JP2010008291A - Flowmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flowmeter in which respective flow rates of a fluid are appropriately maintained for two or more fluid supply places, and when it is necessary to know simultaneously in parallel whether the fluid is not flowing smoothly because of a certain cause, the flow rates can be measured strictly and automatically using a sensor and also the fluid can be visually and simultaneously monitored for the proper flow with respect to all of the pipes. <P>SOLUTION: The flowmeter 0100 includes two or more pipes 0110 which flow a fluid, consist of a transparent material at least partially, and are disposed adjacently in line; floats 0120 which are disposed in each pipe and change their site depending on flow rates; and detection sections 0130 which are disposed at back side of the two or more pipes disposed adjacently in line correspondingly to each pipe and detect the float site for each pipe; and can measure simultaneously the flow rates of the two or more channels, in which the sites of two or more floats can be taken by the detection sections and also the site of each float can be viewed from the front side of the two or more pipes disposed in line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow meter for measuring a fluid flow rate in a pipe, and more particularly to a flow meter capable of simultaneously measuring fluid flow rates in a plurality of pipes.

  Conventionally, a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid flowing in the pipe has been used for the purpose of monitoring whether or not a fluid such as lubricating oil is flowing properly in the pipe toward the supply destination. As a method of measuring the flow rate, for example, a float whose position changes in accordance with the flow velocity is arranged in the pipe, and a detection means for the distance between itself and the float is arranged outside the pipe, and based on the distance measured by the detection means. A method is used in which the flow rate is obtained based on the correspondence between the distance and the flow velocity (flow rate per unit time) acquired in advance. There are various specific detection means in this case, and those using electricity, magnetism, light, and the like, and visual observations are known.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a search coil is wound around a tube and a pair of excitation coils are wound around both ends thereof, and a secondary magnetic flux is induced in the float by magnetic fluxes in opposite directions generated by the excitation coil, Disclosed is a flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate of a fluid based on a change in the secondary magnetic flux accompanying a change in the position of the float accompanying a change in the flow rate by inducing an electromotive force in the search coil by the secondary magnetic flux of the float. (See Patent Document 1). Further, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a flow meter capable of measuring the flow rate of a fluid by visually reading a scale in which a change in the position of a float arranged in a hard glass tube is cut into the tube ( Non-patent document 1).
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-087019 NIPPON SPECIAL INSTRUMENTS CO., LTD. “Industrial Standard Type Floating Flowmeter” (http://www.flowmeter.co.jp/pdf/shiji08-3.pdf)

  By the way, in the situation of fluid flow measurement, for example, when lubricating oil is supplied into a plurality of engine cylinders simultaneously in a machine that simultaneously drives a plurality of engines, In many cases, it is necessary to know in parallel whether the flow rate is properly maintained. For this purpose, a flow meter is required which includes a plurality of pipes through which a fluid flows and the sensor can measure the flow rate of each pipe simultaneously or sequentially within a short time. In addition, when lubricating oil is supplied into a plurality of engine cylinders in parallel as described above, when the fluid does not flow smoothly in all or some of the pipes for some reason, engine seizure or the like In order to prevent this, it is necessary to immediately supply lubricating oil by other alternative means or stop the engine.

  However, in the method of detecting the flow rate using a sensor using electricity, magnetism, light, etc., there is a relatively high possibility that the detection means itself will break down, and with these means alone, the fluid can flow smoothly in the pipe. It is impossible to make a perfect response to the immediate response when it becomes out of flow.

  On the other hand, the method of visually reading the position of the float has the advantage that the problem of sensor failure is unlikely to occur. However, it is not necessary to monitor the strict flow rate and minimize the flow rate of the fluid. There is a limit in avoiding it.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the flow rate of the fluid is appropriately maintained at each of the plurality of fluid supply locations, as in the case of supplying lubricating oil into the plurality of engine cylinders in parallel. When it is necessary to know in parallel whether the fluid is not flowing smoothly, the flow rate can be accurately and automatically measured using a sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide a flow meter capable of simultaneously monitoring whether a fluid is flowing properly.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has a detection unit having a sensor capable of detecting the position of the float corresponding to the floats arranged in each of the plurality of pipes, and also floats of all these pipes by visual observation. A flow meter is devised in which the position of the detector is devised so that the position of the sensor can be viewed simultaneously.

