Bucket type flow meter

Abstract

To improve accuracy of measuring a flow rate of liquid in a specific flow rate range.SOLUTION: A bucket type flow meter includes: a bucket 11 having a pair of basin portions formed on both sides of a fulcrum and rotatably provided by pivoting about the fulcrum, which tumbles and drains liquid when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the basin portions from an inlet; a detection unit 13 that detects tumbling of this bucket; a tumbling direction confirmation circuit 82 that confirms a tumbling direction of the bucket from a difference of operation time of this detection unit; and a flow rate calculation circuit 83 that uses the operation time of the detection unit as a flow rate calculation parameter and calculates a flow rate of the liquid on the basis of this flow rate calculation parameter.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE An embodiment of the present invention relates to a bucket type flow meter. [Background technology]

[0002] The basic principle of a bucket type flowmeter is that the liquid flowing in from the inlet is received by a bucket (tipping bucket) divided into two parts, left and right, and when the liquid accumulates, the bucket starts to tip over on the side where the liquid has accumulated, and the other side repeats this cycle of receiving the liquid. The tipping motion is detected by a magnetic or position sensor, etc., and output as a pulse signal, and the flow rate is calculated from the number of tippings and the amount of drainage per tipping.

[0003] Because the bucket stores liquid once, it is suitable for measuring minute flow rates, but various factors can cause errors. For this reason, conventionally, the accuracy of flow rate measurement has been ensured by creating a correlation function between the flow rate and the number of tippings based on the correlation between the amount of liquid discharged per bucket tipping and the flow rate, calculating the flow rate from the number of tippings, installing a lid on the bucket that opens only when the bucket tips to prevent spillage, and correcting the amount of spillage from the tipping interval, bucket capacity, and a constant calculated from testing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-237056 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Bucket flow meters are used in industrial rain gauges as well as for leak detection in nuclear power plants, and currently there are plans to review the measurement accuracy in low flow areas. As the accuracy guaranteed by conventional methods is not reliable enough, further improvements in measurement accuracy are required. In addition, since the flow rate is calculated by sampling the number of times the bucket tips over, and not monitored continuously, it takes time to update the measured flow rate.

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention have been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bucket type flowmeter that can improve the measurement accuracy of the flow rate of a liquid in a specific flow rate range. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A bucket type flowmeter in an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it has a pair of measure portions formed on either side of a fulcrum and arranged to rotate around the fulcrum so as to be able to tip over, a bucket that tips over to drain liquid when liquid flows into the measure portion from an inlet portion and accumulates a predetermined amount, a detection sensor that detects the tipping of the bucket, a tipping direction confirmation means that confirms the tipping direction of the bucket from a difference in operation time of the detection sensor, and a flow rate calculation means that uses the operation time of the detection sensor as a flow rate calculation parameter and calculates the flow rate of the liquid based on this flow rate calculation parameter. Furthermore, a bucket type flowmeter in an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in having a pair of measure portions formed on either side of a fulcrum and rotatable about the fulcrum, the bucket tipping over to drain liquid when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the measure portion from an inlet portion and accumulates therein, detection means for detecting the tipping of the bucket, timer means for detecting a tipping time interval from one tipping of the bucket detected by the detection means to the next tipping, flow rate calculation means for using the tipping time interval as a flow rate calculation parameter and calculating a flow rate of the liquid based on the flow rate calculation parameter, and determination means for preparing two types of functions, one for an entire flow rate range and one for a specific flow rate range, as a correlation function between the flow rate calculation parameter and a flow rate, and for determining which of the two types of functions the flow rate calculation means should use when calculating a flow rate by the flow rate calculation means, based on the value of the flow rate calculation parameter input to the flow rate calculation means. Furthermore, a bucket type flowmeter in an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in having: a pair of measure portions formed on either side of a fulcrum and rotatable about the fulcrum, a bucket that tips over to drain the liquid when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the measure portion from an inlet portion and accumulates therein; detection means for detecting the tipping of the bucket; timer means for detecting a tipping time interval between one tipping of the bucket detected by the detection means and the next tipping; flow rate calculation means for using the tipping time interval as a flow rate calculation parameter and calculating a flow rate of the liquid based on this flow rate calculation parameter; a temperature sensor provided in a pipe through which the fluid flows and detecting a temperature of the liquid; and temperature correction means for determining an amount of evaporation of the liquid that evaporates within a flow rate measurement time from the temperature of the liquid detected by the temperature sensor and adding this evaporation amount to the flow rate of the liquid calculated by the flow rate calculation means for correction. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the flow rate of a liquid in a specific flow rate range. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a bucket type flowmeter according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view showing a bucket and a detection unit of the bucket type flowmeter of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is an operational diagram illustrating an operating state of the bucket flowmeter of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in the bucket type flowmeter of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a graph showing a correlation function between the flow rate of water to be measured and the amount of water displaced per one overturning of the bucket in the bucket flowmeter of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 5 is a graph showing a correlation function between flow rate and number of falls used in the flow rate calculation circuit of FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate characteristics and adjustment of the displacement per bucket overturning in the bucket type flowmeter of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a projection adjustment mechanism. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a time chart illustrating a fall time interval detected by the timer in FIG. 9 . [Figure 11] 10 is a graph showing a correlation function between flow rate and fall time interval used in the flow rate calculation circuit of FIG. 9 . [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is a time chart for explaining the remaining time and overturning time interval required for the remaining amount calculation circuit of FIG. 12 to calculate the remaining amount of water in the bucket. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are graphs showing the flow rate vs. number of falls correlation function determined by the determination circuit in FIG. 14, where (A) shows the same function in the entire flow rate range and (B) shows the same function in a specific flow rate range. [Figure 16] 15A and 15B are graphs showing the flow rate vs. overturn time interval correlation function determined by the determination circuit in FIG. 14, where (A) shows the same function in the entire flow rate range and (B) shows the same function in a specific flow rate range. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 18] 18 is a time chart showing a sensor signal output from the acceleration sensor of FIG. 17. [Figure 19] 18 is a graph showing a flow rate-impact force correlation function used in the flow rate calculation circuit of FIG. 17. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 21] 21 is a time chart for explaining the operation time of a reed switch for the overturning direction confirmation circuit of FIG. 20 to confirm the overturning direction of the bucket. [Figure 22]21 is a time chart for explaining the operation time of a reed switch input to the flow rate calculation circuit of FIG. 20. [Diagram 23] 21 is a graph showing a flow rate-operation time correlation function used in the flow rate calculation circuit of FIG. 20. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a seventh embodiment. [Diagram 25] 25A and 25B are graphs showing the flow-impact force correlation function determined by the determination circuit of FIG. 24, in which (a) shows the same function in the entire flow rate range and (b) shows the same function in a specific flow rate range. [Figure 26] 25A and 25B are graphs showing the flow rate vs. operation time correlation function determined by the determination circuit of FIG. 24, in which (a) shows the same function in the entire flow rate range and (B) shows the same function in a specific flow rate range. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a block diagram mainly showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to an eighth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [A] First embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 8) Fig. 1 is a front cross-sectional view showing a bucket type flowmeter according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a bucket and a detection unit of the bucket type flowmeter of Fig. 1. The bucket type flowmeter 10 shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 measures the flow rate of water as a liquid flowing in a water supply pipe 20, and includes a bucket 11, a regulating unit 12 as a regulating means, a detection unit 13 as a detecting means, an integrating counter 14 as an integrating counting means, a flow rate calculation circuit 15 as a flow rate calculation means, and a case 16, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4.

