hydrants

Abstract

This invention discloses a fire hydrant, relating to the field of fire emergency technology. The fire hydrant includes a shell structure, a valve core assembly, and a flow sensor. The shell structure includes a first shell and a second shell, which are detachably connected. The first shell is located above ground, and the second shell is for underground installation. A first cavity is provided within the first shell, and a second cavity is provided within the second shell; the first cavity and the second cavity communicate with each other. The valve core assembly is disposed within the first and second cavities. The flow sensor is installed on the valve core assembly and is located within the first cavity. By installing the flow sensor on the valve core assembly and placing it within the first cavity, this invention simplifies the modification process. During modification, only the old valve core assembly needs to be removed from the shell structure, and a new valve core assembly pre-installed with the flow sensor needs to be installed in the first and second cavities, eliminating the need for excavation and significantly reducing the difficulty of modification.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fire emergency technology, and in particular to a fire hydrant. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of smart city construction, traditional fire hydrants are rapidly evolving into smart fire hydrants with flow monitoring capabilities, becoming key terminals for urban water supply safety and fire emergency management. Currently, mainstream smart fire hydrants generally adopt built-in electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow meters, combined with IoT and NB-IoT communication technologies, realizing a transformation from passive inspection to proactive sensing. They can collect instantaneous and cumulative flow data in real time and upload it to a cloud platform for abnormal water use identification, leakage control, and pipeline health assessment.

[0003] However, current electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow sensors, when used for retrofitting existing fire hydrants, require disassembling the upper and lower housings of the hydrant and placing the flow sensor between them. Since the lower housing is buried underground, installing the flow sensor between the upper and lower housings is difficult, requiring excavation work. Furthermore, reconnecting the upper and lower housings after installation is also challenging. Therefore, retrofitting flow sensors to existing fire hydrants is quite difficult.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of fire hydrant to solve the technical problem of high difficulty in retrofitting flow sensors to existing fire hydrants. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to propose a fire hydrant that addresses the technical problem of excessively high modification costs when retrofitting flow sensors to existing fire hydrants.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the fire hydrant proposed in this invention includes a housing structure, a valve core assembly, and a flow sensor. The housing structure includes a first housing and a second housing, which are detachably connected. The first housing is located above ground, and the second housing is for burial underground. The first housing has a first cavity, and the second housing has a second cavity, which communicate with each other. The valve core assembly is disposed in the first cavity and the second cavity. The flow sensor is mounted on the valve core assembly and is located in the first cavity.

[0007] In one embodiment, the fire hydrant further includes a pressure sensor located in the second cavity and mounted at the bottom of the valve core assembly.

[0008] In one embodiment, the fire hydrant further includes a signal processing unit, which is electrically connected to a flow sensor and a pressure sensor, and is also communicatively connected to an external communication device.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fire hydrant further includes a connecting seat, and the flow sensor includes a pulsator structure and a magnetic induction chip. The connecting seat is installed in the middle section of the valve core assembly and is located in the first cavity. The pulsator structure is rotatably installed on the connecting seat, and the rotation axis of the pulsator structure is perpendicular to the water flow direction in the first cavity. The pulsator structure has at least one blade, and a magnetic element is provided at the free end of the blade. At least a portion of the blade extends into the first cavity to drive the pulsator structure to rotate under the impact of the water flow. The magnetic induction chip is fixedly installed on the connecting seat and is used to sense the periodic magnetic field change generated by the magnetic element as the pulsator structure rotates, and outputs a corresponding pulse signal. The frequency of the pulse signal is used to characterize the water flow velocity in the first cavity.

[0010] In one embodiment, the connector has a mounting slot, the impeller structure is rotatably mounted in the mounting slot, and the magnetic induction chip is mounted in the mounting slot.

[0011] In one embodiment, the impeller structure has a plurality of blades connected to each other, and each blade has a magnetic element at its free end; the rotation axis of the impeller structure is located in the mounting groove, at least half of the blades are located in the mounting groove, and at least a portion of the remaining blades extend out of the mounting groove.

[0012] In one embodiment, the fire hydrant also includes a battery electrically connected to a magnetic induction chip.

[0013] In one embodiment, the fire hydrant further includes a power generation component, which includes a power generation device and an impeller structure. The power generation device is electrically connected to a battery, and the impeller structure is rotatably mounted on a valve core assembly. The impeller structure is drively connected to the rotating end of the power generation device, and the impeller structure extends into a first cavity to drive the rotating end of the power generation device to rotate under the impact of water flow.

[0014] In one embodiment, the valve core assembly includes a core body disposed within a first cavity and a second cavity, and a third cavity disposed within the core body; a power generation device is disposed within the third cavity; a transmission rod is provided on one side of the impeller structure, and a first end of the transmission rod away from the impeller structure extends into the third cavity, and the first end of the transmission rod is connected to the rotating end of the power generation device in a transmission connection.

[0015] In one embodiment, the core is provided with a connecting port, and the connecting seat is also provided with a receiving notch, the connecting port and the receiving notch being connected; the first end of the transmission rod extends into the third cavity through the receiving notch and the connecting port; the third cavity is also provided with a drive mechanism, which is electrically connected to the signal processing unit; the output end of the drive mechanism is configured as a telescopic rotating rod, and the end of the rotating rod is provided with a drive gear; a mating groove is opened on the outer periphery of the transmission rod, and a rack is provided on one side wall of the mating groove; the drive mechanism is used to drive the rotating rod to extend into the mating groove so that the drive gear meshes with the rack; the drive mechanism is also used to drive the rotating rod to rotate so that the drive gear rotates, thereby driving the transmission rod and the impeller structure to move to extend out of the receiving notch or retract into the receiving notch.

