A vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring a physical variable in water, comprising a first member, a second member, a third member, and a fourth member, the first member comprising a plurality of compartments for housing a plurality of devices, and an assembly procedure.

Abstract

A vandal-proof mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water in an open waterway, comprising: a first member, the first member having a base with a plurality of through holes for introducing a plurality of anchoring means for fixing the first member to a mounting surface of the system, a second member fixed to the first member of the system by a plurality of anchoring means, a third member arranged on the outside and attached to the first and second members from the inside of the system by anchoring means, and a fourth member arranged rotatably at the bottom of the third member, the first member having a plurality of compartments for accommodating a plurality of devices for operation of the system and for monitoring the physical variables to be protected by the system, the system comprising an energy generating device and a plurality of safety devices, the fourth member being fixed to the third member of the system.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of waterway monitoring systems, and in particular to vandal-proof mounting systems for monitoring water physical variables in natural and man-made open waterways.

[0002] The assembly of the components of the described anti-vandalism system makes it possible to protect, in particular, the internal elements that allow water monitoring from theft or damage that may occur from third parties or from bad weather conditions present at the installation site, and the insulation provided makes it possible to improve the accuracy of the system's telemetry, thereby providing not only a safer system but also one that offers better operational performance compared to currently available solutions.

[0003] The system of the present invention basically comprises a first member having a base with a plurality of through holes for introducing a plurality of anchoring means for fixing the first member to a surface on which the system is installed, a second member fixed to the first member of the system by a plurality of anchoring means, a third member arranged on the outside and attached to the first and second members by anchoring means from the inside of the system, and a fourth member rotatably arranged below the third member, wherein the first member comprises a plurality of compartments for accommodating a plurality of devices for operating the system and for monitoring physical variables to be protected by the system, the system comprises an energy generating device and a plurality of safety devices, and the fourth member is fixed to the third member of the system.

[0004] Preferably, the plurality of devices for operating the system and for monitoring physical variables correspond to a plurality of batteries, at least one moisture protection device, at least one energy measurement and communication controller device, at least one ultrasonic sensor, and at least one wireless communication antenna, and comprises a fourth member having an impact resistant cover over the energy generating device, both the energy generating unit and the impact resistant cover being supported by a rear support of the energy generating device.

[0005] Additionally, the present invention includes a procedure for assembling a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in an open waterway, as described above. [Background technology]

[0006] Although remote monitoring and telemetry technologies have made great progress in recent decades to measure the physical variables of surface water distribution networks, especially in natural and artificial open channels, there are still some challenges to overcome in order to be a cost-effective and robust solution. The physical variables of most interest for monitoring water distribution in open channels are flow rate and runoff level, in addition to other variables related to water quality. In this sense, the main problems in measuring these types of variables are the time accuracy and the vandalism to which the components of these systems are exposed.

[0007] One of the main reasons for the low number of remote measurement points currently present in most natural and / or artificial waterway networks is, as mentioned above, the vulnerability of these systems to vandalism or theft by third parties seeking the opportunity to illegally obtain and subsequently commercialize the measurement equipment and other elements found within these systems. This is largely due to the remote location of these systems, which are typically located along waterways with little human traffic. This, combined with the lack of lighting and darkness at night, allows third parties to breach the weak security offered by the measurement system and steal components. Furthermore, the use of one or more photovoltaic panels mounted on a mast to power the system's electrical components significantly increases the visibility of this equipment, increasing the likelihood of theft and the need for cleaning of the panels to prevent their efficiency from decreasing.

[0008] Another factor that influences the degradation of these equipment is the environmental characteristics of the location where the equipment is installed; environmental pollution, high / low temperatures, and / or humidity present in the environment can cause one or more components of the system to malfunction in a short period of time.

[0009] As a result of these problems, frequent review and maintenance is required to check the operational condition of the system's components and to ensure that they have not been tampered with or damaged by third parties.

[0010] For this reason, there are a wide variety of solutions currently used for flow measurement in open channels, but only a few for remote monitoring (telemetry). These solutions correspond to the volumetric method, gravimetric method, chemical tracer method, Gauckler-Manning equation, velocity-area method and measurement by hydraulic structures (ditches and fills), the last two of which are the most used for remote flow measurement.

