WO2012176008A1

WO2012176008A1 - Liquid flow rate meter with safety shut-off valve

Info

Publication number: WO2012176008A1
Application number: PCT/HU2012/000054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Imre MÉSZÁROS
Original assignee: Aquasec Ipari És Kereskedelmi Kft.
Priority date: 2011-06-22
Filing date: 2012-06-21
Publication date: 2012-12-27
Also published as: WO2012176008A4

Abstract

Safety liquid flow rate meter apparatus has a base body (12) and a conducting tunnel (20) in the base body (12), a measuring chamber (22) located in a section of the conducting tunnel (20), and a measuring mechanism constructed with a paddle wheel (30) that rotates in ratio with the volume of the liquid flowing through, located in it, furthermore, there is a rotation/electric signal converter which is located in a closed space separated leak proofly from the conducting tunnel (20) and which is connected to the paddle wheel (30) by means of an intermediate axle (50) connected to the wheel (30) by a magnetic clutch. There is a programmable controlling unit (80), which is located in the closed space, and to the controlling input of the controlling unit (80) the output of the rotation/electric signal converter is connected. To this controlling unit (80) a display unit (60) and/or a two-way radio module (84) is connected. The apparatus has an electrically controlled valve-mechanism practically a magnetic valve mechanism (70) located in the conducting tunnel (20) after the measuring chamber (22) regarding the flow direction, complete with a valve port and a fitting valve-disc (72), and the output of the controlling unit (80) is connected to the controlling input of the electrically controlled valve mechanism, practically the magnetic valve mechanism (70).

Description

LIQUID FLOW RATE METER WITH SAFETY SHUT - OFF VALVE

The object of the invention is a safety liquid flow rate- meter apparatus, principally a water consumption meter, which due to its construction, increases the safety of the smooth operation of the fluid network and the consumption by the limitability of the liquid flow in time. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a base body, a liquid conducting tunnel formed in the base body, a measuring chamber formed in a section of the liquid conducting tunnel, and located in it, a measuring mechanism with paddle wheel which turns in ratio with the quantity of the flowing liquid .

It is known that in unattended water consumption points of water networks, or where the water consumption is very variable or temporary, e.g. in holiday homes, a leakage, a breakage, a faulty valve or an unclosed tap can cause serious damages, in extreme cases even a whole house can be underwashed before it is noticed. The leaked water is a waste, the restoration of the damages is expensive and has the drawback that in case of a fault in the water network, in order to prevent more damages, the water supply and consumption has to be suspended until the end of the

reparations regardless of whether the fault is in the part of the network maintained by the supplier or the consumer.

It is known, furthermore that in a certain consumption point in case of water consumption limitation, the supplier limits the water consumption by disconnecting the network at the consumer and installs a reducing piece in the pipe by which the rate of water intake is decreased. It can only cause inconvenience but has no practical result since the amount of water that was earlier taken can be taken in the future as well but in a longer time. At the same time, the

installation of the reducing piece is expensive for the supplier because they have to travel to the site, the network has to be disconnected, installation has to be carried out and so on, all these cause, disturbance in the maintaining the operation of the network.

Furthermore, according to the present stage of technology, it requires a significant amount of live labour and the disruption of the operation of the network to make sure that at a certain consumption point only a predetermined amount of water can be taken.

It is also known that in case of multiple consumption points, the supplier can state the amount of water taken only afterwards by reading the consumption meter on site, which requires significant amount of live labour and costs. The supplier cannot either prevent or limit extreme

consumption that in certain cases may even endanger the safety of the network.

It is equally disadvantageous for both the supplier and the consumer that in the above described cases, the upkeep of the undisturbed operation of the network is not provided. Thus, in order to eliminate the above described disadvantages, our task was to find a solution by means of which, in the above described cases, the undisturbed

operation of the network and thus the safety of the

consumption can be provided, besides this, the .occurrence of damages can be prevented or limited, and the live labour requirements and costs can be reduced.

The ground of the invention is the consideration that the aimed task can be achieved by monitoring and keeping the capacity of the liquid network or the liquid intake of a certain consumption point between limits by installing at the consumption point a safety apparatus which continually checks the flow rate, and in case of a deviation from the normal or the pre-defined consumption rate, the amount of liquid, mostly water flowing through is limited or the flow is stopped.

By the construction of the apparatus, a further requirement were that its operation should require little, easily accessible energy, the control of its operation should not need more attention than usual, and that it should be protected from unauthorized intervention.

