JP3468233B2 - Flow measurement device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device for measuring the flow rate of gas or the like by utilizing ultrasonic waves.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional flow rate measuring device of this type is shown in FIG.
Those shown in were common. This device includes an ultrasonic transducer 2 installed in a flow path 1 of a fluid, a switching means 4 for switching between transmission and reception of a first ultrasonic transducer 2 and a second ultrasonic transducer 3, and a first ultrasonic transducer 2 And a transmitting means 5 for driving the second ultrasonic transducer 3, an amplifying means 6 for amplifying a signal received by the ultrasonic transducer on the receiving side to a predetermined amplitude, and a received signal amplified by the amplifying means 6 and a reference. Reference comparing means 7 for comparing the voltage and reference comparing means 7 as shown in FIG.
At the first zero-cross point a of the amplified signal after being compared with the reference voltage and the magnitude relationship is inverted, the determining means 8 which outputs the output signal D to the repeating means 9 and the signal from the determining means 8 are counted and set in advance. The number of times, and the signal from the determination means 8 is output to the control means 12, the repeating means 9, the time counting means 10 for counting the number of times preset by the repeating means 9, and the time counting means 10.
The flow rate calculating means 11 for calculating the flow rate in consideration of the size of the pipeline and the flow state in accordance with the time measured by, the flow rate output calculated by the flow rate calculating means 11, the signal from the repeating means 9, and the transmitting means. 5 and the control means 12 for controlling the operation.

In this device, the control means 12 controls the transmission means 5
The ultrasonic signal transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer 2
The signal is propagated in the flow, received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, amplified by the amplifying means 6, processed by the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8, and input to the control means 12 through the repeating means 9. This operation is repeated n times set in advance, and the time interval is measured by the time measuring means 10.

Then, the first ultrasonic transducer 2 and the second ultrasonic transducer 3 are switched by the switching means 4 to perform the same operation, and the fluid to be measured is changed from upstream to downstream (this direction is a forward flow). ) And downstream to upstream (this direction is referred to as backflow), and the flow rate Q was obtained from (Equation 1) (effective distance in the flow direction between ultrasonic transducers was L, from upstream) The measurement time for n times downstream is t1, the measurement time for n times downstream to upstream is t2, the flow velocity of the fluid to be measured is v, the cross-sectional area of the flow path is S, the sensor angle is φ, and the flow rate is Q. ).

Q = S · v = S · L / 2 · cos φ ((1
/ T1)-(1 / t2)) (Equation 1) (actually,
The flow rate is calculated by multiplying Equation 1 by a coefficient according to the flow rate. Further, the gain of the amplification means 6 is adjusted so that the signal received by the ultrasonic transducer on the receiving side has a constant amplitude,
The peak voltage value of the received signal is adjusted so as to fall within a predetermined voltage range for each flow rate measurement. This is because when the peak voltage value of the received signal is below the lower limit of the predetermined voltage range as shown by the received signal b shown by the dotted line in FIG. 20, the gain is increased at the next flow rate measurement, and the dotted line in FIG. When the peak voltage value of the received signal is higher than the upper limit of the predetermined voltage range as shown by the received signal c, the gain is reduced at the next flow rate measurement and the received signal a is shown by the solid line in FIG. Make sure that it falls within the upper and lower limits of the voltage range. This operation is performed for each flow rate measurement.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned conventional flow rate measuring device uses a fixed resistor and a semi-fixed resistor as a voltage setting method of the reference voltage to be compared with the received signal amplified to a predetermined amplitude level by the reference comparison means. It has been often used to set the voltage by resistance partial pressure using a pressure vessel. In this method, the semi-fixed resistor is manually adjusted while monitoring the reference voltage so as to generate a predetermined voltage, so it takes time to set the reference voltage, and there is a possibility that an adjustment error may occur. .

Further, the adjustment position may change due to secular change after adjustment, or mechanical vibration, thermal shock or the like. Then, when the sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer changes due to aging or the like, there is a problem that the reference voltage needs to be set again. The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to set the reference voltage quickly and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a flow rate measuring device that is accurately performed and always maintains an optimum reference voltage.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, in the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, the voltage setting means outputs an appropriate reference voltage based on the reception signal of the ultrasonic transducer. It is a thing.

