Flow analysis device for material flowing inside the pipe and method accordingly

Abstract

The present invention may provide a flow analysis device and method for a substance flowing inside a pipe, comprising: a laser that irradiates light in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of a substance within an observation space formed inside a pipe; an imaging device that captures the observation space; and a control device that divides the imaging information into frames to form a plurality of image information, divides each of the plurality of image information into regions having a predetermined size to create a plurality of divided regions, detects one or more flowing objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, detects motion vectors for each of the one or more flowing objects between the current frame and the previous frame, and generates and outputs information indicating the flow state for each divided region.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for tracking the flow state of a substance flowing inside a pipe, and more specifically, to a flow analysis device and a method according thereto that track the flow state of a substance flowing inside a pipe to detect freezing of the substance inside the pipe.

[0002] This invention is the result of the Local Government-University Cooperation-based Regional Innovation Project conducted in 2023 with funding from the Ministry of Education and support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (2022RIS-006). Background Technology

[0003] Generally, water meters are installed in residential and industrial facilities to monitor the usage of tap water supplied to each independent unit and to calculate and charge usage fees based on the measured amount. These meters are typically installed outside the building so that meter readers can take readings without visiting the home or the installation site. However, during the winter, the water inside the meter and the connected water pipes may freeze due to the influence of sub-zero temperatures, which can cause the meter or pipes to freeze and be damaged.

[0004] In addition, problems such as the inability to supply firefighting water or freezing damage may occur in fire extinguishing pipes and other components exposed to the exterior of the building due to the freezing of water pipes during winter.

[0005] In order to prevent such pipes from freezing, conventional methods used included placing insulation such as cotton or styrofoam around the meter and pipes, or opening faucets in homes or facilities to allow water to flow through the pipes during nighttime hours when the temperature drops further and water is not used.

[0006] Another method used to prevent pipes from freezing was to wrap electric heating wires around exposed pipes or meters.

[0007] However, among these conventional freezing prevention methods, the former method relies entirely on human operation, which leads to a problem where preventing freezing becomes impossible in situations where water cannot be used for extended periods, such as during long outings or business trips, as the faucet cannot be left open continuously.

[0008] In addition, a problem arose in which pipes could not be prevented from freezing even when unexpected, sudden cold waves occurred during times of inactivity, such as at night, while the faucets were not left open.

[0009] A technology for resolving this problem is Patent No. 10-2015-0042766, published by the Korean Intellectual Property Office under the title "Device and Method for Preventing Freezing of Water Pipes." This technology discloses a method that detects the temperature of water within a pipe and transfers heat to the pipe to prevent freezing before the water freezes, thereby enabling the prevention of freezing of the water pipe regardless of human operation, time of day, or changes in external temperature.

[0010] However, heating all pipes susceptible to freezing in the aforementioned manner required excessive power consumption, posing a problem that made it difficult to apply to long pipes.

[0011] In addition, since freezing occurs in the water inside the pipes depending not only on the water temperature but also on the flow state, there was a problem of unnecessary power consumption even though there was no need to heat the pipes when the water was flowing. Prior art literature

[0012] Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0042766 Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2020-0053135 The problem to be solved

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe and a method therefor, which detects freezing of the substance inside the pipe by tracking the flow state of the substance flowing inside the pipe.

[0014] In addition, another objective of the present invention is to provide a flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe and a method therefor, which increases the flow velocity of the substance to limit freezing inside the pipe when freezing of the substance flowing inside the pipe is detected. means of solving the problem

[0015] The present invention, for achieving the above objective, comprises: a laser that irradiates light in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of a substance within an observation space formed inside a pipe; an imaging device that captures the observation space; and a control device that divides the imaging information into frames to form a plurality of image information, divides each of the plurality of image information into regions having a predetermined size to create a plurality of divided regions, detects one or more flowing objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, detects motion vectors for each of the one or more flowing objects between the current frame and the previous frame, and generates and outputs information indicating the flow state for each divided region. Effects of the invention

[0016] The present invention described above provides the effect of tracking the flow state of a substance flowing inside a pipe to easily detect freezing of the substance inside the pipe, thereby preventing freezing inside the pipe in advance.

