An ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function, comprising a water pipe and a water meter body mounted on the water pipe, with mounting holes obliquely opened on both sides of the water pipe, a transducer detachably mounted in the mounting holes, a housing sealedly sleeved on the outside of the mounting hole, a cleaning mechanism mounted in the housing, a mounting cover body in sealed contact with the outside of the mounting hole, a plurality of arc-shaped outer movable plates sealingly slidingly provided inside the mounting cover body, an arc-shaped inner movable plate sealingly slidingly provided inside the outer movable plate, a hydraulic cylinder connected to the mounting cover body via an oil filling pipe, and a driving mechanism for driving the inner and outer movable plates to synchronously reciprocate on the mounting cover body. In the present invention, the outer and inner movable plates can be extended and covered on the spherical surface of the transducer, and the inner and outer movable plates can be driven by the driving mechanism to rotate to scrape off scale on the spherical surface of the transducer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ultrasonic water meters, in particular to an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic water meters are a type of smart water meter that is now widely used. To ensure accurate measurement and data transmission, the area around the ultrasonic water meter must be kept clean and free from acidic and alkaline substances to prevent corrosion and affect the accuracy of measurement. Generally, ultrasonic water meters will produce some scale after long-term operation. The formation of this scale in the ultrasonic water meter is likely to cause inaccurate measurement and even transmission errors, so it must be cleaned in a timely manner.

[0003] Currently, when a problem is discovered during the use of a water meter, the usual procedure is to close the water valve, remove the ultrasonic meter seal, and replace the transducer parts. However, this improper operation can cause permanent damage to the water meter, resulting in unnecessary losses for the user. Usually, if there is dirt in the water meter, it is usually a problem with the water quality, and the dirt can be removed by turning on the tap. However, if the scale is attached to the transducer, the only option is to replace the water meter directly. To address this problem, we have proposed an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function to solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function to solve the problems raised in the above background technology.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function, comprising a water pipe and a water meter body mounted on the water pipe, with mounting holes obliquely opened on both sides of the water pipe, a transducer removably mounted in the mounting holes, a housing sealedly sleeved on the outside of the mounting holes, a cleaning mechanism mounted in the housing, the cleaning mechanism comprising a mounting cover in sealed contact with the outside of the mounting hole, wherein sealing rings are mounted on both the inside and outside of the mounting cover, wherein the inner sealing ring is in sealed contact with the surface of the transducer body, and the outer sealing ring is in sealed contact with the inner edge of the mounting hole, thereby ensuring that water in the water pipe does not enter the housing. The outer edge of the mounting cover is flush with the inner edge of the mounting hole.

[0006] The mounting cover is provided with a plurality of curved outer movable plates that slide in a sealed manner within the mounting cover. A curved inner movable plate slides in a sealed manner within the outer movable plates. The inner and outer movable plates form an arc-shaped structure that matches the curvature of the transducer surface. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mounting cover via an oil filling pipe. The cleaning mechanism also includes a drive mechanism that drives the inner and outer movable plates to rotate synchronously and reciprocally within the mounting cover. The rotation range of the inner and outer movable plates is between 60 and 120 degrees.

[0007] Preferably, the mounting cover is a hollow partially spherical structure, the interior of which is a plurality of arc-shaped movable cavities, the outer movable plate is movably located in the movable cavity, the inner end of the outer movable plate is provided with an outer piston block which is interference-fitted with the movable cavity, the inner side curvature of the movable cavity is consistent with the surface curvature of the outer movable plate, an oil filling hole is provided below the outer movable plate, and the oil filling hole is connected to the movable cavity through a metal hose;

[0008] An arc-shaped oil injection cavity is provided in the outer movable plate, the inner movable plate is movable in the oil injection cavity, and an inner piston block with an interference fit with the oil injection cavity is provided at the inner end of the inner movable plate;

[0009] The extended lengths of the inner movable plate and the outer movable plate are half of the arc length of the upper hemispherical surface of the transducer.