It was also a requirement by the constuction of the

apparatus that once it monitors the volume of the flowing liquid, at the same time it should measure it, thus act as a flow rate gauge as well or, if used in a water network, replace the water meter. So the solution to the problem according to the invention is a safety liquid flow rate meter apparatus that has a base body and a liquid conducting tunnel in the base body, furthermore, in a section of the conducting tunnel, there is a measuring chamber, and located in it, there is a measuring mechanism constructed with a paddle wheel that rotates in ratio with the volume of the liquid flowing through. The essence of the apparatus is that it has a rotation/electric signal converter which is located in a closed space

separated leakproofly from the conducting tunnel and which is connected to the paddle wheel by means of an intermediate axle connected to the wheel by a magnetic clutch,

furthermore, it has a . programmable controlling unit, which is located in the closed space, and to the controlling input of the controlling unit the output of the rotation/electric signal converter is connected, and to the controlling unit a display unit and/or a two-way radio module ^' is connected, furthermore, the apparatus has an electrically controlled valve-mechanism located in the conducting tunnel after the measuring chamber regarding the flow direction, complete with a valve port and a fitting valve-disc, practically a magnetic valve mechanism, and the output of the controlling unit is connected to the controlling input of the

electrically controlled valve mechanism, practically the magnetic valve mechanism.

At a preferred embodiment, the programmable controlling unit has programming inputs and a push-button operating device which is connected to the programming inputs of the

programmable controlling unit.

In a very preferred embodiment, the controlling unit is built with a microcomputer. The embodiment of the apparatus is advantageous where at the inlet and the outlet of the conducting tunnel, the base body is equipped with coupling pipe stubs, for example threaded or flare joint connecting pipe stubs.

In a more advantageous embodiment of the apparatus, the rotation/electric signal converter is equipped with a magnet fixed to the intermediate axle, and a sensor which is fixed on a console near the axle and is connected to the input of the controlling unit. In an embodiment, the sensor of the rotation/electric signal converter is a reed relay, in another embodiment, the sensor of the rotation/electric signal converter is a Hal element.

The embodiment of the apparatus is very advantageous where the magnetic valve mechanism is a solenoid latching

mechanism. These valves need electric energy only for triggering the open or closed position, in the given

positions, the closing element of the valve is kept in position by spring or pressure. Some parts of the valve mechanism are located partly or entirely inside the base body, other parts like the cover locking the valve spring are fixed on the base body with the cover of the solenoid.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the apparatus is very

advantageous if the base body has a compartment for the power source, which is separated leakproofly from the conducting tunnel, can be closed with a separate cover and has contact elements connected to the power inputs of the controlling unit. Such a construction makes the power source replacement easy since the apparatus does not need to be disassembled.

The measurement data are stored in the apparatus with a defined ordering. In the version of the apparatus equipped with a transmitter-receiver radio module, the apparatus can be controlled remotely through radio contact and the stored data can be read out remotely, in the version of the

apparatus equipped with a display, the measurement data are shown on the display.

Depending on construction of the controlling unit the programming of the apparatus is done via the push-button programming operating device or can be done via the program loaded in the ROM memory of the controlling unit or remotely via radio connection by means of an appropriate device.

The essence of the apparatus according to the invention is described in detail by presenting its preferable embodiments with references- to the attached drawings in which :

Figure 1. shows the perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus,

Figure 2. shows the cascaded cross section of the apparatus seen in Figure 1., Figure 3. shows the block diagram of the electric circuits of the apparatus seen in Figure 1,

Figures 4a., 4b., and 4c. show the flowchart of the operation of the apparatus,

Figures 5a., 5b., 5c. and 5d. show the time-dependent variations of the water volume transmitted by the apparatus in different consumption cases in application at a consumer in a water network,

Figure 6. shows the perspective view of another

embodiment of the apparatus and

Figure 7. shows the partly exploded view of the

apparatus seen in Figure 6. .