[0011] Case 16 is formed by fixing cover plates 16B (only one is shown in FIG. 1) to both ends of a substantially cylindrical case body 16A. An inlet 17 protrudes inward from the upper part of case body 16A, and a downstream end of a water supply pipe 20 is connected to this inlet 17. Water supplied from water supply pipe 20 flows (downward) from inlet 17 into a basin 18 or 19 (both described later) of bucket 11. In addition, an upstream end of a drainage pipe 21 is connected to the lower part of case body 16A.

[0012] Seat plates 22 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) are fixed to both cover plates 16B of case 16 using bolts or the like. One of the seat plates 22 pivots at one fulcrum 23A of bucket 11, and the other fulcrum 23B of bucket 11 pivots at a mounting plate 24 fixed to the other seat plate 22 (not shown).

[0013] The bucket 11 has a pair of boxes 18, 19 formed on the left and right sides of the coaxial supports 23A and 23B. Water flows into the box 18 or 19 from the inlet 17 and is stored in a predetermined amount. The boxes 18 and 19 are set to have the same capacity. When a predetermined amount of water is stored in the box 18 or 19, the bucket 11 rotates around the supports 23A and 23B due to the action of gravity on the stored water, and overturns, discharging the stored water. The water discharged from the bucket 11 flows down into the case body 16A of the case 16, and is then led to the drainage pipe 21.

[0014] The restriction unit 12 restricts the tipping stop position of the bucket 11, and is composed of length-adjustable ferrules 25 and 26 and stoppers 27 and 28. The ferrule 25 is attached to the lower part of the box portion 18 of the bucket 11, and the ferrule 26 is attached to the lower part of the box portion 19. The stoppers 27 and 28 are fixed to the seat board 22. The ferrule 25 abuts against the stopper 27, and the ferrule 26 abuts against the stopper 28, restricting the left and right tipping stop positions of the bucket 11.

[0015] As shown in Figure 3, when water flows into the box portion 19 of the bucket 11 from the inlet portion 17 and a predetermined amount is accumulated, the bucket 11 rotates clockwise in Figure 3 about the fulcrums 23A and 23B and overturns, the ferrule 26 abuts against the stopper 28, stopping the overturning motion, and the water is drained from the box portion 19 of the bucket 11. At this time, the box portion 18 of the bucket 11 is in a position facing the inlet portion 17, so next, water flows from the inlet portion 17 into the box portion 18.