  That is, among the present inventions, the first invention is a float in which at least a part for circulating a fluid is made of a transparent material and arranged adjacent to each other in a row, and the float is arranged in each tube and changes its position according to the flow velocity. And a flow meter capable of simultaneously measuring the flow rate of a plurality of flow paths comprising a detector that is arranged corresponding to each tube on the back side of a plurality of tubes arranged adjacent to each other in a row and detects the position of the float for each tube. In addition, the flowmeter is characterized in that the position of the plurality of floats can be acquired by the detection unit, and the positions of the floats can be simultaneously viewed from the front side of the plurality of tubes arranged in a row. .

  Moreover, 2nd invention provides the flowmeter which is the integral pipe structure by which the said pipe | tube was integrally molded on the basis of 1st invention.

  In addition, the third invention is based on the first or second invention, and the detection unit performs detection by irradiating light or electromagnetic waves, and irradiation for detection is performed in units of one float for each tube. Thus, a flow meter with reduced noise from adjacent adjacent pipes is provided.

  According to the present invention, as in the case where lubricating oil is simultaneously supplied into a plurality of engine cylinders, the flow rate of the fluid is appropriately maintained at each of the plurality of fluid supply locations, and the fluid does not flow smoothly for some reason. When it is necessary to know whether or not it is not simultaneously, the flow rate can be accurately and automatically measured using a sensor, and visual check can be made to confirm that all the fluids are flowing properly. It becomes possible to provide a flow meter that can be monitored simultaneously.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below. The relationship between the embodiments and the claims is as follows. The first embodiment mainly relates to claim 1 and the like, the second embodiment mainly relates to claim 2 and the like, and the third embodiment mainly relates to claim 3 and the like. In addition, this invention is not limited to these Examples at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof.

<Overview>
The flow meter of the present embodiment enables simultaneous measurement of the flow rate of the plurality of flow paths by detecting the position of the float in the pipe only from the back side of the plurality of pipes, and visually checks the position of each float from the front side of the pipe. This is a flow meter characterized in that it can be used.

<Configuration>
(General)
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a flow meter of the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the “flow meter” 0100 of the present embodiment has a plurality of “tubes” 0110 arranged adjacent to each other in a row (only the leftmost one is attached for the sake of simplicity, but this is shown in the figure). The same is true for the following floats and detectors), a plurality of “floats” 0120 arranged in each of these tubes, and arranged on the back side of these tubes corresponding to each tube. It consists of a plurality of “detecting units” 0130. In addition, since this figure is a conceptual diagram to the last, it does not accurately show the shape, size ratio, and positional relationship of the pipe, float, and sag detector in an actual flow meter. The actual shape, size, and positional relationship of each component of the flow meter may be arbitrary as long as each required function can be exhibited (the same applies to other conceptual diagrams).

  In addition, the display part 0150 for displaying a detection result for every pipe | tube may be connected to the detection part. The display unit in this figure is an example in which the relative change position in the entire pipe of the float for each pipe is visually displayed as a corresponding position in the indicator. For example, since the float of the rightmost tube is located substantially at the center, a state in which the position is shown at the center of the indicator is reflected on the display unit.

(tube)
The “tube” is for circulating a fluid. As will be described later, since the position of the float is changed according to the flow velocity of the fluid in the pipe, the pipe is arranged substantially vertically, and the fluid flows in the pipe from the bottom to the top. In the example of this figure, the fluid flows in the direction of the arrow A through the pipe 0141 connected to the lower end of each pipe, flows into the pipe from the lower end of each pipe, and flows into the pipe 0142 connected to the upper end of the pipe. It flows out in the direction.

