Automatic water pumping and draining control system
By combining camera and LED light strip image recognition technology, the problem of easy failure of liquid level sensors in small and medium-sized hydropower stations has been solved, realizing a low-cost, intelligent water level detection and automatic pumping and drainage system, which improves safety and reliability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422590309.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-12
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-10-25
AI Technical Summary
In small and medium-sized hydropower stations, where there are few or no staff on duty, the level sensors are easily affected by the water medium and debris, leading to malfunctions, failure to detect water level changes in a timely manner, high replacement costs, and safety hazards.
The system uses cameras and image recognition technology combined with LED light strips to identify water levels from a distance without contact. It also uses motors and blades to agitate the water surface and automatically pump out water. The system is controlled by a controller, which reduces the failure rate and cost.
It enables intelligent identification and automatic pumping of water levels in the pumping pit, improving safety, reducing equipment failure rate and retrofit costs, and is suitable for low-cost retrofitting of small and medium-sized hydropower stations.
Smart Images
Figure CN223664061U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of hydropower technology, specifically to an automatic pumping and drainage control system. Background Technology
[0002] A hydroelectric power station is a comprehensive engineering facility that converts water energy into electrical energy, also known as a hydroelectric plant. It includes a series of hydroelectric power station structures and various hydroelectric power station equipment built to utilize water energy for electricity production. These structures utilize the drop in elevation of the natural water flow to create head, collect and regulate the flow rate of the natural water flow, and then transport it to the turbine. Through the combined operation of the turbine and generator, the concentrated water energy is converted into electrical energy, which is then fed into the power grid via transformers, switchyards, and transmission lines. In recent years, there has been a push to create conditions for small and medium-sized hydroelectric power stations to implement less-manned or unmanned operation. However, the problems caused by less-manned or unmanned operation are that the machine pits such as the butterfly valve layer and turbine room in small and medium-sized hydroelectric power stations are the most vulnerable areas for leakage, seepage, and water accumulation in power generation equipment. This can lead to equipment damage or, in severe cases, flooding of the power plant and other safety accidents. Traditional methods for detecting water level signals typically employ a single sensor or a combination of multiple level sensors. However, conventional level sensors, including ultrasonic level gauges, electrode level gauges, tuning fork level gauges, and float level gauges, are prone to malfunction due to contact with the water medium and impurities. When a level sensor fails or malfunctions, the system may be unable to detect water level changes in a timely manner, thus failing to issue an early warning. Furthermore, replacing level sensors is costly. Utility Model Content
[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic pumping and drainage control system that can detect liquid levels and automatically pump out water from sump pits with few or no staff. It is less prone to failure, has lower cost, and is easy to modify, use, and promote.
[0004] To achieve the above objectives, an automatic pumping and drainage control system is provided, including a controller, a supplementary lighting lamp, a camera, a drainage pump, and a light sensor. The camera is fixed to the mounting position of the pit by a bracket. A scale is provided on the side wall of the pit. All cameras face the scale. The light sensor is located on one side of the scale. The supplementary lighting lamp is used to illuminate the scale. The supplementary lighting lamp, camera, drainage pump, and light sensor are all electrically connected to the controller.
[0005] Furthermore, the supplementary lighting is an LED light strip and is arranged side by side with the scale, and the LED light strip is electrically connected to the controller.
[0006] Furthermore, a motor is mounted on the side wall of the pit via a bracket, and an extended shaft is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor via a coupling. Blades are detachably mounted on the extended shaft, and the motor is electrically connected to the controller.
[0007] Furthermore, two spaced-apart circular rings are welded onto the extended rotating shaft. The blade is a rectangular metal sheet, and one side of the rectangular metal sheet has two spaced-apart through holes. The circular rings correspond to the positions of the through holes and are fixed by bolts.
[0008] Furthermore, it also includes an audible and visual alarm, which is electrically connected to the controller.
[0009] Principles and advantages:
[0010] 1. This solution uses cameras and existing image recognition technology to identify water levels on a scale, enabling remote, contactless intelligent identification of water levels in the sump. It can also automatically control the drainage pump to remove accumulated water, improving the safety of the power plant's on-site environment and equipment. It is less prone to malfunctions, has lower costs, and is easy to retrofit, use, and promote.
[0011] 2. This solution does not require high accuracy in water level detection. The LED light strip not only provides supplementary lighting for the scale to facilitate image recognition technology in analyzing the water level, but the LED light strip itself can also be used as a scale, for example, to measure the number of LED beads on the water surface, which is suitable when the scale is obscured by sewage or dirt.