[0016] When a predetermined amount of water is stored in the box portion 18, the bucket 11 rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 3 about the fulcrums 23A and 23B and overturns, the ferrule 25 abuts against the stopper 27 to stop the overturning motion, and the water is drained from the box portion 18 of the bucket 11. In this way, the bucket 11 alternately stores water in the box portions 18 and 19 and overturns to drain the water.

[0017] The detection unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 detects the tipping over of the bucket 11 and is configured to include a magnet 30 installed near the fulcrums 23A and 23B of the bucket 11, a reed switch 31 that turns ON when the magnet 30 approaches and turns OFF when the magnet 30 moves away, and a detection circuit 32 connected to the reed switch 31.

[0018] Reed switch 31 is mounted on mounting plate 24, and positioned below fulcrums 23A and 23B of bucket 11. Therefore, when bucket 11 tips over, magnet 30 moves with bucket 11, and the magnetic force of this moving magnet 30 causes reed switch 31 to turn from OFF to ON, outputting a pulse signal. This pulse signal is output one pulse per rotation of bucket 11. The pulse signal from reed switch 31 has noise, for example, removed by detection circuit 32, and is output to accumulating counter 14 shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] The integrating counter 14 counts and accumulates the pulse signals from the detection circuit 32 of the detection unit 13 per unit time (for example, one minute) to count the number N of times the bucket 11 overturns. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, the amount of discharge per one overturn of the bucket 11 (hereinafter referred to as the "amount of discharge per one overturn") increases mainly when the flow rate of water flowing from the inflow portion 17 into the manhole 18 or 19 of the bucket 11 increases. Therefore, in consideration of the flow rate-one-overturn discharge correlation function shown in Fig. 5 which defines the relationship between the flow rate of water flowing from the inflow portion 17 into the manhole 18 or 19 of the bucket 11 and the amount of discharge per one overturn of the bucket 11, a flow rate-number-of-overturns correlation function which defines the relationship between the flow rate of water flowing from the inflow portion 17 into the manhole 18 or 19 of the bucket 11 and the number of times the bucket 11 overturns is calculated in advance as shown in Fig. 6.

[0020] Flow rate calculation circuit 15 uses the number of overturns as a flow rate calculation parameter, and calculates the water flow rate based on this flow rate calculation parameter. That is, flow rate calculation circuit 15 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into bucket 11 from inflow portion 17, i.e., the flow rate of water flowing through water supply pipe 20, from the number of overturns N of bucket 11 counted by integrating counter 14, based on the above-mentioned flow rate vs. overturning number correlation function (FIG. 6), and outputs the result to the outside as a flow rate signal.

[0021] As described above, when the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the inflow portion 17 increases, the one-time overturning discharge amount of the bucket 11 mainly increases (FIG. 5). Also, when the length of the ferrules 25 and 26 of the regulating unit 12 shown in FIG. 1 is adjusted to be longer and the overturning stop position of the bucket 11 is set higher (raised), the one-time overturning discharge amount of the bucket 11 decreases as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the overturning stop position of the bucket 11 is set by adjusting the length of the ferrules 25 and 26 (for example, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7) so that the change in the one-time overturning discharge amount of the bucket 11 with respect to the change in the flow rate in a specific flow rate range Y near the set value X for generating an alarm (FIG. 7) becomes small (i.e., the one-time overturning discharge amount becomes approximately constant). Here, the specific flow rate range Y is set, for example, to include the set value X and is set as a range that is 20% or narrower than the entire flow rate range.

[0022] As described above, the flow rate of water flowing into bucket 11 from inlet 17 is calculated by flow rate calculation circuit 15 from the number of times bucket 11 tips by using the flow rate vs. number of tippings correlation function (see Figure 6) calculated from the flow rate vs. one-tipping displacement correlation function (see Figure 5) when the length of tip portions 25 and 26 is adjusted.

[0023] The length adjustment of the ferrules 25 and 26 in the regulating unit 12 may be performed manually or automatically by an external signal i using a ferrule adjustment mechanism 33 shown in Fig. 8. For example, a movable bar 35 is disposed in a cylindrical body 24 that can be attached to the bucket 11, and the ferrule 25 or 26 is disposed at the lower end of the movable bar 35. A magnet (electromagnet or permanent magnet) 36 is disposed at the upper end of the movable bar 35 provided in the cylindrical body 34. An electromagnet 37 is disposed at the upper end of the cylindrical body 34, and the electromagnet 37 changes its magnetic force in response to an external signal i, so that the movable bar 35 moves via the magnet 36 and the positions of the ferrules 25 and 26 are adjusted.

[0024] As configured as above, the first embodiment provides the following advantages (1) and (2). (1) The length of protrusions 25 and 26 of regulating unit 12 is adjusted to set the tipping stop position of bucket 11 so that the change in the one-tipping displacement of bucket 11 is small relative to the change in flow rate in specific flow rate range Y of water flowing into bucket 11 from inlet portion 17 (i.e., the one-tipping displacement becomes approximately constant), and flow rate calculation means 15 calculates and measures the flow rate from the number of overturns N counted by integrating counter 14 based on the flow rate vs. number of overturns correlation function calculated from the flow rate vs. one-tipping displacement correlation function at this time. This makes it possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the water flow rate in specific flow rate range Y, and as a result, prevents erroneous alarms from being issued.

