Flow measuring device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow measuring device and method, and the device comprises a host system which comprises a first controller, a first transducer and a first time service module; the slave system comprises a second controller, a second transducer and a second time service module; information is transmitted between the first controller and the second controller through a wireless communication module; wherein the first controller is used for calculating first flight time of an ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer; the second controller is used for calculating second flight time of the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer and sending the second flight time to the first controller; the first controller is further used for obtaining the fluid flow speed according to the time difference between the first flight time and the second flight time. The first time service module and the second time service module are used for receiving satellite synchronous time service signals. By adopting the device provided by the invention, the problem of inaccurate flow measurement in the prior art can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of measurement technology, and in particular to a flow measurement device and method. Background Art

[0002] The demand for flow measurement is widespread in various fields. For example, flow measurement in open channels helps provide timely and accurate information for scientific scheduling decisions.

[0003] Open channels are characterized by their large spans. Traditional ultrasonic flow measurement devices often rely on wired communication, with a single host computer. Both upstream and downstream transducers must be connected to the host system via wired cables. This results in complex wiring and difficult installation and maintenance. While some wireless solutions simplify physical connections, they lack precise time synchronization between the master and slave systems. This can easily lead to errors in flight time calculations due to time deviations, which in turn affect flow measurement accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, a flow measurement device and method are provided to improve the problem of inaccurate flow measurement in the prior art.

[0005] In one aspect, a flow measurement device is provided, comprising:

[0006] A host system comprising a first controller, a first transducer connected to the first controller, and a first timing module;

[0007] The slave system includes a second controller, a second transducer connected to the second controller, and a second timing module;

[0008] The first controller and the second controller transmit information via a wireless communication module;

[0009] In which, the first transducer and the second transducer are used to send and receive ultrasonic signals to each other; the first controller is used to calculate the first flight time of the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer; the second controller is used to calculate the second flight time of the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer, and send the second flight time to the first controller; the first controller is also used to obtain the fluid flow rate according to the time difference between the first flight time and the second flight time, so as to determine the flow rate based on the fluid flow rate and the flow area; the first timing module and the second timing module are used to receive satellite synchronous timing signals so that the first controller and the second controller maintain time synchronization.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first transducer and the second transducer are both plural and arranged in groups, and different groups of the first transducer and the second transducer are used to measure the flow rate of fluids at different liquid levels.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first transducer and the second transducer operate at a frequency of 250 kHz and above.

[0012] In one embodiment, a flow section monitoring system is further included, and the flow section monitoring system includes a liquid level meter, and the liquid level meter is communicatively connected to the first controller.

[0013] In one embodiment, the flow section monitoring system also includes a transverse traction mechanism and a mud interface monitoring vessel, the transverse traction mechanism includes a cable and a rope drive controller that drives the cable, the mud interface monitoring vessel is connected to the cable, and the liquid level meter is communicatively connected to the rope drive controller; the mud interface monitoring vessel is communicatively connected to the rope drive controller, and the rope drive controller is communicatively connected to the first controller.

[0014] In one embodiment, the mud interface monitoring vessel comprises a battery and is powered by the battery. The mud interface monitoring vessel is wirelessly connected to the rope drive controller.

[0015] In one embodiment, it further includes an energy supply system, which includes solar panels. The host system and the slave system are respectively electrically connected to a set of the solar panels.

[0016] In one embodiment, the wireless communication module is a LoRa communication module.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first timing module and the second timing module are both GNSS timing modules.

[0018] On the other hand, a flow measurement method is provided, using the flow measurement device, the method comprising:

[0019] A first transducer and a second transducer are arranged along both sides of the open channel, and a line connecting the first transducer and the second transducer forms an angle with respect to a water flow direction;

[0020] Configuring wireless communication and time synchronization between the first controller and the second controller;

[0021] Geometric information of the open channel and installation information between the first transducer and the second transducer are configured in the first controller to obtain a flow measurement result.