[0012] 3. The design of the motor, extended shaft, and blades is suitable for situations where water accumulates slowly. By agitating the water surface, it prevents the LED light strip from refracting near the water surface, thus avoiding interference with image recognition. This solution has a simple structure, is less prone to failure, has lower cost, and is easy to modify, use, and promote. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an automatic pumping and drainage control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0014] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:
[0015] Example
[0016] An automatic pumping and drainage control system, basically as follows: Figure 1As shown, the system includes a controller, supplementary lighting, a camera, a drainage pump, an audible and visual alarm, a communication module, and a light sensor. The camera is fixed to its mounting position in the pit via a bracket. A scale is provided on the side wall of the pit, and all cameras face the scale. The light sensor is located on one side of the scale, and the supplementary lighting is used to illuminate the scale. The supplementary lighting, camera, drainage pump, and light sensor are all electrically connected to the controller. The controller can be a conventional microcontroller board or PLC; this solution uses a microcontroller board, such as a 51 series, STEM32 series, or ESP32 series microcontroller board. The controller communicates with the hydropower station's control center via a communication module, which is a conventional 4G communication module. When leakage, seepage, or water accumulation in the pit becomes too severe, causing the drainage pump to be unable to keep up with the water flow, the controller can send an alarm, prompting the control center to close the relevant valves of the generator set in the pit, preventing a flooding accident in the powerhouse. This system solution primarily involves low-cost external modification and non-contact measurement. While it doesn't offer high accuracy in water level detection, it's less prone to malfunctions and has a lower cost. Furthermore, it can be easily disassembled when not in use.
[0017] The supplementary lighting is an LED light strip and is arranged side by side with the scale.
[0018] A motor is mounted on the side wall of the pit via a bracket. An extended shaft is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor via a coupling. Blades are detachably mounted on the extended shaft. The motor is electrically connected to the controller.
[0019] Two spaced-apart annular plates are welded onto the extended shaft. The blades are rectangular metal sheets with two spaced-apart through holes on one side. The annular plates correspond to the through holes and are fixed with bolts. In other embodiments, the extended shaft and blades can be detachably connected by pins. A bearing seat can be separately provided at the bottom end of the extended shaft to provide rotational support.
[0020] This solution uses cameras and existing image recognition technology to identify water levels on a scale, enabling remote, contactless intelligent identification of water levels in the sump. It can also automatically control drainage pumps to remove accumulated water, improving the safety of the power plant's environment and equipment. It is less prone to malfunctions, lower in cost, and easy to retrofit, use, and promote.
[0021] This solution does not require high precision in water level detection. The LED light strip not only provides supplemental lighting for the scale, enabling image recognition technology to analyze the water level, but the LED light strip itself can also be used as a scale, for example, to measure the number of LED beads on the water surface, which is suitable when the scale is obscured by sewage or dirt.
[0022] The design, featuring a motor, extended shaft, and blades, is suitable for applications where water accumulates slowly. By agitating the water surface, it prevents the LED light strip from refracting near the water's surface, thus avoiding interference with image recognition. This solution boasts a simple structure, is less prone to failure, and is lower in cost, making it easy to modify, use, and promote.
[0023] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of this utility model. Commonly known structures and characteristics are not described in detail here. Those skilled in the art are aware of all common technical knowledge in the field prior to the application date or priority date, are capable of accessing all existing technologies in that field, and possess the ability to apply conventional experimental methods prior to that date. Therefore, those skilled in the art can, based on the guidance provided in this application, improve and implement this solution in conjunction with their own capabilities. Typical known structures or methods should not be obstacles for those skilled in the art to implement this application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of this utility model. These modifications and improvements should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model, and will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application should be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.
Claims
1. An automatic pumping and drainage control system, characterized in that: The device includes a controller, a supplementary lighting lamp, a camera, a drainage pump, and a light sensor. The camera is fixed to the mounting position of the pit by a bracket. A scale is provided on the side wall of the pit. All cameras face the scale. The light sensor is located on one side of the scale. The supplementary lighting lamp is used to illuminate the scale. The supplementary lighting lamp, camera, drainage pump, and light sensor are all electrically connected to the controller. A motor is mounted on the side wall of the pit via a bracket. An extended shaft is connected to the rotating shaft of the motor via a coupling. Blades are detachably mounted on the extended shaft. The motor is electrically connected to the controller.
2. The automatic pumping and drainage control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supplementary lighting is an LED light strip and is arranged side by side with the scale.
3. The automatic pumping and drainage control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The extended rotating shaft is welded with two spaced-apart circular rings. The blades are rectangular metal sheets with two spaced-apart through holes on one side. The circular rings correspond to the through holes and are fixed with bolts.
4. The automatic pumping and drainage control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an audible and visual alarm, which is electrically connected to the controller.