[0016] The technical solution of this invention achieves integrated operation of the flow sensor and the valve core assembly by installing the flow sensor on the valve core assembly and placing it in the first cavity of the first housing above ground. This eliminates the need for complex operations when upgrading existing fire hydrants to intelligent systems. Instead of disassembling the underground second housing from the above-ground first housing, placing the flow sensor between them, and then connecting them, operators only need to remove the old valve core assembly from the housing structure and then install the new valve core assembly pre-installed with the flow sensor into both the first and second cavities to complete the addition of flow monitoring functionality without excavation. This process effectively avoids the difficult work of disassembling and resealing the housing in confined underground spaces or humid environments, significantly reducing the difficulty and cost of retrofitting the flow sensor into existing fire hydrants. It provides a practical and feasible technical solution for large-scale, low-cost upgrades of existing fire hydrants to smart systems. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a fire hydrant embodiment provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A functional block diagram of the signal processing unit in one embodiment of a fire hydrant provided by the present invention; Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the flow sensor, connector, and power generation assembly of a fire hydrant according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the flow sensor and connector of a fire hydrant according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the connection seat, power generation component, and drive mechanism of a fire hydrant according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Explanation of icon numbers: 1. Shell structure; 11. First shell; 12. Second shell; 2. Valve core assembly; 21. Core body; 3. Flow sensor; 31. Impeller structure; 32. Magnetic induction chip; 33. Magnetic component; 4. Pressure sensor; 5. Signal processing unit; 6. Connecting seat; 61. Mounting slot; 62. Accommodating notch; 7. Power generation components; 71. Impeller structure; 711. Drive rod; 7111. Connecting groove; 7112. Rack; 8. Drive mechanism; 81. Rotating rod; 82. Drive gear.

[0020] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.

[0023] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0024] With the advancement of smart city construction, traditional fire hydrants are rapidly evolving into smart fire hydrants with flow monitoring capabilities, becoming key terminals for urban water supply safety and fire emergency management. Currently, mainstream smart fire hydrants generally adopt built-in electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow meters, combined with IoT and NB-IoT communication technologies, realizing a transformation from passive inspection to proactive sensing. They can collect instantaneous and cumulative flow data in real time and upload it to a cloud platform for abnormal water use identification, leakage control, and pipeline health assessment.

[0025] However, current electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow sensors, when used for retrofitting existing fire hydrants, require disassembling the upper and lower housings of the hydrant and placing the flow sensor between them. Since the lower housing is buried underground, installing the flow sensor between the upper and lower housings is difficult, requiring excavation work. Furthermore, reconnecting the upper and lower housings after installation is also challenging. Therefore, retrofitting flow sensors to existing fire hydrants is quite difficult.

[0026] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of fire hydrant to solve the technical problem of high difficulty in retrofitting flow sensors to existing fire hydrants.

[0027] To address the above problems, this invention proposes a fire hydrant.

[0028] Please see Figure 1In one embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant includes a housing structure 1, a valve core assembly 2, and a flow sensor 3. The housing structure 1 includes a first housing 11 and a second housing 12, which are detachably connected. The first housing 11 is located above ground, and the second housing 12 is buried underground. The first housing 11 has a first cavity, and the second housing 12 has a second cavity, which communicate with each other. The valve core assembly 2 is disposed in the first cavity and the second cavity. The flow sensor 3 is mounted on the valve core assembly 2 and is located in the first cavity.

[0029] The technical solution of this invention achieves integrated operation of the flow sensor 3 and the valve core assembly 2 by installing the flow sensor 3 on the valve core assembly 2 and placing it in the first cavity of the first housing 11 above ground. Thus, when upgrading existing fire hydrants to be intelligent, there is no need to perform the complex operation of disassembling the underground second housing 12 from the above-ground first housing 11, painstakingly placing the flow sensor 3 between them, and then connecting them. Correspondingly, operators only need to remove the old valve core assembly 2 from the housing structure 1, and then install the new valve core assembly 2 pre-installed with the flow sensor 3 into the first and second cavities to complete the addition of flow monitoring function, without the need for excavation. This process effectively avoids the difficult work of disassembling and resealing the housing in confined underground spaces or humid environments, significantly reducing the difficulty and construction cost of installing the flow sensor 3 into existing fire hydrants, and providing a practical and feasible technical solution for large-scale, low-cost upgrading of existing fire hydrants to be intelligent.

[0030] It should be noted that the first housing 11 refers to the part of the fire hydrant that protrudes above ground, typically including components such as the hydrant cap and valve stem, forming a first cavity. The second housing 12 refers to the part of the fire hydrant buried underground, typically including a base connected to the water supply pipe, forming a second cavity. The valve core assembly 2 is the core component controlling the opening and closing of the fire hydrant; its up-and-down movement controls the water flow from the second cavity into the first cavity and finally out of the outlet. The flow sensor 3 is a device used to monitor the water flow rate.

[0031] In the specific operation process, when retrofitting traditional existing fire hydrants with intelligent systems, the operator first separates the first housing 11 from the second housing 12 and removes the old valve core assembly 2 from both the second and first cavities. Then, the operator removes a pre-fabricated new valve core assembly 2 with an integrated flow sensor 3. The operator places the new valve core assembly 2 entirely into the second and first cavities and securely connects it to the housing structure 1. At this point, the flow sensor 3 is also located in the first cavity. Finally, the operator reconnects and seals the first housing 11 and the second housing 12, completing the retrofit. When the fire hydrant is opened, water flows from the second cavity into the first cavity, passing through the flow sensor 3 installed on the valve core assembly 2, thus enabling real-time flow monitoring.

[0032] In one specific implementation of this embodiment, the flow sensor 3 adopts a pulsator structure based on the principle of magnetic induction. In other alternative implementations, an ultrasonic flow sensor or an electromagnetic flow sensor may also be used.

