Measuring device for liquid meter and meter including it

Abstract

Measuring device for liquid meter and meter comprising The invention relates to a measuring device (1) for liquid meter comprising a hollow body (3) delimiting a chamber (3') with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the liquid to be measured, a measuring member (5) mounted movable in said chamber (3') and subjected to the action of the liquid passing through the latter and a filtration element (6) arranged and configured to be passed through by the circulating liquid at the level of at least one filtration zone (9'), before its entry into the chamber (3').A measuring device (1) characterized in that it comprises at least one slow-flow zone for the liquid, located upstream of the inlet opening, on the one hand, and upstream and / or downstream of an associated filtering zone (9') of the filtering element (6), on the other hand, and in that it also comprises, associated with said or each slow-flow zone, a zone (8) for the permanent deposition of at least certain particles transported by the liquid flow and extracted therefrom under the action of gravity. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 2B.

Description

Title of the invention: Measuring device for liquid meter and meter comprising it

[0001] The invention relates to the field of devices traversed by a flow of liquid capable of transporting solid particles, for example liquid meters, and relates in particular to the field of volumetric meters (for example water meters). It finds a non-exclusive, but particularly favorable, application in liquid meters which comprise a measuring device using an oscillating piston as a measuring member (see for example EP 0 681 163 Bl).

[0002] A circulating liquid, particularly when it is water distributed in a network, often carries solid particles, particularly mineral and silica-based (sand), or even metallic (rust), which can be very damaging to the devices and appliances it passes through from the distribution network. This is particularly the case for meters, especially when they are equipped with mobile measuring elements (consequences: accelerated wear, reduction in the accuracy and reliability of the measurement, possible blockage of the element), but also more generally for all devices and appliances located after the meter and supplied with liquid through it.

[0003] A simple solution to counter this drawback consists of installing a filter, in particular integrated into the measuring device of a meter and located upstream of its measuring organ, which blocks particles and other undesirable solid substances present in the liquid flow which passes through it.

[0004] However, such a filter often becomes blocked quickly and prematurely, particularly for filters with small pores, and it is then necessary to clean or even replace said filter, with on-site intervention and power cut-off.

[0005] To overcome this disadvantage resulting from the implementation of a filter, which nevertheless makes it possible to preserve the meter, it was proposed by the applicant to provide in the meter two circulation paths with liquid filtration levels of different degrees, these paths being arranged in parallel. This known solution is described in documents FR 3 096 132 Bl and WO2020 / 233981 Al.

[0006] These two documents more specifically relate to a measuring device for a liquid meter, in particular of the volumetric or oscillating piston type, comprising: - a hollow body having a base, a cover and a side wall, which delimit a chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the liquid to be measured, - a measuring member, for example an oscillating piston, mounted movably in said chamber and subjected to the action of the liquid passing through the latter, and - a filtration element arranged and configured to be passed through by the liquid before it enters the chamber through the corresponding opening, this filtration element having a first filtration zone and at least one second filtration zone, having different levels or degrees of filtration, for example different pore sizes or through openings, the or each second filtration zone carrying out coarser filtration than the first filtration zone.

[0007] Although this solution is satisfactory in terms of filtration selectivity, continuity of service and operating time without intervention, the fact remains that once the first high-level filtering zone (fine and selective filtration) is obstructed, the majority, if not all, of the liquid will undergo less efficient (coarser) filtration, via the second filtering zone, which will allow larger particles to pass through, and in particular the measuring member will again be exposed to their harmful effects. Furthermore, even when the most selective zone is not or not significantly blocked, a portion of the flow of liquid potentially loaded with particles still passes through said second filtering zone, and is not finely filtered.

[0008] The main aim of the present invention is to overcome these limitations, in particular but not limited to the type of meter referred to above, and to propose a simple, effective solution which makes it possible to ensure, preferably permanently, protection against particles carried by a liquid for devices and apparatuses arranged downstream of a meter crossed by this liquid, but also for the measuring member of this meter. The proposed solution should not require any additional element and should be easily integrated into the meter.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a measuring device for a liquid meter comprising, advantageously housed in a protective housing: - a hollow body delimiting a chamber with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for the liquid to be measured, - a measuring member mounted movably in said chamber and subjected to the action of the liquid passing through the latter, - a filtration element arranged and configured to be traversed by the liquid) in circulation at at least one filtration zone, before its entry into the chamber through the corresponding opening, measuring device characterized in that it comprises at least one slowed circulation zone for the liquid, located upstream of the inlet opening, on the one hand, and upstream and / or downstream of an associated filtering zone of the filtering element, on the other hand, and in that it also comprises, associated with said or each slowed circulation zone, a durable deposition zone of at least certain particles transported by the liquid flow and extracted from the latter under the action of gravity