[0010] Preferably, as shown in Figures and, the inner sides of the inner movable plate are provided with concave mounting grooves at both ends, wherein arc-shaped scrapers are mounted in the mounting grooves via metal springs. In addition, a cover plate cooperating with the oil injection cavity opening can also be provided at the outer end of the inner movable plate.

[0011] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes an external tooth slewing bearing rotatably connected to the transducer body, a gear meshing with the external tooth slewing bearing, and a servo motor for driving the gear to rotate; a fixed block is fixedly provided on the outer ring of the external tooth slewing bearing, the fixed block movably passes through the bottom of the movable cavity, and the fixed block is movably connected to a second permanent magnet through an arc-shaped connecting rod structure; a first permanent magnet is fixedly provided on the inner end portion of the outer movable plate, the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are mutually attracted, symmetrically distributed on both sides of the outer piston block, and both are slidably connected to the outer piston block through a dovetail groove structure;

[0012] The length of the movable cavity is consistent with that of the outer piston block, which is one third of the length of the arc surface of the mounting cover, so as to allow the outer movable plate to slide along the surface of the outer piston block.

[0013] The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are attracted to each other. When the second permanent magnet slides, the first permanent magnet also slides.

[0014] Preferably, the arc-shaped connecting rod structure is composed of two arc-shaped connecting rods that are bent inwardly, and the two connecting rods are hinged to each other. One end of the arc-shaped connecting rod structure is movably connected to the fixed block, and the other end is movably connected to the second permanent magnet.

[0015] Preferably, the driving mechanism can also be an external tooth slewing bearing fixedly connected to the mounting cover, a gear meshing with the external tooth slewing bearing, and a servo motor that drives the gear to rotate, wherein the outer ring of the external tooth slewing bearing is directly fixed to the mounting cover, and the outer piston block is fixed to the outer movable plate.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] In the present invention, hydraulic oil is injected into the movable cavity via a hydraulic cylinder. Under the action of the oil pressure, the outer and inner movable plates are extended. The inner surfaces of the extended inner and outer movable plates contact the spherical surface of the transducer, covering exactly half the arc length of the transducer's spherical surface. A driving mechanism then rotates the inner and outer movable plates to scrape away scale from the transducer's spherical surface.

[0018] When the hydraulic cylinder in the present invention draws out the hydraulic oil in the movable cavity and the oil filling cavity, under the action of air pressure, the inner movable plate contracts into the outer movable plate, and the outer movable plate contracts into the mounting cover, completely exposing the spherical surface of the transducer to ensure its normal operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the transducer and cleaning mechanism in the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of another embodiment of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of installing the cover body and the outer movable plate in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 For the present invention Figure 5 Schematic diagram at point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the arc connecting rod structure in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the outer movable plate and the inner movable plate in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the outer movable plate and the inner movable plate of the present invention;

[0028] In the figure: 1, water meter body; 101, water pipe; 102, mounting hole; 2, transducer; 201, housing;

[0029] 3. Cleaning mechanism; 31. Mounting cover; 3101. Movable cavity; 3102. Sealing ring; 32. Outer movable plate; 3201. Oil filling chamber; 3202. Outer piston block; 3203. Oil filling hole; 3204. First permanent magnet; 33. Inner movable plate; 3301. Mounting groove; 3302. Scraper; 3303. Metal spring; 3304. Inner piston block; 34. Oil filling pipe; 35. External gear slewing bearing; 36. Gear; 37. Servo motor; 38. Second permanent magnet; 39. Arc connecting rod structure; 391. Connecting rod; 310. Fixed block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0031] See also Figure 1-9 The present invention provides a technical solution: an ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function, comprising a water pipe 101 and a water meter body 1 mounted on the water pipe 101. Mounting holes 102 are obliquely defined on either side of the water pipe 101, and a transducer 2 is removably mounted within the mounting holes 102. A housing 201 is also hermetically sleeved onto the outside of the mounting holes 102 to seal the exterior of the transducer 2. The transducer 2 is a conventional spherical transducer in the art, with the portion located within the water pipe 101 being hemispherical. Typically, over time, a layer of scale forms on the spherical surface of the transducer, affecting the meter's measurement accuracy.

