Anti-freezing ultrasonic water meter pipe section and ultrasonic water meter

Abstract

The utility model discloses an anti -freezing ultrasonic water meter pipe section and ultrasonic water meter, including a measuring pipe section and install on the measuring pipe section's ultrasonic transducer subassembly, and ultrasonic transducer subassembly includes ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver, and ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver below are equipped with first reflection member and second reflection member respectively, measuring pipe section lateral wall still inlaying center reflection piece, and center reflection piece is located the intermediate of ultrasonic transmitter and ultrasonic receiver, and measuring pipe section lateral wall still adds an anti -freezing space, the anti -freezing space is located center transmission piece opposite side, and anti -freezing space includes cavity, piston and elastic piece, and the front end of piston is close -fitted measuring pipe section outer wall, and the rear end is with elastic piece and abuts. The utility model establishes anti -freezing space in measuring pipe section one side, when meeting cold weather, and water ice expansion, and extrude piston, and then compress spring, and release enough space to solve water ice expansion and lead to the problem of transducer stress damage or pipe section burst.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ultrasonic measurement technology, and more specifically to an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section and an ultrasonic water meter. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic water meters calculate water flow by detecting the time difference between the propagation of ultrasonic waves upstream and downstream in water. Compared to mechanical water meters, they have advantages such as a wider measuring range, higher accuracy, and maintenance-free operation. Every winter, with the arrival of cold waves, temperatures in northern regions and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River drop sharply. In these extreme weather conditions, outdoor or mountainous water meters, lacking adequate insulation, are prone to freezing in the water supply pipes and the drinking water enclosed within the meter. The expansion of the pipes after freezing increases the pressure within the network and the meter, compressing internal components and causing varying degrees of damage. When the temperature rises and water flows back into the pipes, leaks can occur, directly affecting the normal operation of the water meter and causing considerable inconvenience to people's daily lives.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream antifreeze methods mainly include adding external insulation materials, thickening the wall of the pipe section, and strengthening the locking force of the transducer pressure plate. However, even if the pipe section and transducer do not burst, the measuring surface of the transducer will be deformed or internally damaged due to the strong pressure, which will affect the measurement accuracy of the ultrasonic wave.

[0004] Therefore, it is urgent to find a solution to improve the antifreeze performance of ultrasonic water meters. Utility Model Content

[0005] The description of this utility model introduces a series of simplified concepts, which will be further explained in detail in the detailed description section. This description is not intended to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0006] To at least partially solve the above problems, this utility model proposes an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section, including a measuring pipe section and an ultrasonic transducer assembly installed on the measuring pipe section. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver. The measuring pipe section has mounting holes on its side wall for installing the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver, and a first reflector and a second reflector are respectively provided below the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. A central reflector is also embedded in the side wall of the measuring pipe section, and the central reflector is located between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. An antifreeze space is also added to the side wall of the measuring pipe section, and the antifreeze space is located opposite the central reflector. The antifreeze space includes a cavity, a piston, and an elastic element. The front end of the piston is in close contact with the outer wall of the measuring pipe section, and the rear end of the piston abuts against the elastic element.

[0007] Preferably, the inner surface of the tube is provided with a first reflector fixing groove and a second reflector fixing groove, and the first reflector and the second reflector are respectively installed in the first reflector fixing groove and the second reflector fixing groove by interference fit, elastic element or glue.

[0008] Preferably, the cavity is inverted U-shaped, and the opening of the cavity is larger than the opening on the measuring tube section.

[0009] Preferably, the cavity and the measuring tube section are fixed by threads.

[0010] Preferably, a rectangular groove is formed at the rear end of the piston, and the rectangular groove has the same width as the elastic element.

[0011] Preferably, a groove is formed at the bottom of the cavity, and the groove is the same width as the elastic element.

[0012] Preferably, one end of the elastic element abuts against the rectangular groove of the piston, and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the groove of the cavity.

[0013] Preferably, the elastic element includes a spring.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this solution are as follows: This solution proposes an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section with an antifreeze space on one side of the measuring pipe section. When encountering cold weather, the water freezes and expands, squeezing the piston in the antifreeze space, which in turn compresses the spring and releases enough space, thereby solving the problem of transducer damage or pipe section bursting caused by water freezing and expansion.

