A magnetostrictive liquid level gauge with built-in self-calibration and method

Abstract

This application relates to the field of level gauge technology, and in particular to a built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method, including a mounting housing, a control body installed inside the mounting housing, a main body installed at the bottom of the control body, a level gauge body installed inside the mounting body, an antenna installed on the right side of the control body, and a power supply line installed on the left side of the control body. In this application, by setting up a control body, a detection body, an excitation pulse body, an excitation circuit, a stress wave reflection body, a first end damper, a second end damper, a detector, a connecting line, a float, and a vernier magnetic ring, the stress wave can be reflected by the stress wave reflection body, the stress wave can be detected by the detector, and then the actual movement speed of the stress wave can be calculated by the detection body, thereby calibrating the magnetostrictive level gauge in real time, making the detection of the liquid level by the magnetostrictive level gauge more accurate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of level gauge technology, specifically to a built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method. Background Technology

[0002] The magnetostrictive level gauge is a new type of explosion-proof level gauge developed based on the Widman effect of magnetostrictive materials. It can provide high-speed, reliable, accurate, and continuous position signals in explosive gas environments. This level gauge can simultaneously measure the absolute position of one or more floats and output the signal in analog or digital form. The analog output is a two-wire 4-20mA+HART signal; the digital output uses RS485 serial communication. When the level gauge is working, it can use one or more floats, which can be suspended at the liquid-gas interface and the liquid-liquid interface in the tank respectively and move synchronously with them to realize real-time detection of the liquid level or interface in the tank.

[0003] Traditional magnetostrictive level gauges are typically installed directly inside a boiler. However, the high temperature inside the boiler can affect the modulus of the excitation circuit within the magnetostrictive level gauge, thereby affecting the transmission speed of the stress wave and causing errors in the calculated liquid level height. Therefore, this paper proposes a magnetostrictive level gauge and method with built-in self-calibration to address the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to provide a built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method to solve the problem that high temperatures in a boiler can affect the modulus of the excitation circuit inside the magnetostrictive level gauge, thereby affecting the transmission speed of stress waves and causing errors in the calculated liquid level height.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: A built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method are disclosed, comprising a mounting housing, a control body installed inside the mounting housing, a mounting body installed at the bottom of the control body, a level body installed inside the mounting body, an antenna installed on the right side of the control body, a power supply line installed on the left side of the control body, and mounting blocks evenly distributed on the rear side of the mounting housing, each mounting block having a mounting groove, and a heat dissipation body installed on the mounting housing via the mounting blocks.

[0006] Preferably, the liquid level body includes a detection body, an excitation pulse body is fixedly connected to one side of the detection body, an excitation circuit is installed on one side of the excitation pulse body, a second end damper is fixedly connected to the other end of the excitation circuit, the end of the second end damper away from the excitation circuit is fixedly connected to the detection body, a float is provided outside the excitation circuit, a vernier magnetic ring is installed inside the float, a stress wave reflecting body is installed on the outside of the end of the excitation circuit near the excitation pulse body, a detector is fixedly connected to the outside of the end of the excitation circuit fixedly connected to the excitation pulse body, and two connecting lines are fixedly connected to one side of the detector, both of which are installed on one side of the detection body.

[0007] Preferably, a stress wave reflecting body is fixedly connected to one side of the excitation circuit, and the excitation circuit is disposed through the stress wave reflecting body.

[0008] Preferably, a first end damper is installed on one side of the excitation circuit, the first end damper is disposed on one side of the stress wave reflecting body, and the first end damper and the second end damper are respectively disposed on both sides of the float.

[0009] Preferably, the heat dissipation body includes a heat-conducting block, which is installed on the rear side of the mounting shell. A uniformly distributed heat-conducting fin is fixedly connected to the front side of the heat-conducting block. A locking block is fixedly connected to the outer side of the heat-conducting block. A connecting plate is fixedly connected to the rear side of the locking block. A fixing ring is fixedly connected to the rear side of the connecting plate. A protective shell is fixedly connected to the outer side of the fixing ring. A filter screen is installed on one side of the protective shell. A fixing bracket is fixedly connected to the rear side of the fixing ring. An electric fan is installed on the rear side of the fixing bracket. A uniformly distributed ventilation hole is opened on the rear side of the heat-conducting block.

[0010] Preferably, an elastic block is installed on the rear side of one end of the mounting block within the mounting groove of the mounting block, a retaining ball is installed on the rear side of the elastic block, a retaining groove is provided on one side of the inner wall of the mounting groove of the mounting block, and one side of the retaining ball is disposed within the retaining groove of the mounting block.

