Calorimeter with water loss prevention and alarm functions
By introducing a liquid level sensor and an alarm circuit module into the ultrasonic heat meter, the problems of water loss and lack of alarm function are solved, real-time prevention of water loss and timely alarm are achieved, and measurement accuracy and system reliability are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422797153.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-18
AI Technical Summary
Existing ultrasonic heat meters have water loss problems and lack effective alarm functions, resulting in reduced measurement accuracy and equipment damage, which is difficult for users to detect and deal with in a timely manner.
The liquid level sensor and alarm circuit module are connected to the microcontroller pins of the ultrasonic heat meter. The liquid level sensor monitors the water level in real time and automatically closes the electric control valve to prevent water loss. The alarm circuit module sounds an alarm under abnormal circumstances and sends abnormal information to the remote monitoring center through the communication interface.
It achieves real-time prevention of system water loss, improves measurement accuracy, timely alarms to reduce economic losses, and supports remote monitoring and handling of abnormal situations.
Smart Images
Figure CN223361623U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to a heat meter with water loss prevention and alarm functions, belonging to the technical field of heat meters. Background Art
[0002] Water loss is an important indicator in the centralized heating network system. When water loss is serious, it will cause serious waste of resources, resulting in economic losses and even the collapse of the heating system. The main reasons for water loss are: (1) water loss caused by damage to the heating network facilities themselves; (2) water loss at the user end. In particular, water loss at the user end is very common, causing huge losses to the heating company every year. Water loss at the user end is caused by the valves related to the user not opening enough or debris falling, causing pipe blockage and radiator blockage, resulting in water loss. The second is human factors, such as: users secretly drain water and use hot water in the system for washing clothes, mopping the floor, etc. Some heat users secretly add faucets to take water or directly lead it to the bathroom to flush the toilet, causing serious water loss and uneven heating. Some heat users also speed up the flow of hot water by draining water because the temperature at home is too low, which also causes water loss. In addition, some car washes secretly use water in the circulation system, causing water loss. There are currently no good prevention and control measures for water loss caused by human factors.
[0003] With the continuous development of science and technology, heat meters, as an instrument for measuring heat energy consumption, have been widely used in various fields. After the centralized heating system was adopted for household heating, heat meters were gradually used as an instrument for measuring heat energy consumption and for heating metering of heat users.
[0004] Currently, ultrasonic heat meters are primarily used. These meters consist of a microcontroller (MCU), ultrasonic sensor, temperature sensor, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), power module, communication interface circuit, and LCD display. Ultrasonic heat meters determine heat quantity by measuring fluid temperature and flow rate. They offer advantages such as non-invasive measurement, high accuracy, and high reliability, making them widely used in heating, cooling, and energy metering. However, traditional ultrasonic heat meters often suffer from water loss, which reduces measurement accuracy and can even damage the device. Furthermore, the lack of an alarm function makes it difficult for users to detect and address these issues promptly. Therefore, developing a heat meter with water loss prevention and alarm functions is of great practical significance and application value. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of the utility model is to provide a heat meter with water loss prevention and alarm functions.
[0006] The utility model is realized by the following technical solutions:
[0007] The utility model includes: a microcontroller (MCU), an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a power module, a communication interface circuit, and a display screen. Its feature is that: the corresponding pins of the microcontroller are connected to the liquid level sensor and the alarm circuit module.
[0008] The probe of the liquid level sensor is installed in the return pipe of the user's heating system.
[0009] The alarm circuit module includes a buzzer and an LED indicator light.
[0010] The advantages of the utility model are as follows: the utility model not only has all the functions of the existing ultrasonic heat meter, but also monitors the water level in the pipeline in real time through the liquid level sensor. When the water level is lower than the preset value, the electric regulating valve installed on the water inlet pipe is automatically closed to prevent water loss in the system; when the abnormal situation of water loss or overtemperature in the system is detected, the buzzer and LED indicator light in the alarm circuit module send out an alarm signal to remind the user to deal with it in time, and at the same time the microcontroller sends the abnormal situation to the remote monitoring center through the communication interface circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the present utility model.
[0012] In the figure: 1- microcontroller; 2- power module; 3- analog-to-digital converter; 4- ultrasonic sensor; 5- temperature sensor; 6- display screen; 7- communication interface circuit; 8- liquid level sensor; 9- alarm circuit module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Refer to the attached Figure 1 The utility model includes: a microcontroller 1, an ultrasonic sensor 4, a temperature sensor 5, an analog-to-digital converter 3, a power module 2, and a display screen 6. The corresponding pins of the microcontroller are also connected to a liquid level sensor 8 and an alarm circuit module 9.
