A water meter calibration device and a calibration method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of water meter calibration equipment, and provides a water meter calibration equipment and a calibration method, which include a workbench and a water tank. The workbench is provided with a table clamping and locking assembly, and there are multiple table clamping and locking assemblies installed and laid in a straight line, with a gap for inserting a water meter left between the table clamping and locking assemblies for series connection; a pressing piston plate is provided in the water tank to extrude water, a water delivery pipe is connected to the lower end of the water tank, one end of the water delivery pipe is connected to one end of one of the table clamping and locking assemblies, a connecting pipe is connected to the table clamping and locking assembly far from the end of the water delivery pipe, the other end of the connecting pipe is connected to a metering container, an exhaust pipe is connected to the side of the connecting pipe, a first control valve is installed on the exhaust pipe, and a first solenoid valve is provided on the connecting pipe, and the first solenoid valve is arranged between the exhaust pipe and the metering container; the workbench is arranged in an inclined state, and the high side of the inclined surface of the workbench is close to the metering container. The present invention effectively avoids the influence of air and water flow on the measurement of the water meter to be tested during the calibration process, and greatly improves the accuracy of the calibration result.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of water meter calibration equipment, and more particularly, to a water meter calibration equipment and a calibration method. Background Art

[0002] A water meter is one of the main measuring tools for urban water supply. Water meters belong to working measuring instruments for trade settlement and are included in the mandatory verification catalog, and mandatory verification should be carried out on them. Therefore, the verification work of water meters should be an important part of metrological management. Currently, water meters are divided into two different forms: volumetric and velocity type. As a measuring tool, its accuracy is quite important. Due to the frequent use of water meters, they are subject to wear or deformation, etc., and their measured values will change, thus affecting the accuracy and resulting in error phenomena, making the water meter run too fast or too slow. In order to ensure the accuracy and reliability of water meter measurement, water meters need to be periodically detected. At the same time, quality verification is also carried out when water meters leave the factory.

[0003] When traditional water meter calibration equipment calibrates a water meter, the rotation degree of the water meter pointer is detected according to the fluid flowing through it. During calibration, multiple water meters need to be connected in series on the water pipe and then water is passed through for calibration. At this time, the water pipes and the water meters are not completely filled with water, and there is a certain amount of air in the pipes and the water meters. Air may remain in the water pipes and flow through the water meter mixed with water, which seriously affects the calibration of the water meter. The calibration result is not the accurate volume of the water flowing through, resulting in inaccurate results for the calibrated water meters, and the water flow delivery of the calibration equipment mainly relies on a water pump. The surging of the water flow agitated by the water pump also has a certain impact on the pointer perturbation, and there is also a certain impact on the accuracy of the final calibration result of the water meter. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a water meter calibration equipment and a calibration method that can effectively eliminate the influence of gas in the pipes and water meters on the calibration result during the calibration process and improve the accuracy of the calibration result of the water meter to be measured.

[0005] Embodiments of the present invention are achieved through the following technical solutions: A water meter verification device includes a workbench and a water tank. A meter clamping and locking assembly is provided on the workbench. There are multiple meter clamping and locking assemblies installed and laid out in a straight line, and there is a gap for inserting a water meter between the meter clamping and locking assemblies for series connection; A pressing piston plate is provided in the water tank to extrude water. A water delivery pipe is connected to the lower end of the water tank. One end of the water delivery pipe is connected to one end of one of the meter clamping and locking assemblies. Another meter clamping and locking assembly away from the end of the water delivery pipe is connected with a connecting pipe. The other end of the connecting pipe is connected to a measuring container. An exhaust pipe is connected to the top of the connecting pipe. A first control valve is installed on the exhaust pipe. The connecting pipe is provided with a first solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve is arranged between the exhaust pipe and the measuring container; The workbench is arranged in an inclined state, and the high side of the inclined surface of the workbench is close to the measuring container.

