An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor

Abstract

This invention discloses an ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor, comprising a water meter, a pipe section for mounting the water meter, and several pairs of direct-insertion sensors disposed on the pipe section. The direct-insertion sensors are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pipe section and inserted into the pipe section perpendicularly. The front end of each direct-insertion sensor has a sensing working surface at an angle to the flow direction within the pipe. Using direct-insertion sensors allows for direct installation into the pipe section, and the sensing working surface can form an angle with the flow direction within the pipe for measurement. This reduces the difficulty of processing and casting the pipe section and facilitates automated industrial installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention pertains to ultrasonic water meters, and specifically relates to an ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, ultrasonic water meter sensors on the market typically use angled insertion sensors, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, this requires casting or welding an integral mounting boss 2 onto the outer wall of pipe section 1. However, if welding is used, the welding of the two mounting bosses 2 is difficult, and it is hard to guarantee symmetry accuracy. If casting is used, the machining and casting are also difficult, and there is a lot of material at the mounting boss 2 on the outer wall, which is prone to problems such as sand holes and air holes. In addition, the oblique insertion type also has the disadvantage of being difficult to install, making it difficult to achieve industrial automated installation. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor, which has a sensor that is directly inserted into the water pipe along the pipe diameter, which can solve the problems of casting and processing of water meter pipe sections, and greatly facilitate the fully automated design of assembly.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor includes a water meter, a pipe section for installing the water meter, and several pairs of direct-insertion sensors disposed on the pipe section. The direct-insertion sensors are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the pipe section and inserted into the pipe section in a vertical direction. The front end of the direct-insertion sensor has a sensing working surface that is inclined at an angle to the flow direction inside the pipe.

[0006] The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross section, a top post, and a pressure block. The sensing working surface is located on one side of the front end of the housing, and a sensor chip is attached to the inner side. The rear end of the housing is open and has a cavity inside. The top post is inserted into the cavity of the housing and is pressed onto the sensor chip by a mounting slope at the bottom that matches the sensing working surface. The upper end of the top post is sealed inside the housing by the pressure block.

[0007] The sensor chip is packaged on the mounting slope, inserted into the housing cavity through the top post, and attached to the inner side of the sensing working surface.

[0008] The bottom of the housing also has a stop on the other side, which is opposite to the sensing working surface.

[0009] The top of the pressure block is provided with a waist-shaped groove, and a pin is provided in the groove.

[0010] The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross section and a cylindrical sensor core component encapsulating a sensor chip. The sensing working surface is located on one side of the front end of the housing, and a mounting cavity matching the sensor core component is provided in the sensing working surface. The housing has a two-half structure that separates the sensing working surface and the mounting cavity in half. The sensor core component is installed in the mounting cavity, and its front end face is flush with the sensing working surface. The two halves of the housing are then joined together and fixed by ultrasonic welding.

[0011] The rear end of the sensor core component is provided with a retaining edge, and the mounting cavity is provided with a retaining groove that matches the retaining edge.

[0012] The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross-section and a cylindrical sensor core component encapsulating a sensor chip. The sensing working surface is located on one side of the front end of the housing. A mounting hole is opened on the sensing working surface, and a mounting cavity is provided in the hole that matches the sensor core component and forms a 90° angle with the sensing working surface. The rear end of the sensor core component has a ring of elastic retaining edge, and the rear end of the mounting cavity has a retaining groove that matches the elastic retaining edge. The sensor core component is inserted into the mounting cavity from the mounting hole and fixed in the retaining groove by the elastic retaining edge, and the front end of the sensor core component is flush with the sensing working surface.

[0013] The T-shaped shell step has a groove on the horizontal surface for installing a sealing ring.

[0014] The pipe section has symmetrical mounting holes on both sides for direct insertion of sensors.

[0015] An ultrasonic water meter using a direct-insertion sensor according to the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] 1. The sensor adopts a direct-insertion sensor with an inclined sensing working surface, which can be directly inserted for installation. This allows the mounting holes on the pipe section to be made very small, making the machining and casting process easier and reducing the amount of material, thus reducing problems such as sand holes and air holes.

[0017] 2. The sensor adopts a direct-insertion mounting method, which is simple to install and can be easily installed for industrial automation.

[0018] 3. The sensor chip is pre-packaged, enabling it to be packaged and tested independently. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing oblique insertion installation.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a top view of an existing oblique insertion installation method.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic water meter with the direct insertion sensor of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the GG line in the diagram.

