RU2247396C1 - Arrangement for measuring flow rates and power consumption - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: public service measuring engineering.

SUBSTANCE: system has central concentrator connected with the intermediate concentrator. The electricity meters are connected through the concentrators. Each of the meters has current pickup, voltage pickup, pickups of flow rate of hot water, cold water, and gas as well as control unit and indication unit.

EFFECT: simplified servicing of the arrangement.

1 cl, 4 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of measuring equipment and is used to account for various types of utilities in commercial metering systems for gas, hot and cold water, electricity. The invention may find application in utilities for household consumers, in industry, in enterprises and organizations.

The problem of careful energy consumption is becoming increasingly acute due to the depletion of natural sources of raw materials, the cost of production, processing and transportation, changes in consumption standards, which imposes stringent requirements on the operational characteristics of metering devices. The invention is aimed at controlling the consumption of water, gas, electricity, but can be used for other systems and is aimed at a fully automated survey of multiple meters, excluding errors inherent in such cases to humans. The invention will allow for consistent remote monitoring of the readings of sensors of various types using a portable processor or a conventional personal computer, as well as providing an indication of non-payment or underpayment for the consumed services.

A device for accounting utility services at a variable rate according to the patent of the Russian Federation 2134865 (Lachkov V.A. et al.), Published on 08/20/1999. The invention relates to the field of measuring and computer engineering and is used to account for various types of utilities. The technical result from the use of the invention is to expand the functionality by providing reconfiguration depending on the type of services and regions, as well as to simplify the implementation of the device. The device contains channels consisting of a pulse converter, a conversion device and a counter, as well as a parameter determination unit, a non-volatile memory unit and a display. However, this device does not provide an indication of non-payment of tariffs or a decrease in consumer consumption, it is difficult to operate and cannot fully work in automatic mode.

Known autonomous system for reading and writing data for control systems for the consumption of water, gas, electricity, with high speed. The system comprises flowmeters, storage units, a means for reading and transmitting data, and a central computer. Each storage unit is made in the form of a pulse drive with an independent power source and its own identification code (RF patent 2100846).

A counting device for energy consumption metering devices is known, comprising a data acquisition device, an electronic device for converting the speed of the sensitive element to the amount of matter passed through the meter, and a transmission coefficient optimization unit depending on the current consumption, an indication device (RF patent 2131115 C1). The meter is highly sensitive to low consumption and low power consumption.

The closest analogue to the claimed invention is the invention according to the patent of the Russian Federation 2141626 for a system for monitoring housing and communal information and services. The technical result achieved by the closest analogue is to increase the amount of information for analyzing the state of housing and communal services systems. The system contains gas flow sensors, electricity meters, water and heat flow sensors installed in apartments of residential buildings, microcontrollers, configured to store consumer data and determine the consumption of the corresponding service, equipped with autonomous power supplies for the duration of a power outage.

However, the known system, for all its merits, is too complex and expensive to be really put into operation in the public utilities sector in the current economic situation. This system cannot work in an automated mode, it requires the presence of a dispatcher, does not provide information about non-payment for utilities, and does not provide for the possibility of disconnecting or reducing the energy supply to the consumer from the appropriate source. The known system uses a number of sensors and meters installed at one consumer and for each type of energy consumed.

The problem solved by the claimed invention is to simplify the operation, reduce the cost, ensure the work in automatic mode, the possibility of preventing non-payment for consumed utilities.

The technical result achieved by using the claimed invention is to simplify and reduce the cost of operation while expanding the number of controlled users, as well as the ability to account for all consumed types of energy resources with one device - energy meter.

The technical result is achieved due to the fact that the utility accounting system includes energy meters installed in places of consumption and a device for processing information and control received from them, which includes central and intermediate hubs, while the central hub is configured to directly connect intermediate hubs or communicate with by them through communication channels, and intermediate concentrators through four channels are connected to the block of interrogation of energy meters.

The technical result is achieved, in addition, due to the fact that the energy meter includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor connected to the inputs of the power converter to the frequency, the output of which and the sensor unit are connected to the first and second inputs of the control unit, to the third and fourth inputs - the outputs of which through the galvanic isolation blocks are connected, respectively, the addresser and the sensor polling unit, to the inputs of which the outputs of the sensors for metering the consumption of cold water, hot water and gas are connected, The first output of the control unit is connected to the controller connected to the liquid crystal display, the second output of the control unit is connected to the transmitting device through the galvanic isolation unit, and the third to the non-payment indicator.

The technical result is enhanced due to the fact that the sensor interrogation unit is equipped with an emergency power device that is connected when the power supply fails.

The following example of a specific implementation of the accounting system allows you to explain in more detail the resulting technical result.

The invention and the possibility of achieving a technical result is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of an energy meter included in the "Resource" system, Fig. 2 is an electrical diagram of a connection of meter blocks, Fig. 3 is an electrical diagram of an addressing block , Fig.4 is an electrical diagram of the Resource system.