[0033] In addition, as a feasible implementation, the valve core assembly 2 may include a core body 21 and a valve disc, and the flow sensor 3 may be installed in the middle section of the core body 21 so that when the fire hydrant is opened, the water flow can directly wash over the sensing part of the flow sensor 3 to ensure measurement accuracy.

[0034] Please see Figure 1 In an embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant further includes a pressure sensor 4, which is located in the second cavity and is installed at the bottom of the valve core assembly 2.

[0035] In this embodiment, by installing the pressure sensor 4 at the bottom of the valve core assembly 2 and placing it within the second chamber, the pressure sensor 4 can be directly immersed in the water flow near the fire hydrant inlet. This arrangement ensures that the pressure sensor 4 accurately senses water pressure changes at the source closest to the water supply network, thereby obtaining more accurate and real-time water supply pipeline pressure data. When the fire hydrant is not open, the valve core assembly 2 is in the closed state, and there is no water or very little water in the first chamber. At this time, the pressure sensor 4 can still monitor the static pressure in the pipeline, providing data support for pipeline leakage analysis. This solution seamlessly integrates the pressure monitoring function into the valve core assembly 2, further enriching the functional integration of the single valve core assembly 2. With only the valve core assembly 2 being replaced, both flow monitoring and water pressure monitoring functions are simultaneously achieved, further reducing the modification cost and difficulty of multi-functional smart fire hydrants.

[0036] It should be noted that the pressure sensor 4 is a device capable of sensing fluid pressure and converting it into a usable output signal. In this embodiment, its installation position is at the bottom of the valve core assembly 2. After the fire hydrant is installed, this position is exactly located in the second cavity and is submerged in water for a long time to monitor the water pressure in the water supply network.

[0037] During operation, when valve core assembly 2 is closed, the fire hydrant does not discharge water, but the water supply pipeline fills the second chamber. At this time, pressure sensor 4, installed at the bottom of valve core assembly 2, is submerged in water, continuously monitoring the static pressure of the pipeline network and transmitting the pressure data via a signal line. When valve core assembly 2 is opened, and water flows from the second chamber to the first chamber, pressure sensor 4 monitors the dynamic water flow pressure. By analyzing the changes in static and dynamic pressure, it is possible to determine whether there is leakage or abnormal water usage in the pipeline network.

[0038] As a feasible implementation, the pressure sensor 4 can be a resistance strain gauge pressure sensor 4, a capacitive pressure sensor 4, or a piezoresistive pressure sensor 4.

[0039] In addition, as a feasible implementation, the signal line of the pressure sensor 4 can be routed upwards along the channel inside the valve core assembly 2 until it is connected to the signal processing unit at the top of the first cavity, so as to reduce the impact of water flow and damage from the external environment on the signal line.

[0040] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 In an embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant further includes a signal processing unit 5, which is electrically connected to the flow sensor 3 and the pressure sensor 4, and is also communicatively connected to an external communication device.

[0041] In this embodiment, by setting up a signal processing unit 5 and electrically connecting it to the flow sensor 3 and the pressure sensor 4 respectively, centralized acquisition and processing of multiple monitoring data of the fire hydrant are achieved. The signal processing unit 5 can receive pulse signals from the flow sensor 3 and electrical signals from the pressure sensor 4, and convert them into standardized flow velocity, flow rate, and pressure values. Simultaneously, since the signal processing unit 5 is connected to external communication equipment, the processed data can be uploaded to the cloud management platform in real time via IoT technology or sent to the mobile terminals of maintenance personnel. Thus, this solution constructs a complete monitoring link from data perception and edge processing to cloud transmission, enabling managers to remotely and in real time monitor the water consumption and water pressure status of each fire hydrant. This achieves intelligent management from passive inspection to proactive perception, significantly reducing the cost of manual inspection and providing timely and reliable data for fire emergency decision-making.

[0042] It should be noted that signal processing unit 5 is a circuit module with data acquisition, processing, and communication functions. Electrical connection refers to an electrical connection achieved through wires or circuit board traces, used to transmit electrical signals or energy. External communication equipment refers to devices located outside the fire hydrant that can receive and send information, such as IoT base stations, cloud servers, mobile phones, or tablets.

[0043] In operation, the pulse signal generated by the flow sensor 3 and the electrical signal generated by the pressure sensor 4 are transmitted to the signal processing unit 5 via wires. The microcontroller unit (MCU) inside the signal processing unit 5 performs analog-to-digital conversion and algorithmic calculations on these raw signals to calculate the actual flow velocity, instantaneous flow rate, cumulative flow rate, and water pressure. Subsequently, the signal processing unit 5 wirelessly transmits this processed data to external communication devices, such as NB-IoT base stations or mobile phones, via its built-in communication module, such as an NB-IoT module or Bluetooth module, and then uploads it to the cloud platform.

[0044] As one feasible implementation, the signal processing unit 5 may include a microcontroller and an NB-IoT communication module. The microcontroller is used for data acquisition and processing, and the NB-IoT communication module is used for communication with the base station to achieve long-distance, low-power data transmission.

[0045] In addition, as a feasible implementation, the signal processing unit 5 may also include a Bluetooth communication module for near-field communication with the mobile phones of maintenance personnel, which facilitates on-site equipment configuration, debugging, and data reading in emergency situations.

[0046] Because current electromagnetic or ultrasonic flow sensors are expensive, with a single sensor costing hundreds or even thousands of yuan, existing fire hydrants with flow monitoring functions are prohibitively costly. For water supply companies or municipal management departments, large-scale deployment of these smart fire hydrants on existing systems presents the challenge of high initial investment and long payback periods. If the sole revenue source is preventing water theft or leakage, the investment recovery period for a single fire hydrant upgrade often exceeds 3-5 years. Furthermore, the direct economic benefits of this equipment are difficult to quantify in fire emergency scenarios, further complicating project initiation and budget approval.

