the flow meter unit. Then, in UK patent application No: 9216174.4 (to be published as GB-A2258898) 1 discussed a way of testing the pressure between those two one-way valves. I proposed that the flow-way leading from the flow meter unit had an opening in its wall, which outlet communicated with an enlarged region, which formed part of a passageway leading at least to the upper surface of the metering support assembly. This then enabled access for e.g.

pressure testing to that passageway from above the meter support assembly.

One difficulty which I then addressed was the problem of stagnant water in that passageway when the passageway was not being used for pressure testing.

I therefore propose that the flow-way from the flow meter unit had a baffle therein which directed water into the enlarged section. This caused turbulence in that enlarged section, thereby preventing water stagnating in that section.

When I developed that arrangement, I was concerned with arrangements of meter mounting assemblies in which the enlarged section formed part of a base plate into which inlet and outlet pipes extended.

However, I have now realised that it is possible for the opening to be clear of any such base, and this simplifies the construction of the passageway.

However, it is then necessary to provide a flow path within that passageway both to and from the opening.

In the arrangement I have proposed earlier, in which there was an enlarged section, that enlarged section extended around the flow-way from the flow meter unit, so that a second opening could be provided in thewall of the flow-way which acted as the outlet from that enlarged section. Simplifying the structure of the passageway eliminates the need for such a wrap-around arrangement, provided suitable provision is made for flow to and from the opening in the passageway.

Therefore, the present invention proposes that there is a wall extending across the opening, which wall extends into the passageway. Then, a first flow path is defined on one side of that wall within the passageway and a second flow path on the other side of that wall within the passageway. Hence, it is possible to define within the passageway flow paths to and from the opening, permitting water to circulate within the passageway, so preventing stagnation.

Preferably, the wall extends from the opening into the flow-way from the flow meter unit, so that it deflects water into the passageway and so prevents stagnation.

In this way, it is possible for the passageway to be simple tube extending from the opening. If this is then used in arrangements such as in my earlier specifications discussed above, in which there is a meter support assembly having a support plate to which the flow meter unit is secured, the passageway then extends through that support plate to allow access thereto from above.

When the passageway is not used for pressure testing, it may be sealed by a removable plug.

Normally, the opening will be between two one-way valves in the flow-way from the flow meter unit.

However, the present invention is also applicable even if there is no valve, or only one valve, since it allows access for pressure testing purposes to the flow-way leading from the flow meter unit. Indeed, as mentioned in UK patent application No: 9216174.4, such a passageway may be used for other testing purposes, such as flow testing or sampling for impurities.

The wall should extend into the passageway sufficiently far that stagnant water does not develop.

It is not necessary that the wall extends along the full length of the passageway, since there will inevitably be turbulence at the end of the wall, where the direction of flow reverses. Provided the region of turbulence thus formed extends substantially to the end of the passageway remote from the opening, no stagnant water can remain.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a mounting assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a view of the opening to the passageway of the mounting assembly of Fig 1; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig 1, but showing the fluid flow paths.

Fig. 1 shows a meter mounting assembly which is an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly has a meter support plate 1, on top of which there is a flow meter 2. Fluid flows up a first flow-way (not shown) into the meter 2, through the flow meter 2 and down through the bore 6 of the second flow-way 4, to the service outlet pipe 7. Preferably the fluid flows through a first check valve below the meter 2, at point 5, and another above the outlet 7 at point 25.

There is a duct 9 forming a passageway, extending from an opening 19 in the second flow-way 4, located between the two check valves (if fitted). The duct 9 is curved upwards, to extend to (or possibly around) the support plate 1 with the passageway continuing through the support plate 1.

The opening 19 is divided vertically into two parts by a horizontal wall 10 across the diameter of the opening. The wall continues into the passageway to divide the passageway into two parts 12, 15 along a part of its length. Fig. 2 shows an end view of the opening 19 and the wall 10.

Preferably, the wall 10 extends to form a protrusion 11 extending into the flow-way 4. Thus, as can be seen from Fig 3 the main flow 20 in the bore 6 of the second flow-way 4 impinges on this protrusion 11, and a portion 21 is diverted up the first part 12 of the passageway 9, to the region 13, 16 which is not partitioned by the barrier 10. The flow reverses direction 23 causing turbulence 24. This ensures mixing of the water in the end of the passageway 13, 16 adjacent a removable plug 14, which normally seals a test outlet 8 attached to the meter support plate 1.

The fluid then returns through the second part 12 of the passageway 9 to rejoin 22 the main flow 20. The removable plug 14 may be replaced by connection to a pressure meter or other testing device. Clearly the wall 10 must extend sufficiently far into the passageway 9 to ensure that the turbulence 24 causes effective mixing of the fluid in the end section 13, 16. The actual extent will depend on the fluid used and the flow rate, but may be determined either experimentally, or theoretically by using known methods.

Claims (5)

1. A mounting assembly for a flow meter comprising; a meter mounting unit; a flow meter mounted on the meter mounting unit, the meter mounting unit having a first flow-way extending to the flow meter unit and a second flow-way leading from the flow meter unit, the second flow-way having an opening at an intermediate point thereof; and a passageway leading from the opening; wherein there is a wall extending across the opening to divide the opening into two parts, and the wall extends into the passageway to divide a part of the passageway adjacent the opening into two parts which are in fluid communication around the wall remote from the opening.

2. A mounting assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wall also extends into the second flow-way to act as a baffle.

3. A mounting assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the meter mounting unit has a meter support plate, the flow meter is mounted on an upper surface of that meter support plate, and the passageway extends through the meter support plate to the upper surface thereof.

4. A meter mounting assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end of the passageway remote from the opening is sealed by a removable plug.

5. A meter mounting assembly substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.