[0017] In addition, the present invention provides the effect of preventing damage caused by freezing inside a pipe by increasing the flow velocity of a substance when freezing of the substance flowing inside a pipe is detected, thereby limiting freezing inside the pipe. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 to 4 are flow diagrams of a method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the green value setting process for determining the fluid object of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the motion vector detection process of a fluid object of FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the process of generating flow field visualization information of FIG. 2. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0019] The present invention described above tracks the flow state of a substance flowing inside a pipe to easily detect freezing of the substance inside the pipe, thereby enabling the prevention of freezing inside the pipe in advance.

[0020] In addition, the present invention increases the flow velocity of a substance flowing inside a pipe when freezing of the substance is detected, thereby limiting freezing inside the pipe and preventing damage caused by freezing inside the pipe.

[0021] <Configuration of a flow analysis device for substances flowing inside pipes>

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates the configuration of a flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the flow analysis device is composed of a control device (100), an imaging device (202), a green laser (204), and a pump / valve (200).

[0023] The above green laser (204) irradiates green laser light in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of the material in the observation space formed inside the pipe.

[0024] The above imaging device (202) captures the observation space and provides the corresponding imaging information to the control device (100).

[0025] In addition, the pump / valve (200) changes the flow rate of the material flowing into the pipe to vary the flow velocity of the material.

[0026] The above control device (100) controls the operation of each part constituting the flow analysis device for flow analysis of a substance flowing inside a pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This control device (100) may be composed of a control module in which a computing system is employed or firmware for performing functions according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

[0027] To further explain the operation of the above-described control device (100), the control device (100) receives image information from the imaging device (202), divides the image information into frames to form a plurality of image information, and for each of the plurality of image information, divides it into areas having a predetermined size to create a plurality of divided areas, detects one or more moving objects for each of the plurality of divided areas, detects motion vectors for each of the one or more moving objects between the current frame and the previous frame, and generates and outputs information indicating the movement state for each divided area.

[0028] In particular, the above-mentioned fluid object is determined by pixels among the pixels included in each segmented area that have a predetermined first color value or higher.

[0029] To explain further, the green laser (204) emits laser light of a predetermined color, which is green, and the control device (100) determines the fluid object as pixels among the pixels included in each divided area that have a predetermined first green color value or higher, and the first green color value is set to a different value for each of the plurality of divided areas, and the first green color value for each of the plurality of divided areas is set by detecting the distribution of color values ​​of the pixels within the corresponding divided area and detecting and setting a color value corresponding to a distribution value that corresponds to a predetermined ratio (0.5%) among the distribution of color values.

[0030] In addition, the control device (100) calculates the average value of the movement vectors of the fluid objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, and generates and outputs the average value as fluid field visualization information representing the fluid state for the corresponding divided region.

[0031] Additionally, the control device (100) checks whether the flow field visualization information indicates that the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined ratio. If the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined ratio, it determines that the substance flowing inside the pipe has started to freeze and controls the pump / valve (200) to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed. This increase in speed is repeated until the difference between the flow velocity at the edge and the center falls within a predetermined normal range. Even if the speed is increased due to a sudden drop in temperature, if freezing occurs at the edge of the pipe, the flow is made faster to limit the freezing of the substance.

[0032] In addition, the control device (100) checks whether the flow field visualization information indicates that the movement of the material inside the pipe has stopped, and if it indicates that the movement of the material inside the pipe has stopped, sets a region of interest containing the corresponding flow object for each of the flow objects included in each of the plurality of divided regions, and if the size of the region of interest is greater than a predetermined size, that is, if reflected light by ice particles is detected, the pump / valve (200) may be driven to increase the flow velocity of the material by a predetermined speed.