The Resource utility metering system includes energy meters, which include a sensor polling unit 1, to the inputs of which the outputs of hot and cold water flow sensors, as well as a gas flow rate are connected, through a galvanic isolation unit 7, the polling unit 1 is connected to the inputs and outputs 9 control unit 8. The voltage sensors 10 and current 11 are connected to a power conversion unit for frequency 12, the output of which is connected to the first input 13 of the control unit 8. The output of the sensor unit 15 is connected to the second input 14 of the control unit 8. Through the fourth group of inputs - outputs 16 of the control unit 8 and the galvanic isolation unit 17 with the control unit 8 is connected to the addressing unit 18. The first output 19 of the control unit 8 is connected to the controller 20, which in turn is connected to the liquid crystal indicator 21. The second output 22 of the control unit 8 through the galvanic time block binding 23 is connected to the transmitting device 24. The third output 25 of block 8 is associated with a failure indicator 26.

The voltage sensors 10 and current 11 are designed to match the levels of the input signals with the circuit of the converter 12 (in figure 2 K1 ... K4, K9, K12 - are included in the voltage sensor; current transformer T and R5, R10, R11 of the figure - in the current sensor );

a power to frequency converter 12 (D2) is intended for multiplying the input current and voltage values and converting the received power value to the pulse frequency;

counter control unit 8 (D4) carries out general counter control: calculates and stores the value of the consumed electric energy for each tariff, displays all the required messages for display, interrogates the sensor unit 15, displays the readings of the consumed energy resources on the display, and exchanges data with the sensor interrogation unit 1 and the addressing unit 18, recognizes commands (tariff change, non-payment, issue data) from the Resource system; the control unit is made on the basis of a microprocessor (see Electronics, M., Soviet Encyclopedia, 1991, pp. 301-303);

- LCD controller 20 (D3) provides regeneration of the image on the indicator 21, is a PIC controller from Microchip;

- display unit 21 (HL2) displays the indications of electricity consumption and the label of the displayed tariff, as well as service information (see Electronics, p.136-137);

isolation is necessary for the implementation of electrical safety requirements 7, 17, 23 (VT2, VT3, VT401, VT402);

- the transmitting device 24 is necessary for checking the counters (VT1);

- the sensor unit 15 allows you to view the readings of all tariffs and display service information about the status of the meter (button S);

- addressing unit 18 (TA) is necessary for combining the meters into a system;

- non-payment indicator 26 (HL1) displays information on non-payment of the established tariff;

- sensor interrogation unit 1 is necessary for counting impulses from conversion sensors to obtain a unit of measure (cubic meter for water and gas) storing the results and transferring the latter to the control unit.

The sensor circuit operates as follows. The input current and voltage values are supplied through current sensors 11 and voltage 12 to a power to frequency converter 12, respectively, the output pulses of which are recorded by the counter control unit 8 and issued to the transmitting device 24; at the same time, pulses are converted to obtain units of electrical energy. The accumulated amount of consumed electrical energy is stored in non-volatile memory, in the cells allocated for the current tariff, and is simultaneously displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal indicator 21. By acting on the sensor unit 15, you can view the readings of any tariff or energy consumed.

Tariffs are switched according to the Resource system commands. The addressing unit 18 of the counter monitors the status of the buses of the Resource system and issues a command. Commands in the system are addressed (for a specific counter) and general (for all). The tariff switching command is common to all, and upon receipt of this command, all counters must set for themselves the tariff transmitted through the system. When a command about data collection arrives, all addressing units of 15 counters request from their control units 8 counters the requested data and switch to waiting for their address on the buses of the Resource system, when it appears, the addressing unit of the counter issues data to the system. Only those counters whose address is indicated by the system will accept commands to set or clear non-payment. The sensor polling unit 1 counts the pulses for each input and, when you select the required number to obtain the unit of measurement (cubic meter), stores the obtained value in non-volatile memory and transfers this value to the control unit 8. In addition, data is transmitted from the sensor polling unit 1 minute and when applying power to the meter. In the event of a power failure, the sensor interrogation unit continues to operate from an autonomous power supply 27.

The RESURS 28 utility metering system consists of a central concentrator 29 (KC) - a remote unit that provides the connection of intermediate concentrators 30 (KP), which connect individual consumers, electric energy meters 34 and water meters 31, 33 and gas 32.

The central hub 29 is designed to collect data from intermediate hubs 30 and transmit data to the dispatcher; for this, it has two channels: RS485 is used for polling up to 90 transmission units with a total communication line length of E1 ... E90 up to 1.5 km (other channels are also possible communications for which CC modification with RS232 is provided); RS232 is provided for communication with the dispatcher.

Intermediate concentrators 30 are designed to interrogate up to 128 electric energy meters 34 ESO and ECT of various modifications, both electric and combined, to which cold 31 and hot water sensors 33 are connected. Intermediate concentrator 30 has 4 channels for interrogating meters with line lengths up to 100 m each, for which you can interrogate up to 32 counters. The total address space of the KP is up to 128 counters.