[0010] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0011] [Fig. 1 A] and

[0012] [Fig.lB] are perspective views, in the assembled state and in the exploded state, of the constituent elements of a measuring device according to the invention, with a measuring member of the oscillating piston type;

[0013] [Fig.2A] is a sectional view of a measuring device according to the invention with its protective casing, in which the constituent elements shown in Figures 1 are mounted and which also incorporates the fluid connection tips for the circulation of the liquid to be measured (the sectional plane contains the axes of said tips);

[0014] [Fig.2B] and

[0015] [Fig.2C] are sectional views along AA, respectively in elevation and in perspective, of the measuring device of [Fig.2A];

[0016] [Fig.3A],

[0017] [Fig.3B] and

[0018] [Fig.3C] are elevation views (in two different directions) and from above of the filtration element forming part of the constituent elements of the measuring device shown in Figures 1 and 2;

[0019] [Fig.4A],

[0020] [Fig.4B] and

[0021] [Fig.4C] are perspective views in different directions of the filtration element shown in Figures 3;

[0022] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the element forming the bottom of the hollow body of the measuring device shown in figures 1 and 2 and which is assembled with the filtration element;

[0023] [Fig.6A] is a transparent view of the measuring device shown in Figures 2, seen in a direction perpendicular to the plane of [Fig.2B] and schematically illustrating the flow of liquid to be measured circulating in the measuring device, in particular the two circulation paths taken by the liquid depending on the filtering zone crossed (fine or coarse);

[0024] [Fig.6B] is a partial view at another scale of a part of the object represented [Fig.6A], allowing better identification of the coarse filtration zone and the circumferential zone slowed down and

[0025] [Fig.6C] is a detail view at yet another scale of a part of the object represented [Fig.6B], showing only the coarse filtration zone and the slow circulation zone.

[0026] Figures 1, 2 and 6 illustrate a measuring device (1) for a liquid meter comprising, advantageously housed in a protective housing (1'): - a hollow body (3) delimiting a chamber (3') with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (4') for the liquid (L) to be measured, - a measuring member (5) mounted movably in said chamber (3') and subjected to the action of the liquid (L) passing through the latter, - a filtration element (6) arranged and configured to be crossed by the liquid (L) in circulation at at least one filtration zone (9, 9'), before its entry into the chamber (3') through the corresponding opening (4).

[0027] The aforementioned constituent elements (3, 5, 6) of the measuring device (1), the hollow body (3) of which is itself advantageously composed of the assembly of at least two parts (11, 11', 11”), can for example be housed and kept assembled, possibly under pressure, in a protective housing (1'), as shown by way of example in Figures 2. The latter is for example made up of two shell parts (12 and 12') assembled in a sealed manner, for example by screwing, the lower shell (12') being able to be formed in one piece with the end pieces (13, 13') for supplying and discharging the liquid (L) to be measured.It may be noted, in relation to figures 6, that at least the lower shell (12') participates in guiding the liquid flow (L), in particular in cooperation with the filtration element (6), with which it forms supply chambers for the filtration zones (9, 9'). In addition, the measuring device (1) has, in the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 6, an arrangement along a vertical axis which must, for this embodiment, be coincident with the direction (P) of gravity when the meter which comprises it (not shown) is installed on site. In this arrangement, the filtration element (6), with a general cup shape, is attached and kept assembled under pressure under the hollow body (3) by the lower shell (12').

[0028] According to the invention, the measuring device (1) comprises i) at least one slowed circulation zone (7) for the liquid (L), located upstream of the inlet opening (4), on the one hand, and upstream and / or downstream of an associated filtering zone (9, 9') of the filtering element (6), on the other hand, and ii) also, associated with said or each slowed circulation zone (7), a zone (8) for the lasting deposition of at least certain particles transported by the flow of liquid (L) and extracted from the latter under the action of gravity.

[0029] Thanks to these provisions, and depending on the particular configuration of the installation of the twin slowed circulation zones (7) and deposition of extracted particles (8), particles transported and having crossed (installation of zones 7, 8 downstream of zone(s) 9, 9') or likely to cross (installation of zones 7, 8 upstream of zone(s) 9, 9') an associated filtering zone (9, 9'), and meeting certain size and mass / size ratio criteria, are automatically ejected from the liquid flow (L) at the slowed circulation zone (7), under the effect of their own weight, and accumulate at the deposition zone (8).The person skilled in the art understands, in particular in view of figures 6, that the slowed circulation zone (7) corresponds to a spatial region filled with liquid and created by the particular local conditions (in terms of fluid dynamics) generated by the conjunction of the circulating liquid (L) with the surrounding physical configuration (significant increase in the passage section, after and before smaller passage sections). He also understands that the durable deposition zone (8) corresponds to a material surface located away from any current of liquid (L) sufficiently entraining to extract the deposited particles from said deposition zone (8).