[0022] The above-mentioned flow measurement device includes a host system and a slave system. The host system includes a first controller, which is connected to the first transducer and the first timing module of the first controller; the slave system includes a second controller, which is connected to the second transducer and the second timing module of the second controller; the first controller and the second controller transmit information through a wireless communication module to realize wireless transmission between the host system and the slave system, and by configuring the first timing module and the second timing module for the host system and the slave system, the two maintain time synchronization, which can improve the accuracy of flow measurement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a flow measurement device in one embodiment;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of a flow measurement device in one embodiment;

[0025] Figure numerals: host system 100, first controller 101, first transducer 102, first timing module 103, slave system 200, second controller 201, second transducer 202, second timing module 203, wireless communication module 301, liquid level meter 401, lateral traction mechanism 402, cable 4021, rope drive controller 4022, mud interface monitoring vessel 403, energy supply system 500. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0027] It should be noted that the illustrations provided in this embodiment are only used to schematically illustrate the basic concept of the present invention. Although the illustrations only show components related to the present invention and are not drawn according to the number, shape and size of components in actual implementation, the type, quantity and proportion of each component in actual implementation can be changed at will, and the component layout type may also be more complicated.

[0028] The structures, proportions, sizes, etc. illustrated in the drawings in this specification are only used to match the contents disclosed in the specification so as to facilitate understanding and reading by persons familiar with the art. They are not intended to limit the conditions under which the present invention can be implemented and therefore have no substantive technical significance. Any structural modifications, changes in proportions, or adjustments in sizes shall still fall within the scope of the technical contents disclosed in the present invention without affecting the efficacy and objectives that can be achieved by the present invention.

[0029] Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "center," "longitudinal," "transverse," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "radial," and "circumferential" used in this specification to indicate positions or locations are based on those shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely for ease of description. They do not indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation, and are therefore not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] By measuring the open channel flow, we can grasp the dynamics of water flow in real time and provide a scientific basis for the rational allocation and scheduling of water resources.

[0031] In wide and ultra-wide channels, the ultrasonic time-difference method (OTD) offers the advantages of rapid measurement and high real-time performance for open channel flow measurement. This method requires placing ultrasonic transducers upstream and downstream on both sides of the open channel. The transducers transmit and receive signals to calculate the time difference between downstream and upstream propagation, and then calculate the flow rate based on this time difference. However, in related technologies, the two ultrasonic transducers must be connected by cables, increasing wiring costs. If wireless transmission is used, traditional wireless solutions suffer from clock asynchrony, resulting in reduced measurement accuracy.

[0032] The present application provides a flow measurement device, which realizes time synchronization of the master and slave systems on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through satellite synchronous timing, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

[0033] In one embodiment, the flow measurement device is Figure 1 As shown, it includes a host system 100 and a slave system 200 .

[0034] The host system 100 includes a first controller 101 , a first transducer 102 connected to the first controller 101 , and a first timing module 103 ; the slave system 200 includes a second controller 201 , a second transducer 202 connected to the second controller 201 , and a second timing module 203 .

[0035] The first controller 101 and the second controller 201 can adopt various units that can realize adjustable signals, such as various single-chip microcomputers, microcontrollers, DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays), host computers or central processing units (CPUs), etc. For example, in one embodiment, the first controller 101 and the second controller 201 adopt single-chip microcomputers, and various control functions can be realized by programming the single-chip microcomputers. For example, in this embodiment, the acquisition, processing and demodulation functions of ultrasonic signals are realized.

[0036] Information is transmitted between the first controller 101 and the second controller 201 via the wireless communication module 301 . The wireless communication module 301 may be a LoRa (Long Range Radio) communication module.

[0037] Both first transducer 102 and second transducer 202 are ultrasonic transducers. Ultrasonic transducers include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter converts input electrical power into mechanical power (i.e., ultrasonic signals) and transmits it, while the receiver senses the ultrasonic signals through the reverse process. In this embodiment, first transducer 102 and second transducer 202 operate at frequencies of 250 kHz or higher. High-frequency ultrasonic waves can detect subtle changes in flow velocity, making them suitable for high-precision measurements.

