WO2010041917A1

WO2010041917A1 - Autonomous water supply controller

Info

Publication number: WO2010041917A1
Application number: PCT/MX2008/000134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Flavio Noriega Manzanares
Original assignee: Flavio Noriega Manzanares
Priority date: 2008-10-08
Filing date: 2008-10-08
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

An autonomous water supply controller which comprises an electronic circuit, a flowmeter which measures minimum liquid flows, a magnet and a magnetic sensor for measuring the current flow. It also comprises a hydraulic electrovalve and a turbidity sensor allowing detection of the impurity levels in the water. It also comprises an air sensor which prevents the controller from measuring when air flows therethrough. In addition there is a theft sensor which emits a locating radio signal when changes in the position of the controller are detected. Likewise there is a pressure sensor which includes a barometric pressure sensor enclosed inside a cavity in the lid of the mechanical section, said sensor, upon detecting an increase in pressure inside this cavity, sending this information to the microcontroller, which determines the pressure of the water flowing through the controller. All the parts mentioned are contained in a compact unit with dimensions similar to those of the water meters commonly available in the market, thereby reducing the costs of installing the controller in the location where the meter to be replaced is situated.

Description

AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER ACCESSION.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention belongs to the field of mechatronics, since it presents a technological application of electricity, mechanics, electronics and information technology, to solve some needs that arise when providing the home drinking water service.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are several equipment designed on the market in order to solve some specific need in relation to the provision of home drinking water service to users. As the Spanish patent No. 1050017 2001, which is designed to control water consumption by the user through the activation or deactivation of a solenoid valve that controls the water supply, the valve is controlled by a programmable circuit that receives a signal from a meter and a real time clock, the circuit is contained in a box and is fixed to the pipe by means of flanges. Mexican patent 94267 1994, which is also a consumption controlling device and has three separate parts, a meter, a solenoid valve and a box where the programmable circuit goes and whose location may vary as determined by the installer and receiving power supply from the address where it is installed. German patent DE4418396 1995, which has a solenoid valve, meter and programmable control circuit which is programmed to detect leaks or excessive water consumption by means of the programming of determined times for cutting in case of exceeding those times.

With the devices that are currently on the market it is necessary to add a new device to the household outlet every time you want to add a new service or replace the device that is working with another that performs another function, in addition to being limited to the operator of the service and to the user when delivering only some reading of a data or a service. With the device of the present invention, the aforementioned drawbacks are eliminated, because it is easy to program it to perform multiple tasks at the same time and functions can be added or removed according to the needs of the operator or the user of the service , being only personnel authorized by the operating agency who can make these changes.

The tasks carried out simultaneously by the AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER FOOD are: water consumption measurement; volumetric control of consumption, delivering a certain amount of water according to the need to be covered; detection of air in the supply to suppress the measurement when only air flows instead of water; measurement of water turbidity, which can be of great help to establish the quality of the liquid that is delivered to the user; detection of theft of the equipment, when the equipment is removed by unauthorized personnel from the place where it is installed, it emits a radial signal that allows its location before being destroyed; measurement of the pressure at which the service is given, which is of great help to the operating agency to balance the pressures of the hydrometric sectors and provide better service; short for non-payment of the service; shows the cost of consumption; shows the time of the cut; The reading and control of the equipment can be done remotely; leak detection, so that the user can correct these leaks and reduce water consumption; control of supply time, with which it can be programmed so that the liquid is delivered to the user for pre-established periods of time; It also has connectors and space inside the device to add functions that require new components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The characteristic details of this novel AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER COMMODITY are clearly shown in the following description and in the accompanying drawing. Brief description of the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the drinking water intake that is usually used in homes. In this, the location in which the AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER COMMODITY da) is connected is displayed.

Figure 2 is an explosion of parts of the AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER ACCESSION.

The present invention relates to an AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER ACCESSION which is composed of a shell (1) where all the controller components are housed, is preferably made of a material resistant to pressures, impacts and weathering, said shell has Cylindrical container shape with a cavity in its upper part threaded in the outer part thereof, in addition to two short tubes one for the inlet and the other for the water outlet with threaded terminals at its ends, located in the middle side parts of the cylindrical container and at opposite ends with respect to each other. The components of the equipment that are housed in the shell (1) are located in two sections a mechanic located at the bottom and an electronics located on the mechanics.