[0015] An ultrasonic water meter includes a freeze-resistant ultrasonic water meter pipe section as described in any one of the above claims.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this solution are as follows: The ultrasonic water meter proposed in this solution uses three reflectors, and the transducer can be installed perpendicular to the measuring pipe section, achieving a compact meter structure. Furthermore, compared to traditional V-shaped reflections, it improves the effective sound path. In cold weather, it also provides insulation and antifreeze protection. This antifreeze structure is reusable and can be used in multiple scenarios, thereby extending the service life of the ultrasonic water meter. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The following drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference as part of this invention, are provided for understanding the invention. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and their descriptions, serving to explain the principles of the invention.

[0018] In the attached image:

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 An exploded view of an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the antifreeze space;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rectifier grille.

[0023] In the picture:

[0024] 1. Measuring pipe section; 2. Ultrasonic transmitter

[0025] 3. Ultrasonic receiver 4. First reflector

[0026] 5. Second reflector; 6. Central reflector

[0027] 7. Antifreeze space 8. Cavity

[0028] 9. Piston 10. Elastic element

[0029] 11. First reflector fixing groove; 12. Second reflector fixing groove

[0030] 13. PCB shielding shell 14. Ultrasonic transmitter cover 15. Ultrasonic receiver cover 16. PCB

[0031] 17. PCB shielding cover 18. Rectifier grille

[0032] 19. Rectangular groove 20. Groove Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid confusion with the present invention.

[0034] To fully understand this invention, a detailed description will be provided below. Obviously, the implementation of this invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of this invention are described in detail below; however, other embodiments may also be possible besides these detailed descriptions.

[0035] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0036] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in this invention are merely identifiers and have no other meaning, such as a specific order. Furthermore, for example, the term "first component" does not imply the existence of "second component," and the term "second component" does not imply the existence of "first component."

[0037] It should be noted that the terms “up,” “down,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be restrictive.

[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. It should be understood that these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is thorough and complete, and that the concept of these exemplary embodiments is fully conveyed to those skilled in the art.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagrams shown are a schematic diagram and an exploded view of an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0041] An antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section includes a measuring pipe section 1 and an ultrasonic transducer assembly installed on the measuring pipe section. The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes an ultrasonic transmitter 2 and an ultrasonic receiver 3. The measuring pipe section 1 has mounting holes on its side wall for installing the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3. A first reflector 4 and a second reflector 5 are respectively provided below the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3. The first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are respectively fixed in a first reflector fixing groove 11 and a second reflector fixing groove 12. The fixing method can be an interference fit, a spring clip, or direct glue application.

[0042] The sidewall of the measuring tube section 1 is also embedded with a central reflector 6, which is located between the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3.

[0043] An antifreeze space 7 is also added to the side wall of the measuring tube section 1. The antifreeze space 7 is located opposite the central emitting plate 6. The antifreeze space 7 includes a cavity 8, a piston 9, and an elastic element 10. The front end of the piston 9 is in close contact with the outer wall of the measuring tube section 1, and the rear end of the piston 9 abuts against the elastic element 10. In this embodiment, the elastic element 10 is a spring, but it can also include other elastic bodies, as long as it can provide a supporting compression effect and withstand the water pressure inside the pipe.

[0044] Figure 3 As shown in the schematic diagram of the antifreeze space, the cavity 8 is inverted U-shaped, and the opening of the cavity 8 is larger than the opening on the measuring tube section 1. The cavity 8 and the measuring tube section 1 are fixed by threads. A rectangular groove 19 is formed at the rear end of the piston 9, and the rectangular groove 19 is the same width as the elastic element 10. A groove 20 is formed at the bottom of the cavity 8, and the groove 20 is the same width as the elastic element 10. That is, one end of the elastic element 10 is located in the rectangular groove 19 at the rear end of the piston 9, and the other end is located in the groove 20 at the bottom of the cavity 8. The grooves of the two components play a limiting role for the elastic element 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the antifreeze space and the measuring pipe section are fixed by threads. During processing, two molds are used, resulting in lower costs. The threaded fixing method facilitates assembly and ensures a tight seal. The internal elastic element is determined based on external parameters such as water pressure. The piston only compresses the spring when the water in the pipe section freezes, releasing the space for use. If the ice melts, the elastic element extends, pushing the piston back to its original position, filling the antifreeze space with air. This structure is reusable, extending the water meter's lifespan.

[0046] Example 2

[0047] An ultrasonic water meter includes an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section as described in any of the above embodiments. In this solution, the transducer is installed directly above the pipe body, and a commercially available cylindrical transducer can be used, saving costs. Simultaneously, this installation method occupies a smaller volume. The ultrasonic water meter pipe section can be made into a reduced-diameter structure or a full-diameter structure. If made into a reduced-diameter structure, the transmitting probe, receiving probe, first reflector, second reflector, and central reflector can all be located in the reduced-diameter section, which can improve measurement accuracy. At the same time, it can also meet the length requirements of the water meter pipe section, making the water meter as small as possible, meeting current market demands.