  Since the type of the fluid is not limited, the flow meter of the present embodiment can be widely applied when it is necessary to monitor whether the fluid is flowing properly. As the type of fluid, for example, lubricating oil supplied to a plurality of engine cylinders of the machine can be considered, but in addition to this, fuel oil, washing water, cooling water, or the like may be used.

  At least a part of the tube is made of a transparent material. Specific examples of the transparent material include acrylic resin and other transparent hard resins and transparent hard glass. The reason why the tube is made of a transparent material is that the float position in the tube can be visually observed from the front side. Therefore, “at least a part” of the tube is made of a transparent material, which means that the part necessary for visual observation of the float needs to be transparent, and in principle it is sufficient.

  Various detection methods using the detection unit are conceivable (specific examples will be described later), but when using a detection method using light, a portion of the tube used for this detection Is also made of a transparent material capable of transmitting light.

  In addition, as a factor limiting the material of the tube, it is desirable that the material of the tube is a non-magnetic material when detection is performed using magnetic force. From this point, acrylic resin and glass are examples of suitable materials. It is.

  The adjacent arrangement in a row may be an arrangement in which a plurality of separate and independent tubes are arranged as shown in the figure, or may be an arrangement in which a plurality of tubes are integrally molded. The latter example will be described later in another embodiment.

(float)
A plurality of “floats” arranged in each pipe is configured to change its position according to the flow velocity. As described above, the fluid flows in the pipe from the bottom to the top. Therefore, when no fluid flow occurs, the float sinks to the bottom (lower end) of the tube, and when the fluid flow occurs, the float floats upward. As the fluid flow rate increases, the float position changes upward.

  For this reason, the size of the float is set larger than the hole for allowing the fluid provided at the bottom of the tube to flow into the tube (see also FIG. 2 described later). Further, it is desirable that the shape of the float is such that the position change (ups and downs) according to such a flow velocity can be performed smoothly and stably. The float shown in this figure is a preferred example having a substantially spherical shape. On the other hand, the float material is not limited in principle. However, the float material may be limited in relation to the detection method described later, but this point will be described later.

(Detector)
The “detector” is arranged corresponding to each tube on the back side of a plurality of tubes arranged adjacent to each other in a row, and is configured to detect the position of the float for each tube.

  The reason for arranging all the detection parts on the back side of each tube is to make it possible to see the positions of all the floats simultaneously from the front side. In this regard, unlike the present invention, if one or two tubes are arranged, for example, an AC electric field and a core in which a coil is wound around both ends of the tube as conventionally used are arranged, Even in the method of detecting the position of the float from the magnitude of the electromotive force induced by applying a current to the coil, the float in the tube can be visually observed from the side of the tube. However, when arranging a plurality of tubes of three or more, such a method cannot be used because tubes other than the ends of the row cannot be silently viewed. Therefore, it is necessary to arrange all the detection units on the back side of each tube as in the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating the arrangement position of the detection unit in the flowmeter of the present embodiment. This figure shows a plurality of pipes similar to those shown in FIG. 1 and an arbitrary one of the corresponding sets of floats and detectors as viewed from the side surface direction (arrow C direction) in FIG. It shows the state. The arrangement positions of the detectors in all other groups are the same as in this figure, and a plurality of groups having such a similar arrangement relationship are arranged in a line (in the direction from the front to the back in FIG. 2). Will be.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the feature of the arrangement position of the detection unit 0230 in the flowmeter of the present embodiment is the back side (the right side in this figure) which is the same side in all of the plurality of tubes 0210 arranged adjacent to each other in a row. It is in the point arrange | positioned so that it may be located in. More specifically, the detection unit is fixedly disposed at a predetermined position in the vicinity of a substantially central portion of the tube on the back side of the tube. With such an arrangement, it is possible to accurately measure the distance from the floats 0220a and 0220b whose positions change in the pipe according to the flow velocity. In addition, since the position of the float changes according to the flow velocity, the relationship between the position of the float and the flow rate per unit time can be known in advance, and is uniquely determined by the distance measured by the detection unit fixedly arranged at a predetermined position. The flow rate per unit time can be obtained from the specified position of the float.