[0025] (2) The length of the ferrules 25 and 26 (the tipping stop position of the bucket 11) is adjusted by the external signal i using the ferrule adjustment mechanism 33. Therefore, even if the bucket flowmeter 10 is installed in a place where workers cannot easily reach, the displacement of the bucket 11 per tipping can be easily changed by using the ferrule adjustment mechanism 33. This improves the measurement accuracy of the water flow rate by the bucket 11.

[0026] [B] Second embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 11) 9 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0027] A bucket type flowmeter 40 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of the integrating counter 14 and the flow calculation circuit 15, the bucket type flowmeter 40 has a timer 41 as timer means for detecting the overturning time interval of the bucket 11, a memory circuit 42 for storing a plurality of overturning time intervals, an averaging circuit 43 as average value calculation means for calculating an average value from the plurality of overturning time intervals, and a flow calculation circuit 44 as flow rate calculation means for calculating the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the overturning time interval or the average value.

[0028] In other words, the timer 41 detects the overturning time interval T per overturning from one overturning of the bucket 11 to the next overturning from the time interval between the rise times S... of adjacent pulse signals PS (FIG. 10) output from the detection circuit 32 of the detection unit 13.

[0029] Memory circuit 42 holds the overturning time interval T of bucket 11 output from timer 41. Furthermore, the flow rate of water flowing into bucket 11 may fluctuate instantaneously, causing the overturning time interval of pulse signal PS to change to a value T1 different from T, as shown in Fig. 10. Taking this into consideration, averaging circuit 43 calculates an average value by averaging the multiple overturning time intervals T, T1... of bucket 11 held in memory circuit 42.

[0030] Flow rate calculation circuit 44 uses the overturning time interval as a flow rate calculation parameter and also uses the average value of the overturning time intervals calculated by averaging circuit 43 as a flow rate calculation parameter, and calculates the water flow rate based on these flow rate calculation parameters. That is, flow rate calculation circuit 44 first has a flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function shown in Fig. 11 which defines the relationship between the flow rate of water flowing into bucket 11 from inflow portion 17 and the overturning time interval T of bucket 11. Next, flow rate calculation circuit 44 calculates the flow rate Va of water flowing into bucket 11 from the overturning time interval Ta of bucket 11 output from timer 41 based on this flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function, and calculates the flow rate Vb of water flowing into bucket 11 from the average value Tb of the overturning time interval T of bucket 11 output from averaging circuit 43.

[0031] As configured as above, the second embodiment provides the following advantages (3) and (4). (3) The timer 41 detects the overturning time interval T per overturning of the bucket 11, and the flow rate calculation circuit 44 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 using this overturning time interval T per overturning, so that the flow rate can be measured each time the bucket 11 overturns. As a result, the flow rate measurement information can be updated each time the bucket 11 overturns, rather than at regular time intervals as in the first embodiment.

[0032] (4) When the flow rate calculation circuit 44 calculates the flow rate from the average value of multiple overturning time intervals T calculated by the averaging circuit 43, the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 can be measured stably and accurately regardless of momentary fluctuations in the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11.

[0033] [C] Third embodiment (FIGS. 12 and 13) Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to the third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a time chart showing the relationship between the remaining time M required for the remaining amount calculation circuit in Fig. 12 to calculate the remaining amount of water in the bucket and the overturning time interval T. In this third embodiment, the same parts as in the first and second embodiments are given the same reference numerals as in the first and second embodiments, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0034] A bucket type flowmeter 50 of the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that a flow calculation circuit 51 as a flow calculation means selectively or simultaneously executes a first function of calculating the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 using the number of overturnings N of the bucket 11 counted by the integrating counter 14 and a flow rate vs. overturning number correlation function, and a second function of calculating the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 using the overturning time interval T of the bucket 11 detected by the timer 41 and a flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function, and has a remaining time detection circuit 52 as remaining time detection means, a remaining amount calculation circuit 53 as remaining amount calculation means, and a flow rate addition / subtraction circuit 54 as correction means.

[0035] Using pulse signals from reed switch 31 and detection circuit 32, remaining time detection circuit 52 detects remaining time M from time S when the last overturning of bucket 11 occurs within one cycle in which integrating counter 14 counts number of overturns N of bucket 11 to time Se when the one cycle ends.

[0036] The remaining amount calculation circuit 53 first determines the ratio (M / T) between the remaining time M detected by the remaining time detection circuit 52 and the overturning time interval T of the bucket 11 detected by the timer 41. Next, the remaining amount calculation circuit 53 multiplies the one overturning displacement amount of the bucket 11 at the time when the flow rate calculation circuit 51 calculates the flow rate by the ratio (M / T) to calculate the remaining amount of water remaining in the bucket 11 without being discharged from the bucket 11 within the one cycle.