[0048] During installation, the first reflector 4 and the second reflector 5 are fixed to the first reflector fixing groove 11 and the second reflector fixing groove 12 respectively through the mounting holes of the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3. Then, the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3 are installed. In this embodiment, both the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3 can be transducers, or other sensors can be used. At the top of the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3, there are ultrasonic transmitter caps 14 and ultrasonic receiver caps 15, which can be fixed to the measuring tube section 1 with screws. Simultaneously, small holes or grooves are also opened on the mounting holes of the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3 to allow the signal lines of the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3 to pass through. A PCB shielding shell 13 is also fixed on the ultrasonic transmitter cover 14 and the ultrasonic receiver cover 15. The PCB 16 can be placed in the PCB shielding shell 13. The signal lines of the ultrasonic transmitter 2 and the ultrasonic receiver 3 pass through the small holes on the mounting holes and are soldered to the PCB. The transducer can also be an FPC signal line, which can be directly plugged into the PCB. The PCB shielding cover 17 is fixed on the PCB shielding shell 13. In this way, the entire metering section can achieve the shielding effect.

[0049] The central reflector 6 enters through the hole in the antifreeze space 7 and is fixed to the inner wall of the measuring tube section 1. It can be embedded or bonded. The antifreeze space 7, including the cavity 8, piston 9 and elastic element 10, is assembled as a whole and fixed to the measuring tube section 1 by threads.

[0050] A flow straightening screen 18 can be installed at both the inlet and outlet of measuring pipe section 1. It can be installed at both ends simultaneously or at only one end, depending on actual needs. Figure 4 As shown, the rectifier grid 18 and the measuring pipe section 1 are installed with an interference fit. The rectifier grid 18 has a partial protrusion around its periphery, and the inner wall of the measuring pipe section 1 has a groove, allowing the two to fit together. The rectifier grid rectifies the flow of fluid, which can solve measurement problems in complex working conditions, such as when a water meter is installed at a bend in a water pipe. It can also improve measurement accuracy.

[0051] This embodiment proposes an ultrasonic water meter that combines the advantages of U-shaped or V-shaped flow channels while overcoming the defects of traditional U-shaped or V-shaped flow channels. The meter has a compact structure and small size, meeting the refined needs of modern life and can be adapted to common sensors. Furthermore, the ultrasonic water meter proposed in this embodiment can meet the needs of various scenarios, such as solving the problem of water meters freezing in extremely cold regions and extending the service life of the water meter.

[0052] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Many other equivalent embodiments may be included without departing from the concept of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A freeze-resistant ultrasonic water meter pipe section, comprising a measuring pipe section and an ultrasonic transducer assembly installed on the measuring pipe section, characterized in that, The ultrasonic transducer assembly includes an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver. The side wall of the measuring tube section is provided with mounting holes for installing the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver, and a first reflector and a second reflector are respectively provided below the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. The sidewall of the measuring tube section is also embedded with a central reflector, which is located between the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver. An antifreeze space is also added to the side wall of the measuring tube section. The antifreeze space is located opposite the central emitting plate. The antifreeze space includes a cavity, a piston, and an elastic element. The front end of the piston is in close contact with the outer wall of the measuring tube section, and the rear end of the piston abuts against the elastic element.

2. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner surface of the tube is provided with a first reflector fixing groove and a second reflector fixing groove. The first reflector and the second reflector are respectively installed in the first reflector fixing groove and the second reflector fixing groove by interference fit, elastic element or glue.

3. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cavity is inverted U-shaped, and the opening of the cavity is larger than the opening on the measuring tube section.

4. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cavity and the measuring tube section are fixed together by threads.

5. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 3, characterized in that, A rectangular groove is formed at the rear end of the piston, and the rectangular groove has the same width as the elastic element.

6. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 3, characterized in that, A groove is formed at the bottom of the cavity, and the groove is the same width as the elastic element.

7. A frost-resistant ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, One end of the elastic element abuts against the rectangular groove of the piston, and the other end of the elastic element abuts against the groove of the cavity.

8. The antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section according to claim 7, characterized in that, The elastic element includes a spring.

9. An ultrasonic water meter, characterized in that, Includes an antifreeze ultrasonic water meter pipe section as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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