As a result, the reference voltage can always output a predetermined voltage with respect to the received signal without human intervention, so that the reference voltage setting operation can be performed quickly and accurately, and an optimum reference voltage can always be obtained. It becomes a flow rate measuring device kept at voltage.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a first oscillator and a second oscillator provided in a fluid conduit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and transmitting means for driving the oscillator. A switching means for switching between transmission and reception of the vibrator, a repeating means for performing mutual ultrasonic transmission between the vibrators a plurality of times, a flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate based on the cumulative time of ultrasonic wave propagation, and a reception means. Amplifying means for amplifying a received signal of the vibrator on the side, voltage setting means for outputting a reference voltage, reference comparing means for comparing the signal amplified by the amplifying means with the reference voltage, and output of the reference comparing means. And a determination means for determining the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave from the amplification means output, the voltage setting means, by setting the reference voltage based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave, the voltage setting unit of the reference voltage Confirm the settable range And outputs the reference voltage the voltage setting unit in setting range, the setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly carried out accurately, always kept optimum reference voltage flow rate measuring device that it is possible.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a first oscillator and a second oscillator provided in the fluid conduit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, transmitting means for driving the oscillator, and transmitting and receiving the oscillator. Switching means for switching between the transducers, repeating means for mutually transmitting ultrasonic waves between the transducers a plurality of times, flow rate calculating means for calculating the flow rate based on the cumulative time of ultrasonic wave propagation, and reception signals of the transducers on the receiving side. Amplifying means for amplifying, a voltage setting means for outputting a reference voltage, a reference comparing means for comparing the signal amplified by the amplifying means with a reference voltage, an output of the reference comparing means and an output of the amplifying means. By providing a flow rate measuring device that includes a determining unit that determines an ultrasonic wave reaching point, and the voltage setting unit sets a reference voltage based on a time difference between the output of the reference comparing unit and the output from the determining unit. The time from the reception signal of the transducer on the receiving side amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification means exceeding the reference voltage to the zero cross point of the reception signal detected by the determination means is measured, and the voltage setting unit is calculated from this time difference. Recognizes the settable range of the reference voltage, and the voltage setting unit sets the reference voltage within the settable range, so the reference voltage can be set for the received signal, and the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device can be always maintained at the optimum reference voltage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the voltage setting means outputs the reference voltage having a predetermined ratio with respect to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means. The reference voltage having a preset ratio is output by the voltage setting device to the reception signal of the transducer on the reception side that has been amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification device, so that the reference voltage has a substantially constant ratio to the reception signal. The reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately, and the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the voltage setting means sets the reference voltage which is a time difference which is an intermediate point of time differences between the upper limit and the lower limit reference voltage of the voltage setting range of the reference voltage. By using the measuring device, the time from the reception signal of the transducer on the reception side amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification means exceeding the reference voltage to the zero cross point of the reception signal detected by the determination means is measured. The voltage setting unit recognizes the settable range of the reference voltage based on this time difference, and the voltage setting unit sets the reference voltage at the midpoint of the settable range, so the reference voltage is set to a specific point for the received signal. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device can be set in which the reference voltage is set quickly and accurately, and the reference voltage is always kept at the optimum value.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the voltage setting means performs the setting operation of the reference voltage based on the pulse width of the output signal of the reference comparison means. , A time period during which the reception signal of the receiving-side transducer amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification means exceeds the reference voltage, and the reference voltage is set by the voltage setting unit so that this time becomes the predetermined time. Since it is set, the reference voltage can be set at a specific point with respect to the received signal, the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately, and the flow rate measurement device should always be kept at the optimum reference voltage. Can be done.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate measurement means according to the first or second aspect, in which the voltage setting means performs the reference voltage setting operation immediately after the storage unit is initialized or when the storage unit is periodically updated. By using the device, the reference voltage is output according to the setting of the voltage setting unit stored in the storage unit, so that the setting operation is performed quickly and accurately, and the flow rate measuring device is always kept at the optimum reference voltage. You can

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the voltage setting means performs the setting operation of the reference voltage if the gain of the amplifying means is changed. The reference voltage value of the voltage setting section is updated only when the relative relationship between the received signal amplified by the amplifying means and the reference voltage changes due to the change of the gain of the means, so that the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately. Done,
The flow rate measuring device can always be kept at the optimum reference voltage.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the voltage setting means updates the reference voltage in accordance with a change in the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculating means. When the gain of the amplification means changes due to the change in the sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer and the change in the sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer, the reference voltage value of the voltage setting section is updated, and the reference voltage is set quickly and accurately, and is always optimized. The flow rate measuring device can be maintained at a different reference voltage.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a temperature calculating section for calculating the temperature of the fluid, and the voltage setting means performs the reference voltage setting operation each time the temperature of the fluid changes by a certain amount or more. By using the flow rate measuring device described in 2,
By changing the temperature of the fluid and changing the sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer, the reference voltage value of the voltage setting section is updated only when the gain of the amplifying means changes, and the setting of the reference voltage is quick and
It is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that is accurately performed and is always kept at an optimum reference voltage.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the first oscillator and the second oscillator provided in the fluid conduit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals are driven by the transmitting means, and the reception signal of the receiving oscillator is amplified. Amplify by the means, the voltage setting means outputs the reference voltage,
In the flow rate measurement method, the reference comparison unit compares the signal amplified by the amplification unit with a reference voltage, and the determination unit determines the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave from the output of the reference comparison unit and the output of the amplification unit. The voltage setting means outputs a reference voltage of a predetermined ratio with respect to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means, and based on the time difference between the output of the reference comparing means and the output of the judging means or the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. With the flow rate measuring method of setting the reference voltage, the voltage setting means outputs the reference voltage of a preset ratio to the reception signal of the transducer on the receiving side amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification means. However, the reference voltage can be set to a substantially constant ratio, the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately, and the reference voltage can always be kept at the optimum value.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the flow rate measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a first ultrasonic transducer 2 that transmits ultrasonic waves and a second ultrasonic transducer 3 that receives ultrasonic waves are arranged in the flow path 1 at an angle φ in the flow direction. Reference numeral 5 is a transmitting means to the first ultrasonic transducer 2, 4 is a switching means for switching the transmission and reception of the first ultrasonic transducer 2 and the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and 6 is an ultrasonic transducer on the receiving side. Amplifying means for adjusting the gain of the received signal so as to have a constant amplitude and amplifying the gain.
3 is a voltage setting means for outputting a reference voltage preset based on the output of the amplifying means 6 to the reference comparing means, 7 is a reference comparing means for comparing the signal amplified by the amplifying means 6 with the reference voltage, 8 is the output of the reference comparison means 7 and the amplification means 6
Judgment means for judging the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave from the signal amplified by 9 and 9 counts the signal of the judgment means 8 and counts a preset number of times and outputs the signal from the judgment means 8 to the control means 12. It is a means of repetition. 1
Reference numeral 0 is a time measuring means for measuring the time when the number of times set in advance by the repeating means 9 is counted, and 11 is a flow rate in consideration of the size of the pipeline and the flow state according to the time measured by the first time measuring means 10. Is a flow rate calculating means for calculating. Also,
Reference numeral 12 is a control means for receiving the signals from the flow rate calculating means 11 and the repeating means 9 and controlling the operations of the transmitting means 5 and the amplifying means 6.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device constructed as above will be described below. First, the control means 1
When the flow rate measurement 2 starts, the transmitting means 5 is operated to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the flow path 1, is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and is received by the amplifying means 6 according to an instruction from the control means 12. The signal is automatically adjusted to a gain so that the signal has a constant amplitude, and is output to the reference comparison unit 7, the voltage setting unit 13, and the determination unit 8. The voltage setting means 13 generates a voltage having a predetermined ratio with respect to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means 6, and outputs it to the reference comparing means 7.
Here, FIG. 2 shows the state of the received waves, and (Table 1) shows the ratios of the crest values of the received waves 2 and 3 and the crest values of the five waves which are the peak values of the received waves (fluid of 13 A If).