[0011] Preferably, a sealing ring is installed on the front side of the fixing ring, and the front side of the sealing ring is in close contact with the heat-conducting block.

[0012] Preferably, it includes the following steps: Step 1: During use, the detection body controls the excitation pulse body to emit a query pulse. The query pulse moves through the excitation circuit. This pulse forms a circumferential Ampere ring magnetic field around the waveguide wire at the speed of light. When the ring magnetic field couples with the bias permanent magnet magnetic field of the vernier magnetic ring inside the float, a Widman effect torsional stress wave will be formed on the surface of the excitation circuit. The torsional wave propagates from the point of generation to both ends of the excitation circuit at the speed of sound. Step 2: The stress wave transmitted to the excitation pulse body is received by the detection device. The control module in the detection body calculates the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal, and then multiplies it by the propagation speed of the torsional stress wave in the waveguide material. This allows the calculation of the distance between the location of the torsional wave and the measurement reference point, which is the absolute distance between the vernier magnetic ring and the measurement reference point at that instant. This enables real-time and accurate measurement of the position of the vernier magnetic ring, thereby calculating the position of the float, the height of the float, and finally the height of the liquid level. Step 3: The stress wave propagating towards the stress wave reflecting body is reflected by the stress wave reflecting body and received by the detector through the excitation circuit. The control module in the detection body calculates the time it takes for the stress wave to move from the float position to the stress wave reflecting body and then to the detector. Adding the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in Step 2, this time is divided by 2 to obtain the time it takes for the stress wave to travel from the detector to the stress wave reflecting body. At this time, the rod length is a fixed value. By dividing the rod length by the time it takes for the stress wave to travel from the detector to the stress wave reflecting body, the actual propagation speed of the stress wave is obtained. Step 4: The control module in the detection unit multiplies the actual velocity of the stress wave obtained in Step 3 by the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in Step 2 to obtain the actual liquid level height. The liquid level height detected by the magnetostrictive level gauge is then calibrated in real time to obtain a more accurate liquid level height.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are: 1. In this application, by setting up a control body, a detection body, an excitation pulse body, an excitation circuit, a stress wave reflection body, a first end damper, a second end damper, a detector, a connecting line, a float, and a vernier magnetic ring, the stress wave can be reflected by the stress wave reflection body, the stress wave can be detected by the detector, and then the actual movement speed of the stress wave can be calculated by the detection body, thereby calibrating the magnetostrictive level gauge in real time, making the detection of the liquid level by the magnetostrictive level gauge more accurate. By setting up the first end damper and the second end damper, the stress wave generated by the pulse signal returning to the detection body in the excitation circuit can be absorbed, preventing the stress wave generated by the pulse signal returning to the detection body in the excitation circuit from affecting the calibration process; 2. In this application, the installation block, heat-conducting block, connecting plate, locking block, fixing ring, sealing ring, fixing frame, fan, protective shell, filter, ventilation hole, heat-conducting fins, elastic block, locking ball, installation groove, and locking slot are configured to allow heat to be transferred to the heat-conducting block through the heat dissipation fins. The fan drives air to circulate in the ventilation holes of the heat-conducting block, thereby dissipating heat from the control unit and making its operation more stable. The sealing ring allows air to enter the ventilation holes of the heat-conducting block precisely, improving the heat dissipation effect. The filter prevents dust from entering the heat-conducting block, making its use more stable. The elastic block pushes the locking ball into the locking slot of the installation block through its own elasticity, thereby installing and limiting the locking block and the heat-conducting block, facilitating the maintenance of the heat-conducting block. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid level body in this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the sectional structure of the heat dissipation body of this application after installation; Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the installation structure of the heat-conducting block in this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the installation cross-sectional structure of the card block in this application.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Mounting shell; 2. Control unit; 3. Antenna; 4. Power supply line; 5. Mounting unit; 6. Liquid level unit; 601. Detection unit; 602. Excitation pulse unit; 603. Excitation circuit; 604. Stress wave reflection unit; 605. First end damper; 606. Second end damper; 607. Detector; 608. Connecting line; 609. Float; 610. Vernier magnetic ring; 7. Mounting block; 8. Heat dissipation unit; 801. Heat-conducting block; 802. Connecting plate; 803. Locking block; 804. Fixing ring; 805. Sealing ring; 806. Fixing frame; 807. Fan; 808. Protective shell; 809. Filter screen; 810. Ventilation hole; 811. Heat-conducting fins; 812. Elastic block; 813. Locking ball; 9. Mounting groove; 10. Locking slot. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Please see Figure 1-5 This application provides a technical solution: A built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method are disclosed, comprising a mounting housing 1, a control body 2 installed inside the mounting housing 1, a mounting body 5 installed at the bottom of the control body 2, a level gauge 6 installed inside the mounting body 5, an antenna 3 installed on the right side of the control body 2, a power supply line 4 installed on the left side of the control body 2, and mounting blocks 7 evenly distributed on the rear side of the mounting housing 1. Mounting slots 9 are formed within the mounting blocks 7. A heat dissipation body 8 is mounted on the mounting housing 1 via the mounting blocks 7. This configuration allows for level detection and real-time self-calibration during detection, resulting in more accurate level detection.

