SI23622A - Device and method for measuring, capturing and transfering data from difficult accessible measuring points - Google Patents

Abstract

Device and method for measuring, capturing and transferring data from monitoring boreholes and underwater monitoring points, where the point is that the measuring module (1), which is located at the place of measurement, includes subassemblies for the measurement and capturing of physical or chemical quantities, for data processing and the transmission of such data processed. The transmission performed via an antenna (2) in the form of electromagnetic waves. On land or water surface, after the invention, is located only the antenna (2), which is connected with the measuring module (1) by single wire coaxial cable (5).

Description

A device and process for measuring, capturing and transferring data from hard-to-reach measurement points

The invention relates to the transfer of data on measured physical and chemical quantities from poorly accessible measurement sites.

In geology, geodesy, hydrology and construction, there is often a need to measure the temperature, pressure, pressure and displacement of rocks or structural elements, levels, electrical conductivity, pH or the content of certain elements or compounds in water. Measuring sites are usually located in difficult-to-reach locations such as shafts, wells, deep water systems and the like. At the measuring point there is a sensor for measuring physical or chemical quantity, after which the data on the measured quantity should be transferred to the place where the user can read it. In any case, it is necessary to transport the signal from the measuring point to the earth's surface, which is usually done with a wire connection.

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The object of the invention is to propose an efficient, reliable and energy-efficient device for transmitting data from the measuring point to the reading point.

In some known solutions, only a measuring sensor and possibly a signal amplifier are installed in the measuring well. In the embodiment, an analog-to-digital converter is installed inside the well. The data collector is located outside the borehole cover. This solution provides a wire connection between the sensor located at the measuring point in the well to the cover on the ground. There is a watertight connector on the cover to which a cable from the measuring sensor is connected. When reading the measurement data, a readout device or data collector is connected to the connector on the hole cover. The disadvantage of this solution is the use of a connector, which is a time-unstable and therefore unreliable element due to its corrosion, oxidation and mechanical contact properties. In addition, the reading process is time-consuming, since it involves the physical access of the operator to the hole of the measuring point and the connection of the reading equipment to the said connector, which further implies that on-line monitoring of limit quantities is not possible.

A solution is also known where the measuring module located at the measuring point in the borehole comprises a sensor, a data collector, a battery and a communication unit and is connected via a communication cable to the transmitter on the borehole cover on the ground surface. The transmitter emits signals in the radio frequency range that are received by the user operator with the receiver unit. In this case, the operator does not need access to the measuring well and can read and transmit data from a suitable distance, or, at higher density of measuring points, a central receiver can be installed on the surface of the earth to receive data signals from several measuring points. Such a central receiver may forward the stored data over a wired or wireless connection to the public or private communications network. The measuring module and the transmitter exchange information and it is therefore necessary that both have communication units and batteries. This is a disadvantage of the solution, because the communication between the two units makes the operation time of both units longer and therefore the energy consumption higher, which in turn means a shorter period of autonomous operation. In addition, this design is more expensive as it requires a dual battery, drivers, power supply and more expensive multi-core cable between the units.

The invention is classified by GO 1V11 / 00B according to international classifications.

The invention solves the technical problem of an inexpensive, reliable and energy-efficient device for transmitting data from underground wells or underwater measuring sites, to a user-accessible collection point on the surface of the earth or at water surface.

Said technical problem is solved by the proposed device and process for wireless data transmission, which is defined in the labeling part of claims 1 and 9.

The essence of the invention is that the entire electronic circuit, which also includes the functionality of data acquisition, storage and transmission, is installed in the measuring module located at the measurement site.

The invention will now be described in detail with the help of pictures showing:

Figure 1: Schematic illustration of the installation of the measuring device according to the invention

Figure 2: Schematic representation of the measurement module

The proposed device for measuring, capturing and transmitting measurement data from underground wells or underwater measuring sites according to the invention consists of a measuring module 1 and an antenna 2 such that the measuring module 1 is located at the measuring location in the well 3 and contains a sensor 11, a battery 12, a power supply 13, processor 14, recorder / data storage 15, and transmitter / receiver 16. The measuring module 1 is enclosed in a watertight and airtight housing from which the cable 5. The outside of the cover 4 of the well 3 is located only an antenna 2 which has a single-core coaxial cable. 5 connected to the measurement module 1 in the well 3.

In a particular embodiment, the cover 4 is made of electrically non-conductive and non-ferromagnetic material, preferably a polymeric material, and the antenna 2 is embedded or embedded in the cover housing 4. The advantage of such a solution is that the antenna 2 is mechanically protected from environmental influences while the cover housing material 4 does not interfere with the passage of electromagnetic waves to and from antenna 2. The connection between the transmitter 16, which is an integral part of the measuring module 1, and the antenna 2, is made according to the invention via a single-core coaxial cable 5.

