KR102631071B1 - Flow velocity and water level measuring device in a pipeline and a measuring method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for measuring the flow rate and water level in a pipe and a measuring method using the same. An imaging device that detects floating objects drifting on the water surface and the direction of movement of the water surface, and information on floating objects and moving direction information of the water surface provided by the imaging device. By comparison, it includes a flow rate measuring means that calculates the flow rate of the water surface according to the moving distance of the float from the floating object, enabling non-contact measurement of flow rate and water level, which has the effect of improving safety from contamination of measuring equipment or loss due to floods, etc. It can reduce costs by eliminating the need for separate devices other than imaging devices and control devices, and can solve problems that can occur due to various factors such as light reflection, bursting of air bubbles, and temporary sinking of floating objects. Accuracy in flow velocity measurement is improved, there is no need to recognize separate pictures or notations, and color clustering is applied to the wall and water surface to make accurate predictions with less influence from attachments or floating objects, and regression. Since the equation is calculated to convert the water level in the image to the actual water level, it can show effects that can be applied to various types of pipes.

Description

Flow velocity and water level measurement device in the pipe and measurement method using the same {FLOW VELOCITY AND WATER LEVEL MEASURING DEVICE IN A PIPELINE AND A MEASURING METHOD USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a device for measuring the flow rate and water level in a pipe and a measuring method using the same, which allows calculating the flow rate using floating matter generated or drifting on the water surface and measuring the water level of the water surface by removing the floating matter and attachments. It's about.

Water resources, including land water such as lakes, groundwater, and river water, as well as sea water, have been systematically managed in recent years to use them more efficiently for more useful purposes.

Although it is not possible to manage all water resources artificially, at least by understanding the current status and information of water resources, synthesizing this, and clearly recognizing the characteristics of each water resource, the water environment can be widely used in inland water such as lake water, groundwater, and river water. In recent years, systematic management has been carried out in order to efficiently use water resources, including sea water, for more useful purposes.

Although all water resources cannot be managed artificially, at least by identifying the current status and information of water resources, synthesizing this, and clearly recognizing the characteristics of each water resource, changes in the water environment can be easily detected and company-wide preparedness measures can be prepared accordingly. It can be said that water resources management is being managed beyond expectations.

In other words, comprehensive water resource management is being carried out by predicting the flow rate information flowing in through each river by integrating the current or expected future amount with weather information and using all of this as information to control the amount of fresh water.

Recently, various devices and methods have been developed and operated to accurately measure and collect various water resource information.

Here, various methods to measure the flow rate and water level in the pipe are being actively developed, and water level and flow rate measurement are required to estimate the flow rate in the pipe. For this, contact sensors, etc. are used. Measurements are being made through non-contact methods that do not use .

However, in the case of contact sensors, contamination may occur due to attachments, resulting in incorrect measurements, or the equipment may be broken or lost due to floods, etc., and if measurement is incorrect, it is necessary to immediately determine what factors are causing the problem. There was a problem that could not be confirmed.

In addition, when measuring the flow rate using contact equipment, a device other than a camera must be installed, and there is a problem that the flow of water may be interrupted or contaminated.

On the other hand, in the case of non-contact measurement, many studies are being conducted to measure water level or flow rate using cameras. According to this, damage to the equipment can be reduced because measuring flow rate and water level is not a contact method that directly touches the equipment. If a problem occurs, it can be quickly checked by recording photos/videos.

In this case, a method of measuring the water level by recognizing the picture by placing special pictures on the wall at regular intervals was proposed and used, but in this case, there was a problem that recognition became difficult if the picture was contaminated with foreign substances.

In addition, when measuring the movement of floating objects or water bubbles, the objects within the pipe do not move in a certain direction and speed, but move in various directions, and the detected floating objects sink momentarily or the bubbles detected as floating objects burst, etc. As it disappeared from the water, it became difficult to track the floating material, making it difficult to calculate the flow rate.

1. Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1587827 (2016.01.18.) 2. Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2008-0006480 (January 22, 2008)

According to the present invention, a device for measuring the flow rate and water level in a pipe and a measuring method using the same, the present invention prevents loss due to contamination or flooding of the measuring equipment installed in the pipe to measure the flow rate and water level, and provides a separate device in addition to the imaging device and the control device. The goal is to measure flow rate and water level without a device.

In addition, the goal is to provide a flow velocity and water level measurement device in a pipe that can accurately measure the flow velocity from numerous information data generated on the water surface, and a measurement method using the same.