[0024]

[Table 1]

As shown in (Table 1), the ratio of the peak value of 2 waves, 3 waves and the peak value of 5 waves (peak value) is not so much influenced by the temperature and is almost constant and is 0 for 2 waves / 5 waves. .77, 3 waves / 5
It's about 0.86 in waves. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, if it is attempted to set the reference voltage in the middle of the crest values of the two waves and the three waves, if the set voltage is set to a voltage having a ratio of the crest value (peak value) of the five waves of about 0.82. good. In this way, the voltage setting means 13
Is input by using an AD converter or the like, the received signal amplified to have a predetermined amplitude by the amplifying means 6, and is set by a DA converter or the like to a voltage having a ratio of about 0.82 of its peak value. Output to the comparison means 7. The reference comparison means 7 compares the output of the amplification means 6 with the reference voltage, and outputs the output signal C to the determination means 8 at the time point (timing c) when the magnitude relationship is inverted as shown in FIG. Judgment means 8
Then, the first negative zero-cross point a at which the sign of the output of the amplifying means 6 after the timing c changes from positive to negative is determined as the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave, and the output signal D is output to the repeating means 9.

The output signal D of the judging means 8 is counted by the repeating means 9 and then input to the control means 12.
The control means 12 operates the transmitting means 5 again to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2 and at the same time, the second timing means 13a.
Then, the timing start signal is output again, this series of operations is repeated n times, which is set in advance, and the time interval 10 is measured by the timing means 10. Then, the first ultrasonic transducer 2 and the second ultrasonic transducer 3 are switched by the switching means 4 and the same operation is performed to measure the respective propagation times of the fluid to be measured from upstream to downstream and from downstream to upstream. Then, based on these time differences, the flow rate calculation means 11 determines the flow rate value in consideration of the size of the flow path and the flow state. By operating as described above, the reference voltage is automatically set by the voltage setting means 13 to a voltage having a predetermined ratio to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means 6, and the reference voltage setting operation is performed quickly and accurately. I,
The flow rate measuring device can always be kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory diagram of the flow rate measuring device. Figure 3
In the above, 13b is a propagation time measuring unit that measures the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the fluid conduit from the ultrasonic transmission start signal from the control unit 12 and the output from the judging unit 8, and 13a is the output of the propagation time measuring unit 13b. Is a voltage setting unit for setting a reference voltage more and outputting the reference voltage to the reference comparing unit 7 and the propagation time measuring unit 13a.
The voltage setting unit 13b constitutes the voltage setting means 13.
The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device constructed as above will be described below. When starting the flow rate measurement, the control means 12 operates the transmitting means 5 to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the channel 1,
The gain is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and the amplifying means 6 is automatically adjusted to a gain such that the received signal has a constant amplitude according to an instruction from the control means 12, and the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8 are provided. Is output to.

The voltage setting unit 13a inputs a reference voltage while the propagation time measuring unit 13b inputs the ultrasonic wave propagation time of the fluid pipe measured by the ultrasonic wave transmission start signal from the control means 12 and the output from the judging means 8. Once the voltage is lowered little by little and the judgment means 8 shown by the reference voltage b in FIG. 4 is lowered to the level at which the zero crossing point of two waves of the received wave is detected, the output of the reference comparison means 7 and the output of the judgment means 8 are output signals. B1 becomes the output signal B2, and as a result, the propagation time measured by the propagation time measuring unit 13b is one wavelength (50 wavelengths) of the ultrasonic drive frequency, compared to when the determination unit 8 detects the three-wave zero-cross points.
0 KHz: 2 μs) shorter.