[0033] In addition, the control device (100) controls the pump / valve (200) to reduce the flow velocity of the material by a predetermined rate if the flow field visualization information indicates that the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is not slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined rate. This reduction in velocity is repeated until the difference between the flow velocity at the edge and the center falls within a normal range, thereby preventing the material from flowing too quickly unnecessarily in situations where freezing is not predicted, and thus minimizing power consumption for driving the pump, etc.

[0034] Now, a flow analysis method applicable to a flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above will be explained.

[0035] <Procedure for Flow Analysis Methods for Substances Flowing Inside Pipes>

[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 are a flow analysis method for a substance flowing inside a pipe according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the flow analysis method for a substance flowing inside a pipe can be broadly divided into an experimental data acquisition process, a frame and grid segmentation process, data tracking, and an analysis process. The detailed process is explained in detail in FIG. 2.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2 above, the control device (100) controls the operation of a green laser (204) and an imaging device (202) within an observation space, performs imaging while irradiating the green laser light into the observation space, and acquires imaging information accordingly (step 300). Here, the present invention is applied to a water supply pipe through which water flows, and the flow of the water is varied in volume and speed by a pump / valve (200).

[0038] When real-time video information is provided from the imaging device (202), the control device (100) extracts it frame by frame, processes it into multiple image information, and stores it (step 302).

[0039] Subsequently, the control device (100) divides each of the plurality of images into a plurality of divided regions. The plurality of divided regions may be assigned identification information as a matrix A(I,J) indicating a flow field.

[0040] When an image is divided into multiple divided regions, the control device (100) detects one or more moving objects for each of the multiple divided regions (step 304) and detects motion vectors for each of the one or more moving objects between the current image and the previous image (step 306). FIG. 6 (a) and (b) show the positions of the moving objects (Gpeak1-1, Gpeak2-1) in the current image and the positions of the moving objects (Gpeak1-1, Gpeak2-1) in the previous image, and motion vectors can be detected based on the position information of the two moving objects, and FIG. 7 (a) is an example of this.

[0041] Afterward, the control device (100) calculates the average value of the motion vectors of one or more fluid objects included in each of the multiple divided areas that divide the observation space (step 314). Figure 6 (a) illustrates the motion vectors of one or more fluid objects included in one divided area.

[0042] Subsequently, the control device (100) generates flow field visualization information composed of average values ​​of the movement of a fluid object within a plurality of divided areas that divide the observation space (step 310). Here, the control device (100) may provide guidance to a user, such as an administrator, by outputting the flow field visualization information. FIG. 7 (b) illustrates an example of an average vector of the movement vectors of one or more fluid objects included within a divided area. The average vector of the movement vectors of the fluid object of the present invention may be used as flow field visualization information, or a scalar value of the average vector of the movement vectors may be used as flow field visualization information.

[0043] Additionally, when the flow field visualization information is generated, the control device (100) checks whether the movement of the flow object according to the flow field visualization information has a pattern that is at least a predetermined ratio smaller than the scalar value of the movement vector in the segmented area corresponding to the edge of the pipe (step 312). That is, it checks whether the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity in the central part of the pipe by at least a predetermined ratio. In this way, if the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity in the central part of the pipe by at least a predetermined ratio, it can be determined that the material flowing inside the pipe has started to freeze.

[0044] In this way, if the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined ratio, the control device (100) determines that the substance flowing inside the pipe has started to freeze and controls the pump / valve (200) to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed (step 318). This increase in speed is repeated until the difference between the flow velocity at the edge and the center falls within a predetermined normal range, so that even if the speed is increased due to a sudden drop in temperature, if freezing occurs at the edge of the pipe, the flow is made faster to limit the freezing of the substance.

[0045] In addition, if the above flow field visualization information does not have the first pattern, the control device (100) checks whether the flow field visualization information has a predetermined second pattern, that is, a pattern indicating that the movement of the flow object is not flowing and is in a stationary state (step 313).

