TWI848644B - Ultrasonic flow control device and liquid leak detection method for ultrasonic control device - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic flow control device includes an ultrasonic flow detection module and a control module. The ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed on a liquid tube, connected with a flow control valve, and configured to compute a flow value that liquid flows through the liquid tube. The control module is connected with the ultrasonic flow detection module and configured to determine whether to receive a signal indicating that the flow control valve is at a close state or a signal indicating that the flow control valve is at an open state; if receiving the signal of the close state, send a calibration signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module to zero the flow value; receive a first flow signal and a second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module; and determine that a liquid leak event occurs if determining based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal that a liquid leak condition is satisfied.

Description

Ultrasonic flow control device and liquid leakage detection method applied to ultrasonic flow control device

This case relates to a flow meter and a liquid detection method, in particular to an ultrasonic flow control device and a liquid leakage detection method applied to the ultrasonic flow control device.

In large-scale liquid transmission fields, pipeline configurations are complex and intertwined to meet application requirements. Take tap water transmission fields as an example, household pipes or industrial pipes are connected to water plants, and the pipes are interconnected to form a very large tap water pipeline system.

Generally speaking, users can evaluate whether a water leak has occurred based on empirical observation or water meter information. In a large water supply system, it is difficult to determine whether a water leak has occurred. The existing water supply system does not have an effective mechanism to detect water leaks. If a water leak does occur and cannot be detected, it will cause unnecessary waste of water resources.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic flow control device is disclosed, including an ultrasonic flow detection module and a control module. The ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed in a pipeline and connected to a flow control valve, and is configured to calculate a flow value of a liquid flowing through the pipeline. The control module is connected to the ultrasonic flow detection module and is configured to determine whether a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in a closed state or a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in an open state is received; if the closed state signal is received, a correction signal is sent to the ultrasonic flow detection module to return the flow value to zero; a first flow signal and a second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module are obtained, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module detects the first flow signal before receiving the correction signal and detects the second flow signal after receiving the correction signal; and if a liquid leakage condition is determined to be established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal, a liquid leakage event is determined to have occurred.

According to an embodiment of the present case, a liquid leakage detection method applied to an ultrasonic flow control device is disclosed, wherein the ultrasonic flow control device includes an ultrasonic flow detection module and a control module connected to the ultrasonic flow detection module, and the ultrasonic flow detection module is arranged in a pipeline and connected to a flow control valve on the pipeline. The liquid leakage detection method includes the following steps: calculating a flow value of a liquid flowing through a pipeline by an ultrasonic flow detection module; sending a correction signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module by a control module to return the flow value to zero; obtaining a first flow signal and a second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module by the control module, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module detects the first flow signal before receiving the intelligence signal, and detects the second flow signal after the ultrasonic flow detection module receives the correction signal; and if a liquid leakage condition is determined to be established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal, then determining that a liquid leakage event has occurred.

110: Ultrasonic flow detection module

120: Control module

300: Flow control valve

400:Pipeline

S210, S220, S230, S240, S250, S212, S214, S242, S244, S248: Steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic flow control device installed in a pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic flow control device installed in a pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG3 is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG4 is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG5 is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The following further describes the present invention in combination with the drawings and embodiments, so that relevant personnel in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can better understand the present invention and implement it accordingly, but the embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and "fifth" describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or parts, which should not be limited by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or part from another. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms such as "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and "fifth" used herein do not imply a sequence or order.

Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic flow control device arranged in a pipeline according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic flow control device includes an ultrasonic flow detection module 110 and a control module 120. The ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is arranged in the pipeline 400 and connected to the flow control valve 300.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is disposed at the upstream position of the pipeline 400, that is, the flowing liquid will first reach the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 and then reach the flow control valve 300.

The flow control valve 300 is installed in the pipeline 400 to control whether the liquid flows in the pipeline 400. If the flow control valve 300 is in a closed state, the liquid cannot flow through the flow control valve 300 in the pipeline 400. If the flow control valve 300 is in an open state, the liquid can flow through the flow control valve 300 in the pipeline 400.