[0037] The flow rate addition / subtraction circuit 54 corrects the water flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation circuit 51 in the first function, using the remaining amount of water calculated by the remaining amount calculation circuit 53. For example, if water remains in the bucket 11 during the one cycle, this remaining amount (remaining amount) is added to the flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation circuit 51 to correct the flow rate. Also, since the remaining amount of water remaining in the bucket 11 during the previous cycle is added to the water flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation circuit 51 during the next cycle following the one cycle, this amount is subtracted to correct the flow rate. Note that even when the flow rate calculation circuit 51 selects only the first function, the timer 41 is in an operating state.

[0038] As configured as above, the third embodiment provides the following effect (5) in addition to the effects (1) to (4) of the first and second embodiments. (5) The remaining amount calculation circuit 53 calculates the amount of water remaining in the bucket 11 during one cycle for counting the number of times N the bucket 11 overturns, and the flow rate addition / subtraction circuit 54 uses this remaining amount to correct the flow rate calculated by the first function of the flow rate calculation circuit 51. This makes it possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the flow rate calculated using the number of times N the bucket 11 overturns.

[0039] [D] Fourth embodiment (FIGS. 14 to 16) 14 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first to third embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first to third embodiments, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0040] The bucket type flowmeter 60 of the fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that two types of functions, one for the entire flow rate region (FIGS. 15(A) and 16(A)) and one for a specific flow rate region (FIGS. 15(B) and 16(B)), are prepared for each of the correlation functions between the flow rate calculation parameters and the flow rate (i.e., the flow rate vs. number of overturns correlation function or the flow rate vs. time interval overturning correlation function), and the flow rate calculation circuit 51 has a determination circuit 61 as a determination means for determining which of the two types of functions should be used.

[0041] Here, the specific flow rate range is, for example, a specific flow rate range Y near the set value X (Fig. 15(B) and Fig. 16(B)) that generates an alarm. The total flow rate range is a wide range of flow rate range that includes the specific flow rate range Y. In particular, the functions of the specific flow rate range Y (correlation function of flow rate vs. number of falls, correlation function of flow rate vs. time interval between falls) have a denser number of plots than the correlation functions of the total flow rate range, and are closer to the actual characteristics measured in advance.

[0042] The specific flow rate range Y in the flow rate vs. overturning count correlation function corresponds to a range of n1 to n2 for the number of overturning counts N of the bucket 11. Also, the specific flow rate range Y in the flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function corresponds to a range of t1 to t2 for the overturning time interval T of the bucket 11.

[0043] When the flow rate calculation circuit 51 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11, if the value of the flow rate calculation parameter input to the flow rate calculation circuit 51, i.e., the value of the number of times N of the bucket 11 overturning input from the accumulating counter 14 to the flow rate calculation circuit 51, is in the range of n1 to n2, the judgment circuit 61 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 51 should use the flow rate vs. number of times overturning for the specific flow rate range Y shown in Fig. 15(B) if the value of the number of times N of the bucket 11 overturning input from the accumulating counter 14 to the flow rate calculation circuit 51 is outside the range of n1 to n2, the judgment circuit 61 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 51 should use the flow rate vs. number of times overturning for the entire flow rate range shown in Fig. 15(A).

[0044] Furthermore, when the flow rate calculation circuit 51 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11, if the value of the flow rate calculation parameter input to the flow rate calculation circuit 51, i.e., the value of the overturning time interval T of the bucket 11 input from the timer 41 to the flow rate calculation circuit 51, is in the range of t1 to t2, the judgment circuit 61 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 51 should use the flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function of the specific flow rate range Y shown in Fig. 16(B) if the value of the overturning time interval T of the bucket 11 input from the timer 41 to the flow rate calculation circuit 51 is outside the range of t1 to t2, the judgment circuit 61 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 51 should use the flow rate vs. overturning time interval correlation function of the entire flow rate range shown in Fig. 16(A).

[0045] As configured as above, the fourth embodiment provides the following effect (6) in addition to the effects (1) to (5) of the first to third embodiments. (6) The judgment circuit 61 judges which of the two types of functions, the total flow rate range and the specific flow rate range Y, prepared for each of the flow rate vs. fall count correlation function and the flow rate vs. fall time interval correlation function, should be used by the flow rate calculation circuit 11 based on the number of falls N or the fall time interval T input to the flow rate calculation circuit 51. Therefore, when the flow rate calculation circuit 51 uses the correlation function for the specific flow rate range Y in particular, the correlation function for the specific flow rate range Y is approximate to the actual characteristics, so that the measurement accuracy of the flow rate in this specific flow rate range Y can be improved.

[0046] [E] Fifth embodiment (FIGS. 17 to 19) 17 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0047] A bucket type flowmeter 70 of the fifth embodiment differs from the first to fourth embodiments in that it includes an acceleration sensor or force sensor (acceleration sensor 71 in the fifth embodiment) serving as an impact sensor that detects the impact when the bucket 11 tips over, an impact force calculation circuit 72 serving as impact force calculation means that calculates the impact force when the bucket 11 tips over from a sensor signal of the acceleration sensor 71, and a flow rate calculation circuit 73 serving as flow rate calculation means that calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 using the impact force when the bucket 11 tips over.