[0024] Figure 5 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the HH line in the diagram.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the through-hole sensor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A top view of the through-hole sensor.

[0027] Figure 8 It is along Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the GG line in the diagram.

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the through-hole sensor according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A top view of the through-hole sensor.

[0030] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 An exploded view of the through-hole sensor.

[0031] Figure 12 It is along Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the cross section along line AA.

[0032] Figure 13 This is a top view schematic diagram of the through-hole sensor of Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 Schematic diagram of the cross section along line AA.

[0034] Figure 15 yes Figure 14 Enlarged schematic diagram of section B. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor of the present invention is as follows: Figures 3-5 As shown, similar to existing technology, it also includes a water meter (not shown in the figure, installed on...) Figure 3The section A in the text is used to install a water meter, but it also includes several pairs of direct-insertion sensors 10 installed on the pipe section 1. The direct-insertion sensors 10 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the pipe section 1 and inserted into the pipe section 1 perpendicularly. The front end of the direct-insertion sensor 10 is inclined at an angle to the flow direction inside the pipe. Figure 4 The sensor working surface is shown as a 45° angle (but can be designed with corresponding angles as needed). The through-hole sensor 10 can take, but is not limited to, the following three forms:

[0036] Example 1: As shown in the figure, the through-hole sensor 10 includes a housing 3 with a T-shaped axial cross section, a top post 11, and a pressure block 12. The sensing working surface 6 is located on one side of the front end of the housing 3 and forms an angle with the axial direction of the housing 3, such as 45°. A sensor chip 13 is attached to the inner side. The rear end of the housing 3 is open and has a cavity 14 inside. The bottom of the cavity 14 is directly connected to the sensing working surface 6. The top post 11 is inserted into the cavity 14 of the housing 3 and is pressed onto the sensor chip 13 through an installation slope 15 at the bottom that matches the sensing working surface 6. Preferably, the sensor chip 13 can be first encapsulated on the mounting inclined surface 15, and then inserted into the cavity 14 of the housing 3 through the top post 11 and attached to the inner side of the sensing working surface 6, so that the sensor chip 13 is attached to the inner side of the sensing working surface 6 at the same angle. When the straight-insertion sensor 10 is directly inserted into the pipe section 1, the sensor chip 13 will perform detection work at a 45° angle to the flow direction in the pipe. The upper end of the top post 11 is sealed inside the housing 3 by a pressure block 12 that matches the rear opening of the housing 3. The bottom of the housing 3 also has a baffle 16 that is opposite to the sensing working surface 6. The baffle 16 can block impurities in the water in the tank to the outside, preventing impurities from accumulating at the sensing working surface 6 and affecting the detection effect. Of course, the baffle 16 and the sensing working surface 6 can be manufactured as a whole with the housing 3. In addition, the top of the pressure block 12 has a waist-shaped groove 17, and the groove has a pin 18, which facilitates wiring. The housing 3 has a groove 8 for installing a sealing ring on the horizontal surface at the T-shaped step, and the upper outer edge of the housing 3 also has a positioning boss 9, which can facilitate installation and positioning.

[0037] Example 2: As shown in the figure, compared with Example 1, this through-hole sensor 10 also includes a housing 3 with a T-shaped axial cross-section. The difference is that it also includes a cylindrical sensor core component 4 encapsulating a sensor chip. The housing 3 also has a groove 5 for installing a sealing ring on the horizontal surface at the step. The sensing working surface 6 is located at the bottom front end of the housing 3 and forms an angle with the housing axis, such as 45°. The sensing working surface 6 has a mounting cavity 7 that matches the sensor core component 4. The housing 3 is designed as a two-half structure, separating the sensing working surface 6 and the mounting cavity 7 in half. The sensor core component 4 is installed in the mounting cavity 7, so that the axis of the sensor core component 4 is perpendicular to the sensing working surface 6, while the front end face of the sensor core component 4 is flush with the sensing working surface 6. Figure 6The dashed arrow in the figure indicates the measurement direction, and the two halves of the housing 3 are ultrasonically welded together for fixation. Preferably, the upper end of the sensor core component 4 is provided with a retaining edge 8, and the mounting cavity 7 is provided with a retaining groove that matches the retaining edge 8. The sensor core component 4 is positioned by being mounted in the retaining groove (not shown in the figure) through the retaining edge 8, so that the sensor core component 4 can rotate within the mounting cavity 7 without moving or flipping. The upper outer edge of the housing 3 also has a positioning boss 9 for easy installation and positioning.