[0046] When the flow field visualization information has the third pattern, the control device (100) detects a region of interest containing a flow object detected in a corresponding segmented area for the plurality of segmented areas (step 314). The region of interest may be set as a green value detection area containing the flow object among the green value detection areas that have a value greater than the average green value of the entire observation space among the green value detection areas for the observation space.

[0047] When the above region of interest is detected, the control device (100) checks whether the size of the region of interest containing the fluid object is greater than or equal to a predetermined size (step 316). Here, a region of interest greater than or equal to a predetermined size corresponds to ice particles generated by freezing.

[0048] When the size of the region of interest corresponds to the size of the ice particles, the control device (100) controls the operation of the pump / valve (200) to increase the flow velocity of the material flowing into the pipe (step 318).

[0049] Unlike the above, if the difference between the scalar value of the motion vector in the segmented area corresponding to the edge of the pipe and the scalar value of the motion vector in the segmented area corresponding to the central part of the pipe falls within a predetermined normal range, the operation of the pump / valve (200) is controlled to reduce the flow velocity of the material flowing into the pipe (step 322).

[0050] <Fluid Object Detection Process>

[0051] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process for detecting a fluid object according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the control device (100) detects a green value distribution for each of a plurality of divided areas (step 400). When the green value distribution for each of the plurality of divided areas is detected, the control device (100) detects a green value corresponding to a predetermined distribution ratio, for example, the top 0.5%, among the green value distributions (step 402). FIG. 4 illustrates a green value distribution for one of the divided areas, and the green value corresponding to the top 0.5% can be 29 or 30.

[0052] When a green value corresponding to the top 0.5% of the green value distribution for each of the multiple divided regions is detected in this way, the control device (100) sets a pixel having a green value greater than or equal to the green value corresponding to the top 0.5% as a fluid object (step 404).

[0053] In this way, the present invention enables efficient setting of a fluid object indicating a fluid state in each divided area even when the distribution of green values ​​differs for each divided area, by setting a pixel having a green value greater than or equal to the green value corresponding to the top 0.5% of the green value distribution for each divided area as a fluid object.

[0054] To explain further, assuming that a component of diffuse reflection by a green laser light is concentrated in a certain segmented area and that there are pixels with a large number of green values, detecting the flow state for all green pixels detected in that segmented area would require a large amount of computation. Therefore, the present invention reduces the computational load by selecting a small number of pixels indicating the flow state as a representative among the large number of green pixels to detect the flow state. In particular, the said small number of pixels can be set as particles that reflect a large amount of green laser light due to the large size of the fluid material, or pixels having a peak green value corresponding to the top 0.5%, which are the same as the fluid objects (Gpeak1-1, Gpeak2-1) exemplified in FIG. 6 (a).

[0055] In this way, the present invention can improve recognition efficiency by detecting the flow state based on pixels having peak green values.

[0056] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, only the detection of flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe using green laser light was exemplified; however, it is obvious to those skilled in the art by the present invention that laser light of a color suitable for changes in the installation environment may also be used.

[0057] In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, only a small number of fluid objects are selected for each of the multiple divided areas that divide the observation space to track and visualize the fluid state; however, based on the amount of light reflected and captured within each divided area, the concentration of suspended matter within each divided area may also be visualized along with the fluid state. This enables the rapid identification of water contamination or freezing, and this is obvious to those skilled in the art by the present invention.

[0058] The embodiments of the present invention described above are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0059] 100 : Control unit 200 : Pump / Valve 202: Funeral procession device 204 : Green Laser