When the propagation time is shortened by one wavelength of the driving frequency of the ultrasonic wave in this way, the voltage setting section 13a, on the contrary, raises the reference voltage little by little, and the received wave shown by the reference voltage c in FIG. When the level is raised to the level at which the zero-cross points of the four waves are detected, the outputs of the reference comparison unit 7 and the determination unit 8 become the output signal C1 and the output signal C2, respectively, and the propagation time measuring unit 13b.
The propagation time measured by is longer than the initial propagation time by one wavelength of the ultrasonic drive frequency.

When the reference voltage is changed in this way, as shown in FIG. 4, the reference voltage changes from near the Max value of the two waves of the received wave to near the Max value of the three waves, so that the voltage setting unit 13a Determine the midpoint as the optimum reference voltage,
Output to the reference comparison means 7. Then, the reference comparing means 7 compares the determined reference voltage with the output of the amplifying means 6, and notifies the judging means 8 of the time when the magnitude relation is reversed, and the judging means 8 outputs the subsequent amplifying means 6 output. The first negative zero-cross point (zero-cross point a in FIG. 4) at which the sign of changes from positive to negative is determined as the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave, and the output is output to the repeating unit 9.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the range of the reference voltage at which the determination means 8 can detect a specific point (for example, the negative zero-cross point of three waves) of the output (received wave) of the amplification means 6, The voltage setting means 13 detects the propagation time while changing the reference voltage, and sets the reference voltage at the midpoint of the range. Thereby, it becomes possible to stably detect a specific point of the received wave. In other words, such a reference voltage setting operation can be performed quickly and accurately,
The flow rate measuring device can always be kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
6 and 7 are operation explanatory diagrams of the flow rate measuring device, and illustrate the operation of the voltage setting means 13. In FIG. 5, 13c is the output of the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8.
Is a time difference timer that measures the time difference of the output from
Reference numeral 3a is a voltage setting unit for outputting a reference voltage from the output of the time difference measuring unit 13c to the reference comparing unit 7, and the voltage setting unit 13a and the time difference measuring unit 13c constitute the voltage setting unit 13. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device configured as described above will be described below. When starting the flow rate measurement, the control means 12 operates the transmitting means 5 to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the channel 1,
The gain is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and the amplifying means 6 is automatically adjusted to a gain such that the received signal has a constant amplitude according to an instruction from the control means 12, and the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8 are provided. Is output to. The reference comparing means 7 compares the output of the amplifying means 6 with the reference voltage, and outputs the output signal C1 to the determining means 8 and the time difference measuring section 13c at the time when the magnitude relation is inverted as in the first embodiment.

The judging means 8 judges from the output of the reference comparing means 7 that the first negative zero-cross point a at which the sign of the output of the amplifying means 6 as shown in FIG. 6 changes from positive to negative is the arrival point of ultrasonic waves. , And outputs the output signal C2 to the time difference measuring unit 13c. The time difference measuring unit 13c measures the time difference td as shown in FIG. 6 from the output signal C1 of the reference comparing means 7 and the output signal C2 of the judging means 8. The voltage setting unit 13a changes the reference power up and down while inputting the time difference td measured by the time difference measuring unit 13c. The time td changes with changes in the reference voltage as shown in FIG.

When the reference voltage is a voltage v2 that is substantially the same as the peak value of the two waves of the received signal, which is the level at which the determination means 8 detects the zero-cross point of the two waves of the received wave, the time difference td is t.
It is do, which is 500 ns, which is a quarter wavelength of the received wave. Then, when the reference voltage is made larger than v2 and the determination means 8 detects the negative zero-cross points of the three waves, the time difference td becomes the maximum value as shown in FIG. 7, and thereafter becomes smaller as the reference voltage increases. When the reference voltage is the voltage v3 which is almost the same as the peak value of the three waves, tdo becomes again.

As described above, the time difference td is set to the reference voltage which is the midpoint between the maximum value and the minimum value (1/4 of the wavelength) of the time difference td when the voltage setting unit 13a changes the reference voltage. By operating in this way, the time difference measured by the time difference measuring unit 13c is set to the midpoint of the fluctuation range with respect to the change in the reference voltage, and the reference voltage can be stably detected at a specific zero-cross point of the received wave. Kept in. Such a reference voltage setting operation can be performed quickly and accurately, and the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the flow rate measuring device. Figure 8
In 13 d, the ultrasonic wave transmission start signal from the control means 12 and the output from the determination means 8 are used to measure the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves in the fluid pipeline, and the time difference between the output from the reference comparison means 7 and the output from the determination means 8 is indicated. 13a is a voltage setting unit for outputting a reference voltage from the output of the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d to the reference comparing unit 7, and the voltage setting unit 13a and the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d. And constitutes the voltage setting means 13. The other components are the same as in the first embodiment.
The description is omitted because it is the same as.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device configured as described above will be described below. When starting the flow rate measurement, the control means 12 operates the transmitting means 5 to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the channel 1,
The gain is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and the amplifying means 6 is automatically adjusted to a gain such that the received signal has a constant amplitude according to an instruction from the control means 12, and the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8 are provided. Is output to. The reference comparing means 7 compares the output of the amplifying means 6 with the reference voltage, outputs the time when the magnitude relation is reversed to the determining means 8 and notifies the propagation / time difference time measuring unit 13d as in the first embodiment.