In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is used to detect the water flow in the pipe 400 to generate a flow signal, and calculate the instantaneous flow value based on the flow signal. The ultrasonic flow detection module 110 calculates the flow value (total flow value) of the liquid in the pipe 400 flowing through the pipe 400 based on all instantaneous flow values over a period of time.

In one embodiment, the control module 120 determines whether a liquid leakage event occurs in the pipeline 400. For example, when the flow control valve 300 is closed, but the ultrasonic flow control device (such as through the ultrasonic flow detection module 110) still detects that there is liquid flowing in the pipeline 400, the control module 120 determines that a liquid leakage event occurs in the pipeline 400.

In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow control device is a flow meter using a Doppler method or a flow meter using a time difference method.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic flow control device according to an embodiment of the present invention being arranged in a pipeline. The ultrasonic flow control device of FIG. 2 is the same as the ultrasonic flow control device of FIG. 1, except that the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 of this embodiment is arranged at a downstream position of the pipeline 400, that is, the flowing liquid will first reach the flow control valve 300, and then reach the ultrasonic flow detection module 110.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The liquid leakage detection method can be performed by the ultrasonic flow control device of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In step S210, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 calculates the flow value of the liquid in the pipeline 400 flowing through the pipeline 400. The ultrasonic flow detection module 110 can use the time difference method or the Doppler method to measure the flow value of the liquid flowing through the pipeline 400.

In step S220, the control module 120 sends a calibration signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to reset the flow value of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to zero. In this embodiment, after the flow value of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is reset to zero, the flow value of the liquid flowing in the pipeline 400 is recalculated.

In step S230, the control module 120 obtains the first flow signal and the second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110. In one embodiment, the first flow signal is detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 before receiving the calibration signal and returning to zero, and the second flow signal is detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 after receiving the calibration signal and returning to zero.

In detail, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 continuously detects the flow signal to calculate the instantaneous flow value. Then, the control module 120 sends a correction signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module 110, and the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 will reset the current total flow value to zero according to the correction signal. After the flow value is reset to zero, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 continues to detect another flow signal to continue calculating the instantaneous flow value. Therefore, the first flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 before receiving the correction signal is the flow signal before reset, and the second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 after receiving the correction signal is the flow signal after reset.

In one embodiment, since the correction signal is between the first flow signal and the second flow signal, the control module 120 can use the correction signal as a reference to evaluate whether a liquid leakage event occurs by using the flow signal before and after the flow value is returned to zero.

In step S240, the control module 120 determines whether the liquid leakage condition is established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal.

If the liquid leakage condition is met, step S250 is executed. The liquid leakage condition will vary depending on the location of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 in the pipeline 400 (for example, the upstream location or downstream location of the pipeline 400), which will be explained later.

In step S250, the control module 120 determines that a liquid leakage event has occurred and generates a leakage warning signal. The control module 120 can transmit the leakage warning signal to the electronic device to remind the user that there may be a liquid leakage near the location of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 and/or the flow control valve 300. In this way, the user can directly know the location of the liquid leakage, which speeds up the user's leakage detection and repair.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The liquid leakage detection method can be performed by the ultrasonic flow control device of FIG. 1 (i.e., the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is disposed at an upstream position of the pipeline 400).

In step S210, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 measures the flow value of the liquid flowing through the pipeline 400.

In step S212, the control module 120 determines whether the state of the flow control valve 300 is switched to the closed state.

Under the premise that no liquid leakage occurs, if the flow control valve 300 is switched to a closed state, the liquid will accumulate in the upstream of the pipe 400, and the downstream of the pipe 400 will be an empty pipe (i.e., the liquid will flow out).

If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the open state, the liquid can flow freely from the upstream to the downstream of the pipeline 400.

If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the open state, execute step S214.

In step S214, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 continuously calculates the flow value of the liquid flowing through the pipeline 400.

If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the closed state, execute step S220.

In step S220, the control module 120 sends a calibration signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to reset the flow value of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to zero. After the flow value is reset to zero, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 continues to detect the flow signal and calculate the flow value.

In step S230, the control module 120 obtains the first flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 before returning to zero and the second flow signal detected after returning to zero.

In one embodiment, when the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is disposed at an upstream position of the pipeline 400, the liquid leakage condition is that the signal difference between the first flow signal and the second flow signal is greater than the threshold value.