Claims

Claim 1 A laser that irradiates light in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of a substance within an observation space formed inside a pipe; an imaging device that images the interior of the observation space; The control device comprises: dividing imaging information provided from the imaging device into frame units to form a plurality of image information; for each of the plurality of image information, dividing it into areas having a predetermined size to create a plurality of divided areas; for each of the plurality of divided areas, detecting one or more moving objects; and detecting motion vectors for each of the one or more moving objects between the current frame and the previous frame to generate and output information indicating the fluid state for each divided area; wherein the moving objects are determined to be pixels among the pixels included in each divided area that have a predetermined first color value or higher, and the laser emits laser light of a predetermined color; and wherein the control device determines the moving objects to be pixels among the pixels included in each divided area that have a predetermined first color value or higher, and the first color value is set to a different value for each of the plurality of divided areas, and the first color value for each of the plurality of divided areas is characterized by detecting the distribution of color values ​​possessed by the pixels within the corresponding divided area, and detecting and setting a color value corresponding to a distribution value corresponding to a predetermined ratio among the distribution of color values. Flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe. Claim 2 A flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in claim 1, the control device calculates an average value of the motion vectors of the flow objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, and generates and outputs the average value as flow field visualization information representing the flow state for the corresponding divided region. Claim 3 A flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe, wherein, in paragraph 2, it further comprises a pump or valve for varying the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe, and the control device checks whether the flow field visualization information indicates whether the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined ratio, and if the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by more than a predetermined ratio, it drives the pump or valve to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed. Claim 4 A flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe, wherein, in paragraph 2, it further comprises a pump or valve for varying the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe, and the control device checks whether the flow field visualization information indicates that the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe is in a stationary state, and if the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe indicates that the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe is in a stationary state, sets a region of interest containing the corresponding flow object for each of the flow objects included in each of the plurality of divided regions, and if the size of the region of interest is greater than or equal to a predetermined size, drives the pump or valve to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed. Claim 5 A flow analysis device for a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in paragraph 4, the region of interest corresponds to ice particles generated by freezing. Claim 6 A control device controls the operation of a laser that irradiates light in a direction perpendicular to the flow direction of a substance within an observation space formed inside a pipe and an imaging device that images the observation space, thereby performing the irradiation of light into the observation space and imaging; when imaging information is provided from the imaging device, the imaging information is divided into frame units to form a plurality of image information; for each of the plurality of image information, the image is divided into regions having a predetermined size to create a plurality of divided regions; A method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe, comprising the step of: detecting one or more fluid objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, and detecting motion vectors for each of the one or more fluid objects between a current frame and a previous frame to generate information indicating the flow state for each divided region; wherein the fluid objects are determined to be pixels having a predetermined first color value or higher among the pixels included in each divided region, and the laser emits laser light of a predetermined color, and the control device determines the fluid objects to be pixels having a predetermined first color value or higher among the pixels included in each divided region, and the first color value for each of the plurality of divided regions is set by detecting the distribution of color values ​​of the pixels within the corresponding divided region and detecting and setting a color value corresponding to a distribution value corresponding to a predetermined ratio among the distribution of color values. Claim 7 A method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in claim 6, the control device further comprises the step of calculating an average value of the motion vectors of the flow objects for each of the plurality of divided regions, and generating and outputting the average value as flow field visualization information representing the flow state for the corresponding divided region. Claim 8 A method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in claim 7, the pump or valve for varying the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe is further provided, and the control device checks whether the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by a predetermined ratio or more, and if the flow velocity at the edge of the pipe is slower than the flow velocity at the center of the pipe by a predetermined ratio or more, the pump or valve is driven to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed. Claim 9 A method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in claim 7, the pump or valve for varying the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe is further provided, and the control device checks whether the flow field visualization information indicates that the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe is in a stationary state, and if the flow velocity of the substance within the pipe indicates that the flow velocity is in a stationary state, sets a region of interest containing the corresponding flow object for each of the flow objects included in each of the plurality of divided regions, and if the size of the region of interest is greater than or equal to a predetermined size, drives the pump or valve to increase the flow velocity of the substance by a predetermined speed. Claim 10 A method for analyzing the flow of a substance flowing inside a pipe, characterized in that, in claim 9, the region of interest corresponds to ice particles generated by freezing. Claim 11 delete Claim 12 delete Claim 13 delete Claim 14 delete

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