[0006] Further, the meter clamping and locking assembly includes a housing, back-to-back cylinders, and a transition pipe. The transition pipe is arranged inside the housing. Sleeve joints are sleeved on both sides of the transition pipe and are slidably connected thereto. The two ends of the back-to-back cylinders are respectively connected and fixed to the tail ends of the two sleeve joints, and sealing members are installed on the inner walls of the sleeve joints.

[0007] Further, the measuring container is placed horizontally, and a piston rod is provided inside the measuring container, and scales are marked on the piston rod.

[0008] Further, a drain pipe is connected to the lower side of the measuring container. The drain pipe leads to the bottom of the water tank and is connected thereto. A third solenoid valve and a water pump are provided on the drain pipe, and the third solenoid valve is arranged close to the measuring container.

[0009] Further, a second solenoid valve is installed on the water delivery pipe, and an air supply device is externally connected to the water delivery pipe. The air supply device is arranged between the second solenoid valve and the meter clamping and locking assembly.

[0010] Further, a camera for aligning the water meter is provided above the workbench, and a plurality of fixing bayonets adapted to the shape of the water meter are provided on the workbench.

[0011] A method for verifying the above water meter verification device includes the following steps:

[0012] S1. Installation of the water meter to be tested: Control the back-to-back cylinders to retract through pneumatic components, place the water meters to be tested one by one in the gap between the meter clamping and locking assemblies on the workbench, and the back-to-back cylinders extend to sleeve and closely connect the sleeve joints with both ends of the water meter, so that the plurality of water meters to be tested are hermetically connected in series, that is, the water meters to be tested are connected to the verification system.

[0013] S2. Verification Preparation: The first solenoid valve is in the closed state, the exhaust pipe is ventilated, the downward pressing piston plate in the water tank gradually moves downward to squeeze water and input it into the water delivery pipe. When the water gradually fills the meter clamping and locking assembly and the water meter to be tested, the air moves and accumulates towards the exhaust pipe on the high side. When the gas in the pipe gradually drains out of the exhaust pipe along the pipeline, the first control valve is closed, and then the camera records the display data of each water meter to be tested at this time;

[0014] S3. Water Meter Accuracy Verification: Open the first solenoid valve, and the water output from the water tank flows through the water delivery pipe, the transition pipe and the water meter to be tested and enters the metering container. The water pushes the piston rod of the metering container to move horizontally and extend outwards. The scale of the piston rod shows the water volume in the metering container, and the camera also records the pointer data of each water meter to be tested accordingly. The difference between the water volume data measured by each water meter to be tested and the data in S2 is compared with the scale shown by the piston rod of the metering container;

[0015] S4. Drainage: Close the first solenoid valve, and open the third solenoid valve and the water pump to pump the water in the metering container back to the water tank for reuse;

[0016] S5. Water Tank Back-Pumping: Open the first control valve on the exhaust pipe and the second solenoid valve on the water delivery pipe, and the downward pressing piston plate in the water tank moves upwards to pump out the water in the pipeline and the water meter to be tested;

[0017] S6. Cleaning of Residual Water in Pipeline: Close the second solenoid valve, open the air supply device to blow air along the water delivery pipe to the meter clamping and locking assembly and the water meter to be tested, and blow out the water in the water meter to be tested and the pipeline from the exhaust pipe;

[0018] S7. Remove the Water Meter to be Tested: Control the back-to-back cylinder to retract, remove the water meter to be tested in the fixed clamp, and then replace it with the next batch of water meters to be tested, and repeat the above verification steps.

[0019] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following advantages and beneficial effects: The present invention can place the water meter to be tested on an inclined workbench, and set the water output of the water tank with stable water pressure to pre-discharge the air in the water meter to be tested, the pipeline and the meter clamping and locking assembly from the exhaust pipe, so that the pipeline is in a state completely filled with water. Then, the water output from the water tank drives the pointer of the water meter to be tested to rotate, and the excess water flows into the metering container for comparison, avoiding the influence of air in the pipeline on the water meter to be tested and improving the accuracy of the verification result of the water meter to be tested. Description of the Drawings

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other relevant drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 Structural schematic diagram of the water meter verification device provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 Structural schematic diagram of the table clamping and locking assembly in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 Partial connection structural schematic diagram at the metering container in the present invention.

