Micro power generation components installed on the fluid meter pipeline

Abstract

A micro-generator component installed on the pipeline of a fluid meter, which utilizes fluid flow power to generate electric energy required by a smart meter through a magnetic coupling structure. The micro-generator component is set separately from the meter. It includes a housing and a top cover of the meter. A cavity that accommodates a power generation impeller and communicates with the meter pipeline is provided in the housing. A cylinder extending into the cavity is provided on the lower surface of the top cover. The cylinder includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged coaxially. The electromagnetic induction coil in the micro-generator component is installed in the coil space enclosed by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. A magnetic field composed of an outer magnet and an inner magnet is provided on the power generation impeller. The outer magnet and the inner magnet are arranged in a manner of opposite magnetic poles. Since the micro-generator component is arranged on the pipeline of the meter as a component independent of the meter, there is no deviation between the data measured by the metering impeller of the meter and the actual flow rate flowing through the meter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a small power generation device, in particular to a micro power generation component installed on a fluid meter pipeline. Background Art

[0002] Due to the continuous development of Internet of Things technology, many water meters or gas meters are now equipped with data remote transmission components. Through the data remote transmission components, various usage data of the meter can be transmitted to the central control platform in a timely manner, thereby realizing accurate monitoring of various data of the meter, and at the same time improving the quality of service to users. In addition, for gas meters, they are usually equipped with gas alarm devices that require power supply. For users in mountainous areas or remote areas, most gas alarm devices are powered by batteries. When the battery fails or is out of power, the gas alarm device cannot be used normally.

[0003] The applicant submitted an invention patent application (name: Impeller flowmeter, application number: 202311748484.3) to the State Intellectual Property Office on December 18, 2023, which discloses a small power generation device used on a meter. Its main technical solution is as follows: a magnet module that can rotate synchronously with the metering impeller is provided on the top of the impeller (hereinafter referred to as the metering impeller); an electromagnetic induction coil placed in the magnetic field generated by the magnet module is fixedly connected to the magnet module.

[0004] Although the above structure can generate electromagnetic induction current, it has the following shortcomings: when the original magnet module and the electromagnetic induction system magnetic circuit (electromagnetic induction coil and its bracket) are stationary and have not yet rotated, the magnetic field strength of the magnet module is uneven everywhere, and the electromagnetic induction system magnetic circuit (hereinafter referred to as the electromagnetic circuit) is generally made of magnetic conductive materials. After the electromagnetic circuit is affected by the magnet module, magnetic poles will appear. At this time, the state of the magnet magnetic field system changes. At this time, it will appear that when the electromagnetic circuit needs to rotate from a high magnetic field strength to a low magnetic field strength, a certain amount of energy is required to push it, which is reflected in the need for the fluid to be greater than a certain impact force to make the impeller rotate.

[0005] And because the electromagnetic induction component is arranged on the metering impeller of the meter, an induced current is generated as the metering impeller rotates, and a back electromotive force is also generated in the coil. The magnetic field generated by the back electromotive force will weaken the strength of the original magnetic field, and then produce a certain resistance to the rotation of the metering impeller, resulting in a deviation between the actual flow rate flowing through the meter and the metered value measured according to the rotation of the metering impeller. Summary of the invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a micro-generation component installed on the pipeline of a fluid meter, which utilizes fluid flow power to generate electric energy required by a smart meter through a magnetic coupling structure. The micro-generation component is separated from the meter.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The micro-generator assembly installed on the pipeline of a fluid meter of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a shell installed on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of the meter, a cavity accommodating a power generation impeller and communicating with the meter pipeline is provided in the shell, a top cover that can seal the power generation impeller in the cavity is provided at the top of the cavity, a cylinder extending into the cavity is provided on the lower surface of the top cover, the cylinder includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged coaxially, the bottom ends of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are connected as a whole, and the top end is open, the electromagnetic induction coil in the micro-generator assembly is installed in the coil space enclosed by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, a magnetic field composed of an outer magnet and an inner magnet is provided on the power generation impeller, the outer magnet is arranged around the outer circumferential wall of the cylinder, the inner magnet is arranged around the inner circumferential wall of the cylinder, and the outer magnet and the inner magnet are arranged in a manner that opposite magnetic poles are opposed.