The judging means 8 judges from the output of the reference comparing means 7 that the sign of the output of the amplifying means 6 as shown in FIG. , And outputs to the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d.
The propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d determines from the output signal C1 of the reference comparison unit 7 and the output signal C2 of the determination unit 8 as shown in FIG. 9, the time difference td as shown in FIG. 9, and the transmission start signal from the control unit 12. The propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the fluid conduit is measured from the output of the means 8.

Then, the voltage setting unit 13a, as shown by the reference voltage b in FIG. 9, the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave measured by the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d is one wavelength (50 wavelengths) of the ultrasonic drive frequency.
0 KHz: 2 μs) The reference voltage is gradually decreased until it becomes shorter (the outputs of the reference comparison means 7 and the determination means 8 when the wavelength is shortened are shown in the output signals B1 and B2). afterwards,
Raise the reference voltage slightly and return the ultrasonic propagation time to the original
The time difference td is measured from the output signal C1 of the reference comparison means 7 and the output signal C2 of the judgment means 8 at the time when the output of the judgment means 8 changes from the output signal B2 to C2 by the propagation / time difference timer 13d (at this time, The reference voltage is the lower limit value of the reference voltage setting range in which the determination means 8 can detect the three negative zero-cross points of the received wave, and the upper limit value is the peak value voltage of the three waves). The time difference td at this time is set to the initial value td0, and the voltage setting unit 1
3a is a time difference td measured by the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d.
Is an intermediate point between the time difference at the upper limit of the voltage setting range of the reference voltage (td1, where td1 is the time difference between the peak voltages of the three waves of the received waves, and one wavelength is 2 μs / 4 and 500 ns). td0-driving frequency wavelength / 4) / 2 + The voltage is increased to the reference voltage c which becomes the driving frequency wavelength / 4 (for example, when the time difference td0 = 900 ns and the driving frequency wavelength 2 μs, td = (900-2000 / 4) / 2 +
Increase the voltage until 2000/4 = 700 ns).

By operating in this way, the reference voltage c is set at the midpoint of the time from the fall of the reference comparing means output C1 of the reference voltage b to the peak of the three waves of the received wave. That is, the reference voltage is set by using only the time difference td measured by the output signal of the reference comparison means 7 and the output signal of the determination means 8 by the propagation / time difference timer 13d. As the setting operation, the time difference td to be set is obtained only by the operation of searching only the reference voltage b of FIG. 9 which is the lower limit of the voltage settable range, so that the setting operation of the reference voltage can be performed more quickly and accurately. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the flow rate measuring device.
In FIG. 10, 13e is a pulse width timer which measures the signal width of the output of the reference comparing means 7, 13a is a voltage setting portion which outputs a reference voltage from the output of the pulse width timer 13e to the reference comparing means, The voltage setting unit 13 is composed of the voltage setting unit 13a and the pulse width measuring unit 13e. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device constructed as above will be described below. When starting the flow rate measurement, the control means 12 operates the transmitting means 5 to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the channel 1,
The gain is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and the amplifying means 6 is automatically adjusted to a gain such that the received signal has a constant amplitude according to an instruction from the control means 12, and the reference comparing means 7 and the judging means 8 are provided. Is output to. The reference comparing means 7 compares the output of the amplifying means 6 with the reference voltage, and outputs the time when the magnitude relationship is reversed to the determining means 8 as in the first embodiment, and also notifies the pulse width timer 13d. The determination means 8 determines from the output of the reference comparison means 7 that the first negative zero-cross point a at which the sign of the output of the amplification means 6 as shown in FIG. Timing unit 13
Output to e. In the pulse width timer 13e, as shown in FIG. 11, the width of the negative pulse of the output signal C1 of the reference comparison means 7 and the output signal C2 of the determination means 8 are used as shown in FIG. Start signal and determination means 8
The propagation time of ultrasonic waves in the fluid conduit is measured from the output of.

Then, the voltage setting section 13a, as shown by the reference voltage b in FIG. 11, the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave which is measured by the pulse width measuring section 13e is one wavelength (500 wavelengths) of the driving frequency of the ultrasonic wave.
KHz: 2 μs) The reference voltage is gradually decreased until it becomes shorter (the outputs of the reference comparison means 7 and the determination means 8 when the wavelength is shortened are shown in the output signals B1 and B2). After that, the reference voltage is slightly increased, and the output of the determination means 8 is the output signal B2.
The output signal C of the reference comparison means 7 at the time when it becomes C2 from C
The negative pulse width tw of 1 is counted by the pulse width timer 13e. Then, with the time tw at this time as the initial value tw0, the voltage setting unit 13a increases the voltage to the reference voltage c at which the time tw measured by the pulse width timer 13e is tw0 / 2.