The apparatus 10 seen in Figure 1. has a base body 12, a conducting tunnel 20 leading through the base body 12, a housing 40 fixed on the base body 12 with bolted connection including an upper and a lower housing part that can be secured with a lead seal (not indicated in the figure) and a compartment 65 for the power source, preferably a small sized battery or accumulator, and a cover 67 sealing the compartment, where the electric components of apparatus 10 are located within the housing 40. This embodiment is an on- site and remote programmable and readable apparatus, so the housing 40 includes a display 60, furthermore it holds the operating devices from which only the push-button 62 is numered in the figure. The display 60 is embedded in the slot of the housing 40, the push-buttons are placed

protruding from the housing 40, thus the displayed data can be read without opening the apparatus and the apparatus can be programmed without opening it. After assembling, the apparatus 10 can be secured with a lead seal, by which the unauthorized intervention can be prevented.

The base body 12 is equipped at the inlet and. the outlet of the conducting tunnel with threaded connecting pipe stubs, (in Figure 1. only the connecting pipe stub 14 is indicated) by means of which the apparatus 10 can be connected to the network with flare joint. Apparatus 10 has a measuring mechanism which contacts the flowing liquid and which is located in the central part of the conducting tunnel 20.

To close the conducting tunnel 20, the apparatus 10 has a magnetic valve mechanism, which is described in details on Figure 2., and whose operating part of the valve mechanism 70 is fixed on the base body 12. The material of the base body 12 is brass, light metal alloy or plastic with

appropriate mechanical properties, it is made from one piece or assembled from multiple parts.

The compartment 65 for the power source is a separate dry space separated from the other parts inside the apparatus 10 and is equipped with appropriate electric contact elements. The compartment 65 can be closed separately with an

independent cover 67, which enables the power source

replacement without detaching the apparatus or opening up its other parts.

Figure 2. shows the cascaded cross section of the apparatus from perspective view. In the figure, the conducting tunnel 20 leading through the base body 12, the threaded connecting pipe stubs 14 and 15 formed at the inlet and the outlet of the conducting tunnel 20 are clearly visible. The measuring mechanism has a cylindrical measuring chamber 22 shaped in the central part of the conducting tunnel 20 and a paddle wheel 30 located in the measuring chamber 22. The measuring chamber 22 is closed on the side of the housing 40, where on the figure the lower 41 housing part and the upper 42 housing part are marked, by a cover 24 and an interposed seal fitted on a collar on the measuring chamber 22. This cover 24 is fixed in position with a snap ring. Thereby, measuring chamber 22 as wet space is sealed.

The hub of the paddle wheel 30 is fitted with axial bearings on the tip of the bearing axle 29 fixed on the bottom of the measuring chamber 22, thus it can rotate freely, on the upper end of the wheel hub 32 there is a multipolar toroidal magnet 35 fixed and the end 32 supporting the magnet 35 is fitted with a bearing enabling free rotation in the lower seating 25 which is in the central part of the cover 24 and is open to the measuring chamber 22. The paddle wheel 30 is made of light metal or plastic.

The centre-line of the measuring chamber 22 does not cross from the centre-line of the conducting tunnel 20,

correspondingly, the planes of the paddles of the paddle wheel 30 incline in other than 180 degrees compared to each other. Thus, the measuring mechanism is constructed in a way that in case of the smallest fluid motion in the conducting tunnel 20, the fluid entering the flow space of the paddle wheel 30 can move it in a way that the smallest flow

generates a rotating motion, the angular velocity is

proportional with the velocity of the flow, and only a monodirectional rotating motion can be generated, so the number of revolutions done by the paddle wheel 30 is

proportional with the amount of the liquid flowing through. The housing 40 is fixed on the base body 12 over the

measuring chamber 22 overlaying the cover 24. The internal space of the housing 40 is a dry space separated from the measuring chamber 22 with two walls, the lower part 41 and the upper part 42 of the housing interlock, furthermore there is a collar in the bottom plate of the lower housing part 41 by means of which it is fitted on the base body 12 with form fitting, and in this position the parts of the housing are fastened to each other and to the base body with a bolt 44 in a detachable way. Furthermore, within the housing part 41 in the bottom plate opposite the lower seating 25 of the cover 24, there is a female seating 45 with a prominent collar to receive an intermediate axle. The seating 45 is closed with a centralizing element 47 fitted on its rim as a cap, in this element there is a centric open-end hole. There is an intermediate axle 50 in the seating 45, this intermediate axle 50 joins the seating 45 with an axial bearing at the lower end, its upper end goes through the open-end hole of the centralizing element 47 and can rotate freely. On the lower end of the intermediate axle 50, there is a multipolar ring magnet 52 fixed, which is opposite the magnet 35 fixed on the upper end of the hub of the paddle wheel 30, they together constitute a magnetic clutch. Thereby when the liquid flows, the intermediate axle 50 rotates according to the paddle wheel 30, thus the number of rotations of the intermediate axle 50 is proportional with the quantity of the flowing liquid.