  For example, a float 0220b shown by a broken line in this figure is a position when no fluid is flowing, and is in a state of sinking to the bottom of the tube. At this time, the distance between the detection unit and the float is uniquely determined, and since this distance can be known in advance, the flow rate may be zero if the distance from the float measured by the detection unit shows this value. Recognize. As described above, the size of the float is set to be larger than the size of the hole for allowing the fluid provided at the bottom of the tube to flow into the tube, but also from this figure, the float 0220b sinking to the bottom of the tube. Is set to be larger than the dimension of the hole at the bottom of the tube (the diameter is indicated by L).

  Also, for example, the float 0220a shown by the solid line in this figure is a position when the fluid is flowing properly, and is pushed up to the center of the tube by the flow of fluid from the bottom to the top (in the direction of arrow D). It is in the state. The distance between the detection unit and the float at this time is also uniquely determined, and this distance can be known in advance, so if the distance from the float measured by the detection unit shows this value, the flow rate per unit time will be the flow velocity And how much fluid is flowing properly.

  In addition, as for the sensor of the detection part arrange | positioned on the back side of each pipe | tube corresponding to a some pipe | tube, you may make it arrange | position only one near the center of a pipe | tube like the example shown in FIG. A plurality of them may be arranged. FIG. 2 shows an example in which a total of three sensors of the detection unit corresponding to each pipe are arranged near the upper end, near the center, and near the lower end of the pipe. When a plurality of sensors are arranged in this way, the sensor closest to the float detects the distance from the float, so that a more accurate detection result can be obtained.

(Example of specific detection method)
Next, a specific method for detecting the distance from the float by the detection unit will be described. As described above, since the detection unit is disposed only on one side of the tube, the specific detection method according to the present invention is limited to a certain method, limited by this positional relationship.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of a specific method for detecting the distance from the float by the detection unit. This example is an example of a method using light. In the example of this figure, the detection unit 0430 includes a light 0331 for irradiating the float 0420 with light and a sensor 0332 for detecting the intensity of light reflected from the float. The float is a cylindrical metal float having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tube, and a through hole 0320a is provided in the central portion to allow fluid to flow in the D direction. It is desirable that the surface of the metal float be precisely finished so as not to absorb light or diffusely reflect light.

  The reason why the diameter of the float is made substantially equal to the inner diameter of the tube is to make the light reflection surface of the float as wide as possible. Another reason for this is to accurately measure the float position so that the float position does not move horizontally in the tube and approach or move away from the sensor.

  Moreover, the shape of the float of this figure is an example, and of course, it is needless to say that it may be a substantially spherical shape or other shapes as shown in FIG.

  With the above configuration, the distance from the float can be measured by irradiating the float from the light of the detector and detecting the intensity of the light reflected from the float with the light sensor of the detector. It becomes possible to know.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another example of a specific method for detecting the distance from the float by the detection unit. This example is an example of a method using magnetic force. In the example of this figure, the detection unit 0430 has a core 0432 around which a coil 0431 is wound. The float 0420 is a hard magnetic body having a cone shape and provided with a screw thread. Therefore, when the float is pushed upward from the bottom of the fluid (in the direction of arrow D), it rises while rotating horizontally in the direction of arrow E due to its screw shape, and even after staying at a fixed position according to the flow velocity. The horizontal rotation will continue. Therefore, an electromotive force is generated when the alternating magnetic field generated by the horizontal rotation of the float is linked to the coil of the detection unit, and the distance between the sensor and the float can be measured from the magnitude of the electromotive force. Further, the horizontal rotation in this manner allows the float to remain in that position in a stable state. It should be noted that the shape of the float in this drawing is an example, and may be a substantially spherical shape or other shapes as shown in FIG.