The mechanical part comprises the base of the electrohydraulic valve (2), which is a cylindrical vessel that has a horizontal orifice (2A) on the side that is towards the water inlet, through which the flow of water going to serve to control the opening and closing of the main flow and another vertical perforation on the opposite side (2B) through which this water flow exits, on the upper part it has a cavity (2C) that is covered by the diaphragm of the electrohydraulic valve (3), on this is the intake (4) consisting of a ring in its lower part that presses the diaphragm against the base of the electrohydraulic valve and on this ring are placed segments in the form of cubes that give sufficient separation so that the main flow water flows between them, on one side of the intake (4) there is a vertical perforation (4A) that gives continuity to the water that comes from the perforation (2B); on the admission (4) we have the valve seat electrohydraulics (5) with four perforations (5B) through which the water flows from the main flow upwards, the valve (5) has the shape of a truncated cone inverted in its lower and flat part in its upper part and in one of its sides has a vertical perforation (5C) that gives continuity to the water that comes from the perforation (4A), also has a perforation in its central part (5A) where the turbine shaft (7) enters which has at least seven rectangular shaped blades and a magnet (8) mounted on the upper central part of the turbine (7); above the seat of the electro-hydraulic valve (5) and surrounding the turbine (7) we have the chamber (6), which is a ring with four grooves (6A) from its middle part upwards, so that the water that enters below Exit through them and a vertical perforation (6B) that receives the water that comes from the perforation (5C) to give continuity to the flow of water that serves to control the opening and closing of the main flow; on this chamber is the cover of the mechanical section (9) that separates the mechanical and electronic sections.

The cover (9) has a hole in the center (9A) so that between the axis of the turbine (7) of the mechanical section, it is also used to accommodate the motion sensors (10) of the turbine (7) , air sensor (11) which is formed by two copper terminals between which water flows from the main flow; turbidity sensor (12), composed of a light emitting diode and a photodiode between which water flows from the main flow; and a pressure sensor (13), which consists of a barometric sensor placed in a cavity in the same cover of the mechanical section so that said cavity is sealed tightly by the upper part, the lower part of this cavity being formed by a thin wall, in contact with the water of the main flow; it also houses the control valve (14) of the electrohydraulic valve (3), and serves as a support for the motor (15) of the electrohydraulic valve (3), the batteries (16), the solar cell (17), to the display (18) and to the electronic control circuit (19) to which all the sensors are connected and which controls all the equipment, where in addition to all the electronic components necessary for its function, the theft sensor (20) is also housed , which is placed in a rigorously horizontal position and is formed by a small tube of dielectric material that has two contacts at each end and a ball inside; The wireless interface (21) and the position sensor (22) of the control valve (14), all these components of this section are protected by the transparent cover (23), which allows the light to enter and provides airtightness to the assembly, on it is the lid (24) and finally all these components are attached to the shell (1) with the threaded ring (25) of plastic or metallic material that gives firmness to the whole assembly.

The AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER ACCESSION, works as follows:

The threaded inlet tube of the shell (1) is connected to the connection of the distribution network where water enters the device and goes to the intake (4), then enters the chamber (6) where a turbine (7) which rotates when the water affects its blades, on the axis of this turbine is a magnet (8) which, when turning the blades, passes in front of the motion sensor (10) of the turbine, housed in the cover of the mechanical section (9), said sensor sends a pulse to the control circuit (19) each time the magnet passes in front of it; The circuit counts these pulses and with them calculates the amount in liters of water consumed by the user and according to its internal program sends a pulse to the motor (15) of the electrohydraulic valve, which opens the control valve of the electrohydraulic valve (14), stopping when the position sensor (22) detects that it is completely open, so that the water from the horizontal hole (2A) is allowed to start filling the cavity (2C) of the base of the electrohydraulic valve at the same time that the diaphragm (3) ascends until it makes contact with the seat (15) of the electro-hydraulic valve, thereby cutting off the water flow to the user; You can also make a decision to open the electrohydraulic valve using the real-time clock housed in the electronic circuit or some other device as ordered by the program housed in the microcontroller that is part of the electronic circuit, with which a pulse of the Ia is sent same characteristics to the motor of the electrohydraulic valve, the core of the control valve moves and allows the water accumulated in the lower cavity of the base of the electrohydraulic valve to be dislodged to through the vertical holes (2B, 4A, 5C and 6B) ₁ which are aligned to bring the water from the cavity of the base of the electrohydraulic valve, to the control valve (14), thereby lowering the diaphragm and allowing the water flow to the user; It can also make other decisions such as that of transmitting an alarm signal or cutting off the flow if the turbidity sensor (12) detects levels that according to the program warrant; if the air sensor (11) detects its presence instead of water, it can suspend the measurement until as long as no water is detected in the flow; when the theft sensor (20) detects that the device has changed position, the microcontroller sends a radio frequency signal that allows the device to be located; To perform all these functions, the device has its own power source consisting of a rechargeable battery (16), a solar panel (17) that generates the electricity necessary to charge the battery by means of a charge controller housed in the electronic circuit; In order to know the amount of liquid that the user has consumed and other parameters that the microcontroller can provide us according to the instructions available, the device has a display (18) which remains off to save energy and only turns on when we lift Ia cover (24) and we activate the display on; or through the wireless interface (21) which also serves to introduce information and instructions for the operation of the equipment, all this is inside a shell (1), and delivers the water to the user when connecting the internal network of the domicile at the threaded outlet at the end of the shell. The AUTONOMOUS CONTROLLER FOR WATER ACCOMMODATION also has a pressure sensor (13), which informs the microcontroller of the pressure of the water that is flowing through it. To cover and protect the electronic and electrical components, the equipment has a transparent cover (23), which is attached to the body of the AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER with a threaded ring (25) that seals the equipment and gives it firmness to the whole set.