According to the present invention, according to a device for measuring the flow rate and water level in a pipe, an imaging device that detects the moving direction of floating objects and water surface drifting in a waterway (or including a flow path, etc.), and information on floating objects and moving direction information of the water surface provided by the imaging device. It includes a flow rate measuring means for calculating the flow rate of the water surface according to the moving distance of the float from the float by comparison.

In addition, the flow velocity measuring means includes a preprocessor that adjusts FPS (Frame Per Second) for the image provided from the imaging device, and a moving direction of the water surface in the image provided with the image adjusted by the preprocessor. It may include a control device provided with a calculation unit that classifies normal floating objects and abnormal floating objects that deviate from the direction of movement, and a post-processing unit that calculates the flow speed of the water surface moving using the normal floating objects.

Additionally, the post-processing unit may calculate the flow rate by comparing the distance between the imaging device and the water surface and the number of pixels to which the normal floating object moves in the frame adjusted by the pre-processing unit.

In addition, information about the wall and the water surface detected by the imaging device is provided, the normal floating matter and the abnormal floating matter are removed, and the wall surface and the water surface are each provided with complementary contrasting colors, and the complementary contrasting colors are provided with each other. It may include a water level measuring means that detects the meeting point as the water level of the water.

In addition, according to the method of measuring the flow rate and water level, the present invention includes the steps of setting a zone of floating objects drifting on the water surface (S10), measuring the transport direction of the water surface and detecting floating objects with an imaging device (S20), and the imaging device A step of receiving information from and comparing the transport direction of the water surface with the transport direction of the floating object (S30), a step of classifying normal and abnormal floaters from the transport direction of the water surface (S40), and a normal float in step S40. It includes a step (S50) of receiving information about the floating object and calculating the flow rate of the water surface according to the moving distance of the floating object.

In addition, in step S40, the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the image provided from the imaging device is adjusted to compare the angle of change between the initially detected floating object and the re-detected floating object, and if it is within a predetermined range, it is classified as a normal floating object. And, if it is outside the predetermined range, it can be classified as abnormal floating.

In addition, after step S40, receiving information on the wall and the water surface detected by the imaging device, removing the floating matter (S130), and classifying the wall surface and the water surface into complementary and contrasting colors, respectively. It may include (S140) and a step (S150) of detecting the water level of the water at a point where complementary colors meet each other.

The present invention relates to a device for measuring flow rate and water level in a pipe and a measurement method using the same, and can exhibit the following effects.

First, according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipeline of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, it is possible to measure the flow rate and water level in a non-contact manner, thereby improving safety from contamination of the measuring equipment or loss due to flooding, and video equipment and control. No separate devices other than the equipment are required, making maintenance easier and reducing costs.

Second, according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipe of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, the accuracy in measuring the flow rate is improved by solving problems that may make measurement impossible due to light reflection, bursting of bubbles, and temporary settling of floating objects. It can show an effect.

Thirdly, according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipe of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, there is no need to recognize a separate picture or notation to measure the water level, and color clustering is applied to the wall and the water surface in the pipe to remove attachments or It is less affected by floating objects, so it can provide accurate water level measurement and prediction.

Fourth, according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipe of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, the effect can be applied to various types of pipes by applying a polynomial regression method that converts the water level in the image to the actual water level. It can be expressed.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the flow rate and water level measurement device in the pipe of the present invention and the measurement method using the same.
Figure 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment for measuring the flow rate and water level according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipeline of the present invention.
Figures 3a and 3b are enlarged views of 'A' in Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a distribution chart showing normal and abnormal suspended matter classified in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the classification of the wall surface and waterway after removal of floating matter in Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a flow chart for measuring flow rate and water level.

In describing the present invention, the terms and words used in the specification and claims are based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain the invention in the best way. It must be interpreted with meaning and concepts consistent with the technical ideas of.

Figure 1 is a block diagram according to the flow rate and water level measuring device in the pipeline of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, and Figure 2 shows an embodiment for measuring the flow rate and water level according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipeline of the present invention. Figure 3a and Figure 3b are enlarged views of 'A' in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a distribution chart showing normal and abnormal floating matter classified in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a wall after removal of floating matter in Figure 2. This is a diagram showing the classification of and waterways, and Figure 6 is a flowchart for measuring flow rate and water level.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the flow rate and water level measuring device in the pipeline of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

When explaining the flow rate and water level measuring device in the pipeline of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipeline measures the floating matter (FM) drifting on the water surface (R) and the movement of the water surface (R). By comparing the floating object information provided by the direction-detecting imaging device 10 and the imaging device 10 with the moving direction information of the water surface (R), the flow speed of the water surface (R) is determined according to the moving distance of the floating object (FM) from the floating object. Includes means of measuring flow velocity for calculation.