  Alternatively, in the configuration having a detection unit having a float that is a cone-shaped hard magnetic material but is not provided with a thread and a core around which the coil is wound as in FIG. 4, an alternating current is applied to the coil to generate an alternating magnetic field. The float may be rotated horizontally, and the distance between the sensor and the float may be measured from the magnitude of the electromotive force generated in the opposite direction, or the float horizontal due to inertia after the application is stopped. You may make it perform this measurement from the magnitude | size of the electromotive force produced by rotation.

  Further, a method using a soft magnetic float may be used. In this case, the method of disposing a core wound with the same coil as shown in FIG. 4 on the opposite side across the tube axis is to arrange the detection unit only on one side (back side) of the tube. In light of the feature of the present invention, the same core is disposed only on one side of the tube, the current is applied to the coil, and the magnetic field is applied to the float of the soft magnetic material. It is possible to use a method of magnetizing and detecting the magnetic field generated by this float.

(Acquisition of multiple float positions-other configuration examples of the detector)
In the above description, the example in which the same number of detection units including sensors as the tubes are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each tube has been described. However, the detectors of the present embodiment are not necessarily arranged for each tube in this way, and by providing a common detector corresponding to some of the plurality of tubes, the number of detectors can be reduced. The number may be smaller than the number, and the float position of all the tubes may be detected by one detection unit. When one detector detects the float position of all the tubes or some of the plurality of tubes, the detection is configured to sequentially perform one tube at a time. Further, even when a plurality of detection units are provided, detection may be sequentially performed for each tube.

Thus, by detecting the float positions of a plurality of tubes with a single detection unit, the space occupied by the entire flow meter can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to reduce variations in detection results based on individual differences in detection capabilities of sensors and the like constituting the detection unit.
A specific configuration for sequentially detecting one tube at a time will be described later in another embodiment.

(Visible configuration)
With the configuration including the arrangement of the detectors as described above, in the flowmeter of the present embodiment, the position of each float can be simultaneously observed from the front side of a plurality of tubes arranged in a row.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2 above, since the detection units corresponding to the plurality of tubes are all arranged on the back side (right side), there is no obstruction on the front side (left side) of the tube. The positions of the floats of all the tubes can be simultaneously confirmed visually with the eye 0260 from the front side.

  Conventionally, there have been flow meters or flow monitoring devices that allow the float position to be confirmed visually, but the flow meter of the present invention differs from the conventional one in that it accurately detects the float position using a sensor and detects the flow rate. Is provided with a means for measuring the measured value with a precise numerical value and used in combination with this, or as a backup means for such visual monitoring. In addition, such visual observation can be performed simultaneously on a plurality of tubes.

  As described above, for example, in a machine that drives a plurality of engines at the same time, it is necessary to supply lubricating oil into a plurality of engine cylinders simultaneously, so in this case, the fluid flows properly at a plurality of locations. Need to know what is. This detection is performed in real time, and if it is detected that the lubricant is not being supplied smoothly, the lubricant can be immediately supplied by other alternative means to prevent engine burn-in, etc. It is necessary to stop. In this case, if only the detection by the detection unit takes time to interpret the detection result, or if a failure occurs in the detection unit, it may be difficult to respond immediately. Therefore, by adopting a configuration like a flow meter as in this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously monitor all the floats in real time, and visually and intuitively determine the presence or absence of a smooth supply of lubricating oil or the like. This makes it easy to take necessary actions immediately.

<Effect>
According to the invention of this embodiment, the flow rate of the fluid is appropriately maintained at each of the plurality of fluid supply points, as in the case of supplying lubricating oil into a plurality of engine cylinders simultaneously in parallel, and the fluid is smoothly supplied for some reason. When it is necessary to know whether or not it is not flowing in parallel, the flow rate can be accurately measured using a sensor, and visually, it can be confirmed at the same time whether the fluid is flowing properly in all these tubes. It is possible to provide a flow meter that can be monitored.