In step S242, the control module 120 compares the first flow signal and the second flow signal based on the time sequence to obtain a signal difference.

In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow control device uses the time difference method to calculate the flow value, and the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 includes a signal transmitter and a signal receiver. In one embodiment, the first flow signal and the second flow signal are signals received by the signal receiver at the first time point and the second time point, respectively.

In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow control device uses the Doppler method to calculate the flow value, and the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 includes a sensor. In one embodiment, the first flow signal and the second flow signal are respectively a signal received by the sensor at a first time point and a signal received at a second time point, and the second time point is after the first time point.

In one embodiment, the time point at which the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 receives the calibration signal is between the first time point and the second time point.

In one embodiment, the control module 120 compares the signal values of the first flow signal and the second flow signal based on the same signal sampling point, and obtains the signal difference by calculating the difference between the two signal values at the same signal sampling point.

In step S244, the control module 120 determines whether the signal difference is greater than the threshold value. In one embodiment, since the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is set upstream, if the flow control valve 300 is closed, the liquid will accumulate upstream of the pipeline 400 (such as the left side of the flow control valve 300 in Figure 1). In other words, in the absence of liquid leakage, the upstream of the pipeline 400 will be filled with liquid.

If the signal difference is greater than the threshold value in step S244, it means that a liquid leakage event occurs in the pipeline 400. The cause of the liquid leakage event may be upstream damage of the pipeline 400 or failure of the flow control valve 300, etc.

In step S250, the control module 120 determines that a liquid leakage event has occurred and generates a leakage warning signal.

It is worth mentioning that steps S210, S220, S230 and S250 have been described above and will not be repeated here.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a flow chart of a liquid leakage detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The liquid leakage detection method can be performed by the ultrasonic flow control device of FIG. 2 (i.e., the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is disposed at the downstream position of the pipeline 400).

In step S210, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 calculates the flow value of the liquid in the pipeline 400 flowing through the pipeline 400.

In step S212, the control module 120 determines whether the state of the flow control valve 300 is switched to the closed state. If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the open state, the liquid can flow smoothly from the upstream to the downstream of the pipeline 400. If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the open state, step S214 is executed. If the flow control valve 300 is switched to the closed state, step S220 is executed.

In step S214, the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 continuously calculates the flow value of the liquid flowing through the pipeline 400.

In step S220, the control module 120 sends a calibration signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to reset the flow value of the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 to zero.

In step S230, the control module 120 obtains the first flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 before returning to zero and the second flow signal detected after returning to zero.

In one embodiment, when the ultrasonic flow detection module 110 is disposed at a downstream position of the pipeline 400, the liquid leakage condition is that the second flow signal is not zero.

In step S248, the control module 120 determines whether the second flow signal is not zero. If the second flow signal is not zero, step S250 is executed.

Under the premise that there is no liquid leakage, if the flow control valve 300 is switched to the closed state, the downstream of the pipeline 400 will be an empty pipe. At this time, the ultrasonic flow control device will not measure any signal. In other words, in the absence of liquid leakage, the second flow signal should remain zero.

When the second flow signal is not zero, it means that there is liquid flowing in the pipeline 400 and it is detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module 110.

In step S250, the control module 120 determines that a liquid leakage event has occurred and generates a leakage warning signal.

In one embodiment, the flow control valve 300 can be a water stopcock, a water meter switch, a water field switch, etc.

In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow control device has location information that records the location where the ultrasonic flow control device is set in the pipeline 400 (such as an address or pipeline code, etc.). After the ultrasonic flow control device determines that a liquid leakage event has occurred, the location information can be transmitted to an electronic device to prompt the user.

In one embodiment, the electronic device can communicate with multiple ultrasonic flow control devices and present a map through a graphical user interface. The location of the liquid leakage incident can be displayed on the map to facilitate user management and dispatch of personnel for maintenance.

In summary, the ultrasonic flow control device and the liquid leakage detection method applied to the ultrasonic flow control device proposed in this case can quickly detect whether there is liquid leakage in the pipeline, and can directly know the location of the liquid leakage, eliminating the need for users to eliminate the locations where liquid leakage may occur one by one, thereby increasing the efficiency of maintenance.