[0011] Volumetric and gravimetric measurements are generally used for manual, instantaneous, timed measurements (point measurements) and are not permanently installed. Chemical tracer measurements, while used for instantaneous measurements and not permanently installed, have the disadvantage of requiring the preparation of chemicals for measurement in addition to periodic recalibration of the measuring equipment. Flow measurement using the Gauckler-Manning equation, on the other hand, is rarely used for flow monitoring because its coefficient (the Gauckler-Manning coefficient) changes over time, reducing the accuracy of flow measurement from runoff water level measurements. The most commonly used areal velocity methods for measuring flow velocity in open channels are Doppler and multi-transducer transit time sensors. However, these sensors must be fixed to the bottom or sidewall of the open channel in some way, which poses safety issues due to the sensors' complete exposure. Finally, the most widely used method currently is measuring flow rate from hydraulic structures due to its robustness and simplicity. This type of measurement has a unique relationship between height and discharge (discharge curve) due to the transition from subcritical to supercritical flow, allowing for isolation of downstream hydraulic conditions. This allows flow to be continuously monitored by simply measuring the critical outflow level, typically using ultrasonic or pressure sensors, stationary or directly installed at the free water surface of the channel.

[0012] However, hydraulic structure measurement methods also have several unresolved issues. First, constructing a stilling well requires stopping or diverting the waterway flow to construct a water conveyance pipe. This construction impacts the cost and time of the construction, in addition to the indirect costs of stopping the waterway. A booth or a padlocked drum can be installed at the stilling well to house and protect the elements that measure and record the water level in the stilling well. However, in either case, a separate power supply system (photovoltaic panels) and communication antenna are required, as described in China Utility Model No. 202092719, which discloses a water level remote measurement device using a water level sensor powered by a photovoltaic system. One problem with installing photovoltaic panels is that their high elevation makes the measurement equipment visible from remote locations. This could attract the attention of individuals interested in stealing one or more components or vandalizing the equipment. These systems are also vulnerable to damage to the photovoltaic panels from hail or bird strikes.

[0013] Additionally, in stilling wells with steel caps, air temperature stratification occurs inside the steel drum, causing the transit-time ultrasonic sensor's temperature compensation not to represent the average air temperature between the water and the sensor, resulting in reduced accuracy and erroneous readings during the day. Furthermore, a unique feature of stilling wells is that the flow rate inside them is close to zero. This can lead to the accumulation of solid sediments and algae growth, which can block the stilling well's water pipes and cause the well to malfunction. One way to mitigate this effect is to place the water pipes at a high elevation, preventing the measurement of low-flow discharge levels below the midline of the pipes.

[0014] However, with regard to measuring runoff water levels using hydraulic structures measured directly in the channel, there have been several developments addressing this concept due to its simplicity in relatively narrow channels. One difficulty with this concept is the need for supports on both sides of the channel, which is difficult for relatively wide channels (e.g., channels greater than 6 meters) and requires an assembly structure that requires trucks for transportation and cranes for assembly. Examples of this type of installation can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,907,779 and 8,474,327. U.S. Patent No. 6,907,779 describes a continuous flow measurement recorder for measuring water flow in an open channel, in which an ultrasonic sensor acquires upstream measurements of an artificial channel placed in the open channel. Meanwhile, U.S. Patent No. 8,474,327 teaches an acoustic flow measurement set for pipes or open channels via an acoustic transducer to measure flow velocity. However, both patents observe that components of the respective systems can be easily destroyed or damaged by the actions of third parties or environmental conditions.

[0015] Furthermore, none of the conventional systems using still water wells or the like provide a satisfactory solution to the problem of distance measurement errors between the sensor and the free water surface. This problem is caused by temperature differences in the air along the ultrasonic path, and an incorrect reference temperature can lead to errors in the speed of sound used to calculate distance. This is mainly due to the characteristics of the sensor installation, which do not provide sufficient insulation or the components are not positioned in a way that allows the measurement of a reference temperature close to the average temperature between the sensor and the water.