[0047] To address the issue of excessively high costs associated with fire hydrants featuring flow monitoring, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4In an embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant further includes a connecting seat 6, and the flow sensor 3 includes a pulsator structure 31 and a magnetic induction chip 32. The connecting seat 6 is installed in the middle section of the valve core assembly 2 and is located in the first cavity. The pulsator structure 31 is rotatably installed on the connecting seat 6, and the rotation axis of the pulsator structure 31 is perpendicular to the water flow direction in the first cavity. The pulsator structure 31 has at least one blade, and a magnetic element 33 is provided at the free end of the blade. At least a portion of the blade extends into the first cavity to drive the pulsator structure 31 to rotate under the impact of the water flow. The magnetic induction chip 32 is fixedly installed on the connecting seat 6 and is used to sense the periodic magnetic field change generated by the magnetic element 33 when the pulsator structure 31 rotates, and outputs a corresponding pulse signal. The frequency of the pulse signal is used to characterize the water flow velocity in the first cavity.

[0048] The magnetic induction chip 32 can be electrically or communicatively connected to the signal processing unit 5, thereby transmitting the pulse signal to the signal processing unit 5.

[0049] In this embodiment, the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32 are integrated into the middle section of the valve core assembly 2 by setting the connecting seat 6. The impeller structure 31 is rotated by the impact of water flow on the blades, and the magnetic induction chip 32 senses the periodic magnetic field changes generated by the magnetic component 33 on the blades, thereby outputting a pulse signal with a frequency proportional to the flow velocity. This solution provides an extremely simple and low-cost flow velocity measurement solution through the ingenious combination of mechanical structure and magnetic induction principle. Compared with expensive electromagnetic flow meters or ultrasonic flow meters, the material cost of the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32 in this solution is significantly reduced, thereby greatly reducing the manufacturing cost of the entire smart fire hydrant and solving the technical problem of excessively high cost of fire hydrants with flow monitoring function. At the same time, the design of the rotation axis perpendicular to the water flow direction allows the impeller structure 31 to respond more sensitively to the impact of water flow, ensuring measurement accuracy. Integrating the flow sensor 3 into the connecting seat 6 in the middle section of the valve core assembly 2 further optimizes the integration and simplifies the modification process.

[0050] It should be noted that the connecting seat 6 refers to the mechanical component used to fix the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32 onto the valve core assembly 2. The impeller structure 31 refers to a rotating component similar to an impeller or water turbine, whose blades rotate around a fixed axis under the impact of fluid. The magnetic component 33 refers to a magnetic object, such as a permanent magnet. The magnetic induction chip 32 refers to an electronic component capable of sensing changes in the magnetic field and outputting an electrical signal, such as a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistive sensor.

[0051] In operation, when the fire hydrant is opened and water flows upwards in the first chamber, the water flow impacts the blades of the impeller structure 31 that extend into the first chamber. Driven by the water flow, the entire impeller structure 31 begins to rotate around its axis of rotation, which is perpendicular to the direction of the water flow. As the impeller structure 31 rotates, the magnetic components 33 at the free ends of each blade sequentially approach and move away from the magnetic induction chip 32 fixedly mounted on the connecting seat 6. The magnetic induction chip 32 senses this periodic magnetic field change and outputs a series of pulse signals. The faster the water flow, the faster the impeller structure 31 rotates, the higher the frequency at which the magnetic components 33 pass through the magnetic induction chip 32, and the higher the frequency of the output pulse signal. After receiving the pulse signal, the signal processing unit 5 calculates the current water flow rate based on the pre-calibrated correspondence between flow rate and pulse frequency.

[0052] As a possible implementation, the impeller structure 31 may have three or four blades, and a cylindrical neodymium magnet is embedded at the free end of each blade to provide a sufficiently strong magnetic field variation.

[0053] In addition, as a feasible implementation, the magnetic induction chip 32 can be a Hall effect latch, which can change the output level when different magnetic poles are detected, thereby generating a clear square wave pulse, which is convenient for the signal processing unit 5 to count.

[0054] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting seat 6 is provided with a mounting groove 61, the impeller structure 31 is rotatably mounted in the mounting groove 61, and the magnetic induction chip 32 is mounted in the mounting groove 61; and at least a portion of the blade extends out of the mounting groove 61, so that the blade can still drive the impeller structure 31 to rotate under the impact of water flow.

[0055] In this embodiment, a highly integrated modular unit is formed by creating a mounting slot 61 on the connecting seat 6 and mounting both the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32 within the mounting slot 61. The mounting slot 61 provides precise positioning and protection for the rotation of the impeller structure 31, ensuring that the impeller structure 31 can rotate stably and reliably, while protecting the internal magnetic induction chip 32 and rotating mechanism from impurities that may be present in the water flow. This compact modular design allows the flow sensor 3 to be easily mounted onto or removed from the valve core assembly 2 as a whole, further improving the manufacturability and maintainability of the product.

[0056] It should be noted that the mounting groove 61 refers to a recessed space machined on the connecting seat 6, used to accommodate and position the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32, and its shape and size match the impeller structure 31.

[0057] In the specific operation process, during manufacturing, the magnetic induction chip 32 is first fixed in a predetermined position within the mounting groove 61. Then, the rotating shaft of the impeller structure 31 is installed into the shaft hole on the side wall of the mounting groove 61, allowing it to rotate freely within the mounting groove 61. Finally, the entire connecting seat 6, along with the installed impeller structure 31 and magnetic induction chip 32, is fixed to the middle section of the valve core assembly 2. When water flows into the first chamber, only the portion of the impeller structure 31 extending outside the mounting groove 61 is impacted by the water flow, while the main body of the impeller structure 31 and the magnetic induction chip 32 remain within the mounting groove 61, in a protected state.

