Water Meter Test Bench Flow Control With Temperature Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional water meter test benches are manually controlled, leading to potential errors due to parallax issues, lack of repeatability, and inadequate temperature correction, which can affect the accuracy of fluid flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
An automated meter testing system that includes a programmable logic controller, a proportional integral derivative controller, and a V-ball valve for precise flow rate control, along with a thermocouple for temperature correction, to ensure accurate and repeatable testing of multiple water meters simultaneously.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual control is used for flow rate adjustment and measurement reading, then operation simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to parallax issues and human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reading with an automated optical/electronic reading system. The reader device automatically detects and records meter readings, eliminating parallax errors and human reading mistakes while maintaining ease of operation through automated data capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated reading device between the human operator and the meter display. This intermediary device accurately captures meter readings and transmits data to the control system, eliminating direct human observation errors.
2Measurement precision
If automated control systems are implemented for flow rate adjustment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where the actual flow rate is continuously monitored and compared with the target flow rate. The controller automatically adjusts the flow control valve based on this feedback to maintain precise flow rates, improving measurement accuracy through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs self-adjustment of flow rates without requiring manual intervention. The controller autonomously manages flow rate changes, meter reading acquisition, and data processing, reducing operational complexity despite increased system automation.
3Device complexity
If temperature correction is not applied, then measurement process is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inadequate temperature compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs temperature measurement and correction calculations in advance during the testing process. The system pre-determines temperature correction factors based on measured temperatures and applies them to the flow rate calculations, ensuring accurate compensation without adding significant process complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The automated system provides precise and repeatable fluid flow measurements, reducing human error and ensuring accurate meter calibration by automatically adjusting flow rates and accounting for temperature variations, thereby enhancing the reliability of water meter testing.
Implementation Method 1
a thermocouple for temperature correction
Implementation Method 2
a proportional integral derivative controller, and a V-ball valve for precise flow rate control
Data Source
AI summary
An automated meter testing system that includes a fluid inlet valve fluidly coupled both to a fluid source and an inlet on the at least one meter. The fluid source provides fluid pressure to move fluid through the at least one meter. A flow control valve is fluidly coupled to the at least one meter opposite the fluid inlet valve. A valve controller that operates the flow control valve. A controller is electrically connected to the valve controller. The controller sends at least one signal to the valve controller to incrementally open or restrict the flow control valve to increase or decrease a flow rate of the fluid through the at least one meter.