[0024] Icon: 1 - Workbench, 11 - Fixed bayonet, 12 - Water meter to be measured, 2 - Water tank, 21 - Pressing piston plate, 3 - Table clamping and locking assembly, 31 - Housing, 32 - Back-to-back cylinder, 33 - Transition pipe, 34 - Sleeve joint, 35 - Seal, 4 - Water delivery pipe, 41 - Second solenoid valve, 5 - Exhaust pipe, 51 - First control valve, 6 - Metering container, 61 - Piston rod, 7 - Connecting pipe, 71 - First solenoid valve, 8 - Drain pipe, 81 - Third solenoid valve, 82 - Water pump, 9 - Gas supply device, 10 - Camera. Detailed implementation manners

[0025] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Usually, the components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

[0026] Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present invention, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that if terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc. are used to indicate the orientation or positional relationship, it is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the product of this application is usually placed when in use. This is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0028] Embodiment

[0029] The following is further described in conjunction with specific embodiments. Refer to Figures 1 - 3As shown in the figure, this embodiment is a water meter calibration device, which includes a workbench 1 and a water tank 2. A meter clamping and locking assembly 3 is arranged on the workbench 1. There are multiple meter clamping and locking assemblies 3, which are installed and laid out in a straight line. There is a gap for installing the water meter between the meter clamping and locking assemblies 3 for series connection. A downward pressure piston plate 21 is provided in the water tank 2 to extrude water. A water delivery pipe 4 is connected to the lower end of the water tank 2. One end of the water delivery pipe 4 is connected to one end of one of the meter clamping and locking assemblies 3. A communication pipe 7 is connected to the other meter clamping and locking assembly 3 at the end far from the water delivery pipe 4. The other end of the communication pipe 7 is connected to a measuring container 6. An exhaust pipe 5 is connected to the top of the communication pipe 7. A first control valve 51 is installed on the exhaust pipe 5. A first solenoid valve 71 is provided on the communication pipe 7. The first solenoid valve 71 is arranged between the exhaust pipe 5 and the measuring container 6. The workbench 1 is arranged in an inclined state, and the high side of the inclined surface of the workbench 1 is close to the measuring container 6. The meter clamping and locking assembly 3 includes a housing 31, a back-to-back cylinder 32 and a transition pipe 33. The transition pipe 33 is arranged inside the housing 31. Sleeve joints 34 are sleeved on both sides of the transition pipe 33 and are slidably connected thereto. The two ends of the back-to-back cylinder 32 are respectively connected and fixed to the tail ends of the two sleeve joints 34. And a seal 35 is installed inside the sleeve joint 34. Specifically, in the process of calibrating the water meter 12 to be measured in the present invention, the water meter 12 to be measured is fixed in a fixture on the workbench 1. The water meters 12 to be measured are in a straight line and are respectively arranged in the gaps between the meter clamping and locking assemblies 3 for series connection. The back-to-back cylinder 32 in the meter clamping and locking assembly 3 extends to drive the sleeve joint 34 to move outward along the transition pipe 33 and be clamped at both ends of the water meter 12 to be measured. The inner wall of the sleeve joint 34 has a stepped end face that presses tightly against the rubber seal 35 in a ring shape that cooperates with the water meter 12 to be measured to complete the installation work. After that, the downward pressure piston plate 21 stably presses down to discharge water from the water tank 2, and the water flow is more stable, reducing the interference of the water flow on the water meter pointer. Close the first solenoid valve 71 and open the first control valve 51 and the second solenoid valve 41. The inclined workbench 1 can facilitate the air in the cavities of the water delivery pipe 4, the meter clamping and locking assembly 3 and the water meter 12 to be measured to gradually gather and be discharged to the exhaust pipe 5 until water comes out of the exhaust pipe 5, then close the first control valve 51, and record the pointer data of the multiple water meters 12 to be measured at this moment. Open the first solenoid valve 71, and further press down the water by the downward pressure piston plate 21 to pass through the water meters 12 to be measured, and the excess water enters the measuring container 6. Stop injecting water after reaching a certain water volume, and record the difference between the data of the multiple water meters 12 to be measured at this moment and the previous data, which is the measured value of the water meter. Then compare it with the water volume in the measuring container 6 to calibrate whether the function of the water meter 12 to be measured is normal and within the error range. This method greatly reduces the problem that the measurement result is inaccurate due to air and water flow disorder in the measurement process, and improves the accuracy of the calibration result. It is worth noting that the drain pipe 8 is set close enough to the front end of the measuring container 6.