[0058] As a possible implementation, the opening of the mounting groove 61 can face the direction of water flow, and the blade can extend out of the mounting groove 61 to facilitate the smooth impact of water flow on the blade.

[0059] Please see Figure 3 and Figure 4 In an embodiment of the present invention, the impeller structure 31 has a plurality of blades connected to each other, and each blade has a magnetic element 33 at its free end; the rotation axis of the impeller structure 31 is located in the mounting groove 61, at least half of the blades are located in the mounting groove 61, and at least a portion of the remaining blades extend out of the mounting groove 61.

[0060] In this embodiment, by positioning the rotation axis of the impeller structure 31 within the mounting groove 61 and ensuring that at least half of the blades are located within the mounting groove 61, the overall center of gravity and rotational stability of the impeller structure 31 are well supported and constrained. Simultaneously, by allowing the remaining blades to extend beyond the mounting groove 61 to receive the impact of the water flow, effective power input is achieved. The design of providing a magnetic element 33 at the free end of each blade ensures that the magnetic induction chip 32 can sense the same number of magnetic field changes as the number of blades per revolution of the impeller structure 31, thereby generating a higher frequency pulse signal at the same rotational speed, improving the resolution and accuracy of flow measurement. This layout, which considers both internal and external factors, optimizes the stability and protection of the impeller structure 31 while ensuring measurement accuracy.

[0061] It should be noted that in this embodiment, "multiple" refers to three or more blades. Multiple blades are connected to each other, forming a single, integral impeller. The axis of rotation is the center line around which the impeller structure 31 rotates.

[0062] During operation, when the water flow impacts the blades extending from the mounting groove 61, since the rotation axis is located inside the mounting groove 61 and most of the blades are also located inside the mounting groove 61, the impact force of the water flow is stably converted into torque around the rotation axis, driving the entire impeller structure 31 to rotate smoothly. During the water flow impact, the free end of each blade extending from the mounting groove 61 rotates the impeller structure 31 under the influence of the water flow. This causes the magnetic component 33 at the free end of the blade located inside the mounting groove 61 to pass over the magnetic induction chip 32 within the mounting groove 61, causing the magnetic induction chip 32 to sense the change in magnetic field and generate pulses.

[0063] As a feasible implementation, the impeller structure 31 can be a symmetrical six-blade structure. Three blades are located inside the mounting groove 61, serving as counterweights and stabilizing rotation; the other three blades extend outside the mounting groove 61 to receive the impact of water flow.

[0064] In addition, as a feasible implementation, the magnetic poles of the magnetic component 33 can be arranged in an alternating manner of N pole and S pole, so that the magnetic induction chip 32 will generate a complete waveform every time it passes through a blade, which is easier to process signals.

[0065] In an embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant also includes a battery (not shown in the figure), which is electrically connected to the magnetic induction chip 32.

[0066] In this embodiment, a dedicated battery powers the magnetic induction chip 32, enabling the entire flow monitoring module to operate independently and stably without relying on an external power source. This ensures that the fire hydrant can continuously monitor flow under any circumstances, including during mains power outages. The independent power supply design also simplifies the overall electrical layout of the fire hydrant, further enhancing its flexibility and reliability as an independent intelligent terminal.

[0067] It should be noted that a battery is a device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy to provide direct current to electronic components. In this embodiment, the battery can be a rechargeable lithium battery.

[0068] As a feasible implementation method, a high-capacity lithium thionyl chloride battery can be used. This type of battery has the characteristics of low self-discharge rate, wide operating temperature range and high energy density, making it very suitable for long-term use in unattended outdoor fire hydrants.

[0069] In addition, the battery can also be electrically connected to the pressure sensor 4 and the signal processing unit 5 to power the pressure sensor 4 and the signal processing unit 5.

[0070] Furthermore, most smart fire hydrants on the market with flow and water pressure monitoring functions currently face the pain point of insufficient battery life, especially under actual working conditions, where power consumption far exceeds expectations. When the fire hydrant activates core functions such as water flow and pressure monitoring, data transmission, and alarm triggering, the instantaneous current surges, causing a large amount of battery power to be consumed in a short period of time. Many products are advertised as having a battery life of several years, but once they enter scenarios involving frequent data reporting or abnormal event response, the actual battery life often shrinks to a few months or even less. This not only significantly increases the frequency and cost of battery replacement for maintenance personnel, but also seriously affects the reliability of smart fire hydrants in remote or difficult-to-maintain areas, greatly diminishing the long-term monitoring effectiveness of the fire hydrants.

[0071] To address the issue of insufficient battery life in fire hydrants with flow and water pressure monitoring functions, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 3 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the fire hydrant further includes a power generation component 7, which includes a power generation device (not shown in the figure) and an impeller structure 71. The power generation device is electrically connected to a battery, and the impeller structure 71 is rotatably mounted on the valve core assembly 2. The impeller structure 71 is drivenly connected to the rotating end of the power generation device, and the impeller structure 71 extends into the first cavity to drive the rotating end of the power generation device to rotate under the impact of water flow.