[0030] As indicated previously, different arrangements and configurations are possible with one or more filtering zones (9, 9') of which at least one, some or each may be provided with a pair of twinned zones (located upstream or downstream) or two pairs of twinned zones (located respectively upstream and downstream).

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, however, emerging from the attached drawings, the or each of the slowed circulation zone(s) (7) is, at least in majority, preferably in total, located under the most direct or shortest path between the filtering zone (9') associated with it and the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3'), preferably immediately after said filtering zone (9') in the direction of circulation, this relative underlying situation being considered according to the direction of the force of gravity (P) or vertical direction.

[0032] According to a practical constructive variant emerging from the figures, the filtration element (6) comprises at least two filtration zones (9 and 9') crossed by the circulating liquid (L), namely a first filtration zone (9) and at least one second filtration zone (9').

[0033] Preferably, these first and second zones (9, 9') have different filtration efficiencies or selectivities, for example different pore sizes or through openings (14), and the or one zone (7) of slowed circulation and its associated zone (8) of lasting deposition are arranged immediately downstream of the or each second filtering zone (9') having coarser or less selective filtration than a first filtering zone (9).

[0034] Thus, due to its association with at least one pair of twinned zones (7 and 8), a second coarser filtering zone (9') can increase its filtration efficiency and in particular bring it closer to that of the first, more efficient filtering zone (9). It is also understood that said first filtering zone (9), which can be sized to ensure almost all of the filtration in normal use of the measuring device (1), will obviously clog first. When this is the case, almost all of the liquid flow (L) will pass through the second filtering zone(s) (9') and the presence of the twin zones (7 and 8) will then make it possible (by their extraction from the flow and their sedimentation) to at least limit, or even avoid, the harmful effects of the solid particles normally stopped by the first filtering zone, but passing through the second filtering zone.

[0035] To ensure a predominant passage of the liquid (L) through the first filtering zone (9) in normal current operation of the measuring device (1), the or each second filtering zone (9') mentioned above is located at a greater distance from the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3') than the first filtering zone (9), preferably as far away as possible from this opening (4), this taking into account in particular their respective locations and the general constitution of the measuring device (1). In addition, this or these second filtering zone(s) (9') advantageously have(s) a cumulative passage section and / or a surface extension significantly lower than that(s) of the first filtering zone (9).

[0036] In connection with a recommended on-site installation for the measuring device and in accordance with a beneficial constructive characteristic of the invention, it is provided that the or each slowed circulation zone (7) is essentially, or even entirely, formed in the filtration element (6) and is delimited in the lower part, considered according to the direction of the gravitational force (P) or vertical direction, by a wall portion (10) of the filtration element (6) defining a gravitational collector with, at the bottom, a durable deposition zone (8).

[0037] According to another simple and effective constructive characteristic for the practical operation of the principle of the invention, the filtration element (6) has pores or openings (14), at the level of the or each filtration zone (9') located upstream of a slowed circulation zone (7), the orientations of the through passages of which are such that the flow of liquid (L) passing through them is directed towards the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3') while substantially avoiding the slowed circulation zone (7), advantageously by passing tangentially over this zone in question (7).

[0038] As shown in Figures 1B, 3 and 4, and in accordance with a practical and compact construction of the filter element (6), easy to produce and offering the possibility of having large surfaces for the filtering zones (9, 9'), the filter element (6) is presented as a cup-shaped part. In this context, the or each filtering zone (9') is advantageously located immediately upstream of and associated with a slow circulation zone (7) and is preferably formed or attached in a portion of curved side wall (6') of this cup.

[0039] In relation to an embodiment of the device (1) having the aforementioned advantages, the filtration element (6) is preferably a filtration element (6) with two different levels or degrees of filtration in parallel and comprises a first filtration zone (9) with finer filtration and a single second filtration zone (9') with coarser filtration, arranged side by side in said filtration element (6).

[0040] Still in accordance with the aforementioned possible practical embodiment, it can further be provided that the first filtering zone (9) corresponds to an attached filter membrane and that the second filtering zone (9') corresponds to a perforated wall zone (6') of the filtering element (6).

[0041] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, and in accordance with a possible practical construction of the measuring device (1), the hollow body (3) delimiting the chamber (3') in which the measuring member (5) is mounted has a bottom (11), a cover (11') and a side wall (11”). The side wall may optionally be formed in one piece with the bottom or the cover.