[0016] Finally, there are many methods for remote flow measurement based on area velocity. The most commonly used methods are transit time, consistent Doppler, inconsistent Doppler, and laser Doppler. A common element of all these measurement configurations is that the measurement components must be assembled on the wall or bottom of the channel, separate from the location where the signal is interpreted, data is recorded, and transmitted. This method of locating components in the channel or on the side of the channel can expose the device to theft, and therefore requires the installation of a fence around the measurement area to prevent theft and damage to the equipment.

[0017] Therefore, a vandal-proof installation system for monitoring water physical variables in open channels must not only provide a comprehensive solution in terms of accurate and reliable measurement of water physical variables, but also have a compact and safe design that allows users to trust the system's autonomy and robustness, allowing multiple systems to be installed along a waterway without having to worry about constant inspection and component repair, eliminating the need to shut down the waterway to add measurements, and eliminating the need for additional civil engineering work to operate the system. This allows for a system that can be quickly installed at the work site without the need for special equipment or qualified personnel. Summary of the Invention

[0018] The present invention relates to a vandal-proof mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in natural and artificial open waterways, allowing measurements to be carried out in an environment free from physical and climatic interference, while providing security and autonomy to one or more of its components to avoid damage or theft of said components.

[0019] In this sense, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a vandal-proof mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water in open waterways comprises: a first member having a base with a plurality of through holes for receiving a plurality of anchoring means for securing the first member to a mounting surface of the system; a second member secured to the first member of the system by a plurality of anchoring means; a third member disposed externally and attached to the first and second members by anchoring means from the interior of the system; a fourth member rotatably disposed below the third member; Equipped with the first member comprises a plurality of compartments housing a plurality of devices for operation of the system and for monitoring physical variables to be protected by the system; The system includes an energy generating device and a plurality of safety devices, and the fourth member is secured to a third member of the system.

[0020] This embodiment of the invention provides a compact, low-visibility system, and by assembling four parts, provides a solution that is much more difficult for a third party to tamper with or steal one or more of the components.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of devices for operation of the system and for monitoring physical variables corresponds to a plurality of batteries, at least one moisture protection device, at least one energy measurement and communication controller device, at least one ultrasonic sensor, and at least one wireless communication antenna.

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the energy generating device is a photovoltaic panel.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a fourth member is provided having an impact resistant cover over the energy generating device, and both the energy generating device and the impact resistant cover are supported by a rear support of the energy generating device.

[0024] The fact that the energy generating device is a photovoltaic panel and that it is inserted with the system of the invention makes it possible to obtain a completely vandal-proof mounting system, since all the parts of the system are a single unit protected by its different members and protected by an impact-resistant cover that allows the photovoltaic panel to receive sufficient solar radiation to power the battery of the system, and therefore the photovoltaic panel is not exposed, as in some solutions of the prior art, where the photovoltaic panel is mounted on a pole or the like and is easily accessible to third parties.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, the plurality of devices for the operation of the system and for monitoring the physical variables comprises at least one camera that acts as a means for monitoring the condition of the waterway, for checking the presence of debris or foreign objects, and for checking the water level, thereby allowing the operator of the system to visually monitor the operation of the system and the flow of the waterway, and to visually prove if the system provides data that suggests something is wrong with the waterway, such as water theft or the waterway being blocked by the presence of waste.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises at least one element attached to the third member for measuring the water level.

[0027] According to another embodiment of the invention, the element for measuring the water level is a radar device.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a module for measuring the outflow velocity profile laterally or at the bottom of the waterway, the module having two parts fixed to the inner member of the system and supporting an apparatus equipped with a number of transducers for measuring average velocities by Doppler effect, transit time or other similar methods, the module extending to the wall of the waterway or to the bottom fixed to the wall of the waterway by a number of anchor means.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises a housing element above the waterway fixed to the inner member of the system by anchoring means, the end of which is fitted with a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring the surface current velocity and the outflow water level in the waterway.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises an element above the waterway fixed to the inner member of the system by anchoring means, the end of which is fitted with a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring the surface current velocity and the outflow water level in the waterway.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the system further comprises an additional module attached to the bottom of the system fixed via anchor means, inside which a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and an apparatus for measuring the surface flow velocity and outflow water level in the waterway are arranged.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the system further comprises a preferably horizontal arm attached to the lower part of the system, one end of the arm being fixed to the lower part via anchor means, and the other end of the arm being fixed via anchor means and having an additional module attached thereto, the additional module being fixed thereto, and a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring the surface current velocity and the outflow water level in the waterway arranged inside the additional module. This configuration makes it possible to prevent interference between the radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and the wall of the waterway when the radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor is arranged in a housing element fixed to the wall of the waterway. The acoustic or electromagnetic waves may be interfered with by the proximity of the wall and hydraulic structures close to the wall, and also, due to the sloping wall, lowering the water level in the waterway will prevent the distance between the sensor and the free water surface from being measured.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the invention, the installation surface of the system corresponds to the upper end of one of the walls of the waterway.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, the installation surface of the system corresponds to a bridge that crosses the waterway laterally and is attached to the upper end of the wall of the waterway via anchoring means.