[0030] In addition, it is worth noting that the metering container 6 is cylindrical and horizontally placed. The connecting pipe 7 intakes water from the side of the metering container 6. A piston rod 61 is provided inside the metering container 6, and scales are marked on the piston rod 61. Under the action of water pressure, the piston rod 61 can be pushed to gradually leak out on the other side of the metering container 6 to display the scales above, indicating the water capacity in the metering container 6.

[0031] In this embodiment, a drain pipe 8 is connected to the lower side of the metering container 6. The drain pipe 8 leads to and is connected to the bottom of the water tank 2. A third solenoid valve 81 and a water pump 82 are provided on the drain pipe 8, and the third solenoid valve 81 is arranged close to the metering container 6. Specifically, after the verification of the water meter 12 to be measured is completed, the first solenoid valve 71 is closed, the third solenoid valve 81 and the water pump 82 are opened. The pipe orifice of the drain pipe 8 connected to the metering container 6 is close to the pipe orifice of the connecting pipe 7, so that the water in the metering container 6 can be completely drained. The piston rod 61 in the metering container 6 retracts inward, and the water enters the water tank 2 along the drain pipe 8 for repeated use. A tee joint is used at the connection between the water tank 2 and the drain pipe 8, and water can also be supplemented to the water tank 2 from the outside.

[0032] In this embodiment, a second solenoid valve 41 is installed on the water delivery pipe 4. An air supply device 9 is externally connected to the water delivery pipe 4. The air supply device 9 is arranged between the second solenoid valve 41 and the meter clamping and locking assembly 3. Specifically, there is still residual accumulated water in the water meter 12 to be measured and the water delivery pipe 4. If the water meter is directly removed, part of the water will flow randomly and overflow to the ground. Therefore, before removing the water meter 12 to be measured, the first solenoid valve 71 and the first control valve 51 are opened, and the piston plate 21 is pressed down to move upward, so that the water in the pipeline and the water meter 12 to be measured can be pumped back into the water tank 2. Then the first solenoid valve 71 is closed, the electric control valve of the air supply device 9 is opened, and the air tank of the air supply device 9 blows out the water in the pipeline, the meter clamping and locking assembly 3 and the water meter 12 to be measured from the exhaust pipe 5. Then the back-to-back cylinder 32 retracts to release the fixation of the meter clamping and locking assembly 3 on the water meter 12 to be measured, so that it can be removed from the workbench 1.

[0033] To facilitate recording the pointer changes of the water meter, a camera 10 for aligning with the water meter is provided above the workbench 1. The camera 10 is connected to the background control computer system, can accurately record the pointer changes, and automatically calculate the data difference. A plurality of fixing bays 11 adapted to the shape of the water meter are provided on the workbench 1, and after the water meter 12 to be measured is stabilized, it can be clamped by the meter clamping and locking assembly 3.