At the end of the intermediate axle 50. which goes through the centralizing element 47 there is a rotation/electric signal converter, which in this embodiment is constituted by an upper magnet 55 fitted on a disc 54 fixed on the end of the intermediate axle 50 and a sensor 57 which is capable of sensing the changes of the magnetic field and which is fixed on the centralizing element 47 in an appropriate distance opposite the rim of the disc 54, in this embodiment it is constituted by a reed relay. The space over the centralizing element 47 including disc 54, magnet 55 and sensor 57 is separated within the inner space of housing 40 and is closed with the cap 59, whereas the cables connecting the sensor 57 with the controlling unit of the apparatus are led through the hole in cap 59, a part of which cables can be seen in the figure.

During the operation of the apparatus, the . upper magnet 55 fixed on the disc 54 rotating along with the intermediate axle 50 periodically passes in front of the sensor 57, this sensor 57 senses the changes of the magnetic field and according to the pace of the change, it generates electric signals, basically impulses and transfers them towards the controlling unit. Thus the number of the transferred

impulses is proportional with the quantity of the flowing liquid.

The controlling unit 80, the radio module 84 and other electronic units of the apparatus 10 are located in the internal space of the upper part of the housing 40, their positions are represented in the figure by bodies shown in cross-section fitted in the housing part 42, detailed in Figure 3.

According to the flow direction, after the measuring chamber 22, in the next section of the conducting tunnel 20, the apparatus 10 furthermore has a valve transfer port and a controllable magnetic valve mechanism 70 including a

matching valve disc 72 that opens and shuts the liquid flow and a pre-tensioning spring 74. In the figure, the valve disc 72 is closing the valve transfer port. The magnetic valve mechanism 70 is of separately known construction, completed with a mechanism containing a solenoid and a conical valve, so its details are not shown in the figure, only its position in the apparatus is indicated by the contours of its cross section.

In normal position, the magnetic valve mechanism 70 is open, the liquid can flow through it. The control of the valve disc 72 is enabled by the pressure ratio of the liquid on the two sides of the valve disc 72 and the load of the _;

spring 74. In the position of the valve disc 72 according to the figure, the pressure ratio of the liquid flow space on the upper side of the valve disc 72 is determined by the position of the conical valve operated by the solenoid coil of the magnetic valve mechanism 70. When opening the conical valve, low-pressure liquid flows behind the valve disc 72, which leads to the recess of the valve disc 72 and thus to the opening of the valve. The open position sustains without any energy investment, closing the valve requires the closing of the conical valve. Then the pressure of the space behind the valve disc 72 increases and this pressure force along with the force of the spring 74 closes the valve against the pressure of the incoming flow.

Figure 3. shows the block diagram of the arrangement of the electric circuits of the apparatus. The controlling unit 80 shown in the figure is equipped with a microcomputer 82 and its corresponding coupling units, i.e. performance

amplifier, driving and similar stages, whose connections constitute the corresponding terminals of the controlling unit 80. To the programming inputs of the controlling unit 80, the push-buttons of the operating device, which

constitutes the programming unit , are connected, from which only push-button 62 is indicated in the figure. The power source 86 is connected to the power inputs of the

controlling unit 80 by cables not indicated in the figure. To the controlling input, the output of the sensor of the rotation/electric signal converter 57 is connected. The controlling output of the controlling unit 80 is connected to the controlling input of the magnetic valve mechanism 70, and the display 60 is connected to the display drive output cluster. The controlling unit 80 is furthermore connected to a two-way radio module 84 in order to enable the apparatus to incorporate into a remote controlling system.

The display 60 provides alphanumeric information related to the liquid flow and on the condition of the apparatus, according to the program of the controlling unit.

The controlling unit 80 processes the impulses obtained from the sensor of the rotation/electric signal converter, whose number is proportional with the volume of the liquid flowing through the apparatus, and operates the display unit 60 according to the program run, and if necessary, operates the magnetic valve mechanism 70 respectively exchanges data via the communication channel through the two-way radio module 84.

The controlling unit 80 along with the microcomputer 82 embody the following main functional units.