[0035] The invention also refers to a procedure for assembling a vandal-proof mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water in open channels based on the system described above, the mounting procedure for the components of said system making it possible to obtain all the advantages described above in that it allows accurate and interference-free measurements, in addition to providing adequate security to avoid the destruction or theft of part or all of said system.

[0036] In accordance with this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the procedure for assembling a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in an open waterway comprises: (i) fastening the first member to a mounting surface of the system by inserting a plurality of anchoring means into a plurality of through holes provided in the first member; (ii) securing a second member to the first member by a plurality of anchoring means; (iii) fastening an externally disposed third member to the first and second members by anchoring means from inside the system; (iv) a fourth member is rotatably disposed below the third member; (v) housing a plurality of devices to be protected by the system in a plurality of compartments of the first member; (vi) providing an energy generating device in the system; (vii) providing a plurality of safety devices on the fourth member to secure the fourth member to a third member of the system; This includes:

[0037] According to another embodiment of the present invention, providing the energy generating device in the system further includes disposing the energy generating device with an impact resistant cover of the fourth member on the energy generating device, the energy generating device corresponding to a solar power panel.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the step includes providing a rear support for the solar power generation panel on the fourth member to support the solar power generation panel and the impact-resistant cover. body The method further includes providing:

[0039] According to another embodiment of the invention, the procedure further comprises attaching to the third member at least one element for measuring the water level.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the invention, the procedure further comprises attaching to the inner member of the system a module for measuring the outflow velocity profile in the waterway at the side or bottom of the waterway, the module having two parts fixed to the inner member and supporting an apparatus with multiple transducers for measuring velocities by Doppler effect, transit time or other similar methods, and extending to the wall of the waterway or to the bottom fixed to the wall of the waterway by multiple anchor means.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention, the procedure further comprises mounting above the waterway an element fixed to the inner member by anchoring means, the end of which is fitted with a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring surface current velocities and outflow water levels in the waterway.

[0042] According to another embodiment of the invention, the procedure further comprises attaching an additional module to the lower part of the system fixed via anchor means, inside which a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and an apparatus for measuring the surface flow velocity and the outflow water level in the waterway are arranged.

[0043] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the procedure further includes attaching an arm to a lower part of the system, fixing one end of the arm to the lower part via an anchor means, and attaching the other end of the arm to the additional module fixed via the anchor means, and placing a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and an apparatus for measuring the surface flow velocity and outflow water level of the waterway inside the additional module.