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, a cleaning mechanism 3 is installed in the housing 201. The cleaning mechanism 3 includes a mounting cover 31 that is in sealing contact with the outside of the mounting hole 102. Sealing rings 3102 are installed on both the inside and outside of the mounting cover 31. The inner sealing ring 3102 is in sealing contact with the surface of the transducer 2 body, and the outer sealing ring 3102 is in sealing contact with the inner edge of the mounting hole 102, ensuring that water in the water pipe 101 does not enter the housing 201. The outer edge of the mounting cover 31 is flush with the inner edge of the mounting hole 102, so that the front end of the mounting cover 31 does not extend into the water pipe 101 and affect the accuracy of the measurement.

[0033] like Figure 4-6As shown, three arc-shaped outer movable plates 32 are sealed and slidably provided inside the mounting cover 31, and an arc-shaped inner movable plate 33 is sealed and slidably provided inside the outer movable plate 32. An arc-shaped structure consistent with the surface curvature of the transducer 2 is formed between the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mounting cover 31 through an oil filling pipe 34; the rotation amplitude of the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32 is between 60-120°.

[0034] The mounting cover 31 is a hollow partially spherical structure with several arc-shaped movable cavities 3101 inside. The outer movable plate 32 is movable in the movable cavity 3101. The inner end of the outer movable plate 32 is provided with an outer piston block 3202 that is interference fit with the movable cavity 3101. The curvature of the inner side surface of the movable cavity 3101 is consistent with the surface curvature of the outer movable plate 32. An oil filling hole 3203 is provided below the outer movable plate 32, and the oil filling hole 3203 is connected to the movable cavity 3101 through a metal hose.

[0035] An arc-shaped oil filling chamber 3201 is provided in the outer movable plate 32, and the inner movable plate 33 is movable in the oil filling chamber 3201, and an inner piston block 3304 is provided at the inner end of the inner movable plate 33, which is interference fit with the oil filling chamber 3201; wherein, the length of the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32 after extension is half of the arc length of the upper hemispherical surface of the transducer 2.

[0036] like Figure 5 、 6 As shown in Figures 8 and 9, when the hydraulic cylinder injects hydraulic oil into the movable cavity 3101 through the oil filling pipe 34, the oil pressure pushes the outer piston block 3202 and the outer movable plate 32 outward, causing the outer movable plate 32 to extend from the mounting cover 31. At the same time, the hydraulic oil in the movable cavity 3101 enters the oil filling chamber 3201 of the outer movable plate 32 through the metal hose, and similarly pushes the inner piston block 3304 and the inner movable plate 33 outward, causing the inner movable plate 33 to extend outward from the outer movable plate 32. After extension, the inner side surfaces of the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32 contact the spherical surface of the transducer 2 and exactly cover half the arc length of the spherical surface of the transducer 2.

[0037] Similarly, when the hydraulic cylinder draws the hydraulic oil out of the movable cavity 3101 and the oil filling cavity 3201, under the action of air pressure, the inner movable plate 33 shrinks into the outer movable plate 32, and the outer movable plate 32 shrinks into the mounting cover 31, completely exposing the spherical surface of the transducer 2 to ensure its normal operation.

[0038] Further, such as Figure 8 and 9As shown, concave mounting grooves 3301 are formed at both ends of the inner side of the inner movable plate 33. Curved scrapers 3302 are mounted in the mounting grooves 3301 via metal springs 3303. After the scrapers 3302 are ejected by the metal springs 3303, their inner sides remain on the same spherical surface as the inner side of the outer movable plate 32, ensuring that both the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32 can contact the spherical surface of the transducer 2 and effectively scrape away scale from the surface of the transducer 2.