<Overview>
The flow meter of this embodiment is basically the same as the flow meter of the first embodiment. However, the flow meter of the present embodiment is characterized in that adjacent pipes are integrally formed.

<Configuration>
(General)
Similarly to the flow meter of the first embodiment, the “flow meter” of the present embodiment also includes a plurality of “tubes” arranged adjacent to each other in a row, a plurality of “floats” arranged in each of these tubes, It consists of a plurality of “detecting units” arranged on the back side corresponding to each tube. However, the flowmeter of the present embodiment is an integral tube structure in which adjacent tubes are integrally formed.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a flow meter of the present embodiment. In this figure, only the tube 0510 is shown to avoid complication, and the float and the detection unit are not shown. 5A is a perspective view, and FIG. 5B is an XX cross-sectional view of FIG. 5A. In the example of this figure, six substantially cylindrical pipes are integrally formed in a state where they are connected at their respective substantially central portions. The material of the tube of this example is also preferably a transparent hard resin such as acrylic resin or transparent hard glass. For example, the tube is poured into a mold in a molten state and solidified to form an integral tube as shown in the figure. You can make a structure.

  By integrally molding in this way, it is possible to provide a flow meter that is easier to assemble and operate than when a plurality of independent tubes are arranged to form a flow meter.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the flowmeter of the present embodiment. In this figure, only the pipe 0610 is shown to avoid complication, and the float and the detection unit are not shown. Like FIG. 5, FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is an XX cross-sectional view of FIG. 6A.

  The characteristic of the example of this figure compared with the example shown in FIG. 5 is that the pipes on the cylindrical shape are not connected to each other at a substantially central portion, but are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped block so as to penetrate vertically. It is in the point formed in the state where two or more were arranged. The tube of this example can also be made by pouring a transparent hard resin or transparent hard glass into a mold in a molten state and solidifying it. From the viewpoint of the strength of the structure and the ease of molding, the example of FIG. 6 can be said to be more suitable than the example of FIG.

  FIG. 7A is a conceptual diagram showing another example of the flowmeter of the present embodiment. In this figure, only the tube 0710 is shown to avoid complication, and the float and the detection unit are not shown. Like FIG. 5, FIG. 7A is a perspective view, and FIG. 7B is an XX cross-sectional view of FIG. 7A.

  The configuration of the flow meter in this figure is substantially the same as that in FIG. 6 except that the shape of the tube is not a substantially cylindrical shape but a substantially rectangular tube shape. As a result, the flow meter of this figure has the same characteristics as the flow meter of FIG. 6 as described above, and the reflection of the sensor (the part that detects light) of the detection unit from the adjacent pipe or float. It is possible to perform more accurate detection. From this point of view, it is desirable that the float has a shape that does not reflect from an adjacent tube, such as a substantially cubic shape.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram comparing the difference in light reflection depending on the shape of the tube for reference. In the case where the horizontal cross section of the pipe and the float shown in FIG. 7A is substantially circular, in addition to the reflection from the float 0720 to be detected by the sensor 0732 of the detection unit and the pipe 0710 in which the sensor 0732 is disposed, While the reflection from the float 0721 arranged there is also received, when the horizontal cross section of the tube and the float shown in FIG. 7B is substantially square, the sensor 0732 of the detection unit is the float 0720 that is the detection target. It is shown that only the reflection from the tube 0710 in which it is arranged is received, and no reflection is received from the adjacent tube 0711 and the float 0721 arranged there.

<Effect>
According to the present invention, a flow meter that is easier to assemble and operate can be provided as compared with the case where a plurality of independent tubes are arranged to form a flow meter.

<Overview>
The flow meter of the present embodiment is basically the same as the flow meter of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. However, the flow meter of the present embodiment is characterized in that the detection unit performs detection by irradiating light or electromagnetic waves, and irradiation for detection is performed in units of one float for each tube.