[0017] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the liquid level body 6 includes a detection body 601. An excitation pulse body 602 is fixedly connected to one side of the detection body 601. An excitation circuit 603 is installed on one side of the excitation pulse body 602. A second end damper 606 is fixedly connected to the other end of the excitation circuit 603. The end of the second end damper 606 away from the excitation circuit 603 is fixedly connected to the detection body 601. A float 609 is provided outside the excitation circuit 603, and a vernier magnetic ring 610 is installed inside the float 609. A stress wave reflecting body 604 is installed on the outside of the end of the excitation circuit 603 closest to the excitation pulse body 602. A detector 607 is fixedly connected to the outside of the end of the excitation circuit 603 fixedly connected to the excitation pulse body 602. Two connecting lines 608 are fixedly connected to one side of the detector 607, both of which are installed on one side of the detection body 601. A stress wave reflecting body 604 is fixedly connected to one side of the excitation circuit 603. An excitation circuit 603 is installed throughout the 604. A first end damper 605 is installed on one side of the excitation circuit 603. The first end damper 605 is located on one side of the stress wave reflecting body 604. The first end damper 605 and the second end damper 606 are respectively located on both sides of the float 609. Through this arrangement, the stress wave can be reflected by the stress wave reflecting body 604. The time of the stress wave movement is detected by the detection device 607. Then, the actual movement speed of the stress wave is calculated by the detection body 601, thereby calibrating the magnetostrictive level gauge in real time, making the detection of the liquid level by the magnetostrictive level gauge more accurate. The first end damper 605 and the second end damper 606 can absorb the stress wave generated by the pulse signal returning to the detection body 601 in the excitation circuit 603, preventing the stress wave generated by the pulse signal returning to the detection body 601 in the excitation circuit 603 from affecting the calibration process.

[0018] like Figure 1-5As shown, the heat dissipation body 8 includes a heat-conducting block 801, which is installed on the rear side of the mounting shell 1. A uniformly distributed heat-conducting fin 811 is fixedly connected to the front side of the heat-conducting block 801. A locking block 803 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the heat-conducting block 801. A connecting plate 802 is fixedly connected to the rear side of the locking block 803. A fixing ring 804 is fixedly connected to the rear side of the connecting plate 802. A protective shell 808 is fixedly connected to the outer side of the fixing ring 804. A filter screen 809 is installed on one side of the protective shell 808. A fixing bracket 806 is fixedly connected to the rear side of the fixing ring 804. A fan 807 is installed on the rear side of the fixing bracket 806. Uniformly distributed ventilation holes 810 are opened on the rear side of the heat-conducting block 801. An elastic block 812 is installed on the rear side of one end of the locking block 803 within the mounting groove 9 of the mounting block 7. A retaining ball 813 is installed on the rear side of the elastic block 812. A retaining groove 10 is opened on one side of the inner wall of the mounting groove 9 of the mounting block 7. One side of 813 is set in the slot 10 opened in the mounting block 7. A sealing ring 805 is installed on the front side of the fixing ring 804. The front side of the sealing ring 805 is tightly attached to the heat conduction block 801. Through this setting, the heat dissipation fins conduct heat into the heat conduction block 801. The fan 807 drives the air to circulate in the ventilation hole 810 opened in the heat conduction block 801, thereby dissipating heat from the control body 2 and making the operation of the control body 2 more stable. Through the sealing ring 805, the air can be accurately entered into the ventilation hole 810 opened in the heat conduction block 801, making the heat dissipation effect better. Through the filter screen 809, dust can be prevented from entering the heat conduction block 801, making the heat conduction block 801 more stable in use. The elastic block 812 pushes the locking ball 813 into the slot 10 opened in the mounting block 7 through its own elasticity, thereby installing and limiting the locking block 803 and the heat conduction block 801, which facilitates the maintenance of the heat conduction block 801.