[0038] The first timing module 103 and the second timing module 203 are used to receive satellite synchronization timing signals so that the first controller 101 and the second controller 201 can maintain time synchronization. Exemplarily, the first timing module 103 and the second timing module 203 are both GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) timing modules, and the GNSS timing module can receive timing signals from GPS (Global Positioning System) and Beidou positioning system.

[0039] In actual application, the host system 100 and the slave system 200 are respectively arranged on both sides of an open channel, and the first transducer 102 of the host system 100 and the second transducer 202 of the slave system 200 are respectively installed on the banks of the open channel so that they can be immersed in the fluid (water). In addition, the first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202 are staggered along the upstream and downstream so that the line connecting the two has an angle θ relative to the direction of water flow. Generally, the angle θ is less than 90°.

[0040] In this embodiment, Figure 2 As shown, the host system 100 is arranged upstream and the slave system 200 is arranged downstream. During the operation of the device, the first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202 transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, and the first controller 101 and the second controller 201 respectively calculate the flight time of the ultrasonic signals in two directions. Specifically:

[0041] The first transducer 102 arranged upstream receives the ultrasonic signal emitted upstream by the second transducer 202, and the first controller 101 records the emission time and the reception time, and calculates the first flight time t1 of the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer 102; the second transducer 202 arranged downstream receives the ultrasonic signal emitted downstream by the first transducer 102, and the second controller 201 records the emission time and the reception time, and calculates the second flight time t2 of the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer 202. The second controller 201 also sends the second flight time t2 to the first controller 101 through the wireless communication module 301 (exemplarily a LoRa communication module), and the first controller 101 can calculate the time difference △t=t2-t1 between the first flight time t1 and the second flight time t2.

[0042] Furthermore, when ultrasonic waves propagate in a fluid, the sound beam deviates a certain distance downstream due to the action of the fluid flow. The offset distance is positively correlated with the flow velocity, resulting in the following relationship between the time difference △t and the flow velocity:

[0043]

[0044] Wherein, L is the distance between the first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202, c is the speed of sound, and v is the flow velocity of the fluid.

[0045] The fluid flow rate is calculated based on the above relationship, and the flow rate can be determined by multiplying the fluid flow rate by the flow area.

[0046] For deep open channels, the flow rate can be measured at different liquid levels and the results of different flow rates can be combined to improve the accuracy of flow measurement. For example:

[0047] The first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202 are both multiple ultrasonic transducers and are arranged in groups. The two ultrasonic transducers in the same group are arranged on both sides respectively, and the first transducers 102 and the second transducers 202 in different groups are arranged at different liquid level heights to measure the fluid flow rate at different liquid level heights. The first controller 101 integrates multiple flow rate measurement results (for example, taking the average value) to obtain a more accurate flow result.

[0048] For channels or pipes with stable flow surfaces, the flow area can be pre-calculated based on the shape of the channel or pipe and pre-configured in the first controller 101 for storage; in this application, a flow section monitoring system is set up to detect water level changes in real time or periodically in order to calculate the flow area based on the characteristics of open channel water level changes.

[0049] Exemplarily, the flow section monitoring system includes a liquid level meter 401, which is exemplarily a radar level meter (ultrasonic radar, etc.), fixedly installed above the open channel, and measures the water level height from the water surface to the channel bottom reference plane.

[0050] The liquid level meter 401 is communicatively connected to the first controller 101 and transmits the water level to the first controller 101. The first controller 101 calculates the flow area based on the water level and the geometric information of the open channel (such as the slopes on both sides, the width of the channel bottom, etc.).

[0051] In another embodiment, water level changes and siltation changes are detected in real time or periodically to calculate the flow area. For example, the flow section monitoring system includes a transverse traction mechanism 402, a silt interface monitoring vessel 403 and a liquid level meter 401. The transverse traction mechanism 402 includes a cable and a rope drive controller 4022 for driving the cable 4021. The silt interface monitoring vessel 403 is connected to the cable 4021. In actual use, the cable 4021 is erected above the open channel through a column and reciprocating rotation is achieved by means of a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The rope drive controller 4022 drives the cable 4021 to move by means of a motor or the like.