Claims

CLAIMS Having made a complete and sufficient description of my invention and all its parts I claim as my exclusive property as follows:

1.- AN AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER characterized in that it includes an electronic circuit with microcontroller, display, wireless RF and / or infrared interface and connectors to add functions; a flow meter with a blade design on its turbine that maximizes its sensitivity to achieve minimum liquid flows; and a magnet in the central upper part of this turbine, a magnetic sensor that captures the movement of the magnet with which the movement of the blades is completely free and does not represent an obstacle to the flow of the current being measured. It also includes an electro-hydraulic valve that is composed of a motor with a speed reducer, control valve, control water flow conduit, control water flow discharge conduit, and hydraulic valve that allow the cutting and replacement of the flow of the liquid with a minimum energy expenditure since it takes advantage of the same water pressure to perform its work; Power source consisting of rechargeable battery, solar panel and charge regulator that give the device a total autonomy since it does not require an external power supply. In the same way it comprises a turbidity sensor formed by a light emitting diode and a photodiode placed in front of each other and between which the water of the main flow passes and allows us to know the degree of impurities it contains. Likewise it comprises an air sensor with two copper terminals, separated at a sufficient distance from each other in such a way that between them a part of the water that forms the main water flow passes, placed in the lower part of the lid of the mechanical section whose function is to prevent the device from measuring when air flows through it instead of water. In addition to a theft sensor consisting of a pipe of dielectric material that has two electrical terminals at each of its ends and a pellet inside which, upon detecting changes in the position of the autonomous controller for the purpose of water, sends this information to the microcontroller which emits a radio signal that allows its location in case of theft. Also a pressure sensor that It includes a barometric pressure sensor placed in such a way that it seals a cavity of the lid of the mechanical section, which when detecting an increase in pressure in this cavity transmits this information to the microcontroller, which determines the pressure of the water flowing through the controller. All the parts mentioned in this clause are contained in a compact unit of similar dimensions to those of the most common water consumption meters in the market, which facilitates its installation and eliminates or minimizes changes in the installation where Find the meter you want to replace.

2.- AN AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER as claimed in clause 1, which is characterized in that the electrohydraulic valve deflects a part of the water that enters the autonomous controller for the assignment of water to the base of the electrohydraulic valve by its horizontal perforation passing through the cavity of the base and leaving through the vertical perforation of the same base, from where it passes through the vertical perforations of the intake, the seat and the chamber, until arriving at the control valve Ia which when driven by the motor that rotates its axis and obstructs the passage of water accumulating it in the cavity of the base making pressure to raise the diaphragm which when rising makes contact with the seat of the electrohydraulic valve obstructing the flow of water flow principal; when the electrohydraulic valve receives the order to open, its motor moves the axis of the control valve allowing the water that had accumulated in the cavity of the base of the hydraulic valve to flow until it reaches the turbine chamber with which the diaphragm falls allowing the flow of water again; This arrangement of elements allows the electrohydraulic valve to open or close the flow through it with a minimum energy expenditure, since the water pressure was used to perform most of the work.

3.- AN AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the turbidity sensor it has is formed by a light emitting diode and a photodiode placed opposite each other and between which water flows from the main stream, when the water is clear, the amount of light that reaches the photodiode is greater than the amount that comes when it is cloudy, and decreases with the increase in turbidity, this information being sent to the microcontroller, which will perform the activities that in the instructions The program has been ordered, such as sending a radio frequency alert signal, turning on a warning alarm and / or cutting off the supply.

4.- AN AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the air sensor it has, comprises two copper terminals placed parallel to each other, placed perpendicular to the water flow , located in the lower part of the cover of the mechanical section; When the water flows through the autonomous controlled for the purpose of water, a small electrical flow is formed between both terminals, which is interpreted by the microcontroller as the presence of water, and the movement of the blades is counted as water flow, when This current between the terminals ceases, the microcontroller interprets it as air since it does not conduct electricity, therefore the movement of the blades is not counted, thus preventing the user from charging air instead of water.

5.- An AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the theft sensor it possesses is a small tube with a metal ball inside and two contacts at each end. , when the meter is moved from its position in which it was installed, the ball slides towards one of the ends of the tube, shortening the contacts emitting a signal to the microcontroller which will emit a radio frequency signal that will inform that the controller has It has been moved from its original position and will allow the location of the equipment.

6.- An AUTONOMOUS WATER CONTROLLER CONTROLLER as claimed in clause 1, which is characterized in that the pressure sensor it possesses, is formed by a conventional barometric sensor positioned in such a way that it seals a cavity formed in the lid. of the mechanical section through its upper part, the lower part of which remains cavity formed by a thin wall, in contact with the water of the main flow, when the water presses this thin wall, it deforms, thereby increasing the pressure of the air contained within the cavity, this pressure being measured by the barometric sensor which is transmitted to the microcontroller.