[0019] Workflow: When using this magnetostrictive level gauge, first connect the power supply line 4 to the power supply to power the magnetostrictive level gauge. Then, install the magnetostrictive level gauge in a suitable position on the boiler. At this time, the boiler liquid level is detected by the magnetostrictive level gauge. The detection body 601 controls the excitation pulse body 602 to emit a query pulse. The query pulse moves through the excitation circuit 603. This pulse forms a circumferential Ampere ring magnetic field around the waveguide wire at the speed of light. When the ring magnetic field couples with the bias permanent magnet magnetic field of the vernier magnetic ring 610 in the float 609, a Widmann effect torsional stress wave is formed on the surface of the excitation circuit 603. The torsional wave propagates at the speed of sound from the generation point to both ends of the excitation circuit 603. The stress wave propagating towards the excitation pulse body 602 is detected. The device 607 receives the signal, and the control module in the detection body 601 calculates the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal. Multiplying this time difference by the propagation speed of the torsional stress wave in the waveguide material, the distance between the location of the torsional wave and the measurement reference point can be calculated. This is the absolute distance between the vernier magnetic ring 610 and the measurement reference point at that instant, thus achieving real-time and accurate measurement of the position of the vernier magnetic ring 610. This allows for the calculation of the position of the float 609, the height of the float 609, and ultimately the height of the liquid level. The stress wave propagating towards the stress wave reflecting body 604 is reflected by the stress wave reflecting body 604 and received by the detection device 607 through the excitation circuit 603. The control module in the detection body 601 calculates the distance the stress wave travels from the position of the float 609. The time it takes for the stress wave to move from the stress wave reflecting body 604 to the detector 607 is added to the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in step two. This time is then divided by 2 to obtain the time it takes for the stress wave to travel from the detector 607 to the stress wave reflecting body 604. At this point, the rod length is a fixed value. By dividing the rod length by the time it takes for the stress wave to travel from the detector 607 to the stress wave reflecting body 604, the actual propagation speed of the stress wave is obtained. The control module in the detection body 601 multiplies the actual speed of the stress wave obtained in step three by the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in step two to obtain the actual liquid level height. The liquid level height detected by this magnetostrictive level gauge is then calibrated in real time to obtain a more accurate liquid level height. During the process, the control unit 2 generates a large amount of heat through real-time calculations. This heat is transferred to the heat-conducting block 801 via the heat-conducting fins 811. At this time, the control unit 2 starts the fan 807, which draws low-temperature air into the ventilation holes 810 in the heat-conducting block 801. The low-temperature air then draws the high-temperature air out of the heat-conducting block 801, thus dissipating heat from the heat-conducting block 801 and the control unit 2. When maintenance is required on the fan 807 and the heat-conducting block 801, the protective shell 808 is rotated directly. The protective shell 808 moves the locking block 803 via the fixing ring 804 and the connecting plate 802. The locking block 803 moves the elastic block 812 and the locking ball 813, allowing the locking block 803 to be removed from the mounting slot 9 in the mounting block 7.Then, the heat-conducting block 801 can be removed from the mounting housing 1 for maintenance. After maintenance, the heat-conducting block 801 is reinstalled into the mounting housing 1. Then, following the above method, the protective housing 808 drives the locking block 803 to move until the elastic block 812 pushes the locking ball 813 into the locking groove 10 opened in the mounting block 7, thereby limiting the position of the heat-conducting block 801.

[0020] This document uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The examples are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the methods and core ideas of this application. The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of this application. It should be noted that due to the limitations of written expression, while there are objectively infinite specific structures, those skilled in the art can make various improvements, modifications, or variations without departing from the principles of this application, and can also combine the above technical features in an appropriate manner. These improvements, modifications, variations, or combinations, or the direct application of the inventive concept and technical solution to other situations without modification, should all be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge, comprising a mounting housing (1), characterized in that: The mounting housing (1) is equipped with a control body (2), the bottom of the control body (2) is equipped with a body (5), the mounting body (5) is equipped with a liquid level body (6), the right side of the control body (2) is equipped with an antenna (3), the left side of the control body (2) is equipped with a power supply line (4), the rear side of the mounting housing (1) is fixedly connected with a uniformly distributed mounting block (7), the mounting block (7) is provided with a mounting groove (9), and the mounting housing (1) is equipped with a heat dissipation body (8) through the mounting block (7).