[0039] Both ends of the scraper 3302 are chamfered. When the inner movable plate 33 moves into the oil filling chamber 3201 of the outer movable plate 32 under the action of air pressure, the chamfered ends of the scraper 3302 contact the edge of the oil filling chamber 3201, squeezing the scraper 3302 into the mounting groove 3301, allowing the inner movable plate 33 to be completely retracted into the oil filling chamber 3201. In addition, a cover plate can be provided at the outer end of the inner movable plate 33 to fit over the opening of the oil filling chamber 3201, sealing the opening of the oil filling chamber 3201 after the inner movable plate 33 is retracted.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning mechanism 3 includes a driving mechanism for driving the inner movable plate 33 and the outer movable plate 32 to rotate synchronously back and forth on the mounting cover 31 .

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] like Figure 4-7 As shown, the driving mechanism includes an external gear slewing bearing 35 rotatably connected to the transducer 2 body, a gear 36 meshing with the external gear slewing bearing 35, and a servo motor 37 for driving the gear 36 to rotate. A fixed block 310 is fixedly provided on the outer ring of the external gear slewing bearing 35. The fixed block 310 movably passes through the bottom of the movable cavity 3101, and the fixed block 310 is movably connected to a second permanent magnet 38 through an arc-shaped connecting rod structure 39. A first permanent magnet 3204 is fixedly provided at the inner end of the outer movable plate 32. The first permanent magnet 3204 and the second permanent magnet 38 are mutually attracted and symmetrically distributed on both sides of the outer piston block 3202. Both are slidably connected to the outer piston block 3202 through a dovetail groove structure.

[0043] Furthermore, the lengths of the movable cavity 3101 and the outer piston block 3202 are consistent, both being one-third of the length of the arc surface of the mounting cover 31 , thereby allowing the outer movable plate 32 to slide along the surface of the outer piston block 3202 .

[0044] The first permanent magnet 3204 and the second permanent magnet 38 are attracted to each other. When the second permanent magnet 38 slides, the first permanent magnet 3204 also slides.

[0045] The arc-shaped connecting rod structure 39 is composed of two arc-shaped connecting rods 391 that are bent inwardly. The two connecting rods 391 are hinged to each other. One end of the arc-shaped connecting rod structure 39 is movably connected to the fixed block 310, and the other end is movably connected to the second permanent magnet 38.

[0046] The bottom of the mounting housing 31 reserves space for the curved connecting rod structure 39. When the movable cavity 3101 is filled with oil, the oil pressure causes the outer piston block 3202 to slide outward, driving the curved connecting rod structure 39 to expand. The curved, inward-curved shape of the curved connecting rod structure 39 perfectly fits the internal space of the movable cavity 3101. At this point, the rotation of the external gear slewing bearing 35 drives the fixed block 310 to rotate. The curved connecting rod structure 39 drives the second permanent magnet 38 to slide along the surface of the outer piston block 3202. Magnetic attraction causes the first permanent magnet 3204 to follow suit, allowing the outer movable plate 32 to slide across the spherical surface of the transducer 2, scraping away scale. Simultaneously, the servo motor 37 controls the forward and reverse rotation of the external gear slewing bearing 35 within a certain range, ensuring that the rotation amplitude of the outer movable plate 32 does not exceed 120°. In practice, three outer and inner movable plates 32, 33, are used. A 120° rotation achieves full coverage of the transducer 2 surface.

[0047] The outer piston block 3202 is kept in a fixed position under the action of oil pressure, so the arc-shaped connecting rod structure 39 will not bend during the rotation of the fixed block 310.