[0009] The power generation impeller includes a circular support ring with an integrated structure, a central rotating shaft, and a plurality of blades and a plurality of auxiliary blades radiating outward from the central rotating shaft and connected under the support ring. The outer magnet is arranged on the inner side of the support ring in a manner close to the support ring, and the inner magnet is arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the central rotating shaft in a manner close to the central rotating shaft. The outer magnet and the inner magnet are coaxially arranged, and the spacing between them is greater than the width of the cylinder.

[0010] The outer magnet and the inner magnet are both annular magnets, and the inner ring surface of the outer magnet and the outer ring surface of the inner magnet are both end-surface magnetized.

[0011] A coil support is installed in the coil space, the electromagnetic induction coil is wound on the coil support, and the coil support is a plastic part.

[0012] The power generation impeller is a fin-type blade suitable for a gas meter, and the power generation impeller is a spiral blade suitable for a liquid meter.

[0013] The outer diameter of the outer magnet is 24.5 mm, the thickness is 4 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm; the outer diameter of the inner magnet is 10.5 mm, the thickness is 5.5 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm.

[0014] The electromagnetic induction coils are in four groups.

[0015] The induced current output end of the electromagnetic induction coil is connected to the rectifier circuit on the control circuit of the micro-power generation component, the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to the power input end of the energy storage module arranged on the micro-power generation component, and the power output end of the energy storage module is connected to the electronic control component involved in controlling the normal operation of the meter; as the power generation impeller rotates, the induced current generated in the electromagnetic induction coil is stored in the energy storage module through the rectifier circuit.

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

[0017] 1) The micro-generator assembly generates electricity by fluid impacting the generator impeller. In the process of outputting the induced current, a back electromotive force is generated in the electromagnetic induction coil. The magnetic field generated by the back electromotive force will affect the rotation speed of the generator impeller in the micro-generator assembly. The flow rate of the fluid flowing through the micro-generator assembly will change due to the change in the rotation speed of the generator impeller. Since the present invention arranges the micro-generator assembly on the meter pipeline as a component independent of the meter, there is no deviation between the data measured by the metering impeller of the meter and the actual flow rate flowing through the meter.

[0018] Note: When the generator impeller rotates, the electromagnetic induction coil generates current, and when the current changes, according to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, the coil will also generate self-induced electromotive force. The self-induced electromotive force is opposite to the direction of current change. The charge movement generated by the self-induced electromotive force will cause the coil to be subjected to the Lorentz force in the opposite direction of motion, thereby generating resistance to the rotation of the generator impeller. This resistance always hinders the change of the impeller speed.

[0019] 2) The coil bracket of the present invention is a plastic part and not a magnetic conductive material, and the electromagnetic circuit is not affected by the magnet assembly. Therefore, for the magnet assembly, when it rotates, it is equivalent to that the state of the magnetic field system has not changed, and its electromagnetic circuit does not need to overcome the force required to change the electromagnetic induction coil from a high magnetic field strength to a low magnetic field strength. At the same time, the magnet assembly is composed of inner and outer magnets (the end faces of the inner and outer magnets are magnetized, and the N\S poles correspond), and the electromagnetic circuit is arranged between the inner and outer magnets. In this way, the magnetic field formed by the inner and outer magnets can pass through the induction coil more fully, so this power generation device can operate in a fluid tube with extremely low energy density.

[0020] 3) Since the present invention is an independent component, only the stability of the rotating magnetic field needs to be considered during design, and no metering is involved. Therefore, its structure can be manufactured through a simple injection molding process, and at the same time, it is convenient for maintenance.

[0021] 4) The configuration of the present invention can act as a sensor. If the fluid in the pipeline does not flow, the system does not generate electricity and it is determined that the fluid is not leaking. At this time, the fluid leakage detection sensor does not need to work and the alarm does not work to maintain a low power consumption standby state. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the micro power generation assembly of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded diagram.

[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the middle shell 1.

[0025] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the middle top cover 3.

[0026] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A bottom view of the middle top cover 3.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the coil support 33.

[0028] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the power generation impeller 2.

[0029] Figure 8 yes Figure 2 Bottom view of the middle power generation impeller 2.

[0030] Fig. 9 2 is a diagram showing the magnetization state of the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28.

