Miniature power generation assembly installed on fluid meter pipeline

Abstract

The utility model relates to a micro power generation assembly which is mounted on a pipeline of a fluid meter and is used for generating electric energy required by an intelligent meter through a magnetic coupling structure by utilizing fluid flowing power, wherein the micro power generation assembly and the meter are separately arranged. Comprising a shell and a top cover of the meter, a cavity for containing a power generation impeller and communicated with a meter pipeline is formed in the shell, a cylinder extending into the cavity is arranged on the lower surface of the top cover, and the cylinder comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder which are coaxially arranged; an electromagnetic induction coil in the miniature power generation assembly is installed in a coil space defined by an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, a magnetic field composed of an outer magnet and an inner magnet is arranged on a power generation impeller, and the outer magnet and the inner magnet are arranged in the mode that opposite magnetic poles are opposite. As the miniature power generation assembly is arranged on the meter pipeline through a part independent of the meter, for the meter, no deviation exists between the data metered by the metering impeller of the meter and the actual flow flowing through the meter.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Thanks to the continuous development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, many water and gas meters now include remote data transmission modules. These modules can promptly transmit meter usage data to a central control platform, enabling precise monitoring of meter data and improving user service quality. Furthermore, gas meters are often equipped with power-demanding gas alarms. For users in mountainous or remote areas, most gas alarms are battery-powered. If the batteries fail or run out of power, the alarms will not function properly.

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

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

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

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

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

[0008] The present invention relates to a micro-generator assembly mounted on a fluid meter pipeline, characterized in that it includes a housing mounted on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of the meter, a cavity provided within the housing for accommodating a generator impeller and communicating with the meter pipeline, a top cover provided at the top of the cavity for sealing the generator impeller within the cavity, a cylinder provided on the lower surface of the top cover extending into the cavity, the cylinder comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder coaxially arranged, the bottom ends of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder being integrally connected and the top end being open, an electromagnetic induction coil in the micro-generator assembly being mounted within a coil space enclosed by the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, a magnetic field formed by an outer magnet and an inner magnet provided on the generator impeller, the outer magnet being disposed around the outer circumferential wall of the cylinder, the inner magnet being disposed around the inner circumferential wall of the cylinder, the outer magnet and the inner magnet being disposed with opposite magnetic poles facing each other, and a sealing cap provided on the top cover for preventing moisture, dust, or small debris from entering the cylinder.

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

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

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

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

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

[0014] There are four groups of electromagnetic induction coils.

[0015] The induced current output end of the electromagnetic induction coil is connected to the rectifier circuit on the control circuit of the micro-generator assembly, the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected to the power input end of the energy storage module provided on the micro-generator assembly, and the power output end of the energy storage module is connected to the electronic control components used to control the normal operation of the meter; as the generating impeller rotates, the induced current generated in the electromagnetic induction coil is stored in the energy storage module via the rectifier circuit.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following advantages:

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded diagram.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0031] Reference numerals

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

[0033] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the micro-generator assembly (hereinafter referred to as the micro-generator assembly) installed in the pipeline of a fluid meter of the present invention is an improvement over a conventional fluid meter equipped with a remote intelligent control module. It is installed as a standalone unit in the pipeline on either the fluid input or output side of the meter. It comprises a housing 1, a generator impeller 2, and an electromagnetic induction assembly. The generator impeller 2 is provided with a magnetic field formed by an outer magnet 27 and an inner magnet 28, with opposite poles positioned opposite each other. When fluid flows through the micro-generator assembly, the generator impeller 2 rotates, generating an induced current in the electromagnetic induction assembly. The effect of this magnetic coupling on the generator impeller 2 (the aforementioned effect of the back electromotive force on the generator impeller 2) does not interfere with the actual operation of the metering impeller in the meter.

[0034] The above design not only eliminates the need for batteries to provide power to the remote intelligent control module, but also allows the rotation of the generator impeller 2 to be regarded as a sensor information and enables the remote intelligent control module to decide which operation instruction to execute based on the sensor information.

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

[0036] 1. Smart gas meter

[0037] Typically, smart gas meters are equipped with electronic control components that require power to operate. These components include a communication module (also known as a remote gas meter device) that connects to management via wired or wireless communication and transmits gas data remotely, and a gas alarm installed near the gas appliance to warn of gas leaks. Conventional gas alarms require a constant power supply and issue an alarm when a gas leak is detected.

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

[0039] Specifically:

[0040] 1) When gas flows in the pipe, its generator impeller 2 rotates, driving the magnetic coupling structure to generate an induced current. The induced current outputs a direct current through the rectifier circuit. When the electronic control circuit detects that the rectifier circuit has a current output, the gas alarm is immediately activated to collect data on whether there is a gas leak. After the initial collection of no gas leakage data, the gas alarm enters a timed monitoring working state.

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

[0042] This utility model refers to the aforementioned two-step function as a dual-sensing function. Specifically, the primary sensing function occurs when fluid flows (including normal flow and leakage flow) in the pipe and causes the rectifier circuit to output current. The secondary sensing function occurs when the gas alarm enters its normal monitoring state after being activated while fluid continues to flow. In other words, this utility model uses the dynamic or static operating state of the generator impeller 2 as an auxiliary determination criterion for the gas leak detection alarm. When fluid is not flowing in the pipe, the dynamic or static operating state of the generator impeller 2 determines whether the smart meter should remain in standby mode, thereby maintaining the lowest power consumption.

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

[0044] Typically, a water meter is equipped with an electronic control component that requires electricity to operate. The electronic control component includes a communication module (also known as a remote water meter device) that can be connected to the management department (also known as the central control platform) via wired or wireless communication and is used to remotely transmit water usage data, a digital setting component for purchasing water volume, and a drive component for opening or closing the water valve.

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

[0046] Specifically:

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

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

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

[0050] 2. The specific structure of the micro power generation component of the utility model is described in detail below:

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

[0052] 1. Shell 1

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

[0054] 2. Power generation impeller 2

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

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

[0057] 3. Magnet module

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

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

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

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

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

[0063] 4. Top cover 3

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

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

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

[0067] 5. Electromagnetic induction coil

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

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

[0070] 6. Cap 5

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

Claims

1. A micro-generator assembly installed on a fluid meter pipeline, characterized by: The invention comprises a housing (1) installed on the fluid input side or the fluid output side of the meter, a cavity (11) is provided in the housing (1) for accommodating a power generation impeller (2) and communicating with the meter pipeline, a top cover (3) is provided on the top of the cavity (11) for sealing the power generation impeller (2) in the cavity (11), a cylinder (31) is provided on the lower surface of the top cover (3) and extends into the cavity (11), the cylinder (31) comprises an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder arranged coaxially, the bottom ends of the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are connected as a whole, and the top ends are open. The electromagnetic induction coil in the electrical component is installed in a coil space (32) enclosed by an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. A magnetic field composed of an outer magnet (27) and an inner magnet (28) is provided on the power generation impeller (2). The outer magnet (27) is arranged around the outer peripheral wall of the cylinder (31), and the inner magnet (28) is arranged around the inner peripheral wall of the cylinder (31). The outer magnet (27) and the inner magnet (28) are arranged in a manner that opposite magnetic poles are opposed. A sealing cover (5) is provided on the top cover (3) to prevent water vapor, dust or small debris from entering the cylinder (31).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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