A method for detecting the failure of an ultrasonic gas meter and its ultrasonic metering module.

Abstract

This invention relates to ultrasonic gas meters and their detection methods, specifically to a method for detecting the failure of an ultrasonic gas meter and its ultrasonic metering module. This method addresses the shortcomings of existing detection methods, such as the inability of the ultrasonic gas meter to measure gas, inaccurate measurement, or the calculation of flow rate when there is no actual gas flow, due to aging or other damage to the ultrasonic metering module. The ultrasonic gas meter includes a housing, an ultrasonic metering module, a partition, fan blades, and a magnetic field sensor. The invention uses a partition to divide the inner part of the housing into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. Gas flow can only pass through the perforated support on the partition, thus driving the fan blades to rotate even at relatively low flow rates. When the fan blades rotate, the magnetic field sensor detects the rotation and outputs a pulse signal, thereby achieving real-time monitoring of the ultrasonic metering module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to ultrasonic gas meters and their testing methods, specifically to a method for detecting the failure of an ultrasonic gas meter and its ultrasonic metering module. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic gas meters generally use the time-of-flight method to measure gas flow rate: the flow rate is reflected by measuring the difference in speed of ultrasonic signals propagating upstream and downstream in a fluid. During measurement, the transducer module converts the acoustic signal into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to the flow rate calculation module to calculate the flow rate. If the ultrasonic metering module (transducer module and flow rate calculation module) is aged or otherwise damaged, the ultrasonic gas meter may fail to measure, measure inaccurately, or calculate the flow rate when there is actually no gas flow.

[0003] To detect whether the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter is malfunctioning, the existing testing method is as follows:

[0004] (1) Compare and verify with an ultrasonic gas meter that is known to be working properly;

[0005] (2) Regularly inspect the ultrasonic gas meter and record its readings;

[0006] (3) Collect and analyze historical data of ultrasonic gas meters to check for abnormal patterns or abnormal data points.

[0007] None of the above detection methods can achieve real-time monitoring of the ultrasonic metering module, and the steps are cumbersome and inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing detection methods, such as the inability to monitor ultrasonic gas meters in real time, the inaccurate measurement, or the calculation of flow rate when there is no actual flow in the gas meter due to aging or other damage to the ultrasonic metering module. These methods are cumbersome and inefficient. Therefore, this invention provides a method for detecting the failure of an ultrasonic gas meter and its ultrasonic metering module.

[0009] To address the shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0010] An ultrasonic gas meter includes a housing and an ultrasonic metering module. The housing is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The meter is characterized by further including a partition disposed inside the housing.

[0011] The partition divides the inner part of the outer shell into an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber. The air inlet connects the air inlet chamber to the outside, and the air outlet connects the air outlet chamber to the outside. A hollow bracket is provided on the partition, and a rotatable fan blade and a magnetic field sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the fan blade are provided on the hollow bracket. The output end of the magnetic field sensor is connected to an external detection device.

[0012] Furthermore, the magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic cylinder and at least one Hall element. A rotatable connecting shaft is provided on the hollow bracket. The fan blade is provided at one end of the connecting shaft located in the air inlet chamber, and a connecting plate is provided at one end of the connecting shaft located in the air outlet chamber. A counterweight and the magnetic cylinder are respectively provided on the connecting plate at symmetrical positions on both sides of the connecting shaft axis. The at least one Hall element is provided on the hollow bracket, and the output end of each Hall element is connected to an external detection device.

[0013] Furthermore, there are multiple Hall elements, which are evenly distributed around the circumference of the connecting shaft.

[0014] Furthermore, the partition is vertically arranged inside the outer casing, and the connecting shaft is perpendicular to the partition.

[0015] Furthermore, the inner top and inner bottom surfaces of the outer shell are provided with stamped grooves that are adapted to the partition.

[0016] Meanwhile, the present invention also provides a method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of the above-mentioned ultrasonic gas meter, which is characterized by including the following steps:

[0017] Step 1: Set the minimum flow rate accuracy that the fan blade can detect in the gas meter control circuit of the ultrasonic gas meter, and connect the output end of the magnetic field sensor to the external detection device.

[0018] Step 2: During the use of the ultrasonic gas meter, continuously monitor the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter, and detect the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor through external detection equipment;

[0019] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is detected by the external detection device, or if the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is not detected by the external detection device, then the ultrasonic metering module is determined to be normal.

[0020] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is not detected by the external detection device, then proceed to step 3.

[0021] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is detected multiple times by an external detection device, then proceed to step 4.