In a particular embodiment, the cable 5 consists of a plain, single-core, non-load-bearing coaxial cable and a carrier braid.

In another embodiment, it is possible to install the measurement module 1 below the water surface at water intakes, lakes, watercourses, wetlands and the like. In this case, antenna 2 is mounted on a floating object, which may be a buoy, a pontoon platform, a water craft or the like, by transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves in the air. The great advantage of the solution according to the invention in this embodiment is the possibility of producing a system with a high degree of IP protection, at a lower cost of production and lower operating costs, than in the previous solutions.

The solution according to the invention therefore does not have any connectors that are otherwise subject to the effects of dirt and corrosion, which has a long-lasting effect on the stability and quality of electrical contact and, consequently, the operation of the system.

The method of measuring and transmitting data according to the invention provides for the measurement of a physical or chemical quantity in a measuring well 3 or at an underwater measuring location by means of a sensor 11, which converts the measured quantity into an electrical signal. Processor 14 then performs analog digital signal conversion and data processing, which includes filtering, sampling, mathematical operations, averaging, correlations and similar processes. The data is then stored in a logger / data store 15 (English: logger) and is available for download and reading on request or at predetermined intervals. The data transmission is effected by the processor 14 preparing the required data and transmitting it to the transmitter / receiver 16, in which the data is modulated and the modulated signal amplified and sent via cable 5 to the antenna 2, which transmits electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency or any other relevant band.

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The receiver of this wave is located with the operator in the mobile unit, or at a fixed location from which it receives signals from several nearby measuring points.

The apparatus of the invention 1 also acts as a receiver of commands for the dynamics of data transmission. The process is carried out by sending a request in the form of a modulated electromagnetic wave, which is received by the device according to the invention 1 with the antenna 2. The signal is then transmitted via cable 5 to the transmitter / receiver 16, where the signal is received, demodulated, amplified and filtered . The signal thus prepared is then guided to one of the inputs of the processor 14, which performs an appropriate task based on the received command.

Compared to the present solutions, where the transmitter is separated from the measuring module, the solution according to the invention is cheaper due to the absence of a dual communication unit, a dual power battery, an intermediate amplifier and the need for a more expensive, multi-core communication cable between the two sets. Because there is no need for communication between the measuring and transmitter assemblies, the data transmission is also faster and the power consumption is lower, which in turn means a longer operating period of the device according to the invention.

Claims (10)

A device for measuring, capturing and transmitting measurement data from underground wells or underwater metering points, which is intended to measure, capture and transmit measurement data, characterized in that it consists of a measuring module (1) and an antenna (2) for the measuring module (1) located at the measuring point in the borehole or below the water surface, that the measuring module (1) consists of a sensor (11), a battery (12), a power supply (13), a processor (14), a recorder / data store (15), and transmitter / receiver (16). Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring module (1) is enclosed in a watertight and airtight housing. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the measuring module (1) is connected to the antenna (2) via a cable (5). Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable (5) is a carrier, single-core, coaxial cable. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable (5) consists of a carrier braid and a non-supporting, single-core, coaxial cable. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the antenna (2) is mounted on the lid (4) of the measuring well (3). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lid (4) of the measuring hole (3) is made of an electrically non-conductive and non-magnetic material, preferably a polymeric material, and that the antenna (2) is integrated into the wall of the lid (4). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the antenna (2) is mounted on a floating object, preferably a buoy, pontoon platform or water craft, and that the antenna (2) has a radiating part in the air. 9. A method for modifying, capturing and transmitting measurement data from underground wells or underwater metering points intended to measure, capture and transmit measurement data, characterized in that the physical or chemical quantity is displaced by a sensor (11) in order to move the electrical signal from the sensor (11) leads to a processor (14), where analogous digital conversion and data processing is performed in order to store the processed and prepared data in a data logger / data storage device (15) to store data from a data logger / data storage device (15) at an external request, or according to a predetermined schedule, in the processor (14) is prepared and transmitted to the transmitter / receiver (16), where the transmitting signal is amplified and amplified, which is then guided through the coaxial cable (5) to the antenna (2). A method according to claim 9, characterized in that the command for the dynamics of the transmission of the measurement data is sent in the form of an electromagnetic signal received by the antenna (2), which is further guided through the cable (5) to the transmitter / receiver (16), which perform the demodulation, filtering and amplification of the signal and thus the command thus prepared is directed to one of the inputs of the processor (14), which, on the basis of the received command, performs the intended task.