By operating in this way, the reference voltage c is set at an approximately midpoint between the reference voltage b and the peak voltages of the three received waves. That is, the reference voltage is set by using only the negative pulse width tw measured by the pulse width timer 13e. Since the pulse width tw to be set is obtained only by the operation of searching only the reference voltage b of FIG. 11 as the setting operation, the setting operation of the reference voltage can be performed more quickly and accurately, and the optimum reference voltage is always maintained. It can be a dripping flow rate measuring device.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, 13d is a propagation / time difference timer that measures the time difference between the output of the reference comparison means 7 and the output from the determination means 8, 13f is a storage portion that stores the set value of the voltage setting portion 13a, and 13a is According to the instruction of the control means 12, the output of the propagation / time difference timer 13d or the storage 13
The reference voltage corresponding to either of the outputs of f is the reference comparison means 7
The voltage setting unit 13a includes a voltage setting unit 13a, a propagation / time difference timer unit 13d, and a storage unit 13f.
Are configured. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device configured as described above will be described below.

When the flow rate measurement is started, the control means 12 operates the transmission means 5 to transmit the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic transducer 2. The ultrasonic signal transmitted from the first ultrasonic transducer 2 propagates in the flow of the flow path 1, is received by the second ultrasonic transducer 3, and is received by the amplifying means 6 according to an instruction from the control means 12. The signal is automatically adjusted to a gain so that the signal has a constant amplitude, and output to the reference comparison unit 7 and the determination unit 8. The reference comparing means 7 compares the output of the amplifying means 6 with the reference voltage, outputs the time when the magnitude relation is reversed to the determining means 8 and notifies the propagation / time difference time measuring unit 13d as in the first embodiment.

The judging means 8 judges from the output of the reference comparing means 7 that the first negative zero-cross point a at which the sign of the output of the amplifying means 6 as shown in FIG. , And outputs to the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d.
The propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d determines from the output signal C1 of the reference comparison unit 7 and the output signal C2 of the determination unit 8 as shown in FIG. 9, the time difference td as shown in FIG. 9, and the transmission start signal from the control unit 12. The propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the fluid conduit is measured from the output of the means 8.

Then, the voltage setting unit 13a stores the storage unit 13f.
In the state where no data is stored immediately after initialization or when it is a regular (for example, once a month) update time, the propagation / time difference time measurement is performed by the update instruction of the storage unit 13f issued from the control means 12. Based on the time difference measured by the unit 13d, the reference voltage setting operation as in the fourth embodiment is performed, and the set value is stored in the storage unit 13f. And the control means 12
When the instruction to update the storage unit 13f is not issued from the storage unit 13f, the voltage setting unit 13a sets the reference voltage with the set value stored in the storage unit 13f and outputs the reference voltage to the reference comparison unit 7.

By operating in this way, the reference voltage is set by the set value stored in the storage section 13f in the setting operation after the reference voltage is once set by the voltage setting section 13a. Is done quickly. Furthermore, by making the storage unit 13f a non-volatile storage unit, the power supply is shut off during periods other than the flow rate measurement performed for the purpose of low power consumption, and the power supply is turned on again at the start of the measurement. Has a particular effect. As described above, the setting operation of the reference voltage can be performed quickly and accurately, and the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Embodiment 7) FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory view of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the voltage setting unit 13a performs reference comparison when the gain of the amplifying means 6 is changed. The reference voltage to the means 7 is updated.

The operation of the voltage setting section 13a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the control means 12 starts the flow rate measurement, first, the preliminary flow rate measurement for setting the reference voltage is performed (Step 1). (This preliminary flow rate measurement has a smaller number of repetitions by the repeating means 9 than the normal flow rate measurement and ends in a short time.) Then, as a result of the preliminary flow rate measurement, it is determined whether the gain of the amplifying means 6 has been changed. . (Step 2) When the gain has been changed, the voltage setting unit 13a performs the reference voltage setting operation (Step 3), and the flow rate is measured (Step 3).
9).

If the gain is not changed, normal flow rate measurement is performed without setting operation (Step 9). This is because when the gain of the amplifying means 6 is changed as shown in the explanatory view of the conventional example of FIG. 20, it is preferable to reset the reference voltage because the relative relationship between the reference voltage and the received signal changes. By operating as described above, when the gain of the amplifying means 6 is changed and the reference voltage needs to be reset, the setting operation of the reference voltage can be performed quickly and accurately, and it is always optimum. The flow rate measuring device can be kept at the reference voltage.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory view of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, and FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between flow rate and sensitivity (amplitude level) of a received signal. In FIG. 15, the solid line indicates the flow rate and the amplitude level of the received signal when transmitting from the upstream ultrasonic transducer to the downstream side, and the flow rate and the sensitivity of the received signal when transmitting from the downstream ultrasonic transducer to the upstream side. (Amplitude level) is shown by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 15, although the degree of decrease in sensitivity is different, the sensitivity of the received signal decreases in both cases as the flow rate increases. Therefore, in the amplifying means 6, the gain is increased and adjusted so that the amplitude level becomes constant with respect to the sensitivity decrease due to the increase of the flow rate. The voltage setting unit 13a updates the reference voltage to the reference comparison unit 7 when the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation unit 11 changes. The operation of the voltage setting unit 13a will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the flow rate measurement is started by the control means 12, first, the preliminary flow rate measurement for setting the reference voltage is performed (S
(Step 1) (This preliminary flow rate measurement has a smaller number of repetitions by the repeating means 9 than the normal flow rate measurement, and is completed in a short time).