[0072] In this embodiment, by adding a power generation component 7 and rotatably mounting the impeller structure 71 onto the valve core assembly 2 so that it extends into the first cavity, the effective utilization of the kinetic energy of the water flow when the fire hydrant is opened is achieved. When the fire hydrant is opened and water flows through the first cavity, the water flow impacts the impeller structure 71 extending into the first cavity, driving it to rotate. When the impeller structure 71 rotates, through its transmission connection with the rotating end of the power generation device, it drives the rotating end of the power generation device to rotate together, thereby generating electrical energy and supplying it to the battery for charging. This technical solution cleverly solves the pain point of insufficient battery life faced by smart fire hydrants in scenarios with frequent data reporting or abnormal event response. By converting the originally wasted kinetic energy of the water flow into electrical energy for real-time replenishment, the overall battery life of the equipment is significantly extended, reducing the frequency of battery replacement by maintenance personnel and the corresponding labor costs. Especially in remote or difficult-to-maintain areas, this solution greatly improves the reliability of smart fire hydrants and the stability of long-term monitoring, avoiding the problem of missing monitoring data due to power depletion, and ensuring that smart fire hydrants can continuously and stably provide data support for water supply safety and fire emergency response.

[0073] It should be noted that the power generation component 7 refers to the assembly of devices that convert the mechanical energy of the water flow into electrical energy. The power generation device is the core component that realizes the electromechanical energy conversion, such as a micro DC generator, whose rotating end is the part of the generator used to input mechanical energy. The impeller structure 71 refers to a rotating component similar to a turbine, whose function is to convert the kinetic energy of the water flow into rotational mechanical energy. The transmission connection refers to the connection method that transmits the rotational motion of the impeller structure 71 to the rotating end of the power generation device, such as through couplings, gear pairs, or transmission rods.

[0074] In operation, when the fire hydrant is opened and water flows through the first chamber, the water flows upwards along the first chamber, impacting the impeller structure 71 extending into the first chamber. Driven by the water flow, the impeller structure 71 begins to rotate around its axis. Since the impeller structure 71 is connected to the rotating end of the generator through a transmission mechanism, the rotation of the impeller structure 71 directly or indirectly drives the rotating end of the generator to rotate as well. The coil inside the generator cuts magnetic field lines in the magnetic field, generating an induced electromotive force according to the principle of electromagnetic induction, thus producing electrical energy. The generated electrical energy is transmitted through wires and stored in the battery, thereby charging the battery.

[0075] As a feasible implementation method, the power generation device can employ a miniature brushless DC motor. This motor functions as a generator under normal conditions, and when driven to rotate by an external force, it generates electrical energy at its output. This design achieves the reuse of energy conversion devices, reducing overall material costs.

[0076] Furthermore, as a feasible implementation, a speed-increasing gearbox can be used to connect the impeller structure 71 and the rotating end of the power generation device. Since the rotational speed generated by the water flow impacting the impeller structure 71 may be low, increasing the rotational speed through the speed-increasing gearbox before transmitting it to the rotating end of the power generation device can enable the power generation device to achieve a more efficient power generation speed, thereby improving power generation efficiency.

[0077] In addition, as a feasible implementation, a power regulation structure such as a voltage regulator, current regulator, or transformer can be installed between the power generation device and the battery. Since the rotational speed of the impeller structure 71 fluctuates with changes in water flow velocity, the current and voltage generated by the power generation device are unstable. Directly inputting this voltage into the battery may affect its charging efficiency and lifespan. By installing a voltage regulator, the fluctuating voltage can be stabilized within a suitable range for battery charging; by installing a current regulator, the charging current can be limited and stabilized, preventing instantaneous large currents from impacting the battery; by installing a transformer, voltage matching can be performed according to the output characteristics of the power generation device and the charging requirements of the battery. This power regulation structure enables the power generation component 7 to output stable and controllable electrical energy, ensuring safe and efficient charging of the battery, further improving the reliability of the self-charging system and the battery's cycle life.

[0078] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the valve core assembly 2 includes a core body 21, which is disposed in a first cavity and a second cavity, and a third cavity is provided inside the core body 21; a power generation device is disposed in the third cavity; a transmission rod 711 is provided on one side of the impeller structure 71, and the first end of the transmission rod 711 away from the impeller structure 71 extends into the third cavity, and the first end of the transmission rod 711 is connected to the rotating end of the power generation device.

[0079] In this embodiment, by utilizing the internal space of the valve core assembly 21 to create a third cavity and housing the power generation device, the power generation component 7 is internalized and concealed. This design fully utilizes the structural space of the valve core assembly 2 itself, eliminating the need to increase the external volume of the fire hydrant and ensuring a compact product appearance. Simultaneously, placing the power generation device within the third cavity of the core 21 reduces the impact of external water flow and potential impurities such as silt in the water, improving the reliability and service life of the power generation device. Furthermore, by setting a transmission rod 711 on one side of the impeller structure 71 and having its first end extend into the third cavity to connect with the rotating end of the power generation device, a compact and reliable power transmission path is achieved between the impeller structure 71, the transmission rod 711, and the power generation device. The impeller structure 71 receives water flow impact in the first cavity outside the core 21, while the power is transmitted to the power generation device in the third cavity inside the core 21 via the transmission rod 711. This coordinated internal and external layout ensures reliable power generation while optimizing the overall structural integration and protective performance.

[0080] It should be noted that the core 21 is the main body of the valve core assembly 2, and is typically a long rod-shaped mechanical component. The third cavity refers to the cavity opened inside the core 21, used to accommodate the power generation device or other functional modules. The transmission rod 711 refers to the slender rod-shaped mechanical element that connects the impeller structure 71 to the rotating end of the power generation device, used to transmit rotational power.