[0048] Example 2:

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, the driving mechanism can also be an external tooth slewing bearing 35 fixedly connected to the mounting cover 31, a gear 36 meshingly connected to the external tooth slewing bearing 35, and a servo motor 37 that drives the gear 36 to rotate. The outer ring of the external tooth slewing bearing 35 is directly fixed to the mounting cover 31, and the outer piston block 3202 is fixed to the outer movable plate 32.

[0050] When the outer gear slewing bearing 35 rotates, it directly drives the mounting cover 31 to rotate accordingly. At the same time, the servo motor 37 controls the outer gear slewing bearing 35 to rotate forward and reverse within a certain range, so that the rotation range of the mounting cover 31, the outer movable plate 32 and the inner movable plate 33 does not exceed 120°.

[0051] While embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, and that the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic water meter with a transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function, comprising a water pipe and a water meter body mounted on the water pipe, with mounting holes obliquely formed on both sides of the water pipe, transducers removably mounted in the mounting holes, and a housing sealed around the outside of the mounting holes, characterized in that: A cleaning mechanism is installed in the outer shell, and the cleaning mechanism includes a mounting cover body that is in sealing contact with the outside of the mounting hole, a plurality of arc-shaped outer movable plates are sealed and slidably provided inside the mounting cover body, and an arc-shaped inner movable plate is sealed and slidably provided inside the outer movable plate, and an arc-shaped structure consistent with the curvature of the transducer surface is formed between the inner movable plate and the outer movable plate, and a hydraulic cylinder is connected to the mounting cover body through an oil filling pipe; the cleaning mechanism also includes a driving mechanism that drives the inner movable plate and the outer movable plate to rotate back and forth synchronously on the mounting cover body.

2. The ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mounting cover is a hollow partially spherical structure with a plurality of arc-shaped movable cavities inside. The outer movable plate is movably located in the movable cavity. An outer piston block with an interference fit with the movable cavity is provided at the inner end of the outer movable plate. An oil filling hole is provided below the outer movable plate and is connected to the movable cavity through a metal hose. An arc-shaped oil injection cavity is provided in the outer movable plate, the inner movable plate is movably located in the oil injection cavity, and an inner piston block which is interference-fitted with the oil injection cavity is provided at the inner end of the inner movable plate.

3. The ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function according to claim 2, characterized in that: Both ends of the inner side surface of the inner movable plate are provided with inwardly concave mounting grooves, and arc-shaped scrapers are mounted in the mounting grooves via metal springs.

4. The ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving mechanism includes an external gear slewing bearing rotatably connected to the transducer body, a gear meshing with the external gear slewing bearing, and a servo motor that drives the gear to rotate. A fixed block is fixedly provided on the outer ring of the external gear slewing bearing. The fixed block movably passes through the bottom of the movable cavity, and the fixed block is movably connected to a second permanent magnet through an arc-shaped connecting rod structure. A first permanent magnet is fixedly provided on the inner end of the outer movable plate. The first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet are mutually attracted and symmetrically distributed on both sides of the outer piston block, and are both slidably connected to the outer piston block through a dovetail groove structure. The length of the movable cavity is consistent with that of the outer piston block, which is one third of the length of the arc surface of the mounting cover, so as to allow the outer movable plate to slide along the surface of the outer piston block.

5. The ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function according to claim 4, characterized in that: The arc-shaped connecting rod structure is composed of two arc-shaped connecting rods that are bent inwardly. The two connecting rods are hinged to each other. One end of the arc-shaped connecting rod structure is movably connected to the fixed block, and the other end is movably connected to the second permanent magnet.

6. The ultrasonic water meter with transducer cleaning and anti-scaling function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving mechanism can also be an external gear slewing bearing fixedly connected to the mounting cover, a gear meshing with the external gear slewing bearing, and a servo motor that drives the gear to rotate. The outer ring of the external gear slewing bearing is directly fixed to the mounting cover, and the outer piston block is fixed to the outer movable plate.

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