[0048] The acceleration sensor 71 is installed on at least one of the case 16 and the seat panel 22, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 1. The greater the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the inflow portion 17, the more forcefully the bucket 11 will tip over, and so the sensor signal (detection signal) from the acceleration sensor 71 which detects the impact when the bucket 11 tips over has a larger amplitude J2 when the water flowing into the bucket 11 is at a high flow rate than an amplitude J1 when the water flowing into the bucket 11 is at a low flow rate, as shown in Fig. 18. An impact force calculation circuit 72 calculates the impact force from the values ​​of the amplitudes J1 and J2 of this sensor signal.

[0049] The flow rate calculation circuit 73 uses the impact force determined from the sensor signal of the acceleration sensor 71 as a flow rate calculation parameter and calculates the flow rate of water based on this flow rate calculation parameter. In other words, the flow rate calculation circuit 73 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the impact force determined by the impact force calculation circuit 72, based on the flow rate-impact force correlation function shown in FIG.

[0050] As configured as above, the fifth embodiment provides the following effect (7). (7) The acceleration sensor 71 detects the impact when the bucket 11 tips over once, the impact force calculation circuit 72 calculates the impact force from the sensor signal of this acceleration sensor 71, and the flow rate calculation circuit 73 uses this impact force to calculate the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 based on a flow rate vs. impact force correlation function. Therefore, the flow rate measurement information can be updated every time the bucket 11 tips over. Furthermore, unlike the reed switch 31, the acceleration sensor 71 does not have a drive unit, making maintenance of the acceleration sensor 71 unnecessary.

[0051] [F] Sixth embodiment (FIGS. 20 to 23) 20 is a block diagram showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to a sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0052] A bucket type flowmeter 80 of the sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 20 and 21 , it has an operation time detection circuit 81 that detects the widths Ua, Ub of the pulse signals output from the reed switch 31 of the detection unit 13 via the detection circuit 32 as operation time, a overturning direction confirmation circuit 82 as overturning direction confirmation means that confirms the overturning direction of the bucket 11 from the difference c between the operation times Ua, Ub detected by the operation time detection circuit 81, and a flow rate calculation circuit 83 as flow rate calculation means that calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 using the operation times Ua, Ub detected by the operation time detection circuit 81.

[0053] By adjusting the distance between the magnet 30 and the reed switch 31, the detection unit 13 can generate a difference c between the operation time Ua when the bucket 11 tips to the left and the operation time Ub when the bucket 11 tips to the right, as shown in Fig. 21. The tipping direction confirmation circuit 82 confirms that the bucket 11 is tipping alternately left and right when the difference c exists between adjacent operation times Ua, Ub output from this reed switch 31.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 22, the operating times of the reed switch 31 are Ua and Ub when the flow rate of water flowing from the inflow section 17 into the bucket 11 is low. However, when the flow rate becomes high, the operating times decrease by the same time d in the left and right tipping directions and change to Ua1 and Ub1 (Ua1 < Ua, Ub1 < Ub). Note that even at these high-flow operating times Ua1 and Ub1, the time difference c in the left and right tipping directions of the bucket 11 is maintained.

[0055] The flow rate calculation circuit 83 shown in Fig. 20 uses the operating time of the reed switch 31 as a parameter for flow rate calculation and calculates the flow rate of water based on this parameter for flow rate calculation. That is, the flow rate calculation circuit 83 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the operating times Ua (Ua1), Ub (Ub1) of the reed switch 31 detected by the operating time detection circuit 81 based on the flow rate - operating time correlation function shown in Fig. 23 that defines the relationship between the flow rate of water flowing from the inflow section 17 into the bucket 11 and the operating times Ua (Ua1), Ub (Ub1) of the reed switch 31.

[0056] Due to being configured as described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the following effect (8) is achieved. (8) Since the tipping direction confirmation circuit 82 confirms the tipping direction of the bucket 11 from the difference c between the operating times Ua (Ua1), Ub (Ub1) in the left and right tipping directions of the bucket 11, it is possible to determine that the bucket 11 is tipping alternately left and right. Also, since the flow rate calculation circuit 83 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the change in the tipping time Ua (Ua1), Ub (Ub1) for each of the left and right sides of the bucket 11 once, it is possible to update the measurement information of the flow rate for each tipping of the bucket 11.

[0057] [G] Seventh Embodiment (Figs. 24 to 26) Fig. 24 is a block diagram showing the data processing flow in the bucket type flow meter according to the seventh embodiment. For parts that are the same as those in the fifth and sixth embodiments in this seventh embodiment, the description is simplified or omitted by assigning the same reference numerals as those in the fifth and sixth embodiments.

[0058] The bucket type flowmeter 90 of the seventh embodiment differs from the fifth and sixth embodiments in that two types of functions, namely, an entire flow rate range (FIGS. 25(A) and 26(A)) and a specific flow rate range (FIGS. 25(B) and 26(B)), are prepared for each of the correlation functions between the flow rate calculation parameters and the flow rate (i.e., the flow rate vs. impact force correlation function or the flow rate vs. operating time correlation function), and the flow rate calculation circuits 73 and 83 have a determination circuit 91 as a determination means for determining which of the two types of functions should be used.