[0031] Reference numerals

[0032] Shell 1, cavity 11, positioning column 12, power generation impeller 2, bracket ring 21, blades 22, auxiliary blades 23, central shaft 24, upper shaft 25, lower shaft 26, outer magnet 27, inner magnet 28, positioning hole 29, top cover 3, cylinder 31, coil space 32, coil bracket 33, PCB circuit board 4, cover 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the micro-generator assembly (hereinafter referred to as the micro-generator assembly) installed on the pipeline of the fluid meter of the present invention is an improvement on the ordinary fluid meter with a remote intelligent control module. It is arranged as an independent unit on the pipeline on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of the meter, and includes a housing 1, a power generation impeller 2 and an electromagnetic induction assembly. A magnetic field composed of an outer magnet 27 and an inner magnet 28 is arranged on the power generation impeller 2, and the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28 are arranged in a manner of opposite magnetic poles. When the fluid flows through the micro-generator assembly, the power generation impeller 2 can be rotated, thereby generating an induced current in the electromagnetic induction assembly, and the effect of this magnetic coupling relationship on the power generation impeller 2 (the effect of the aforementioned reverse electromotive force on the power generation impeller 2) will not interfere with the actual working state of the metering impeller in the meter.

[0034] The above design not only saves the battery for providing power to the remote intelligent control module, but also can regard whether the power generation impeller 2 rotates as a sensor information and enable the remote intelligent control module to decide which operation instruction to execute according to the sensor information.

[0035] 1. The following uses smart gas meter and smart water meter as examples to illustrate the above advantages:

[0036] 1. Smart gas meter

[0037] Usually, the smart gas meter is equipped with an electric control component that needs to be powered on to work. The electric control component includes a communication module (also called a remote gas meter device) that can be connected to the management department through wired or wireless communication and is used to remotely transmit gas data, and a gas alarm installed near the gas appliance and used to alarm for gas leaks. In the prior art, the gas alarm needs to be powered on all the time, and when there is a gas leak, it will issue an alarm message.

[0038] After adopting the design structure of the present invention, the gas alarm does not need to be in a state of being powered on all the time. It can determine whether to start the monitoring operation according to whether the power generation impeller 2 is rotating. In other words, its function as a sensor is reflected.

[0039] Specifically:

[0040] 1) When gas flows in the pipe, its power generation impeller 2 will rotate, and the rotating power generation impeller 2 drives the magnetic coupling structure to generate an induced current, which outputs a direct current through a rectifier circuit. When the electric control circuit detects that the rectifier circuit has a current output, the gas alarm is immediately started to collect data on whether the gas is leaking. After the first collection of no leakage data, the gas alarm enters a timed monitoring working state;

[0041] 2) When there is no gas flowing in the pipe, the rectifier circuit has no current output. At this time, the monitoring module for detecting gas leakage in the gas alarm is in a dormant state (i.e., a standby state with no power consumption).

[0042] The present invention refers to the above two-step functions as dual sensing functions. That is, when there is fluid flow (including normal flow and leakage flow) in the pipe and the rectifier circuit outputs current, it is called the primary sensing function, and when the gas alarm is activated and enters the normal monitoring working state under the continuous flow of fluid, it is called the secondary sensing function. In other words, the present invention can use the dynamic or static working state of the power generation impeller 2 as an auxiliary judgment condition for the gas leakage detection alarm. When the fluid does not flow in the pipeline, the dynamic or static working state of the power generation impeller 2 can determine whether the smart meter continues to standby, so as to maintain the lowest power consumption state.

[0043] 2. Smart water meter (hereinafter referred to as water meter)

[0044] Usually, water meters are equipped with electronic control components that require electricity to work. The electronic control components include a communication module (also called a remote water meter device) that can be connected to the management department (also called a central control platform) through wired or wireless communication and is used to remotely transmit water usage data, a digital setting component for purchasing the required amount of water, and a drive component for opening or closing the water valve.

[0045] After adopting the design structure of the present invention, the communication module of the water meter does not need to be in a state of being powered on all the time, and it can determine whether to start the water consumption data collection operation according to whether the power generation impeller 2 in the micro power generation component is rotating.

[0046] Specifically:

[0047] 1) When water flows in the pipe, the power generation impeller 2 will rotate, and the rotating power generation impeller 2 drives the magnetic coupling structure to generate an induced current, which is output through the rectifier circuit. When the electronic control circuit of the water meter detects that the rectifier circuit has a current output, the communication module is immediately started to collect real-time data and accumulated data on the water consumption of the water meter and transmit the collected data to the management department.