It has a timing pulse generator, on which the time-dependent processes, like the calendar function, logging function, statistical functions, time-based system-management

functions, etc. are based. -

It has a central controlling and memory subunit, partly to store the programs controlling the operation and to store the measured data, and partly to include circuits to store programs for operation control, measurement control,

providing controlling signals for the magnetic valve

mechanism, remote communication on the basis of the fed program, controlling programs and programming communication.

It has an input signal converter unit, which receives and converts the signals generated by the rotation/electric signal converter into a processable format.

It has a display controller and driver subunit, which, in display mode, can display the actual measured flow

parameters, the. data stored in the memory and the currently set limit parameters on the display unit 60 in a way determined by the program of the microcomputer 82. In programming mode, the data that are required for entering and editing the program commands are displayed on the display 60. During the periods when the apparatus does not communicate with the user, no data is shown on the display 60, for energy saving reasons. The display unit 60 is liquid crystal or LED display practically.

It has a voltage monitoring subunit, which continually monitors the voltage of power source 86, and generates the appropriate supply voltage required by the subunits, furthermore, it sends information about the condition of the power source to the central controlling and memory subunit on a regular basis, which processes the received information according to the program.

The radio module 84 connected to the controlling unit 80 enables the connection to a remote communication system by means of data transmission via the FM radio data

transmission channel reserved for the industrial systems. The controlling unit 80 is of low energy consumption, it is active only when it has a task.

The remote communication system also works in energy saving mode, so called monitoring mode. The two-way (transmission- reception) mode in the apparatus is triggered first by a so- called remote alarm signal, the communication with the apparatus of the remote system takes place afterwards. During the operation of the apparatus according to the invention, the controlling unit 80 detects the quantity of the liquid flow on the basis of the impulse number provided by the rotation/electric signal converter, which is

characteristic of the quantity of the liquid flown through; and it stores the flow quantities in its memory ordered according to the program. It compares the data on the liquid consumption with the limit values set for the given period and if the consumption data exceed the limit values, the controlling unit 80 controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed position, thus it closes the way of the liquid. Furthermore, the controlling unit 80, when required,

controlled by the user by a push of a button or activated remotely, controls the display 60, the display 60 shows the current flow data, the logged cumulated flow data, and other statistical data regarding the flow and the energy supply of the apparatus. The controlling unit 80 is able to

communicate the above listed data by means of the radio module 84 via the communication data transfer channel, depending on its programming.

Figures 4a, 4b., and 4c. show the flowchart of the operation of the apparatus, where Figure 4b. is the continuation of Figure 4a, while Figure 4c. shows the flowchart of the power source examination within the previous process.

The operation of the apparatus is started by switching on the controlling unit 80 in step 100. The voltage monitoring subunit of the controlling unit 80 senses the voltage level of the power source 86 on. its supply inputs and it determines in step 102 whether it reaches the value that is required for appropriate operation. If the voltage level of the power source 85 is suitable, it checks the date and time settings in step 104. If it is inappropriate, it shows the setting requirement on the display 60 in step 106, and the indication is sustained until the settings are done. After this, in step 108 it checks if there is a consumption limit set; if there is not such a limit set, it displays this fact on the display 60 in step 110 and sustains the indication until the setting is done. After the setting the consumption limit, the controlling unit 80 allows to open the magnetic valve mechanism 70 in step 112 and opens the magnetic valve mechanism 70 in step 114 by a signal sent through its controlling output and keeps repeating it until the valve gets into open position. With the open valve position, the measuring mechanism checks the liquid flow in step 116 by monitoring the position of the paddle wheel, and when the flow starts, it activates the measuring and computing functions of the microcomputer 82 in step 118. In the next step 120, it counts the number of the revolutions of the paddle wheel for a brief measuring period, e.g. for a few seconds, and determines the quantity of the liquid flow during the measuring period, as the initial liquid quantity. After the measuring period has elapsed, it monitors in step 122 if the liquid flow is still sustained. If the liquid flow has stopped, it stores the measured value in the memory of microcomputer 82 in step 124 and controls the liquid flow measuring and computing functions of the microcomputer 82 into standby mode. If after the measuring period the liquid flow still subsists, it keeps checking the subsistence of the liquid flow in step 126, and on the basis of the initial liquid quantity and the set consumption limit, the microcomputer 82 determines the allowance period when the magnetic valve mechanism 70 can be kept in open position, and in step 128, it starts the timing circuit that measures the time. In the meantime, in step 130 it monitors the subsistence of the liquid flow; if the liquid flow stops, but the allowance period has not elapsed, in step 132 it resets the timing circuit, writes the measured values in the memory of the microcomputer 82 and controls the liquid flow measuring and computing functions of the microcomputer 82 into standby mode. If the allowance period has elapsed, in step 134 it is sensed; in step 136 it resets the timing circuit, writes the measured values in the corresponding memory of the microcomputer 82 and by a signal sent through the controlling output of the controlling unit 80 it

controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed

position in step 138.