[0022] Step 3: Turn off the ultrasonic gas meter and check if the flow rate measured by the ultrasonic module is zero. If it is, the ultrasonic metering module is normal. If the problem is a fan blade fault or a magnetic field sensor fault, check and repair the fan blade or magnetic field sensor. Otherwise, the ultrasonic metering module is faulty.

[0023] Step 4: Turn off the ultrasonic gas meter and use an external testing device to determine if the magnetic field sensor is no longer outputting pulse signals. If so, the ultrasonic metering module is considered to be malfunctioning; otherwise, the fan blade or magnetic field sensor is considered to be malfunctioning. The fan blade or magnetic field sensor should be inspected and repaired.

[0024] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0025] (1) The present invention provides an ultrasonic gas meter, comprising an outer casing, an ultrasonic metering module, a partition, a fan blade, and a magnetic field sensor. The present invention uses a partition to divide the inner casing into an air inlet chamber and an air outlet chamber. Gas flow can only pass through the hollow bracket on the partition, so the fan blade will rotate at a relatively low flow rate. When the fan blade rotates, the magnetic field sensor senses the rotation of the fan blade and outputs a pulse signal, thereby realizing real-time monitoring by the ultrasonic metering module.

[0026] (2) In an ultrasonic gas meter of the present invention, a magnetic cylinder and at least one Hall element are used as magnetic field sensors. The accuracy of detection can be improved by increasing the number of Hall elements to reduce the misjudgment interference caused by magnetic cylinder vibration and damage to a single Hall element.

[0027] (3) The present invention provides a method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter. By detecting the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter, whether the fan blades are rotating, and whether the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is detected by an external detection device, the working status of the ultrasonic metering module and the fan blades can be judged, thereby quickly determining whether the ultrasonic metering module has failed. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is an isometric schematic diagram of the outer casing of an ultrasonic gas meter embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a top view of the structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the partition, fan blades, and magnetic field sensor in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The reference numerals in the attached drawings are explained as follows: 1-outer shell, 11-air inlet, 12-air outlet, 13-air inlet chamber, 14-air outlet chamber; 2-ultrasonic metering module; 3-partition; 4-hollow bracket; 5-fan blade; 6-magnetic cylinder; 7-Hall element; 8-connecting shaft; 9-connecting plate; 10-counterweight. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and exemplary embodiments.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 An ultrasonic gas meter includes a housing 1, an ultrasonic metering module 2, a partition 3, a fan blade 5, and a magnetic field sensor. The housing 1 is provided with an air inlet 11 and an air outlet 12.

[0035] The partition 3 is vertically installed inside the outer shell 1, dividing the interior of the outer shell 1 into an air inlet chamber 13 and an air outlet chamber 14. The air inlet 11 connects the air inlet chamber 13 to the outside, and the air outlet 12 connects the air outlet chamber 14 to the outside. A hollow support 4 is provided on the partition 3, and a rotatable connecting shaft 8 is horizontally provided on the hollow support 4.

[0036] The magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic cylinder 6 and two Hall elements 7. A rotatable fan blade 5 is mounted at one end of the connecting shaft 8 located in the air inlet chamber 13, and a connecting plate 9 is mounted at one end of the connecting shaft 8. A counterweight 10 and the magnetic cylinder 6 are symmetrically arranged on the connecting plate 9 along the axis of the connecting shaft 8. The two Hall elements 7 are evenly distributed around the circumference of the connecting shaft 8 on the hollow bracket 4. The output end of each Hall element 7 is connected to an external detection device. The counterweight 10 has the same weight as the magnetic cylinder 6 and is used to stabilize the torque center of the entire rotating mechanism on the central axis, preventing the magnetic cylinder 6 from being affected by gravity and thus affecting the rotation of the fan blade 5.

[0037] The inner top and bottom surfaces of the outer shell 1 are provided with stamped grooves that are compatible with the partition 3. The sidewalls of the partition 3 are fixed to the inner wall of the outer shell 1 by curing adhesive.

[0038] A method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of the above-mentioned ultrasonic gas meter, characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0039] Step 1: Set the minimum flow rate accuracy that the fan blade 5 can detect in the gas meter control circuit of the ultrasonic gas meter, and connect the output terminals of the two Hall elements 7 to the external detection device.

[0040] Step 2: Open the ultrasonic gas meter valve. During the use of the ultrasonic gas meter, continuously monitor the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter and detect the output pulse signals of the two Hall elements 7 through external detection equipment.