[0044] From the above it can be seen that the present invention offers several specific advantages over existing solutions in addition to those already mentioned: -The problem of unreliable stilling wells for measuring canal outflow water levels due to sediment and clogging in the stilling wells and the pipes connecting the stilling wells to the canal is solved. - The problem of temperature stratification in still water wells resulting from non-representative measurements of temperature for transit time calculations is solved. - In addition to the cost of the construction of the structure, the need to shut down the waterway for the installation, construction, and modification of civil works of bypasses, as well as the construction of stilling wells to stabilize the waves on the free water surface of the waterway, are avoided. -Avoiding the high visual impact of photovoltaic panels and telemetry stations on existing systems and facilities. - Damage to the solar panels due to weather influences (hail, wind-induced branch collisions, etc.) and bird collisions with the panel surface are avoided. -The risk of the system or its components being sabotaged by third parties with the intent of damaging or misusing them is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0045] As part of this invention, the following representative drawings illustrating preferred configurations of the invention are presented and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0046] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a prior art waterway monitoring solution. [Figure 2]FIG. 1 shows a prior art waterway monitoring solution. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows a prior art waterway monitoring solution. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 shows a prior art waterway monitoring solution. [Figure 5] 1 shows an additional solution for waterway monitoring according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 shows an additional solution for waterway monitoring according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 shows an additional solution for waterway monitoring according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 8] 1 shows an additional solution for waterway monitoring according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 9] 1 shows an additional solution for waterway monitoring according to the prior art; FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is an isometric view of the main components separated from a first preferred configuration of a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water disposed in an open water channel. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is an isometric view of the main components separated from a first preferred configuration of a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water disposed in an open water channel. FIG. [Figure 12] 1 is an isometric view showing a first preferred configuration of a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water placed in an open and assembled flume. FIG. [Figure 13] 1 is an isometric view showing a first preferred configuration of a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water placed in an open and assembled flume. FIG. [Figure 14] 1 is an isometric view of a second preferred configuration of a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring physical variables of water, deployed in an open waterway in accordance with a preferred configuration of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchoring means of a system according to the first and second preferred configurations of the present invention; [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first member of a system according to a second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 17]FIG. 10 is a diagram of a device arranged in a first component of a system according to a second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of a second member of a system according to a second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of a third member of the system according to the second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of a fourth member of the system according to the second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of photovoltaic panels in a system according to a second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the arrangement of ultrasonic sensors and cameras in a system according to a second preferred configuration of the present invention. [Figure 23] 22 shows the arrangement of the system shown in FIG. 21 mounted on a bridge over a waterway, with an additional vandal-proof mounting module equipped with insulation containing sensors for measuring the water level and surface flow velocity of the waterway. [Figure 24] FIG. 10 is a detailed view of an additional vandal-proof mounting module with insulation having sensors for measuring water level and surface current velocity in the waterway. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] With reference to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 to 4 show a prior art solution for waterway monitoring in which a stilling well is used. Several problems can be observed therein, which are solved by the present invention. One of them is related to the installation space of the system (Figures 1 and 2), which occupies a large area that must be protected by concrete civil works in addition to protective measures such as iron bars and barbed wire. Furthermore, the photovoltaic panels that power the system are highly visible, which can attract third parties to the system's installation site and lead to vandalism.

[0048] Figure 3 shows the stilling well of the system in Figure 1, which is dirty and full of sediment, one of the problems these systems failed to address. The accumulated dirt clogs the stilling well's water conveyance pipe, preventing it from reflecting the true water level in the canal and making it impossible to identify the exact moment when the water level transmission from the canal to the stilling well is delayed or blocked. To avoid this, this type of system must be continuously cleaned, which incurs a non-trivial expense. It is also important to note the level of civil engineering involved in the measurement, which requires the canal to be shut down and infrastructure to be installed, making the system expensive and time-consuming to implement.

[0049] 5 to 7, various solutions can be seen that aim to solve the problems of civil engineering works associated with prior art monitoring systems. However, it can be noticed that in all cases, these solutions suffer from vandalism by third parties who manage to breach the security system of said system and steal components. This is mainly because, although these solutions save installation space, they do not take into account the reduction in the visibility of the photovoltaic panels, which attracts third parties, and / or they reduce the level of protection of the system, making it easier to breach using, for example, cutting tools or levers.

[0050] Finally, Figures 8 and 9 show a prior art monitoring station with algae deposits completely covering the water pipe, demonstrating the importance of constant maintenance for this type of system to operate correctly and accurately. Figure 9 shows the same monitoring station from a different perspective, showing that the door has been removed and completely vandalized from the inside. Furthermore, an existing bridge in the same location has had its railings virtually completely stolen, leaving only the center section, demonstrating how vulnerable vandals are to such an isolated location, which makes continuous and effective monitoring impossible. Therefore, a safer and more reliable waterway monitoring system is needed to maintain continuous and accurate monitoring of waterways without increasing installation costs.