[0034] A method for verifying the above water meter verification equipment includes the following steps:

[0035] S1. Installation of the water meter 12 to be tested: Control the retraction of the back-to-back cylinder 32 through pneumatic components, place each water meter 12 to be tested in the gap between the meter clamping and locking components 3 on the workbench 1 one by one, and extend the back-to-back cylinder 32 to sleeve and closely connect the sleeve joint 34 with both ends of the water meter, so that multiple water meters 12 to be tested are hermetically connected in series, that is, the water meter 12 to be tested is connected to the calibration system;

[0036] S2. Preparation for calibration: The first solenoid valve 71 is in the closed state, the exhaust pipe 5 is ventilated, the downward pressure piston plate 21 in the water tank 2 gradually moves downward to squeeze water and input it into the water delivery pipe 4. When the water gradually fills the meter clamping and locking components 3 and the water meter 12 to be tested, the air moves and accumulates towards the exhaust pipe 5 on the high side. When the gas in the pipe gradually drains out of the water from the exhaust pipe 5, close the first control valve 51, and then the camera 10 records the display data of each water meter 12 to be tested at this time;

[0037] S3. Accuracy calibration of the water meter: Open the first solenoid valve 71, the water output from the water tank 2 flows through the water delivery pipe 4, the transition pipe 33 and the water meter 12 to be tested and enters the metering container 6. The water pushes the piston rod 61 of the metering container 6 to move horizontally and extend outwards. The scale of the piston rod 61 shows the water volume in the metering container 6, and the camera 10 also records the pointer data of each water meter 12 to be tested accordingly. The difference between the water volume data measured by each water meter 12 to be tested and the data in S2 is compared with the scale shown by the piston rod 61 of the metering container 6;

[0038] S4. Drainage: Close the first solenoid valve 71, and open the third solenoid valve 81 and the water pump 82 to pump the water in the metering container 6 back into the water tank 2 for reuse;

[0039] S5. Back-pumping of the water tank 2: Open the first control valve 51 on the exhaust pipe 5 and the second solenoid valve 41 on the water delivery pipe 4, and the downward pressure piston plate 21 in the water tank 2 moves upwards to pump out the water in the pipeline and the water meter 12 to be tested;

[0040] S6. Cleaning of the residual water in the pipeline: Close the second solenoid valve 41, open the air supply device 9 to blow air along the water delivery pipe 4 to the meter clamping and locking components 3 and the water meter 12 to be tested, and blow the water in the water meter 12 to be tested and the pipeline out of the exhaust pipe 5;

[0041] S7. Remove and replace the water meter 12 to be tested: Replace the next batch of water meters 12 to be tested, and repeat the above calibration steps.

[0042] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not used to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water meter verification device, comprising a workbench (1) and a water tank (2), characterized in that, a meter clamping and locking assembly (3) is arranged on the workbench (1), and a plurality of the meter clamping and locking assemblies (3) are installed and laid out in a straight line, and a gap for loading a water meter to be measured (12) is left between the meter clamping and locking assemblies (3) for series connection; the meter clamping and locking assembly (3) includes a housing (31), a back-to-back cylinder (32) and a transition pipe (33), the transition pipe (33) is arranged in the housing (31), sleeve joints (34) are sleeved on both sides of the transition pipe (33) and are slidably connected thereto, two ends of the back-to-back cylinder (32) are respectively connected and fixed to the tail ends of the two sleeve joints (34), and a sealing member (35) is installed in the sleeve joint (34); a pressing piston plate (21) is arranged in the water tank (2) to extrude water, a water delivery pipe (4) is connected to the lower end of the water tank (2), one end of the water delivery pipe (4) is connected to one end of one of the meter clamping and locking assemblies (3), a communicating pipe (7) is connected to the other meter clamping and locking assembly (3) far from one end of the water delivery pipe (4), the other end of the communicating pipe (7) is connected to a measuring container (6), an exhaust pipe (5) is connected to the top of the communicating pipe (7), a first control valve (51) is installed on the exhaust pipe (5), a first solenoid valve (71) is arranged on the communicating pipe (7), and the first solenoid valve (71) is arranged between the exhaust pipe (5) and the measuring container (6); the workbench (1) is arranged in an inclined state, and the high side of the inclined surface of the workbench (1) is close to the measuring container (6); the measuring container (6) is horizontally placed, and a piston rod (61) is arranged in the measuring container (6), and scales are marked on the piston rod (61); a drain pipe (8) is connected to the lower side of the measuring container (6), the drain pipe (8) leads to the bottom of the water tank (2) and is communicated therewith, a third solenoid valve (81) and a water pump (82) are arranged on the drain pipe (8), and the third solenoid valve (81) is arranged close to the measuring container (6).