As a result of the preliminary flow rate measurement, the flow rate is 500
It is determined whether it is 0 L / H or more (Step 3). 500
If it is less than 0 L / H, it is further determined whether it is 10,000 L / H or more (Step 5). As a result, a flag is set according to the flow rate range (Steps 2, 4, and 6), and it is determined whether the flow rate range has changed compared to the previous flow rate measurement, and (Step
p7) If the flow rate range has changed, the voltage setting unit 13a performs the reference voltage setting operation (Step 8), and then the normal flow rate measurement is performed. Also, if there is no change in the flow rate range, normal flow rate measurement is performed without setting operation (Step).
9).

By the above operation, when the flow rate is changed and the gain of the amplifying means 6 is changed and the reference voltage needs to be reset, the setting operation of the reference voltage is performed quickly and accurately. Therefore, the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

(Embodiment 9) FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is an operation explanatory diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 16, 13 g is a temperature calculation unit that calculates the temperature of the fluid from the output of the time measuring means 10.
Reference numeral d denotes the ultrasonic wave transmission start signal from the control means 12 and the output from the determination means 8 to measure the propagation time of the ultrasonic waves in the fluid line, and the time difference between the output from the reference comparison means 7 and the output from the determination means 8. Propagation / time difference timekeeping part that keeps time, 13a
Is a voltage setting unit that outputs a reference voltage to the reference comparison unit 7 from the output from the temperature calculating unit 13g and the output from the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d. The voltage setting unit 13a, the propagation / time difference measuring unit 13d, and the temperature calculating unit The voltage setting means 13 is composed of 13 g. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The operation and action of the flow rate measuring device configured as described above will be described below. Temperature calculator 13
g is the measurement time of the n times from the upstream to the downstream measured by the time measuring means 11 from t1, and the measurement time of the n times from the downstream to the upstream is calculated from t2 (Equation 2) to calculate the temperature of the fluid (ultrasonic transducer). The effective distance in the flow direction is L (unit: m), the flow velocity of the fluid to be measured is V (unit: m / s), the sensor angle is φ, the sound velocity is C = 331 + 0.6 × Tmp, T1 = L / (C + Vc).
osφ), and T2 = L / (C−Vcosφ)).

Tmp = (L / 2 (1 / T1 + 1 / T2) -331) /0.6 (Equation 2) Operation of the voltage setting unit 13a that receives the output of the temperature calculation unit 13g and sets the reference voltage Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the flow rate measurement is started by the control means 12, first, the preliminary flow rate measurement for setting the reference voltage is performed.
(Step 1) (This preliminary flow rate measurement has a smaller number of repetitions by the repeater 9 than the normal flow rate measurement, and is completed in a short time) and the result of the preliminary flow rate measurement,
The temperature of the fluid is calculated based on (Equation 2) from the time measured by the time measuring means 10. Then, it is determined whether or not the temperature of the fluid has changed by 10 ° C. or more compared to the previous time (Step 2).

As a result, if there is a change of 10 ° C. or more, the voltage setting unit 13a performs the reference voltage setting operation (Step
p3), and then the normal flow rate measurement is performed (Step)
4). If the temperature does not change by 10 ° C. or more, normal flow rate measurement is performed without setting operation (Step 4).

In the description, the reference voltage setting operation is performed with a temperature change of 10 ° C. or more, but it may be set to the minimum temperature range in which the gain of the amplifying means 6 is changed due to the temperature change. By operating as described above, the reference voltage setting operation can be performed quickly and accurately whenever the temperature of the fluid changes by a certain amount or more, and the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage. .

[0064] virtue of embodiments of the present invention as described on the following
The overall result is as follows .

[0065]-size range of detectable reference voltage specific points of the output of the constant means amplifying means (e.g. three-wave negative zero-crossing point of), was detected from the propagation time while the voltage setting means to change the reference voltage By setting the reference voltage within that range, it becomes possible to detect the received wave in a stable manner.This kind of reference voltage setting operation is performed quickly and accurately, and the optimum reference voltage is always maintained. There is an effect that it can be used as a flow rate measuring device.

[0066] Further, conductive time difference for measuring the output of the output determination means pressure setting unit reference comparison means, a reference voltage such that the predetermined value based on the ultrasound drive frequency length (2 [mu] s) By setting it, it becomes possible to stably detect the received wave, and such a reference voltage setting operation can be performed quickly and accurately, and a flow rate measurement device that is always kept at the optimum reference voltage can be obtained. There is an effect that can be done.

[0067] The base reference voltage is automatically set to the voltage of a predetermined ratio with respect to the peak voltage of the output of the amplification means by the voltage setting means, the setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly carried out accurately, always optimally There is an effect that it can be used as a flow rate measuring device that is maintained at various reference voltages.

[0068] The voltage setting unit than the time between the difference recognizes the setting range of the reference voltage, the voltage setting unit at the midpoint settable range to set the reference voltage, a specific point on the received signal The reference voltage can be set, the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately, and there is an effect that the flow rate measuring device can be always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

[0069] Further, it is possible to set the reference voltage to a certain point with respect to received signals, setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly carried out accurately, the flow rate measuring apparatus was always kept at an optimum reference voltage There is an effect that can be.