[0042] According to a first variant emerging from the figures, in particular from figures 1B and 2, the filtration element (6) can be a separate element, attached externally at the level of the bottom (11) or the cover (11'), this depending on the location of the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3').

[0043] According to a second variant not shown, the filtration element (6) can be integrated into, or be constituted by, the bottom (11) or cover (11'), depending on the location of the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3').

[0044] In the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 1B, 2 and 6A, the measuring member (5) consists of an oscillating piston.

[0045] The invention also relates to a liquid meter (not shown), in particular a volumetric water meter, characterized in that it comprises a measuring device (1) as described above.

[0046] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the attached drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Measuring device (1) for liquid meter comprising, advantageously housed in a protective housing (1'): - a hollow body (3) delimiting a chamber (3') with an inlet opening (4) and an outlet opening (4') for the liquid (L) to be measured, - a measuring member (5) mounted movably in said chamber (3') and subjected to the action of the liquid (L) passing through the latter, - a filtration element (6) arranged and configured to be crossed by the liquid (L) in circulation at at least one filtration zone (9, 9'), before its entry into the chamber (3') through the corresponding opening (4), said measuring device (1) comprising at least one zone (7) of slowed circulation for the liquid (L), located upstream of the inlet opening (4), on the one hand, and upstream and / or downstream of an associated filtering zone (9, 9') of the filtering element (6), on the other hand, and also comprising, associated with said or each zone (7) of slowed circulation, a zone (8) of lasting deposition of at least certain particles transported by the flow of liquid (L) and extracted from the latter under the action of gravity measuring device characterized in that the filtering element (6) comprises at least two filtering zones (9 and 9') crossed by the circulating liquid (L), namely a first filtering zone (9) and at least one second filtering zone (9'), in that these first and second zones (9, 9') have different filtration efficiencies or selectivities, for example pore or opening sizes crossings (14) different,and in that the or each slowed circulation zone (7) and its associated long-term deposition zone (8) are arranged immediately downstream of the or each second filtering zone (9') exhibiting coarser or less selective filtration than a first filtering zone (9).,

2. Measuring device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the or each of the slow traffic zone(s) (7) is, at least in majority, preferably in total, located under the most direct route or the shortest between the filtering zone (9') associated with it and the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3'), preferably immediately after said filtering zone (9') in the direction of circulation, this relative underlying situation being considered according to the direction of the force of gravity or vertical direction.

3. Measuring device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the or each second filtering zone (9') mentioned above is located at a greater distance from the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3') than the first filtering zone (9), preferably as far away as possible from this opening (4), and advantageously has a cumulative passage section and / or a surface extension clearly smaller than that(s) of the first filtering zone (9).

4. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the or each slowed circulation zone (7) is essentially, or even entirely, formed in the filtration element (6) and is delimited in the lower part, considered in the direction of the force of gravity or vertical direction, by a portion of wall (10) of the filtration element (6) defining a gravitational collector with, at the bottom, a durable deposition zone (8).

5. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filtration element (6) has pores or openings (11), at the level of the or each filtration zone (9') located upstream of a slowed circulation zone (7), the orientations of the through passages of which are such that the flow of liquid (L) passing through them is directed towards the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3') while substantially avoiding the slowed circulation zone (7), advantageously by passing tangentially over this zone in question (7).

6. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filtration element (6) is in the form of a cup-shaped part, the or each filtration zone (9') being advantageously located immediately upstream of and associated with a slowed circulation zone (7) and preferably formed or attached in a portion of the curved side wall (6') of this cup.

7. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the filter element (6) is a filter element (6) with two different levels or degrees of filtration in parallel and comprises a first filter zone (9) with more fine and a single second filtering zone (9') with coarser filtration, arranged side by side in said filtering element (6).

8. Measuring device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the first filtering zone (9) corresponds to an attached filter membrane and in that the second filtering zone (9') corresponds to a perforated wall zone (6') of the filtering element (6).

9. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hollow body (3) delimiting the chamber (3') in which the measuring member (5) is mounted has a bottom (11), a cover (11') and a side wall (11”), the filtering element (6) being a separate element, attached externally at the bottom (11) or the cover (11'), depending on the location of the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3').

10. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hollow body (3) delimiting the chamber (3') in which the measuring member (5) is mounted has a bottom (11), a cover (11') and a side wall (11”), the filtration element (6) being integrated into, or constituted by, the bottom (11) or cover (11'), this depending on the location of the inlet opening (4) of the chamber (3').

11. Measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the measuring member (5) consists of an oscillating piston.

12. Liquid meter, in particular volumetric water meter, characterized in that it comprises a measuring device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

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