The above is only a better specific example of this case, and it does not limit the patent scope of this case. Therefore, all equivalent changes made by applying the content of this case are also included in the scope of this case and should be stated.

S210~S250: Steps

Claims (12)

An ultrasonic flow control device includes: an ultrasonic flow detection module, which is arranged in a pipeline and connected to a flow control valve, and is configured to calculate a flow value of a liquid flowing through the pipeline; and a control module, which is connected to the ultrasonic flow detection module and is configured to: determine whether a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in a closed state or a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in an open state is received; if the signal indicating the closed state is received, a correction signal is sent to the control module; The ultrasonic flow detection module returns the flow value to zero; obtains a first flow signal and a second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module detects the first flow signal before receiving the calibration signal, and detects the second flow signal after receiving the calibration signal; and if a liquid leakage condition is determined to be established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal, it is determined that a liquid leakage event has occurred. The ultrasonic flow control device as described in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed at an upstream position of the pipeline, and the control module determines whether the liquid leakage condition is established based on the first flow signal and the second flow signal. The ultrasonic flow control device as described in claim 2, wherein the control module is configured to compare the first flow signal and the second flow signal based on a time sequence to obtain a signal difference, the liquid leakage condition is that the signal difference is greater than a threshold value, and the control module is configured to determine that the liquid leakage event occurs when the flow control valve is in the closed state and the signal difference is greater than the threshold value. The ultrasonic flow control device as described in claim 1, wherein if the ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed at a downstream position of the pipeline, the control module determines whether the liquid leakage condition is established based on the second flow signal. The ultrasonic flow control device as described in claim 4, wherein the liquid leakage condition is that the second flow signal is not zero; the control module is configured to determine that the liquid leakage event occurs when the flow control valve is in the closed state and the second flow signal is not zero. An ultrasonic flow control device as described in claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module is configured to continuously calculate the flow value of the liquid when the flow control valve is switched to the open state. A liquid leakage detection method applied to an ultrasonic flow control device, wherein the ultrasonic flow control device includes an ultrasonic flow detection module and a control module connected to the ultrasonic flow detection module, the ultrasonic flow detection module is arranged in a pipeline and connected to a flow control valve on the pipeline, comprising: calculating a flow value of a liquid flowing through the pipeline by the ultrasonic flow detection module; judging whether a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in a closed state or a signal indicating that the flow control valve is in an open state is received; and if the control module receives the signal indicating that the flow control valve is in a closed state, the control module generates the signal indicating that the flow control valve is in an open state. The ultrasonic flow detection module receives a signal indicating a closed state, and then sends a correction signal to the ultrasonic flow detection module to reset the flow value to zero; the control module obtains a first flow signal and a second flow signal detected by the ultrasonic flow detection module, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module detects the first flow signal before receiving the correction signal and detects the second flow signal after receiving the correction signal; and if a liquid leakage condition is determined to be established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal, the control module determines that a liquid leakage event has occurred. The liquid leakage detection method as described in claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed at an upstream position of the pipeline, further comprising: determining whether the liquid leakage condition is established based on the first flow signal and the second flow signal by the control module. The liquid leakage detection method as described in claim 8, wherein the step of determining whether the liquid leakage condition is established based on at least one of the first flow signal and the second flow signal further includes: comparing the first flow signal and the second flow signal based on a time sequence to obtain a signal difference, wherein the liquid leakage condition is that the signal difference is greater than a threshold value; and if the flow control valve is in the closed state and the signal difference is greater than the threshold value, determining that the liquid leakage event has occurred. As described in claim 7, the liquid leakage detection method, wherein the ultrasonic flow detection module is disposed at a downstream position of the pipeline, and the step of determining whether the liquid leakage condition is satisfied further includes: determining whether the liquid leakage condition is satisfied based on the second flow signal. As described in claim 10, the liquid leakage detection method, wherein the liquid leakage condition is that the second flow signal is not zero, and the step of determining whether the liquid leakage condition is established further includes: if the flow control valve is in the closed state and the second flow signal is not zero, determining that the liquid leakage event has occurred. The liquid leakage detection method as described in claim 7 further includes: if the flow control valve is switched to the open state, the flow value of the liquid is continuously calculated.

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