[0070] Another aspect Dan, setting operation after setting the reference voltage by the voltage setting unit reference voltage setting operation because the reference voltage is set is made quickly by setting values stored in the storage unit, and There is an effect that the flow rate measuring device can be performed with high accuracy and always kept at the optimum reference voltage.

[0071] Furthermore, changes the gain of amplifier means, when the re-setting of the reference voltage is needed, the setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly by the voltage setting unit, is accurately performed, always optimum reference voltage There is an effect that the flow rate measuring device can be maintained at

[0072] Furthermore, flow rate is changed the gain of the changed amplification means, when the re-setting of the reference voltage is needed, the setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly by the voltage setting unit, is accurately performed, always There is an effect that the flow rate measuring device can be maintained at the optimum reference voltage.

[0073] The setting operation of the reference voltage and quickly by the voltage setting unit every time the temperature of the flow body varies above a predetermined done accurately, be a flow rate measuring apparatus was always kept at an optimum reference voltage There is an effect that can be done.

The flow rate measuring method according to claim 10 is
The reference voltage having a preset ratio is output by the voltage setting device to the reception signal of the transducer on the reception side that has been amplified to a predetermined amplitude by the amplification device, so that the reference voltage has a substantially constant ratio to the reception signal. Therefore, the reference voltage can be set quickly and accurately, and the optimum reference voltage can always be maintained.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, the reference voltage
The setting operation of the
Effect of being able to be a flow rate measuring device kept at a quasi voltage
There is.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 7 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the operation of the device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the flow rate measuring device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the flow rate measuring device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the flow rate of the device and the sensitivity of the received signal.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a conventional flow rate measuring device.

FIG. 19 is a signal waveform diagram explaining the operation of the device.

FIG. 20 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the amplification means of the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 flow path 2 First ultrasonic transducer 3 Second ultrasonic transducer 4 switching means 5 Transmission means 6 amplification means 7 Standard comparison means 8 Judgment means 9 Repeating means 10 Timekeeping means 11 Flow rate calculating means 12 Control means 13 Voltage setting means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) Reference JP 54-51724 (JP, A) JP 54-41783 (JP, A) JP 2002-340641 (JP, A) JP 2002-365110 ( JP, A) JP 2002-333356 (JP, A) JP 2001-255187 (JP, A) JP 11-51724 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) ) G01F 1/66 102

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first oscillator and a second oscillator provided in a fluid conduit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, transmitting means for driving the oscillator, switching means for switching transmission and reception of the oscillator, and Repeating means for performing mutual ultrasonic wave transmission between the vibrators a plurality of times, flow rate calculating means for calculating a flow rate based on the cumulative time of ultrasonic wave propagation, and amplifying means for amplifying a reception signal of the vibrator on the receiving side, A voltage setting means for outputting a reference voltage, a reference comparing means for comparing the signal amplified by the amplifying means with a reference voltage, and an ultrasonic wave arrival point is determined from the output of the reference comparing means and the amplifying means output. Flow rate measuring device for setting the reference voltage based on the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave. 2. A first vibrator and a second vibrator provided in a fluid conduit for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, transmitting means for driving the vibrator, and switching means for switching transmission and reception of the vibrator, Repeating means for performing mutual ultrasonic wave transmission between the vibrators a plurality of times, flow rate calculating means for calculating a flow rate based on the cumulative time of ultrasonic wave propagation, and amplifying means for amplifying a reception signal of the vibrator on the receiving side, A voltage setting means for outputting a reference voltage, a reference comparing means for comparing the signal amplified by the amplifying means with a reference voltage, and an ultrasonic wave arrival point is determined from the output of the reference comparing means and the amplifying means output. Flow rate measuring device for setting the reference voltage based on the time difference between the output of the reference comparing means and the output from the determining means. 3. The voltage setting means outputs a reference voltage having a predetermined ratio to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means.
Or the flow rate measuring device according to 2. 4. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 2, wherein the voltage setting means sets a reference voltage that is a time difference that is an intermediate point of time differences between the upper limit and lower limit reference voltages of the voltage setting range of the reference voltage. 5. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage setting means performs the setting operation of the reference voltage based on the pulse width of the output signal of the reference comparison means. 6. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage setting means performs the reference voltage setting operation immediately after the storage unit is initialized or when the storage unit is regularly updated. 7. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the voltage setting means performs a reference voltage setting operation if the gain of the amplifying means is changed. 8. The voltage setting means updates the reference voltage according to a change in the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculating means.
Or the flow rate measuring device according to 2. 9. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature calculation unit that calculates the temperature of the fluid, and the voltage setting unit performs the setting operation of the reference voltage each time the temperature of the fluid changes by a certain amount or more. 10. A first oscillator and a second oscillator, which are provided in the fluid conduit and which transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, are driven by a transmitting means,
The received signal of the transducer on the receiving side is amplified by the amplifying means, the voltage setting means outputs the reference voltage, and the reference comparing means compares the signal amplified by the amplifying means with the reference voltage. In the flow rate measuring method in which the determining means determines the arrival point of the ultrasonic wave from the output of the
The voltage setting means outputs a reference voltage of a predetermined ratio with respect to the peak voltage of the output of the amplifying means, based on the time difference between the output of the reference comparing means and the output of the judging means or the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. Flow rate measurement method to set the reference voltage by using.