Here, floating matter (FM) includes bubbles, air bubbles, etc. generated on the water surface, and may also include floating matter in the dictionary meaning of floating on the water surface. Hereinafter, floating matter will be explained using foam as an example.

The imaging device 10 may be equipped with and installed a camera that can detect the water surface (R) and the wall surface (W). In particular, it would be desirable for the imaging device 10 to be a dense optical flow (hereinafter referred to as 'optical flow') capable of measuring the direction of movement of the water surface (R) and detecting floating objects (FM).

Optical flow detects movement and limits the optical field. It uses the difference between the previous frame and the current frame and compares the detected target pixel value with pixels surrounding the target to determine the motion of each pixel. Movements can be distinguished by extracting calculations. This optical flow is a known technology, and only a part of it is described here, but detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This imaging device 10 can detect the water surface R in real time and send the collected images to the control device 20 of the flow velocity measurement means.

The flow rate measurement means stores the image provided from the imaging device 10, classifies floating matter (FM), and calculates the flow rate of the water surface (R), and includes a pre-processing unit 22, a calculation unit 24, and a post-processing unit 26. It may include a control device 20 provided with.

The control device 20 receives the adjusted image from the preprocessor 22, which adjusts the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the image provided from the imaging device 10, based on the moving direction of the water surface (R). A calculation unit 24 that classifies normal floating matter (FM) and abnormal floating matter (NFM) that deviates from the direction of movement, and a post-processing unit that calculates the flow rate of the moving water surface (R) using the normal floating matter classified in the calculation unit 24 ( 26).

The preprocessor 22 can adjust the frame per second (FPS) of the image provided by the imaging device 10 to reduce the amount of computation in the entire processing process.

For example, the pre-processing unit 22 reduces the size of the image, sets the necessary part of the image as an area, divides it into frames, and adjusts the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the collected stored image to detect changes even for slow objects. Thus, image information can be provided to the calculation unit 24.

Here, the preprocessor 22 stores an image in which the floating matter (FM) moves at least 1 pixel between consecutive frames within the image. Meanwhile, the image information of the pre-processing unit 22, which cuts out only the necessary parts of the image, can be used to set an area with a lot of floating matter (FM) in the image provided from the imaging device 10.

In addition, the preprocessor 22 performs optimization work to lower the resolution of the image in consideration of the characteristics of the algorithm that requires a large amount of calculation, and measures the direction of the water surface (R) in the image using optical flow (Dense Optical Flow). The optimized image is converted into optimized information through the above process by providing information on the water surface (R) and floating matter (FM) and provided to the calculation unit 24.

The calculation unit 24 measures only based on floating matter, and due to various reasons, floating matter (FM) may move in a direction different from the direction in which the water surface (R) flows. The calculation unit 24 receives the image adjusted for each frame from the preprocessor 22 and classifies normal floating matter (FM) and abnormal floating matter (NFM) that deviate from the moving direction based on the moving direction of the water surface (R) in the image.

For example, the calculation unit 24 may classify the direction of the floating object in the collected images according to the normal range angle (direction within the specified range) value preset by the user, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The calculation unit 24 classifies the group as a normal floating object when it moves within a predetermined angle set by the user (β), and classifies it as an abnormal floating object group when it deviates from the predetermined angle set by the user (α). can be managed separately. Here, the line from the blue dot to the green line indicates the direction of water flow.

On the other hand, abnormal floating matter (NFM) is something that falls outside the range of normal floating matter (FM) when an abnormal phenomenon occurs, such as sinking below the water surface (R), escaping or disappearing from the detection range, light reflection on the water surface (R), bursting of air bubbles, or temporary floating matter. Among the direction and velocity values measured by optical flow for outlier data due to sinking, etc., floating object values that show a large difference from other values are classified as an abnormal group and excluded when calculating the final flow velocity.

In addition, in the calculation unit 24, when classifying normal and abnormal floating matter (FM, NFM), each floating matter can be classified according to its volume or shape, and accuracy can be increased by excluding those that are not of the size and shape set by the user as noise. and may have a certain tolerance depending on the user's settings.

Here, the predetermined angle corresponding to the normal floating object (FM) may be limited to within 30 to 40° based on the direction of movement of the water surface (R). Preferably, the normal float can be limited to within 35°.