2. The water meter verification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a second solenoid valve (41) is installed on the water delivery pipe (4), an air supply device (9) is externally connected to the water delivery pipe (4), and the air supply device (9) is arranged between the second solenoid valve (41) and the meter clamping and locking assembly (3).

3. The water meter verification device according to claim 1, characterized in that, a camera (10) for aligning the water meter is arranged above the workbench (1), and a plurality of fixing buckles (11) adapted to the shape of the water meter are arranged on the workbench (1).

4. A verification method for a water meter verification device, using the water meter verification device according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: S1. Installation of the water meter to be tested (12): Control the retraction of the back-to-back cylinder (32) through pneumatic components, place each water meter to be tested (12) one by one into the gap between the meter clamping and locking components (3) on the workbench (1), and extend the back-to-back cylinder (32) to sleeve and closely connect the sleeve joint (34) with both ends of the water meter, so that multiple water meters to be tested (12) are hermetically connected in series, that is, the water meter to be tested (12) is connected to the verification system; S2. Verification preparation: The first solenoid valve (71) is in the closed state, the exhaust pipe (5) is ventilated, the downward pressure piston plate (21) in the water tank (2) gradually moves downward to squeeze water and input it into the water delivery pipe (4). Wait until the water gradually fills the meter clamping and locking components (3) and the water meter to be tested (12), and the air moves and accumulates towards the exhaust pipe (5) on the high side. Until the gas in the pipe gradually drains out of the water from the exhaust pipe (5), then close the first control valve (51), and then the camera (10) records the display data of each water meter to be tested (12) at this time; S3. Verification of water meter accuracy: Open the first solenoid valve (71), the water output from the water tank (2) flows through the water delivery pipe (4), the transition pipe (33) and the water meter to be tested (12) and enters the metering container (6). The water pushes the piston rod (61) of the metering container (6) to move horizontally and extend outwards. The scale of the piston rod (61) shows the water volume in the metering container (6), and the camera (10) also records the pointer data of each water meter to be tested (12) accordingly. The difference between the water volume data measured by each water meter to be tested (12) and the data in S2 is compared with the scale shown by the piston rod (61) of the metering container (6); S4. Drainage: Close the first solenoid valve (71), and open the third solenoid valve (81) and the water pump (82) to pump the water in the metering container (6) back into the water tank (2) for reuse.

5. The verification method of the water meter verification device according to claim 4, characterized in that, it further includes the following steps: S5. Back-pumping of the water tank (2): Open the first control valve (51) on the exhaust pipe (5) and the second solenoid valve (41) on the water delivery pipe (4), and the downward pressure piston plate (21) in the water tank (2) moves upward to pump out the water in the pipeline and the water meter to be tested (12).

6. The verification method of the water meter verification device according to claim 5, characterized in that, it further includes the following steps: S6. Cleaning of residual water in the pipeline: Close the second solenoid valve (41), open the air supply device (9) to blow air along the water delivery pipe (4) to the meter clamping and locking components (3) and the water meter to be tested (12), and blow the water in the water meter to be tested (12) and the pipeline out of the exhaust pipe (5); S7. Removing the water meter to be tested (12): Control the retraction of the back-to-back cylinder (32), remove the water meter to be tested (12) in the fixed bayonet (11), and then replace it with the next batch of water meters to be tested (12), and repeat the above verification steps.

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