[0048] 2) When there is no water flowing in the pipe, the rectifier circuit has no current output. At this time, the communication module is in a no-power standby state.

[0049] When the water meter user is away for a long time and there is no water flowing in the water meter, the communication module can be in a no-power standby state for a long time, avoiding the frequent operation of the communication module in the prior art to collect data at a set frequency regardless of whether water flows in the water meter.

[0050] 2. The specific structure of the micro power generation assembly of the present invention is described in detail below:

[0051] like Figure 1-Figure 9As shown, the micro power generation assembly consists of a housing 1, a top cover 3, a cover 5, a power generation impeller 2, a magnet module, an electromagnetic induction coil, an energy storage module and a PCB circuit board 4 with a rectifier circuit (see Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the shell 1 is installed on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of the meter, and a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet are provided on the shell 1. The power generation impeller 2 is installed in a cavity 11 between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet and arranged in the shell 1. The magnet module includes an outer magnet 27 and an inner magnet 28, which are installed on the top of the power generation impeller 2. The electromagnetic induction coil is installed on the top cover 3. The energy storage module and the PCB circuit board 4 can be arranged in the cover 5 or outside the cover 5.

[0052] 1. Shell 1

[0053] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the outer contour of the shell body 1 is cylindrical, and the cavity 11 is provided in the shell body 1. On the two opposite sides of the side wall of the shell body 1, there are respectively provided a fluid inlet pipe and a fluid outlet pipe connected to the meter pipeline through a threaded connection structure. The bottom surface of the shell body 1 is a closed structure, and its upper end surface is open. At the center of the bottom surface inside the shell body 1, there is a positioning column 12 extending upward, and the power generation impeller 2 is installed in the cavity 11.

[0054] 2. Power generation impeller 2

[0055] When it is required to be applicable to a gas meter, the power generation impeller 2 has fin-type blades 22 ; when it is required to be applicable to a liquid meter, the power generation impeller 2 has spiral blades 22 .

[0056] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the power generation impeller 2 includes a support ring 21 with an integral circular structure, a central rotating shaft 24, and a plurality of blades 22 and a plurality of auxiliary blades 23 radiating outward with the central rotating shaft 24 as the center. The blades 22 are connected under the support ring 21 after radiating outward. The auxiliary blades 23 are arranged on the reinforcing ribs of the blades 22, and their height is the height difference between the top of the blade 22 and the bottom surface of the support ring 21. The central rotating shaft 24 is a stepped shaft including an upper shaft 25 and a lower shaft 26. The lower end surface of the connecting part of the inner end of the plurality of blades 22 is provided with a positioning hole 29 sleeved on the positioning column 12. The upper shaft 25 is inserted into the shaft hole set on the top cover 3, so that when the power generation impeller 2 rotates, its axis is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the shell 1.

[0057] 3. Magnet module

[0058] like Figure 6 , Figure 7As shown, the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28 in the module are both magnetic rings. The outer magnet 27 is arranged on the inner side of the bracket ring 21 in a manner of being close to the bracket ring 21, and is fixedly connected to the bracket ring 21 by means of adhesive, snaps, etc.

[0059] The inner magnet 28 is sleeved on the outer peripheral wall of the lower shaft 26 and is fixedly connected to the lower shaft 26 by means of glue, snaps or the like.

[0060] The outer magnet 27 is coaxial with the inner magnet 28 and is arranged with opposite magnetic poles facing each other.

[0061] The inner ring surface of the outer magnet 27 and the outer ring surface of the inner magnet 28 are both end-surface magnetized (see Fig. 9 As shown), there is a certain gap between the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28.

[0062] The outer diameter of the outer magnet 27 is 24.5 mm, the thickness is 4 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm; the outer diameter of the inner magnet 28 is 10.5 mm, the thickness is 5.5 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm.

[0063] 4. Top cover 3

[0064] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, the top cover 3 is buckled on the upper end surface of the shell 1 , a sealing ring is provided between the top cover 3 and the shell 1 , and the top cover 3 seals the power generation impeller 2 in the cavity 11 .