[0014] Microcontroller 1, referred to as MCU, utilizes an 8-bit C10S011 single-chip microcomputer. Power module 2, utilizing an LR8103A ultra-low-power linear voltage regulator, is connected to the MCU. External power (e.g., AC 220V) is converted to a stable DC voltage (e.g., 5V or 3.3V) via power module 2, powering all components on the circuit board. Ultrasonic sensor 4 and liquid level sensor 8 are connected to corresponding pins on the MCU. Temperature sensor 5 is connected to and, through analog-to-digital converter 3, to corresponding pins on the MCU. Analog-to-digital converter 3, referred to as ADC, converts analog signals into digital signals. Communication pins on microcontroller 1 are connected to communication interface circuit 7. Display pins on microcontroller 1 are connected to LCD display 6, and input pins are connected to buttons or knobs. Alarm circuit module 9, consisting of a current-limiting resistor, a buzzer, and an LED indicator light connected in series, is connected to the alarm pin of microcontroller 1.
[0015] The microcontroller 1 of this utility model serves as the core of the circuit, controlling all functions and processing data. An ultrasonic sensor 4 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves to measure flow rate. A temperature sensor 5 measures fluid temperature and has two probes, one installed in the inlet and one in the return pipes of the heating system. An analog-to-digital converter 3 converts analog signals (such as temperature) into digital signals for processing by the MCU. A power module 2 provides stable power to all components on the circuit board. An LCD display 6 displays thermal data or other information. Keys or knobs are used to set parameters or calibrate the device. A communication interface circuit 7 (such as RS-485, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth) is used to exchange data with external devices or systems. A liquid level sensor 8, with its probe installed in the return pipe, monitors the water level in real time. When the water level falls below a preset value, the liquid level sensor 8 provides a switch signal to the microcontroller 1, which automatically closes the electrically controlled valve installed in the inlet pipe to prevent water loss in the system. (A water loss in the user's heating system causes the water level in the return pipe to drop.) When the microcontroller 1 detects an abnormal situation of water loss or overheating in the heating system, it controls the buzzer and LED indicator in the alarm circuit module to send out an alarm signal to remind the user to deal with it in time. At the same time, the abnormal situation is sent to the remote monitoring center through the communication interface circuit 7. The staff can remotely control the opening and closing of the electric control valve and rush to the scene to deal with it in time.
[0016] The working process of the present utility model is as follows: after the equipment is powered on, the MCU is initialized and checks whether all components are working normally; the MCU regularly reads data from the ultrasonic sensor, liquid level sensor, and temperature sensor, and converts the analog signal of the temperature sensor into a digital signal through the ADC; the MCU calculates the calorific value based on the read data and stores the data in the internal memory; the water level switch signal value is read, and when it is detected that the heating system loses water, the electric control valve installed in the water inlet pipe is controlled to automatically close; the MCU sends the calorific value to the LCD display for display, and sends the data to the external device or system through the communication interface; when the MCU detects an abnormal situation of water loss or overheating in the heating system, it controls the buzzer and LED indicator in the alarm circuit module to send an alarm signal, and at the same time sends the abnormal situation to the remote monitoring center through the communication interface circuit 7; the user can set parameters or calibrate the equipment through buttons or knobs, and the MCU performs corresponding operations according to the user's input.
[0017] The utility model connects a liquid level sensor and an alarm circuit module to the corresponding pins of the microcontroller of the existing ultrasonic heat meter, which not only retains all the functions of the existing ultrasonic heat meter, but also monitors the water level in the pipeline in real time through the liquid level sensor, prevents water loss in the system, and promptly issues an alarm so that relevant personnel can deal with it in time, avoiding huge economic losses caused by water loss in the system.
Claims
1. A heat meter with water loss prevention and alarm functions, comprising: A microcontroller, an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, a power module, a communication interface circuit, and a display screen are provided. The invention is characterized in that a liquid level sensor and an alarm circuit module are connected to corresponding pins of the microcontroller, and the probe of the liquid level sensor is installed in the return pipe of the user's heating system.
2. The heat meter with water loss prevention and alarm function according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The alarm circuit module includes a buzzer and an LED indicator light.