2. The built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid level body (6) includes a detection body (601). An excitation pulse body (602) is fixedly connected to one side of the detection body (601). An excitation circuit (603) is installed on one side of the excitation pulse body (602). A second end damper (606) is fixedly connected to the other end of the excitation circuit (603). The end of the second end damper (606) away from the excitation circuit (603) is fixedly connected to the detection body (601). A float (609) is provided on the outside of the excitation circuit (603). The float (609) is equipped with a vernier magnetic ring (610). The excitation circuit (603) is equipped with a stress wave reflection body (604) on the outer side of one end near the excitation pulse body (602). The excitation circuit (603) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the end that is fixedly connected to the excitation pulse body (602). Two connecting lines (608) are fixedly connected to one side of the detector (607). Both connecting lines (608) are installed on one side of the detection body (601).

3. The built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The excitation circuit (603) is fixedly connected to one side of the stress wave reflecting body (604), and the excitation circuit (603) is disposed through the stress wave reflecting body (604).

4. The built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 2, characterized in that: A first end damper (605) is installed on one side of the excitation circuit (603). The first end damper (605) is located on one side of the stress wave reflection body (604). The first end damper (605) and the second end damper (606) are respectively located on both sides of the float (609).

5. The built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heat dissipation body (8) includes a heat-conducting block (801), which is installed on the rear side of the mounting shell (1). The heat-conducting block (801) is fixedly connected to the front side of the heat-conducting block (801) with uniformly distributed heat-conducting fins (811). A retaining block (803) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the heat-conducting block (801). A connecting plate (802) is fixedly connected to the rear side of the retaining block (803). A retaining ring (804) is fixedly connected to the rear side of the connecting plate (802). A protective shell (808) is fixedly connected to the outer side of the retaining ring (804). A filter screen (809) is installed on one side of the protective shell (808). A retaining bracket (806) is fixedly connected to the rear side of the retaining ring (804). A fan (807) is installed on the rear side of the retaining bracket (806). A ventilation hole (810) is opened on the rear side of the heat-conducting block (801).

6. The built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locking block (803) is located in the mounting groove (9) of the mounting block (7) with an elastic block (812) installed on one rear side. A locking ball (813) is installed on the rear side of the elastic block (812). A locking groove (10) is opened on one side of the inner wall of the mounting groove (9) of the mounting block (7). The locking ball (813) is located in the locking groove (10) of the mounting block (7).

7. A built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge according to claim 5, characterized in that: A sealing ring (805) is installed on the front side of the fixing ring (804), and the front side of the sealing ring (805) is in close contact with the heat-conducting block (801).

8. A built-in self-calibrating magnetostrictive level gauge and method according to claims 1-4, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: During use, the excitation pulse body (602) is controlled by the detection body (601) to emit a query pulse. The query pulse moves through the excitation circuit (603). The pulse forms a circumferential Ampere ring magnetic field around the waveguide wire at the speed of light. When the ring magnetic field couples with the bias permanent magnet magnetic field of the vernier magnetic ring (610) in the float (609), a Widman effect torsional stress wave is formed on the surface of the excitation circuit (603). The torsional wave propagates from the point of generation to both ends of the excitation circuit (603) at the speed of sound. Step 2: The stress wave transmitted to the excitation pulse body (602) is received by the detector (607). The control module in the detection body (601) calculates the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal, and then multiplies it by the propagation speed of the torsional stress wave in the waveguide material. The distance between the location of the torsional wave and the measurement reference point can be calculated, which is the absolute distance between the vernier magnetic ring (610) and the measurement reference point at that instant. This enables real-time and accurate measurement of the position of the vernier magnetic ring (610), thereby calculating the position of the float (609), and thus knowing the height of the float (609), and then calculating the height of the liquid surface. Step 3: The stress wave transmitted to the stress wave reflecting body (604) is reflected by the stress wave reflecting body (604) and received by the detector (607) through the excitation circuit (603). The control module in the detection body (601) calculates the time it takes for the stress wave to move from the position of the float (609) to the stress wave reflecting body (604) and then to the detector (607). Adding the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in step 2, this time is divided by 2 to obtain the time it takes for the stress wave to move from the detector (607) to the stress wave reflecting body (604). At this time, the rod length is a fixed value. By dividing the rod length by the time it takes for the stress wave to move from the detector (607) to the stress wave reflecting body (604), the actual propagation speed of the stress wave is obtained. Step 4: The actual velocity of the stress wave obtained in Step 3 is multiplied by the time difference between the query pulse and the received signal in Step 2 by the control module in the detection body (601) to obtain the actual liquid level height. The liquid level height detected by the magnetostrictive level gauge is calibrated in real time to obtain a more accurate liquid level height.

Images