[0065] A cylinder 31 is provided on the lower surface of the top cover 3, which extends into the cavity 11 and is an integral structure with the top cover 3. The cylinder 31 includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged coaxially, the bottom ends of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are connected as a whole, and the top end surface of the cylinder 31 is open. The electromagnetic induction coil in the micro power generation component is installed in the coil space 32 enclosed by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.

[0066] The width of the cylinder 31 (the width refers to the distance between the outer wall of the outer cylinder and the outer wall of the inner cylinder) is smaller than the gap between the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28.

[0067] 5. Electromagnetic induction coil

[0068] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 As shown, a coil support 33 is installed in the coil space 32, the electromagnetic induction coil is wound on the coil support 33, there are four groups of electromagnetic induction coils, and the coil support 33 is a plastic part.

[0069] When the top cover 3 is installed on the shell 1, the cylinder 31 carrying the electromagnetic induction coil is placed in the gap between the outer magnet 27 and the inner magnet 28. As the power generation impeller 2 rotates, the magnetic field lines generated by the magnet module are cut by the electromagnetic induction coil that moves relative to the magnet module.

[0070] 6. Capping 5

[0071] like Figure 2 As shown, the sealing cover 5 is buckled on the top cover 3 to prevent water vapor, dust or tiny debris in the environmental space from entering into the cylinder 31 .

Claims

1. A micro power generation assembly installed on a fluid meter pipeline, characterized in that: The invention comprises a housing (1) installed on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of a meter, a cavity (11) accommodating a power generation impeller (2) and communicating with a meter pipeline is provided in the housing (1), a top cover (3) is provided on the top of the cavity (11) and can seal the power generation impeller (2) in the cavity (11), a cylinder (31) extending into the cavity (11) is provided on the lower surface of the top cover (3), the cylinder (31) comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged coaxially, the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are The bottom end of the outer cylinder is connected as a whole, and the top end is open. The electromagnetic induction coil in the micro-power generation component is installed in the coil space (32) enclosed by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder. A magnetic field composed of an outer magnet (27) and an inner magnet (28) is provided on the power generation impeller (2). The outer magnet (27) is arranged around the outer peripheral wall of the cylinder (31), and the inner magnet (28) is arranged around the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder (31). The outer magnet (27) and the inner magnet (28) are arranged in a manner that opposite magnetic poles are opposed.

2. The micro power generation assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power generation impeller (2) comprises a support ring (21) of an integral circular structure, a central rotating shaft (24), and a plurality of blades (22) and a plurality of auxiliary blades (23) radiating outwards from the central rotating shaft (24) and connected below the support ring (21); the outer magnet (27) is arranged on the inner side of the support ring (21) in a manner of being in close contact with the support ring (21); the inner magnet (28) is arranged on the outer peripheral wall of the central rotating shaft (24) in a manner of being in close contact with the central rotating shaft (24); the outer magnet (27) and the inner magnet (28) are arranged coaxially, and the spacing between them is greater than the width of the cylinder (31).

3. The micro power generation assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer magnet (27) and the inner magnet (28) are both annular magnets, and the inner ring surface of the outer magnet (27) and the outer ring surface of the inner magnet (28) are both end-surface magnetized.

4. The micro-generator assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 3 is characterized in that: A coil support (33) is installed in the coil space (32), the electromagnetic induction coil is wound on the coil support (33), and the coil support (33) is a plastic part.

5. The micro-generator assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power generation impeller (2) is a fin-type blade (22) suitable for a gas meter, and the power generation impeller (2) is a spiral blade (22) suitable for a liquid meter.

6. The micro-generator assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the outer magnet (27) is 24.5 mm, the thickness is 4 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm; the outer diameter of the inner magnet (28) is 10.5 mm, the thickness is 5.5 mm, and the height is 10.5 mm.

7. The micro-generator assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 4, characterized in that: The electromagnetic induction coils are in four groups.

8. The micro-generator assembly installed on the fluid meter pipeline according to claim 1, characterized in that: The induced current output end of the electromagnetic induction coil is connected to a rectifier circuit on a control circuit of the micro-generator assembly, the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to an electric energy input end of an energy storage module arranged on the micro-generator assembly, and the electric energy output end of the energy storage module is connected to an electric control component used to control the normal operation of the meter; as the power generation impeller (2) rotates, the induced current generated in the electromagnetic induction coil is stored in the energy storage module via the rectifier circuit.

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