[0059] Here, the specific flow rate range is, for example, a specific flow rate range Y near the set value X (Fig. 25(B) and Fig. 26(B)) that generates an alarm. The total flow rate range is a wide range of flow rate range including the specific flow rate range Y. In particular, the functions of the specific flow rate range Y (flow rate vs. impact force correlation function, flow rate vs. operating time correlation function) have a denser number of plots than the correlation functions of the total flow rate range, and are closer to the actual characteristics measured in advance.

[0060] The specific flow rate range Y in the flow rate vs. impact force correlation function corresponds to the range of impact force p1 to p2 on the bucket 11. Also, the specific flow rate range Y in the flow rate vs. operating time correlation function corresponds to the range of operating time q1 to q2 of the reed switch 31.

[0061] When the flow rate calculation circuit 73 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11, if the value of the flow rate calculation parameter input to the flow rate calculation circuit 73, i.e., the value of the impact force on the bucket 11 input from the impact force calculation circuit 72 to the flow rate calculation circuit 73, is in the range of p1 to p2, the decision circuit 91 decides that the flow rate calculation circuit 73 should use the flow rate-impact force correlation function for the specific flow rate region Y shown in Fig. 25(B) If the value of the impact force on the bucket 11 input from the impact force calculation circuit 72 to the flow rate calculation circuit 73 is outside the range of p1 to p2, the decision circuit 91 decides that the flow rate calculation circuit 73 should use the flow rate-impact force correlation function for the entire flow rate region shown in Fig. 25(A).

[0062] Furthermore, when the flow rate calculation circuit 83 calculates the flow rate of water flowing into the bucket 11, if the value of the flow rate calculation parameter input to the flow rate calculation circuit 83, i.e., the value of the operation time of the reed switch 31 input from the operation time detection circuit 81 to the flow rate calculation circuit 83, is in the range of q1 to q2, the judgment circuit 91 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 83 should use the flow rate-operation time correlation function of the specific flow rate range Y shown in Fig. 26(B) if the value of the operation time of the reed switch 31 input from the operation time detection circuit 81 to the flow rate calculation circuit 83 is outside the range of q1 to q2, the judgment circuit 91 judges that the flow rate calculation circuit 83 should use the flow rate-operation time correlation function of the entire flow rate range shown in Fig. 26(A).

[0063] As configured as above, the seventh embodiment provides the following effect (9) in addition to the effects (7) and (8) of the fifth and sixth embodiments. (9) The judgment circuit 91 judges which of the two types of functions, the total flow rate range and the specific flow rate range Y, prepared for each of the flow rate vs. impact force correlation function and the flow rate vs. operating time correlation function, the flow rate calculation circuits 73, 83 should use based on the impact force on the bucket 11 input to the flow rate calculation circuit 73 and the operating time of the reed switch 31 input to the flow rate calculation circuit 83. Therefore, particularly when the flow rate calculation circuits 73, 83 use the correlation function for the specific flow rate range Y, the measurement accuracy of the flow rate in this specific flow rate range Y can be improved because the correlation function for this specific flow rate range Y is approximate to the actual characteristics.

[0064] [H] Eighth embodiment (FIG. 27) 27 is a block diagram mainly showing the flow of data processing in a bucket type flowmeter according to an eighth embodiment. In the eighth embodiment, the same parts as in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

[0065] The bucket type flowmeter 100 of the eighth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has a temperature sensor 101 provided in the water supply pipe 20 through which water flows and detects the temperature of the water, and a temperature correction circuit 102 as temperature correction means that determines the amount of water evaporation within the flow measurement time from the water temperature detected by this temperature sensor 101 and adds this evaporation amount to the water flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation circuit 15 for correction.

[0066] If the water flowing into bucket 11 from inlet portion 17 is high in temperature, it evaporates before bucket 11 tips over, and is not reflected in the water flow rate measurement due to the tipping of bucket 11. Therefore, temperature correction circuit 102 determines the amount of water that evaporates from when water flows into bucket 11 from inlet portion 17 until bucket 11 tips over, from the water temperature detected by temperature sensor 101, and adds the value obtained by multiplying this evaporation amount by the number of times N that bucket 11 tips over to the water flow rate calculated by flow rate calculation circuit 15 to correct the flow rate.

[0067] As configured as above, the eighth embodiment provides the following effect (9) in addition to the effects (1) and (2) of the first embodiment. (9) The temperature correction circuit 102 calculates the amount of evaporation of water flowing into the bucket 11 from the water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 101, and corrects the amount of evaporation by adding it to the water flow rate calculated by the flow rate calculation circuit 15. Therefore, even if the water temperature is high and some of it evaporates, the accuracy of flow rate measurement can be improved.