<Configuration>
(General)
The flow meter of the present embodiment is basically the same as the flow meter of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. However, the flow meter of the present embodiment is configured such that the detection unit performs detection by irradiating light or electromagnetic waves, and irradiation for detection is performed in units of one float for each tube. According to this configuration, while irradiating the float of one tube, the other tube floats are not irradiated, so noise from adjacent adjacent tubes can be reduced.

  The operation for detection in this embodiment is limited to irradiation with electromagnetic waves or light. The reason why irradiation for detection is performed in units of one float in the case of such a method will be described as follows using an example using light. In other words, in the present invention, in order to make it possible to see the position of each float simultaneously from the front side of the plurality of tubes, the plurality of tubes are arranged adjacent to each other in a row. However, in the case of the detection method using light, if multiple tube floats are irradiated at the same time, the reflected light from the float of the adjacent tube will be reflected in addition to the reflected light from the target float to be detected by the detector. Since light is also detected, this becomes noise, which makes it difficult to accurately measure the float position, and thus accurately measure the fluid flow rate. Therefore, irradiation is performed in order of one float at a time, and while irradiating the float of one tube, irradiation is not performed on the float of the other tubes including the adjacent tube. In this way, the noise from the adjacent pipe is reduced, so that the accurate measurement of the float position and the accurate flow rate of the fluid can be performed.

  The number of detection units in the flowmeter of the present embodiment may be the same as the number of tubes in a one-to-one correspondence with each tube, or may be detected by providing a common detection unit corresponding to some of the tubes. The number of parts may be smaller than the number of pipes, or the float positions of all the pipes may be detected by one detection part. When the same number of detectors as the tubes are provided corresponding to each tube on a one-to-one basis, each detector sequentially performs irradiation for detection on the float of each tube while shifting the timing.

  FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a flow meter of the present embodiment. The example of this figure is an example comprised so that the float position of all the pipe | tubes might be detected by one detection part. In this figure, only the tube 0810 and the detection unit 0830 are shown to avoid complexity, and the illustration of the float is omitted.

  The example in this figure is an example of an integral tube structure similar to that shown in the second embodiment, but unlike this, the same tubes as shown in the first embodiment are arranged independently. May be. This figure shows an example in which a plurality of cylindrical tubes are formed in a substantially semicircular arc block so as to penetrate vertically.

  Moreover, in the example of this figure, only one detection part is arrange | positioned in the approximate center part of the circle | round | yen which an arc forms. Therefore, in actual detection, irradiation for detection is sequentially performed in units of one float with respect to the float of each tube in which a plurality of single detection units are arranged on an arc.

(Example of irradiation order in float units)
Next, a specific example of the irradiation order when the irradiation for detection is performed in units of one float in the flowmeter of the present embodiment will be described.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show some patterns regarding specific examples of the irradiation order. In each figure, assuming a flow meter having six pipes as shown in FIGS. 6, 7A and 7B, one float for a total of six floats arranged in each of these pipes. The pattern in which irradiation for detection is performed in order in units is shown (for convenience, from the leftmost tube float to the rightmost tube float in this order from “No. 1” to “No. (Indicated by serial numbers up to 6). Further, in each drawing, in order "M _1" and irradiation is intended to make one float, "M _2", indicated by reference character ....

9 starts from the irradiation “M _1” to the leftmost tube float (No. 1) in FIG. 6 and so on and sequentially radiates one by one to the right, and then irradiates the rightmost tube float (No. 6). After performing “M ₆ ”, the pattern returns to the float (No. 1) of the leftmost tube again to perform irradiation “M ₇ ”, and thereafter repeats irradiation in the same order. According to this pattern, it becomes possible to irradiate all the floats at equal intervals and with equal frequency.