It can be used by modifying the angle according to the user's settings, and keeping the predetermined tolerance within ±5° can increase accuracy, which increases the accuracy of flow rate calculation, which can vary depending on the weight or volume of the floating object. It can be raised.

As shown in Figure 4, blue indicates normal floating objects, and red indicates information about abnormal floating objects, indicating those that deviate from the predetermined angle set by the user, excluding this collected information, as shown in blue. The angle of change of direction is the smallest, and the flow speed can be measured based on information about the suspended solids aggregated in sections 8 to 10.

The post-processing unit 26 can calculate the flow rate by comparing the distance between the imaging device 10 and the water surface R with the number of pixels to which the normal floating object (FM) moves in the frame adjusted by the pre-processing unit 22. The post-processing unit 26 can calculate the flow rate of the moving water surface (R) using normal floating matter (FM) belonging to the normal floating matter group.

For example, the post-processing unit 26 may undergo a clustering process to group normal suspended matter (FM) data classified as normal by the clustering operation.

The post-processing unit 26 classifies the speed and direction values measured from normal floating matter (FM) into several clusters through clustering. At this time, the floating matter clusters can be compared to select a cluster with a large number of normal suspended matter, and the data of the selected cluster can be used to calculate the flow speed to increase the accuracy of flow speed measurement from speed and direction.

The post-processing unit 26 calculates the final pixel speed using the data of the normal floating object group, and the final pixel velocity value is based on the pixel movement of the floating object in the image.

That is, when installing the imaging device 10, the post-processing unit 26 measures and sets the distance (actual distance) between the water surface and the imaging device 10, and compares the pixel distance on the screen to the actual distance to determine the water surface (R). The flow rate can be calculated.

In addition, if floating matter, bubbles, etc. are not detected by the imaging device 10, the flow speed is not measured, and detection activities for the flow speed continue, and the floating matter (FM, NFM) is detected in the post-processing unit 26. A water level measuring means can be used to measure the water level by removing it.

The water level measurement means receives information about the wall (W) and the water surface (R) detected by the imaging device 10, removes normal and abnormal floating objects, and contrasts the wall surface (W) and the water surface (R) with complementary colors, respectively. It is available in various colors, and the point where complementary colors meet can be displayed at the water level (R).

For example, the post-processing unit 26 removes information about normal floating matter (FM) and abnormal floating matter (NFM) provided by the calculation unit 24, classifies the wall surface and the water surface (R) into complementary colors, and classifies the user device. It can be sent to and printed.

The post-processing unit 26 can mark the point where complementary colors meet as a boundary line at the water level of the water surface (R), and at this time, the color is classified into a color that contrasts with the color used on the wall and the water surface and transmitted to the user device. As a result, users can easily receive information about the water level.

5 to 6, the method of measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipe of the present invention will be described, including the step of setting the area of floating material drifting on the water surface (R) (S10), and the transfer direction of the water surface (R) with an imaging device. It is possible to measure and detect suspended matter (S20).

By receiving information from an imaging device, the water surface (R) transport direction and the transport direction of the floating object can be compared (S30). The image detected by the imaging device can be received from the control device to determine the direction of storage and movement of the water surface and detect floating objects.

Normal and abnormal floating objects can be classified (S40) from the transport direction of the water surface (R). In step S40, the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the image provided from the imaging device 10 is adjusted to compare the angle of change between the initially detected floating object and the re-detected floating object, and if it is within a predetermined range, the normal floating object (FM) is detected. If it is outside the predetermined range, it can be classified as abnormal suspended matter (NFM).

That is, floating objects that correspond to the volume (size) of the floating objects set by the user and move within a predetermined angle from the transfer direction are classified as the normal floating objects group, and other floating objects are classified as the abnormal floating objects group.

In addition, by receiving information about the normal floating object (FM) in step S40, the flow speed of the water surface (R) according to the moving distance of the floating object can be calculated (S50). Since the calculation method for this has been described above, the detailed calculation method will be omitted here.

Meanwhile, the water level can be measured by removing suspended matter (FM) from the image collected by the imaging device 10. In the method of measuring the water level in the pipe of the present invention, after step S40, information about the wall surface (W) and water surface (R) detected by the imaging device 10 is provided, and floating matter (FM) can be removed (S130). .