[0051] Meanwhile, in a first preferred configuration, the vandal-proof mounting system (1) for monitoring water physical variables in natural and artificial open waterways according to the present invention is positioned and installed at one end of the waterway (100), as shown in Figures 10 to 13. The first member (10) is composed of a base (10a), a first element (10b), and a second element (10c), and is positioned so that a portion of the base (10a) of the first member (10) is above the water surface. The portion of the first member (10) remaining at one end of the waterway (100) is fixed to the waterway (100) by at least three anchoring means (13), as shown in detail in Figure 15.

[0052] In the same Figures 10 to 13, it can also be seen that the system (1) has a second member (20) that is mounted on the system (1) in such a way that it can be rotated relative to the first member (10) or can be completely removed onto the first member (10).

[0053] By assembling the first and second members, a series of compartments are formed inside the system (1) that house all the devices, sensors, storage elements, and / or energy conversion devices, etc., required for the operation of the system (1), and by fixing the first and second members to the system (1), it is secure and inaccessible to third parties who may try to access it.

[0054] Finally, in FIG. 13, it can be seen that the system (1) comprises a housing element (51) and a camera (52), with the housing element (51) containing a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor (53) and a device (54) (see FIG. 24) for measuring surface current velocity and outflow water level in the waterway. The placement of the ultrasonic sensor (53) within the housing element (51), in addition to providing thermal insulation within the system (1), has the unexpected effect of allowing thermocouples inside or outside the sensor (53) to experience lower temperature variations and approach the temperature of the air mass between the sensor (53) and the water surface. This reduces the exposure to temperature variations that could erroneously reflect a reference temperature when calculating distance from ultrasonic transit time measurements, achieving more accurate measurements. This is a technical improvement that none of the currently offered solutions address or suggest.

[0055] With reference to Figure 14, a second preferred configuration of the technique is shown in which a vandal-resistant mounting system (1) for monitoring water physical variables in natural and man-made open waterways is positioned and installed at one end of the waterway (100). Unlike the first preferred configuration, the base (11) of the first member (10) is positioned in a position that allows a portion of the base (11) of the first member (10) to be above the water surface (see Figure 16). In the first preferred configuration described, the portion of the first member (10) remaining at one end of the waterway (100) is secured to the waterway (100) by at least three anchoring means (13), as can be seen in detail in Figure 15.

[0056] Another important difference between the first preferred configuration and the second preferred configuration depicted in Figure 14 relates to the fact that the system (1) in this second preferred configuration is comprised of four members (10, 20, 30, 40) that are secured in this same order to form the system (1). The details of the securing of each of these members can be seen in more detail in Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20.

[0057] In this sense, as can be seen in Figure 14, the fourth member (40) has a different shape so as to be able to receive an energy generating device such as a photovoltaic panel.

[0058] As with the first preferred configuration, the assembly of the four elements (10, 20, 30, 40) creates a series of compartments inside the system (1) that house all the devices, sensors, storage elements and / or energy conversion devices etc. required for the operation of the system (1), and the four elements are fixed to the system (1) to provide a secure solution, preventing access by third parties who may try to gain access.

[0059] The manner in which the first member (10) is secured by the anchoring means (13) can be seen in Figure 16, where the anchoring means (13) passes through at least three through holes (12) in the first member (10) and thereby secures it to the end face of the waterway (100).

[0060] The number of anchoring means (13) required to secure the first member (10) to the installation surface (100) will vary depending on the imperfections present in the ground such as defects in the concrete, ironwork, stones, etc., and will generally be between at least three anchoring means (13) and nine anchoring means (13).

[0061] In the same Figures 16 and 17, four compartments (14) can be seen in which various devices (50) are placed that allow the system to operate and measure the physical variables of the water. Within the four compartments (14) are batteries, moisture protection devices, energy measurement and communication controller devices, ultrasonic sensors, cameras, and wireless communication antennas that can operate via cellular networks such as 2G, 3G, 4G, and / or independent wireless networks (5 GHz, 24 GHz bands, or similar). The combined use of these devices (50) allows the system to be remotely monitored without the need for a user's presence, who can receive measurements made by the system via a computer, smartphone, or other means capable of receiving information via the Internet or Bluetooth.