10 starts from the irradiation “M ₁ ” to the leftmost tube float (No. 1) in FIG. 6 and so on, and sequentially irradiates the rightmost tube float (No. 6) one by one. After performing “M ₆ ”, the pattern is irradiated one by one to the left according to the reverse order. Then, after returning to the float (No. 1) of the leftmost tube and performing irradiation “M ₁₁ ”, the pattern repeats irradiation in the same order again. According to this pattern, the float to be irradiated is always a float that is adjacent to the float that was irradiated immediately before, so that it is not necessary for the detection unit to move wastefully, and the irradiation time required for one cycle. Can be kept to a minimum.

FIG. 11 shows a pattern in which the irradiation order is at random. For example, it is conceivable to sequentially irradiate in the order determined using a random number table. In this case, conditions may be set so that irradiation is performed on all the floats within a certain cycle. Further, conditions may be set so that the float to be irradiated does not become a float adjacent to the float that has been irradiated immediately before. The advantage of the latter is that if the irradiation is repeated at extremely short intervals, the next irradiation is performed while the afterglow of the previous irradiation remains, so the next irradiation is performed on the adjacent tube float. If this is done, accurate measurement may be difficult, and this can be avoided. Furthermore, when the acceleration of the float is measured and shows a certain value or more, it may be set so that the frequency of irradiation after the next time is increased. This merit is that when the float shows an acceleration of a certain value or more, there is a high probability that the fluid does not flow constantly, so it is easy to monitor this frequently and take the required processing in a timely manner. In the point.
Although the example of light irradiation has been described above, the same applies to the case of electromagnetic wave irradiation. That is, since noise can also be generated in the case of inducing electromotive force in a detection method using magnetic force, the detection unit detects each tube in the same manner as described above even when using such a detection method. By configuring the operation for 1 to be in units of 1 float, noise from adjacent tubes can be reduced.

<Effect>
According to the invention of the present embodiment, noise from adjacent adjacent pipes can be reduced, thereby enabling accurate float position measurement and accurate fluid flow rate measurement.

A conceptual diagram showing an example of a flow meter of Example 1 Conceptual diagram for showing the arrangement position of the detector in the flowmeter of Example 1 The conceptual diagram for demonstrating an example of the concrete detection method of the distance with the float by a detection part The conceptual diagram for demonstrating an example of the concrete detection method of the distance with the float by a detection part Schematic diagram showing an example of a flow meter of Example 2 Schematic diagram showing an example of a flow meter of Example 2 Schematic diagram showing an example of a flow meter of Example 2 Comparison of differences in light reflection due to tube shape Schematic diagram showing an example of a flow meter of Example 3 The figure shown about the specific example of the irradiation order in the flowmeter of Example 3 The figure shown about the specific example of the irradiation order in the flowmeter of Example 3 The figure shown about the specific example of the irradiation order in the flowmeter of Example 3

Explanation of symbols

0100 Flowmeter 0110 Tube 0120 Float 0130 Detection unit 0141 Pipe 0142 connected to the lower end of the tube Pipe 0150 connected to the upper end of the tube Display unit

Claims (3)

A plurality of tubes which are made of a transparent material and are arranged adjacent to each other in at least a part through which fluid flows;
A float which is arranged in each tube and changes its position according to the flow velocity;
A detection unit arranged corresponding to each tube on the back side of a plurality of tubes arranged adjacent to each other in a row, and detecting the position of the float for each tube;
A flowmeter capable of simultaneously measuring the flow rate of a plurality of flow paths comprising:
A flowmeter characterized in that the position of a plurality of floats can be acquired by a detection unit, and the positions of the floats can be simultaneously viewed from the front side of a plurality of tubes arranged in a row.   The flowmeter according to claim 1, wherein the pipe is an integral pipe structure in which adjacent pipes are integrally formed.   The detection part detects by irradiating light or electromagnetic waves, and the noise from the adjacent adjacent pipe is reduced by irradiating the detection for each pipe in units of one float. Flow meter.

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