[0081] In the specific operation process, when manufacturing the valve core assembly 2, the generator is first pre-installed and fixed in the third cavity inside the core 21. Then, the impeller structure 71 is installed on the outside of the core 21, so that the drive rod 711 on the back of the impeller structure 71 passes through a pre-reserved opening on the core 21 and extends into the third cavity. The first end of the drive rod 711 is then connected to the rotating end of the generator. When the fire hydrant is opened, the water flow impacts the impeller structure 71 outside the core 21, causing it to rotate. The impeller structure 71 drives the drive rod 711, which is fixedly connected to it, to rotate as well. The first end of the drive rod 711 rotates inside the third cavity, thereby driving the rotating end of the generator connected to it to rotate, thus enabling the generator inside the third cavity to generate electricity. Alternatively, for fire hydrants requiring modification, the original valve core assembly 2 can be removed and replaced with a new valve core assembly 2 containing the generator 7.

[0082] As a possible implementation, the first end of the transmission rod 711 and the rotating end of the power generation device can be connected by a gear set for gear transmission.

[0083] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention, the core 21 is provided with a communication port, and the connecting seat 6 is also provided with a receiving notch 62, the communication port being connected to the receiving notch 62; the first end of the transmission rod 711 extends into the third cavity through the receiving notch 62 and the communication port; the third cavity is also provided with a driving mechanism 8, which is electrically connected to the signal processing unit 5; the output end of the driving mechanism 8 is configured as a telescopic rotating rod 81, and the end of the rotating rod 81 is provided with a driving gear 82; a docking groove 7111 is provided on the outer periphery of the transmission rod 711, and a rack 7112 is provided on one side of the groove wall of the docking groove 7111; the driving mechanism 8 is used to drive the rotating rod 81 to extend into the docking groove 7111 so that the driving gear 82 meshes with the rack 7112; the driving mechanism 8 is also used to drive the rotating rod 81 to rotate so that the driving gear 82 rotates, thereby driving the transmission rod 711 and the impeller structure 71 to move to extend out of the receiving notch 62 or retract into the receiving notch 62.

[0084] In this embodiment, by setting up a drive mechanism 8 electrically connected to the signal processing unit 5, and cooperating with the retractable rotating rod 81, drive gear 82, docking groove 7111 on the transmission rod 711, and rack 7112, intelligent and precise control of the extension or retraction state of the impeller structure 71 is achieved. This retractable design brings significant advantages in flexibility and safety. Under normal conditions or when the battery is fully charged, the signal processing unit 5 can control the drive mechanism 8 to retract the impeller structure 71 into the receiving notch 62, reducing the resistance of the impeller structure 71 to the water flow, ensuring that the fire hydrant can provide sufficient water pressure and volume when a large flow of water is required, and guaranteeing the emergency water supply needs for fire fighting; and the drive gear 82 is located in the docking groove 7111, which restricts the rotation of the transmission rod 711 and the impeller structure 71, thereby preventing the battery from being continuously charged when the battery is at a high charge level, and avoiding battery overload. When the system detects that the battery power is too low and water is flowing through the fire hydrant, the signal processing unit 5 can automatically issue a command to control the drive mechanism 8 to sequentially perform actions such as extending the rotating rod 81 to engage the gear and rack 7112 and rotating the rotating rod 81. This pushes the impeller structure 71 out of the receiving notch 62 and into the water flow in the first chamber. Then, the rotating rod 81 retracts and exits from the docking groove 7111, allowing the impeller structure 71 and the transmission rod 711 to rotate under the impact of the water flow, so that the power generation device can charge the battery. This on-demand activation design solves the battery life problem and avoids the adverse effects on fire emergency water supply caused by the additional head loss due to the continuous operation of the power generation component 7.

[0085] It should be noted that the drive mechanism 8 refers to a composite actuator capable of generating both linear and rotary motion, such as a micro motor module with telescopic and rotary functions. The telescopic rod 81 refers to a rod-shaped actuator capable of extending or shortening axially while also rotating around its own axis. The mating groove 7111 refers to a recessed area on the transmission rod 711, used to accommodate the extended end of the rod 81. The rack 7112 refers to a spur rack 7112 machined on the wall of the mating groove 7111, which meshes with the drive gear 82, used to convert the rotary motion of the drive gear 82 into the linear motion of the transmission rod 711.

[0086] In actual operation, when the signal processing unit 5 determines that power generation is needed based on battery power and flow data, it controls the drive mechanism 8. The drive mechanism 8 first drives the retractable rotating rod 81 to extend, passing through the communication port of the core 21 and extending into the docking groove 7111 on the transmission rod 711, until the drive gear 82 at the end of the rotating rod 81 accurately meshes with the rack 7112 on the groove wall of the docking groove 7111. After meshing, the drive mechanism 8 then drives the rotating rod 81 to rotate around its axis. The rotation of the rotating rod 81 drives the drive gear 82 to rotate, and the drive gear 82, through its meshing with the rack 7112, converts the rotational motion into linear motion of the transmission rod 711 along the axial direction of the rotating rod 81, thereby pushing the transmission rod 711 and the impeller structure 71 to extend out of the receiving notch 62 and into the first cavity. Then, the drive mechanism 8 drives the rotating rod 81 to retract and exit from the docking groove 7111, allowing the impeller structure 71 and the transmission rod 711 to rotate under the impact of water flow, so that the power generation device can charge the battery.