[0038] Example 3, as shown in the figure, also includes a housing 3 with a T-shaped axial cross-section and a cylindrical sensor core component 4 encapsulating a sensor chip, compared to Example 2. A sensing working surface 6 is located at the bottom front end of the housing 3 and forms an angle of approximately 45° with the axial direction of the housing 3. A mounting hole is formed on the sensing working surface 6, and a mounting cavity matching the sensor core component 4 and forming a 90° angle with the sensing working surface is provided within the hole. The difference is that the sensor core component 4 is directly embedded and fixed within the mounting cavity from the mounting hole, and the front end face of the sensor core component 4 is flush with the sensing working surface. Preferably, the upper end of the sensor core component 4 has a ring of elastic retaining edge 8 made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) material, and the top of the mounting cavity has a groove 81 that matches the elastic retaining edge 8. When the sensor core component 4 is embedded, it is fixed within the groove 81 by the elastic retaining edge 8.

[0039] Because of the use of the above-described direct-insertion sensor 10, only symmetrical mounting holes 20 for direct insertion of the sensor 10 need to be provided on both sides of the pipe section 1. Each mounting hole 20 has several insertion holes at a 90° angle to the flow direction within the pipe. Its structure is simple, and its manufacturing and casting difficulty is far less than that of an oblique insertion sensor. It also reduces the amount of material inside, thus minimizing problems such as pinholes and air bubbles. Once the corresponding direct-insertion sensor 10 is inserted, its sensing working surface 6 can detect the flow direction at the required angle. Finally, an end cap is installed behind the mounting hole 20 to fix the sensor 10 within it.

[0040] In summary, the ultrasonic water meter with the direct-insertion sensor 10 of the present invention is easy to install and has low processing and casting difficulty due to the use of the direct-insertion sensor 10 with a sensing working surface, and can be easily installed in industrial automation.

[0041] However, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any changes or modifications to the above embodiments that are within the essential spirit of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor, comprising a water meter, a pipe section for mounting the water meter, and several pairs of direct-insertion sensors disposed on the pipe section, wherein the direct-insertion sensors are symmetrically disposed on both sides of the pipe section and inserted into the pipe section perpendicularly thereto, and the front end of the direct-insertion sensor has a sensing working surface at an angle to the flow direction within the pipe, characterized in that: The front end of the through-hole sensor also has a stop block on the other side, which is opposite to the sensing working surface. The vertical cross-section of the stop block is triangular, with a vertical outer surface and an inner inclined surface perpendicular to the sensor working surface.

2. The ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross section, a top post, and a pressure block. The sensing working surface is located on one side of the front end of the housing, and a sensor chip is attached to the inner side. The rear end of the housing is open and has an internal cavity. The top post is inserted into the cavity of the housing and pressed onto the sensor chip through an installation slope at the bottom that matches the sensing working surface. The upper end of the top post is sealed inside the housing by the pressure block.

3. The ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensor chip is packaged on the mounting slope, inserted into the housing cavity through the top post, and attached to the inner side of the sensing working surface.

4. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top of the pressure block is provided with a waist-shaped groove, and a pin is provided in the groove.

5. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross section, a cylindrical sensor core component encapsulating a sensor chip, a sensing working surface located on one side of the front end of the housing, and a mounting cavity matching the sensor core component within the sensing working surface. The housing has a two-half structure that separates the sensing working surface and the mounting cavity in half. The sensor core component is installed in the mounting cavity, with its front end face flush with the sensing working surface. The two halves of the housing are then joined together and fixed by ultrasonic welding.

6. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The rear end of the sensor core component is provided with a retaining edge, and the mounting cavity is provided with a retaining groove that matches the retaining edge.

7. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The through-hole sensor includes a housing with a T-shaped axial cross-section and a cylindrical sensor core component encapsulating a sensor chip. The sensing working surface is located on one side of the front end of the housing. A mounting hole is opened on the sensing working surface, and a mounting cavity is provided in the hole that matches the sensor core component and forms a 90° angle with the sensing working surface. The rear end of the sensor core component has a ring of elastic retaining edge, and the rear end of the mounting cavity has a retaining groove that matches the elastic retaining edge. The sensor core component is inserted into the mounting cavity from the mounting hole and fixed in the retaining groove by the elastic retaining edge, and the front end of the sensor core component is flush with the sensing working surface.

8. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 2, 5, or 7, characterized in that: The T-shaped shell step has a groove on the horizontal surface for installing a sealing ring.

9. An ultrasonic water meter with a direct-insertion sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipe section has symmetrical mounting holes on both sides for direct insertion of sensors.

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