[0052] The liquid level meter 401 is communicatively connected to the rope drive controller 4022 ; the mud interface monitoring vessel 403 is communicatively connected to the rope drive controller 4022 , and the rope drive controller 4022 is communicatively connected to the first controller 101 .

[0053] Exemplarily, the liquid level meter 401 and the rope drive controller 4022 are connected by wire, for example, data is transmitted through an RS485 communication cable, the silt interface monitoring vessel 403 and the rope drive controller 4022 communicate via LORA wireless data, and the rope drive controller 4022 and the first controller 101 are on the same column, and the two are connected by RS485 wire.

[0054] In some embodiments, the mud interface monitoring vessel 403 includes a battery and is powered by the battery, for example, a disposable lithium battery that can be replaced after the power is consumed, or other types of detachable and rechargeable batteries are used, which is beneficial to simplify the structure of the mud interface monitoring vessel 403, improve safety and perform low power consumption processing.

[0055] During the actual implementation process, the lateral traction mechanism 402 pulls the silt interface monitoring ship 403 to move laterally. The silt interface monitoring ship 403 floats on the water surface of the channel and sends ultrasonic waves downward. The ultrasonic waves are reflected on the mud surface. The silt interface monitoring ship 403 receives the reflected signal and calculates the third flight time. The water depth value of the water surface relative to the mud surface is obtained through the third flight time and the speed of sound.

[0056] Through lateral traction, the silt interface monitoring ship 403 conducts multi-point testing, and the distribution of silt thickness is obtained by subtracting the water depth value measured by the silt interface monitoring ship 403 from the water level.

[0057] The first controller 101 comprehensively calculates the actual flow area based on the silt thickness distribution, water level, and geometric information of the open channel (such as the shape of the open channel, the slopes on both sides, the width of the channel bottom, etc.). For example, when the open channel is a trapezoidal channel, a rectangular channel or an irregular shape, the geometric information of the channel shape is recorded in advance, and the overall cross-sectional area below the water surface is calculated based on the water level from the channel bottom to the water surface. The average depth of the silt is calculated according to the distribution of the silt thickness, and the silt cross-sectional area is calculated based on the average depth of the silt. The actual flow area is obtained by subtracting the silt cross-sectional area from the overall cross-sectional area.

[0058] The flow measurement device provided herein also includes an energy supply system 500, which includes solar panels. The host system 100 and the slave system 200 are each electrically connected to a set of these solar panels, each comprising a solar panel and a corresponding controller. In some feasible embodiments, the energy supply system 500 comprises a combination of a battery and a solar panel to collect and store solar energy, reducing dependence on mains electricity.

[0059] The flow measurement device provided by this application has significant advantages:

[0060] 1. High flow accuracy, stable data operation, real-time flow rate and flow measurement, meeting the needs of high-precision and high-reliability applications;

[0061] 2. Comparison with manual flow measurement on bridges (flow measurement cart): This method solves the problem of real-time data and avoids the problem of being unable to measure on-site in bad weather such as rain and snow, while reducing construction costs. The time difference method has no moving parts, which reduces maintenance and repairs.

[0062] 3. Comparison of radar surface flow: Time difference contact measurement, measuring the average flow velocity of the section from line to surface, is not affected by natural factors such as wind, rain and snow on the channel flow velocity, and performs better under low flow rate conditions;

[0063] 4. Compared with the traditional wired time difference method: it avoids the construction of cross-channel wiring and reduces the signal attenuation problem caused by long cables;

[0064] 5. Comparison of water level and flow relationship: If the water level and flow relationship does not satisfy the free flow condition, there will be a relatively large measurement error. The time difference method is not affected by stagnant water, changes in water use habits, etc., and can perform accurate measurement.

[0065] 6. The dual timing modules are used to receive satellite synchronous timing signals, so that the time synchronization accuracy of the master-slave system reaches ns (nanosecond) level, significantly reducing the measurement error caused by clock deviation.