The meters used in the system have their addresses and transmit complete readings with transmission control, so continuous polling is not required. Readings take place once a day automatically or at the command of a dispatcher at any time. Combined meters interrogate sensors with line lengths of up to 15 m, perform 100 counting to form a cubic meter (100 impulse sensors use 1 cubic meter, this number can be changed at the request of the customer during the manufacture of meters) and the readings in cubic meters can be interrogated by the system. Sensor interrogation unit 1 has emergency power supply - unit 27, therefore, when power is lost, pulse counting continues. The counters of modifications 3.120 have 2 entrances to the registrars of cold (X8 and X9) and hot (X10 and X11) water, and the readings are summed up for each pair of inputs. Two entrances are necessary in those apartments where there are two risers (in the kitchen and in the bathroom).

The location and number of hubs 29, 30 depends on the size and location of the houses.

The typical configuration is as follows: a terminal block is placed on each floor, to which 4 apartments are connected, terminal blocks are combined and connected to KP 30, which is installed one on the entrance (several in high-rise buildings). Then KP 30 between the entrances or houses are combined via the RS485 channel and connected to KTs 29, which is installed at the substation or in one of the houses. Poll KTs 29 can be a direct connection or through one of the communication channels: modem, GSM radio modem.

To ensure the operation of the Resource system, it is necessary to carry out preliminary work, for which it is necessary to program the concentrators, both central and intermediate. In the central concentrator 29, it is necessary to set the current time and the polling time of the intermediate concentrators 30. In the intermediate concentrator 30, it is necessary to set the current time, the polling time of the meters, setting tariffs (1 ... 4) for 48 tariff zones and the mask for the availability of meters in the address space of the concentrators. In addition, in the dispatch program, a table of correspondence of the postal addresses of subscribers and the addresses of counters in the address space of the system should be set.

The diagram shows the maximum address space configuration for one central hub 29. In a real system there can be up to 99 central hubs, and less than 90 intermediate hubs are connected to each central hub and less than 128 counters are connected to each intermediate hub, i.e. of necessity.

The system starts with a survey of meters at a certain time set in the intermediate hubs 30, for which each line E101 ... E104 (this applies to KP1) receives high-level signals ZPR, SDV and DAN to receive power for addressing units 18 meters, and after enough time to start the addressing units 18, the ZPR bus is lowered and the required command is issued along the DAN bus accompanied by SDV signals, after which the ZPR bus is turned high. The counters must prepare the data requested from them within 0.3 seconds, after which the intermediate hub alternately issues the counter addresses, at a low ZPR signal level, via the DAN bus accompanied by the SDV signal and takes data from the counters via the DAN bus accompanied by SDV signals, but at a high level of the ZPR signal (the repetition period of the SDV pulses is approximately 1 ms). The received data from the counters are recorded in RAM and, after checking for correct reception, are transferred to non-volatile memory. This procedure is performed for all types of energy resources, and after polling the entire used address space, the intermediate concentrator 30 switches all polling lines to a low level. If any counter does not respond to the request, then for it the polling procedure is repeated 3 times and in case of failure, a malfunction is set for this counter.

Every half hour, the intermediate concentrator transmits to the meters the tariff set for a new half hour (for all meters), non-payment information to each subscriber and, if there are meters in the system with shutdown devices, shutdown signals.

At a certain time specified in the central hub 29, the latter polls the intermediate hubs 30 and, with reliable reception, writes data to non-volatile memory. Data is ready for transmission to the dispatcher. According to the dispatcher’s commands received via communication lines to the KP1 XP1 connector, the required information on energy consumption in one direction is collected and commands on non-payment, disconnection of subscribers and information on the new tariff switching table in the other direction are transmitted.

The claimed invention has undoubted advantages over the prior art solutions, which are as follows:

1. The process of interrogation of meters occurs automatically once a day and does not require constant monitoring of readings, as well as the participation of the duty operator;

2. Meters are interfaced with the utility accounting system and allow you to receive information about all types of energy resources consumed.

Claims (2)

1. A utility accounting system, including energy meters installed in places of consumption and a device for processing information and control received from them, while the processing and control device includes central and intermediate hubs, the central hub is capable of directly connecting intermediate hubs or communicating with them via communication channels, and each intermediate hub through four channels is connected to the blocks of the interrogation of energy meters, differing in those that the energy meter includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor, flow sensors for hot water, cold water and gas, and a control unit, while the current and voltage sensors are connected to the inputs of the power converter to the frequency, the output of which and the output of the unit for viewing tariffs and service information about the status of the counter is connected respectively to the first and second inputs of the control unit, to the third and fourth inputs and outputs of which, through the galvanic isolation blocks, the addressing unit and the block are connected, respectively polling sensors, the inputs of which are connected to the outputs of flow sensors for cold water, hot water and gas, while the first output of the control unit is connected to the controller connected to the liquid crystal display, the second output of the control unit is connected through the galvanic isolation unit to the transmitting device, and its third exit - with an indicator of non-payment. 2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor interrogation unit is equipped with an emergency power supply device configured to connect to a utility metering system in the event of a power outage.

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