In the image removed in this way, there is only the wall and the water, so it can appear more clearly, and the wall (W) and the water (R) can be classified into complementary colors (S140). Complementary color contrast makes it possible to clearly distinguish between the wall and the water (R) by making each color appear more intense and vivid due to the influence of each other when looking at complementary colors.

In addition, the water level of the water surface (R) is displayed (S150) by applying a complementary color to the boundary line (BR) at the point where complementary colors meet, allowing the water level to be clearly distinguished.

Accordingly, according to the device for measuring the flow rate and water level in the pipeline of the present invention and the measurement method using the same, it is possible to measure the flow rate and water level in a non-contact manner, improving safety from contamination of the measuring equipment or loss due to flooding, etc., and imaging devices and control devices. In addition, there is no need for a separate device, which reduces costs and makes it easier to maintain the equipment. It also eliminates problems that may occur due to various factors such as light reflection, bursting of air bubbles, and temporary settling of floating objects, making it possible to measure accuracy in flow rate measurement. This may have an improved effect.

In addition, there is no need to recognize separate pictures or notations to measure the water level, and by applying color clustering to the water surface on the wall and in the pipe, accurate water level measurement and prediction is possible with less influence of attachments or floating objects, and the actual water level in the image is possible. By applying the polynomial regression method that converts to water level, it can be applied to various types of pipes.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and of course may include a combination of two or more embodiments or a combination of at least one embodiment and known techniques as a new embodiment.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art will be able to use the basic concept (technical idea) of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Various modifications and improvements are possible and will be said to fall within the scope of rights of the present invention, and the specific scope of protection of the present invention will be made clear by the appended claims.

10: Imaging device
20: Control device

Claims (7)

An imaging device that detects floating objects drifting on the water surface and the direction of movement of the water surface; and
It includes a flow rate measuring means for calculating the flow speed of the water surface according to the moving distance of the floating object from the floating object by comparing the floating object information provided by the imaging device with the moving direction information of the water surface,
The flow velocity measuring means is,
A pre-processing unit that adjusts the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the image provided from the imaging device, and an image adjusted for each frame from the pre-processing unit, and the direction of the floating object is determined based on the moving direction of the water in the provided image. If it moves within a preset angle range, it is classified as a normal floater group. If it moves outside the preset angle range, it is classified as an abnormal floater group. When classifying normal and abnormal floaters, floaters that do not have a preset volume or shape are excluded as noise. It includes a control device provided with a calculation unit and a post-processing unit that calculates the flow rate of the water surface moving using normal floating objects classified by the calculation unit,
Information on the wall and water surface detected by the imaging device is provided, normal floating matter and abnormal floating matter are removed, the wall surface and the water surface are provided with complementary contrasting colors, and a point where the complementary contrasting colors meet each other. A water level measurement device that detects the water level of the water surface and displays the water level as a boundary line, classifying the color of the boundary line into a color that contrasts with the color used on the wall and the water surface.
delete According to paragraph 1,
The post-processing unit,
A flow rate and water level measuring device in a pipeline that calculates the flow rate by comparing the distance between the imaging device and the water surface and the number of pixels to which the normal floating object moves in the frame adjusted by the preprocessor.
delete Setting a floating area drifting on the water surface (S10);
Measuring the transport direction of the water surface and detecting floating objects using an imaging device (S20);
Comparing the transfer direction of the water surface with the transfer direction of the floating object by receiving information from the imaging device (S30); and
Classifying normal and abnormal floating objects from the transport direction of the water surface (S40); and
It includes a step (S50) of receiving information about normal floating objects in step S40 and calculating the flow rate of the water surface according to the moving distance of the floating objects,
In step S40,
Adjusts the FPS (Frame Per Second) of the image provided from the imaging device, compares the angle of change between the first detected floating object and the re-detected floating object through the image adjusted for each frame, and compares the floating object based on the moving direction of the water surface. If the direction moves within the preset angle range, it is classified as a normal float group. If it is outside the preset angle range, it is classified as an abnormal float group. When classifying normal and abnormal floaters, noise is used to indicate that the float is not of the preset volume or shape. excluded,
After step S40,
Receiving information on the wall and water surface detected by the imaging device and removing the normal floating matter and the abnormal floating matter (S130);
Classifying the wall surface and the water surface into complementary and contrasting colors (S140); and
A step (S150) of detecting the point where complementary colors meet each other at the water level of the water surface and displaying the water level as a boundary line, but classifying and displaying the color of the boundary line as a color contrasting with the color used on the wall and the water surface (S150); Method of measuring flow rate and water level in pipe. delete delete

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