Figure 4c. shows the main steps of the power source

examination process. The operation of the apparatus is launched by switching on the controlling unit 80 in step 100. The controlling unit 80 senses the voltage level of the power source 86 on its supply inputs and it determines in step 102 whether it reaches the value that is required for appropriate operation. If the voltage level reaches the required level of the power source 86 the controlling unit 80 repeats the control periodically, if the voltage level does not reach the required level, the controlling unit 80 controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed position by a signal sent to its controlling output. The valve remains closed until the power source is replaced with a power source of appropriate voltage level.

Figures 5a., 5b., 5c. and 5d. show the time-dependent variations of the water volume transmitted by the apparatus in different consumption cases in application at a consumer in a water network. In every case, the flow of the liquid starts at time to, the apparatus measures the quantity Q of the transmitted liquid during period At, from this measured value and the pre-programmed consumption limit it determines the closing time t_k, which would elapse until reaching the consumption limit in case of sustaining the initial rate of consumption .

Figure 5a. shows a diagram recorded during normal

consumption, here, other consumption points begin and stop consuming at the breakpoints of the diagram and the

consumption, i.e. the flow of the liquid in the apparatus decreases to zero before reaching closing time t_k. Then the controlling unit 80 records the consumption parameters and deletes the other parameters.

Figure 5b. shows a diagram recorded during overconsumption, here, other consumption points begin and stop consuming at the breakpoints of the diagram. At closing time t_k, there is still consumption, i.e. liquid flow through the apparatus, thus the controlling unit 80 automatically controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed position at closing time t_k, and records the consumption parameters. Figure 5c. shows a diagram recorded during water pipe breakage. The breakage takes place at time to, the apparatus senses it as continuous consumption beginning at time to, and there is still consumption at reaching closing time t_k. For this reason, the controlling unit 80 controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed position at closing time t_k, then the flow of the liquid stops, the consumption parameters are recorded, and the further damages caused by the breakage are prevented.

Figure 5d. shows a diagram recorded during water pipe breakage besides normal consumption. More consumption points begin and stop consuming at the breakpoints of the diagram, meanwhile the breakage takes place, which is superimposed to the consumers' consumptions as a continuous constant

consumption. As a consequence, there is consumption when reaching the closing time t_k, so the controlling unit 80 controls the magnetic valve mechanism 70 into closed

position at closing time t_k, then the flow of the liquid stops, the consumption parameters are recorded, and the further damages caused by the breakage are prevented.

Figure 6. shows the perspective view of another embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, and Figure 7. shows the perspective view of this embodiment in exploded form. In case of the apparatus 10' seen in the figures, the housing 40' is fixed on the base body 12' with bolts 44' embracing a sealing 17, the contracted base body 12' and the rim of the housing 40' as well as the bolts 44' are covered with a frame 48. The apparatus 10' has a compartment equipped with electric contact elements for housing the power source, which

compartment is separated from the internal space in the housing 40' . The compartment is accessible from the outside, it is closed with a separate cover 67', which enables the replacement of the power source without opening or

dismantling the apparatus. The base body 12' and the

structure of the valve mechanism is basically identical with that of the apparatus described in Figure 1.

This embodiment is a remote programmed and remote read apparatus. The electric circuits of the apparatus are located in the internal space of the housing 40' , and are of the same block diagram arrangement as seen in Figure 3.

except that because of the remote programming, this

apparatus has no programming operating device and due to the remote reading, it has no display unit. The programming of the programmable controlling unit and the input of the data, as well as the display of the data provided by the

controlling unit and the alphanumeric information is

completed by applying the appropriate device of the remote system connected to the controlling unit through a two-way connectio .