[0041] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and two Hall elements 7 are detected to output pulse signals by the external detection device, or if the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and no Hall element 7 is detected to output pulse signals by the external detection device, then the ultrasonic metering module 2 is determined to be normal.

[0042] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but no pulse signal is detected by the external detection device from any Hall element 7, then proceed to step 3.

[0043] If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but the external detection device detects the output pulse signal of any Hall element 7 multiple times, then step 4 is executed.

[0044] Step 3: Close the ultrasonic gas meter valve and check if the flow rate measured by the ultrasonic module is zero. If it is, the ultrasonic metering module 2 is normal. If the fan blade 5 is faulty, the Hall element 7 is damaged or vibrating, the fan blade 5 or the Hall element 7 is inspected and repaired. Otherwise, the ultrasonic metering module 2 is deemed to be faulty.

[0045] Step 4: Close the ultrasonic gas meter valve and use an external detection device to determine whether the two Hall elements 7 are no longer outputting pulse signals. If so, the ultrasonic metering module 2 is deemed to be faulty; otherwise, the fan blade 5 is deemed to be faulty, the Hall element 7 is damaged, or it is vibrating. The fan blade 5 or the Hall element 7 is then inspected and repaired.

Claims

1. A method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module in an ultrasonic gas meter, characterized in that... : The ultrasonic gas meter includes an outer casing (1) and an ultrasonic metering module (2). The outer casing (1) is provided with an air inlet (11) and an air outlet (12), and also includes a partition (3) disposed inside the outer casing (1). The partition (3) divides the interior of the outer casing (1) into an air inlet chamber (13) and an air outlet chamber (14). The air inlet (11) connects the air inlet chamber (13) to the outside, and the air outlet (12) connects the air outlet chamber (14) to the outside. A hollow bracket (4) is provided on the partition (3). A rotating fan blade (5) and a magnetic field sensor for detecting the rotation speed of the fan blade (5) are provided on the hollow bracket (4). The output end of the magnetic field sensor is connected to an external detection device. The ultrasonic metering module failure detection method includes the following steps: Step 1: Set the minimum flow rate accuracy that the fan blade (5) can detect in the gas meter control circuit of the ultrasonic gas meter, and connect the output end of the magnetic field sensor to the external detection device; Step 2: During the use of the ultrasonic gas meter, continuously monitor the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter, and detect the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor through external detection equipment; If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is detected by the external detection device, or if the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, and the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is not detected by the external detection device, then the ultrasonic metering module (2) is determined to be normal. If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is greater than or equal to the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is not detected by the external detection device, then proceed to step 3. If the calculated flow rate of the ultrasonic gas meter is less than the minimum flow rate accuracy in step 1, but the output pulse signal of the magnetic field sensor is detected multiple times by an external detection device, then proceed to step 4. Step 3: Turn off the ultrasonic gas meter and determine whether the flow rate measured by the ultrasonic module is zero. If so, the ultrasonic metering module (2) is normal. If the fan blade (5) or magnetic field sensor is faulty, the fan blade (5) or magnetic field sensor is inspected and repaired. Otherwise, the ultrasonic metering module (2) is faulty. Step 4: Turn off the ultrasonic gas meter and use an external detection device to determine whether the magnetic field sensor is no longer outputting pulse signals. If so, the ultrasonic metering module (2) is deemed to be faulty; otherwise, the fan blade (5) or the magnetic field sensor is deemed to be faulty. The fan blade (5) or the magnetic field sensor is then inspected and repaired.

2. The method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic cylinder (6) and at least one Hall element (7). A rotating connecting shaft (8) is provided on the hollow bracket (4). The fan blade (5) is provided at one end of the connecting shaft (8) located in the air inlet chamber (13), and a connecting plate (9) is provided at one end of the connecting shaft (8) located in the air outlet chamber (14). A counterweight (10) and the magnetic cylinder (6) are respectively provided on the connecting plate (9) at symmetrical positions on both sides of the connecting shaft (8). The at least one Hall element (7) is provided on the hollow bracket (4), and the output end of each Hall element (7) is connected to an external detection device.

3. The method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The Hall element (7) is multiple and is evenly distributed around the circumference of the connecting shaft (8).

4. The method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter according to claim 3, characterized in that: The partition (3) is vertically arranged inside the outer shell (1), and the connecting shaft (8) is perpendicular to the partition (3).

5. The method for detecting the failure of the ultrasonic metering module of an ultrasonic gas meter according to claim 4, characterized in that: The inner top and inner bottom surfaces of the outer shell (1) are provided with stamped grooves that are adapted to the partition (3).

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