[0068] The eighth embodiment is not limited to application to the first embodiment, but can be applied to each of the second to seventh embodiments. In these cases, the effects of the second to seventh embodiments are achieved in addition to the effect (9) of the eighth embodiment.

[0069] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention, and these substitutions and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. For example, in the first to eighth embodiments, the liquid for which the flow rate is to be measured is water, but the liquid may be other liquids than water, such as alcohol. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 10... bucket type flowmeter, 11... bucket, 12... regulating unit (regulating means), 13... detection unit (detection means), 14... accumulating counter (accumulating counting means), 15... flow rate calculation circuit (flow rate calculation means), 17... inlet, 18, 19... measure portion, 23A, 23B... fulcrum, 25, 26... tip portion, 30... magnet, 31... reed switch, 33... tip portion adjustment mechanism, 40... bucket type flowmeter, 41... timer (timer means), 43... averaging circuit (average value calculation means), 44... flow rate calculation circuit (flow rate calculation means), 50... bucket type flowmeter, 51... flow rate calculation circuit (flow rate calculation means), 52... remaining time detection circuit (remaining time detection means), 53... remaining amount calculation circuit flow rate calculation circuit (remaining amount calculation means), 54...flow rate addition / subtraction circuit (correction means), 60...bucket type flow meter, 61...judgment circuit (judgment means), 70...bucket type flow meter, 71...acceleration sensor (shock sensor), 73...flow rate calculation circuit (flow rate calculation means), 80...bucket type flow meter, 82...falling direction confirmation circuit (falling direction confirmation means), 83...flow rate calculation circuit (flow rate calculation means), 90...bucket type flow meter, 91...judgment circuit (judgment means), 100...bucket type flow meter, 101...temperature sensor, 102...temperature correction circuit (temperature correction means), i...external signal, M...remaining time, N...number of falls, Se...end time, T...falling time interval, Ua, Ub...operation time, Y...specific flow rate range

Claims

1. a bucket having a pair of boxes formed on both sides of a fulcrum and rotatably disposed about the fulcrum, the bucket being tipped over when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the boxes from an inlet and is accumulated therein, to thereby drain the liquid; A detection sensor for detecting a tipping over of the bucket; a tipping direction confirmation means for confirming a tipping direction of the bucket based on a difference in operation time of the detection sensor; a flow rate calculation unit that calculates a flow rate of the liquid based on an operation time of the detection sensor as a flow rate calculation parameter and the flow rate of the liquid is calculated based on the flow rate calculation parameter.

2. 2. The bucket type flowmeter according to claim 1, further comprising a determination means for determining which of the two functions the flow calculation means should use from a value of the flow calculation parameter input to the flow calculation means when the flow calculation means calculates the flow rate, wherein two types of functions are prepared for a total flow rate range and a specific flow rate range as a correlation function between the flow rate calculation parameter and the flow rate, and

3. a temperature sensor provided in a pipe through which the fluid flows and detecting a temperature of the liquid; 3. The bucket type flowmeter according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature correction means for calculating an amount of evaporation of the liquid that evaporates within a flow rate measurement time from the temperature of the liquid detected by the temperature sensor, and adding this evaporation amount to the flow rate of the liquid calculated by the flow rate calculation means for correction.

4. a bucket having a pair of boxes formed on both sides of a fulcrum and rotatably disposed about the fulcrum, the bucket being tipped over when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the boxes from an inlet and is accumulated therein, to thereby drain the liquid; A detection means for detecting a tipping over of the bucket; a timer means for detecting a time interval from one overturning of the bucket detected by the detection means to the next overturning; a flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate of the liquid based on the overturning time interval as a flow rate calculation parameter; a determination means for determining which of the two types of functions the flow calculation means should use when calculating a flow rate from the value of the flow calculation parameter input to the flow calculation means, when preparing two types of functions, one for an entire flow rate range and one for a specific flow rate range, for the correlation function between the flow rate calculation parameter and the flow rate, and

5. a bucket having a pair of boxes formed on both sides of a fulcrum and rotatably disposed about the fulcrum, the bucket being tipped over when a predetermined amount of liquid flows into the boxes from an inlet and is accumulated therein, to thereby drain the liquid; A detection means for detecting a tipping over of the bucket; a timer means for detecting a time interval from one overturning of the bucket detected by the detection means to the next overturning; a flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate of the liquid based on the overturning time interval as a flow rate calculation parameter; a temperature sensor provided in a pipe through which the fluid flows and detecting a temperature of the liquid; and a temperature correction means for calculating an amount of evaporation of the liquid that evaporates within a flow rate measurement time from the temperature of the liquid detected by the temperature sensor, and adding this evaporation amount to the flow rate of the liquid calculated by the flow rate calculation means for correction.

6. The bucket tipping time interval measuring device further includes an average value calculating device that calculates an average value by averaging a plurality of bucket tipping time intervals detected by the timer device, 6. The bucket type flowmeter according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate calculation means is configured to use the average value of the overturning time intervals calculated by the average value calculation means as a flow rate calculation parameter, and to calculate the flow rate of the liquid based on this flow rate calculation parameter.

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