[0062] By having the possibility of transmitting information wirelessly, the system of the present invention allows the connection of several systems (1) along a waterway, with one of these systems (1) acting as a gateway for the remaining systems (1). This makes it possible to have a main system (gateway) with all the features described in the present invention, and additional smaller systems (1) that only get the necessary information from the waterway transmitted to the main system (1), consolidate the received information and transmit it to the user. Information can be transmitted between the systems by radio waves of the LoRa type or by other similar means that allow transmitting information wirelessly.

[0063] Figures 18 and 19 show the arrangement of the second member 20 and the third member 30, respectively, in the system 1. The second member 20 is fixed around the side of the first member 10 via a plurality of anchoring means. Similarly, the third member 30 is attached to the first member 10 and the second member 20 from the inside by anchoring means, so that the anchoring means cannot be removed from the outside.

[0064] 20 illustrates the arrangement of the fourth member 40 in the system 1, allowing it to be pivoted open to access the system's 1 equipment 50. Also visible is an energy generating device 41 corresponding to a photovoltaic panel mounted on the inner surface of the fourth member 40, allowing the system 1 to operate as a single unit without the need for other components external to the system 1 and without exposing it to vandalism. Also visible is a rear support 43 that supports the photovoltaic panel 41, along with the impact-resistant cover disposed thereon, so that it is fully positioned within the system 1.

[0065] Similarly, Figure 21 is an isometric view of the system (1), showing the front of the fourth member (40). An impact-resistant cover (42) is placed on the front side of the solar panel (41) to cover the surface of the solar panel (41), preventing damage to the solar panel (41) while allowing the solar panel (41) to continue receiving normal solar radiation. Furthermore, two safety devices (44) are placed behind the impact-resistant cover (42), and these elements are hooked onto the third member (30). This secures both members (30, 40) and prevents third parties from accessing the components of the system (1).

[0066] Referring to FIG. 22, a view of the system 1 from the water surface is shown, revealing the placement of the housing element 51 and camera 52, which offers the same advantages as those described for the first preferred configuration. The housing element 51 houses a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor 53 and a device for measuring surface current velocity and outflow water level 54 within the waterway. The placement of the ultrasonic sensor 53 within the housing element 51 not only provides insulation within the system 1, but also has the unexpected benefit of allowing the thermocouple within the sensor 53 to experience lower temperature variations, closer to the temperature of the air mass between the sensor 53 and the water surface. This reduces the exposure to temperature variations that could erroneously reflect a reference temperature when calculating distance from ultrasonic transit time measurements, resulting in more accurate measurements. This is a technical improvement that none of the currently offered solutions address or suggest.

[0067] 23, an isometric view of the system can be seen, showing its installation on a bridge across a waterway that serves as the mounting surface (100). This arrangement allows for the placement of an additional module (60) that is mounted on the underside of the system (1) and includes both a waterway height sensor (53) and a surface current measurement device (54).

[0068] Finally, with reference to FIG. 24, there is shown in detail an additional module (60) with anti-vandal and technical features, carrying sensors and devices (53, 53) capable of measuring water level and surface current velocity.

[0069] The arrangement shown in Figures 23 and 24 prevents interference between the radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor (53) and the waterway walls, which frequently occurs in some existing solutions of the prior art when the radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor (53) is located within the housing element (51), and which can lead to the system operator making incorrect decisions and ultimately to the implementation of expensive solutions due to erroneous readings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1. Vandal-proof mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in open waterways 10 First member 10a base 10b First Element 10c Second Element 11 Base 12 through holes 13 Anchoring means 14 plots 20 Second member 30 Third member 40 Fourth member 41 Energy Generator 42 Impact-resistant cover 43 Rear support body 44 Safety equipment 50 equipment 51 Housing element 52 Camera 53 Radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor 54 Surface flow velocity and runoff water level measuring device 60 additional modules 100 Installation surface

Claims

1. 1. A vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in an open waterway, comprising: a first member having a base with a plurality of through holes for receiving a plurality of anchoring means for securing the first member to a mounting surface of the system; a second member secured to the first member of the system by a plurality of anchor means; a third member disposed externally and attached to the first and second members by anchoring means from the interior of the system; a fourth member rotatably disposed below the third member; Equipped with the first member comprises a plurality of compartments housing a plurality of devices for operation of the system and for monitoring physical variables to be protected by the system; the system includes an energy generating device and a plurality of safety devices, and the fourth member is secured to a third member of the system. Vandal-proof mounting system.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of devices for operating the system and for monitoring the physical variables corresponds to a plurality of batteries, at least one moisture protection device, at least one energy, measurement and communication controller device, at least one ultrasonic sensor, and at least one wireless communication antenna.

3. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the energy generating device is a photovoltaic panel.

4. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising the fourth member having an impact resistant cover over the energy generating device, both the energy generating device and the impact resistant cover being supported by a rear support of the energy generating device.

5. A system as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the plurality of devices for operating the system and for monitoring the physical variables also comprises at least one camera that operates as a means for monitoring the state of the open waterway, checking for the presence of debris or foreign objects, and checking the water level.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one element attached to the third member for measuring water level.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the element for measuring water level is a radar device.

8. 8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a module fixed to an inner member of the system for measuring the outflow velocity profile in the open channel, the module supporting an apparatus with a number of transducers for measuring mean velocity by Doppler effect, transit time or other similar methods, the module being fixed to the wall of the open channel by a number of anchor means.

9. 9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a housing element above the open water channel fixed to an inner member of the system by anchoring means, the end of which is fitted with a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring surface current velocity and outflow water level in the open water channel.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an additional module attached to a lower part of the system fixed via an anchor means, wherein a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring the surface flow velocity and outflow water level of the open water channel are arranged inside the additional module.

11. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an arm attached to a lower part of the system, one end of the arm being fixed to the lower part via an anchor means, and the other end of the arm being attached to an additional module fixed via an anchor means, the additional module having a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and a device for measuring the surface flow velocity and outflow water level of the open water channel arranged inside the additional module.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the installation surface of the system corresponds to one upper end of the wall of the open water channel.

13. 12. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the installation surface of the system corresponds to a bridge that crosses the open channel laterally and is attached to the upper end of the wall of the open channel via anchoring means.

14. 1. A procedure for assembling a vandal-resistant mounting system for monitoring water physical variables in an open waterway, comprising: (i) fastening the first member to a mounting surface of the system by inserting a plurality of anchoring means into a plurality of through holes provided in the first member; (ii) securing a second member to the first member by a plurality of anchor means; (iii) securing an externally disposed third member to the first and second members by anchoring means from inside the system; (iv) a fourth member is rotatably disposed below the third member; (v) housing a plurality of devices to be protected by the system in a plurality of compartments of the first member; (vi) providing the system with an energy generating device; (vii) providing a plurality of safety devices on the fourth member to secure the fourth member to a third member of the system; The procedure includes:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing the energy generating device to the system further comprises disposing the energy generating device with an impact resistant cover of the fourth member on the energy generating device, the energy generating device corresponding to a solar photovoltaic panel.

16. The process of claim 15 further comprising providing a rear support for the photovoltaic panel on the fourth member for supporting the photovoltaic panel and the impact resistant cover.

17. The procedure of any one of claims 14 to 16, further comprising attaching to said third member at least one element for measuring the water level.

18. A procedure as described in any one of claims 14 to 17, further comprising attaching to an inner member of the system a module for measuring the outflow velocity profile within the open channel, the module supporting an apparatus with multiple transducers for measuring average velocity by Doppler effect, transit time, or other similar methods, and fixed to the wall of the open channel by multiple anchor means.

19. 19. A procedure according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising mounting above the open channel a housing element fixed to the inner member by anchoring means, the end of which is fitted with a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and with devices for measuring surface current velocities and outflow water levels in the open channel.

20. The procedure according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising attaching an additional module to a lower part of the system fixed via anchor means, in which a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and an apparatus for measuring the surface flow velocity and the outflow water level of the open water channel are arranged.

21. The procedure according to any one of claims 14 to 18, further comprising: attaching an arm to a lower part of the system, fixing one end of the arm to the lower part via an anchor means, and attaching the other end of the arm to an additional module fixed via the anchor means, and arranging a radar or ultrasonic water level measurement sensor and an apparatus for measuring the surface flow velocity and outflow water level of the open water channel inside the additional module.

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