The most important advantage of the safety liquid flow rate meter apparatus according to the invention is that as mainly a water network measuring apparatus, it eliminates a

deficiency both on the side of the supplier and the

consumer, by pre-setting the quantity of the consumable water it limits the loadability or the load of the network on the supplier' s side, and on the consumer's side, in case of a burst pipe breakage, a tap accidentally left open or similar cases, it limits or eliminates unintentional consumption, prevents or reduces the related damages, thus it increases the safety of the water network operation and water consumption.

In case of consumption limitation imposed by the supplier, by the on-site or radio-controlled remote programming of the apparatus, the supplier can set a mode for the apparatus which can allow water consumption according to the

requirements, e.g. by transmitting the specified maximum daily amount of liquid through, and if the consumption exceeds the limit value, the apparatus closes the way of the liquid .

In case of consumption limited by the consumer, by setting the single consumption, daily, weekly or monthly consumption limits, the apparatus monitors the flowing quantities and continuously compares them with the specified limit values. If the consumption exceeds the limit value, ^' the apparatus closes the way of the liquid.

Another advantage of the apparatus is that it can replace the existing liquid quantity measuring apparatuses besides ^' providing additional services if appropriately programmed.

The apparatuses equipped with radio module have the

outstanding advantage of being able to easily and simply collect the consumption data for statistical analyses regarding a specified time or period, e.g. monthly, quarterly or annual consumption data and their areal

distribution and other statistical characteristics, which would require significant and expensive live labour,

remotely, without approaching and reading the apparatus. Another advantage is that during the computer assisted processing and analysing of the consumption data provided by such apparatuses, leakages resulting from the fault or sealing problem of a component indicating abnormal

consumption can be detected and reported at their emergence. This enables both the user and the supplier to intervene quickly and prevent significant damages.

Claims

Claims :

1./ Safety liquid flow rate meter apparatus, which has a base body (12, 12') and a conducting tunnel (20) in the base body (12, 12'), furthermore in a section of the conducting tunnel (20), there is a measuring chamber (22), and located in it, there is a measuring mechanism constructed with a paddle wheel (30) that rotates in ratio with the volume of the liquid flowing through,

characterized by having a

rotation/electric signal converter which is located in a closed space separated leakproofly from the conducting tunnel (20) and which is connected to the paddle wheel (30) by means of an intermediate axle (50) connected to the wheel (30) by a magnetic clutch known independently,

furthermore,

it has a programmable controlling unit (80), which is located in the closed space, and

to the controlling input of the controlling unit (80) the output of the rotation/electric signal converter is

connected,

and to this controlling unit (80) a display (60) unit and/or a two-way radio module (84) is connected,

furthermore ,

the apparatus has an electrically controlled valve-mechanism located in the conducting tunnel (20) after the measuring chamber (22) regarding the flow direction, complete with a valve port and a fitting valve-disc (72), practically a magnetic valve mechanism (70), and the output of the controlling unit (80) is connected to the controlling input of the electrically controlled valve mechanism, practically the magnetic valve mechanism (70) .

2./ The apparatus according to claim 1.

characterized in that the programmable controlling unit (80) has programming inputs, and the apparatus has a pushbutton (62) operating device which is connected to the programming inputs of the programmable controlling unit (80) .

3. / The apparatus according to claims 1. or 2.

characterized in that the controlling unit (80) is equipped with a microcomputer (82).

4. / The apparatus according to any of the claims 1-3.

characterized in that at the inlet and the outlet of the conducting tunnel (20), the base body (12, 12') is equipped with coupling pipe stubs, practically threaded connecting pipe stubs (14, 15) .

5. / The apparatus according to any of the claims 1-4.

characterized in that the rotation/electric signal converter is equipped with a magnet (55) fixed on the intermediate axle (50) and a sensor (57) which is fixed on a console near the axle (50) and is connected to the

controlling input of the controlling unit (80).

6. / The apparatus according to claims 5.

characterized in that the sensor (57) of the

rotation/electric signal converter is a reed relay.

7. / The apparatus according to claims 5.

characterized in that the sensor (57) of the

rotation/electric signal converter is a Hal element.

8./ The apparatus according to any of the claims 1-7.

characterized in that the electrically controlled valve mechanism, practically the magnetic valve mechanism (70) is of latching construction.

9./ The apparatus according to any of the claims 1-8.

characterized in that the base body (12, 12') of the apparatus has a compartment (65) for power source, which is separated leakproofly from the conducting tunnel (20), can be closed with a separate cover (67, 67') and has contact elements connected to the power inputs of the controlling unit (80) .