[0087] When the impeller structure 71 needs to be retracted, the drive mechanism 8 drives the rotating rod 81 to extend until the drive gear 82 on the rotating rod 81 extends into the docking groove 7111 and meshes with the rack 7112. Then, the rotating rod 81 is driven to rotate in the opposite direction, causing the transmission rod 711 and the impeller structure 71 to retract into the receiving notch 62. Subsequently, the rotating rod 81 shortens and exits the docking groove 7111. During the process of the rotating rod 81 extending to allow the drive gear 82 to extend into the docking groove 7111, the impeller structure 71 and the transmission rod 711 are still rotating. Therefore, either of the following two docking methods can be used to achieve docking of the rotating rod 81 and the docking groove 7111 in the rotating state: (1) The drive mechanism 8 can be allowed to continuously drive the rotating rod 81 to extend with a small output force, so that when the transmission rod 711 rotates to the moment when the docking groove 7111 and the rotating rod 81 are aligned, the rotating rod 81 can extend into the docking groove 7111 and prevent the transmission rod 711 from rotating. (1) The drive mechanism 8 drives the drive gear 82 to mesh with the rack 7112. (2) The signal processing unit 5 is also used to receive the rotation speed and / or phase signal of the drive rod 711, and control the drive mechanism 8 to extend the drive rod 81 when the rotation speed of the drive rod 711 is lower than the threshold and / or when the drive rod 711 is in a specific phase (the specific phase is the phase when the docking groove 7111 and the rotating rod 81 are aligned), so that the rotating rod 81 can extend into the docking groove 7111 and prevent the drive rod 711 from rotating, and realize the meshing of the drive gear 82 and the rack 7112.

[0088] As an optional implementation, the inlet end of the docking groove 7111 may be provided with a tapered guide surface, so that when the rotating rod 81 extends into the docking groove 7111 along the edge of the inlet end of the docking groove, it can be guided by the tapered guide surface, making it easier for the rotating rod 81 to slide in.

[0089] As a feasible implementation, the drive mechanism 8 can be a combined module integrating a miniature lead screw motor and a telescopic electromagnet. The telescopic electromagnet is responsible for controlling the extension and retraction of the rotating rod 81 to realize the engagement and disengagement of the drive gear 82 and the rack 7112; the miniature lead screw motor is responsible for controlling the rotation of the rotating rod 81 to drive the transmission rod 711 forward or backward.

[0090] In addition, as a feasible implementation, a limit structure can be provided on the groove wall of the docking groove 7111. When the drive gear 82 and the rack 7112 are engaged, the limit structure will trigger a micro switch to send a signal to the signal processing unit 5 indicating engagement. After receiving the signal, the signal processing unit 5 will control the rotating rod 81 to rotate to ensure the sequence and reliability of the action.

[0091] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings under the technical concept of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fire hydrant, characterized in that, include: The shell structure includes a first shell and a second shell, which are detachably connected. The first shell is located above ground, and the second shell is buried underground. The first shell contains a first cavity, and the second shell contains a second cavity, which communicate with each other. A valve core assembly, wherein the valve core assembly is disposed within the first cavity and the second cavity; A flow sensor is mounted on the valve core assembly and is located within the first cavity.

2. The fire hydrant as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fire hydrant also includes a pressure sensor located in the second cavity and mounted at the bottom of the valve core assembly.

3. The fire hydrant as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The fire hydrant also includes a signal processing unit, which is electrically connected to the flow sensor and the pressure sensor, and is also communicatively connected to an external communication device.

4. The fire hydrant as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The fire hydrant also includes a connecting seat, the flow sensor includes a pulsator structure and a magnetic induction chip, the connecting seat is installed in the middle section of the valve core assembly, and the connecting seat is located in the first cavity; The impeller structure is rotatably mounted on the connecting seat. The rotation axis of the impeller structure is perpendicular to the water flow direction in the first cavity. The impeller structure has at least one blade, and a magnetic element is provided at the free end of the blade. At least a portion of the blade extends into the first cavity to drive the impeller structure to rotate under the impact of the water flow. The magnetic induction chip is fixedly installed on the connector. The magnetic induction chip is used to sense the periodic magnetic field changes generated when the magnetic component rotates with the impeller structure and outputs a corresponding pulse signal. The frequency of the pulse signal is used to characterize the water flow velocity in the first cavity.

5. The fire hydrant as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The connector has a mounting slot, the impeller structure is rotatably mounted in the mounting slot, and the magnetic induction chip is mounted in the mounting slot.

6. The fire hydrant as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The impeller structure has multiple blades connected to each other, and each blade has a magnetic element at its free end; The rotation axis of the impeller structure is located within the mounting groove, at least half of the blades are located within the mounting groove, and at least a portion of the remaining blades extend outside the mounting groove.

7. The fire hydrant as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The fire hydrant also includes a battery, which is electrically connected to the magnetic induction chip.

8. The fire hydrant as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The fire hydrant also includes a power generation component, which includes a power generation device and an impeller structure. The power generation device is electrically connected to the battery, and the impeller structure is rotatably mounted on the valve core assembly. The impeller structure is drivenly connected to the rotating end of the power generation device, and the impeller structure extends into the first cavity to drive the rotating end of the power generation device to rotate under the impact of water flow.

9. The fire hydrant as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The valve core assembly includes a core body disposed within the first cavity and the second cavity, and a third cavity is provided within the core body; the power generation device is disposed within the third cavity; A transmission rod is provided on one side of the impeller structure. The first end of the transmission rod, away from the impeller structure, extends into the third cavity. The first end of the transmission rod is connected to the rotating end of the power generation device.

10. The fire hydrant as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The core is provided with a communication port, and the connecting seat is also provided with a receiving notch. The communication port is connected to the receiving notch. The first end of the transmission rod extends into the third cavity through the receiving notch and the communication port. The third cavity is also equipped with a drive mechanism, which is electrically connected to the signal processing unit; the output end of the drive mechanism is configured as a telescopic rotating rod, and the end of the rotating rod is equipped with a drive gear. The transmission rod has a mating groove on its outer periphery, and a rack is provided on one side wall of the mating groove; the driving mechanism is used to drive the rotating rod to extend into the mating groove so that the driving gear meshes with the rack; the driving mechanism is also used to drive the rotating rod to rotate so that the driving gear rotates, thereby driving the transmission rod and the impeller structure to move to extend out of the receiving notch or retract into the receiving notch.

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