[0066] The present application also provides a flow measurement method, which is implemented using the flow measurement device provided in the above embodiment and exemplarily includes the following steps:

[0067] S1, a first transducer 102 and a second transducer 202 are arranged on both sides of an open channel, and a line connecting the first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202 forms an angle with respect to the direction of water flow;

[0068] S2, configuring wireless communication and time synchronization between the first controller 101 and the second controller 201;

[0069] S3. Configure the geometric information of the open channel and the installation information between the first transducer and the second transducer in the first controller 101, wherein the geometric information of the open channel includes the shape of the open channel, the slopes on both sides, the width of the channel bottom, etc., and the flow area is determined by the geometric information. In some cases, the water level height, the depth of the silt, etc. are obtained by the flow section monitoring system to comprehensively calculate the flow area; the installation information between the first transducer 102 and the second transducer 202 exemplarily includes the distance between the two, the angle relative to the water flow direction, etc., and the flow velocity is calculated based on the installation information combined with the flight time.

[0070] S4, obtaining flow measurement results, for example, calculating the fluid flow velocity based on ultrasonic time difference method, and determining the flow rate according to the fluid flow velocity and the flow area.

[0071] The specific definition of the flow measurement method can be found in the definition of the flow measurement device above and will not be repeated here. The various modules in the above-mentioned flow measurement device can be implemented in whole or in part through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in hardware form, or can be stored in the memory of the computer device in software form, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of the above-mentioned modules.

[0072] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

Claims

1. A flow measuring device, characterized in that: include: A host system (100) comprises a first controller (101), a first transducer (102) connected to the first controller (101), and a first timing module (103); A slave system (200) comprises a second controller (201), a second transducer (202) connected to the second controller (201), and a second timing module (203); The first controller (101) and the second controller (201) transmit information via a wireless communication module (301); The first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) are used to send and receive ultrasonic signals to each other; the first controller (101) is used to calculate a first flight time of the ultrasonic signal received by the first transducer (102); the second controller (201) is used to calculate a second flight time of the ultrasonic signal received by the second transducer (202), and send the second flight time to the first controller (101); the first controller (101) is also used to obtain a fluid flow rate based on a time difference between the first flight time and the second flight time, so as to determine a flow rate based on the fluid flow rate and a flow area; the first timing module (103) and the second timing module (203) are used to receive a satellite synchronous timing signal, so as to keep the first controller (101) and the second controller (201) in time synchronization.

2. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) are both multiple and arranged in groups. Different groups of the first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) are used to measure the flow rate of fluids at different liquid level heights.

3. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that The first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) operate at a frequency of 250 kHz and above.

4. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes a flow section monitoring system, the flow section monitoring system includes a liquid level meter (401), and the liquid level meter (401) is communicatively connected to the first controller (101).

5. The flow measurement device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The flow section monitoring system further comprises a transverse traction mechanism (402) and a silt interface monitoring vessel (403), wherein the transverse traction mechanism (402) comprises a cable (4021) and a cable drive controller (4022) for driving the cable, the silt interface monitoring vessel (403) is connected to the cable (4021), and the liquid level meter (401) is communicatively connected to the cable drive controller (4022); the silt interface monitoring vessel (403) is communicatively connected to the cable drive controller (4022), and the cable drive controller (4022) is communicatively connected to the first controller (101).

6. The flow measurement device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The silt interface monitoring vessel (403) includes a battery and is powered by the battery. The silt interface monitoring vessel (403) is wirelessly connected to the rope drive controller (4022).

7. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that It also includes an energy supply system (500), the energy supply system (500) including a solar energy component, and the host system and the slave system are respectively electrically connected to a set of the solar energy component.

8. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless communication module (301) is a LoRa communication module.

9. The flow measurement device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first timing module (103) and the second timing module (203) are both GNSS timing modules.

10. A flow measurement method, characterized in that: Using the flow measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprises: A first transducer (102) and a second transducer (202) are arranged along both sides of an open channel, and a line connecting the first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) has an angle relative to a water flow direction; Configuring wireless communication and time synchronization between the first controller (101) and the second controller (201); Geometric information of an open channel and installation information between the first transducer (102) and the second transducer (202) are configured in the first controller (101) to obtain a flow measurement result.

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