• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    An ultrasonic consumption meter (10) is provided, which comprises a flow channel body (20) with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part (30) and a second body part (40), a first housing (50), mounted on the first body part (30), and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers (70a, 70b) for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit (80a) for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers (70a, 70b) and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter (10) further comprises a second housing (60), mounted on the second body part (40), and holding third and fourth ultrasonic transducers (70c, 70d) for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a second electronic circuit (80b) for operating the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers (70c, 70d) and calculating a second flow rate of the media. The invention also relates to a utility network, and to a method of verification of ultrasonic consumption meters, and allows ease of verification of ultrasonic consumption meters.
    公开号:DK201970238A1
    申请号:DKP201970238
    申请日:2019-04-15
    公开日:2019-10-30
    发明作者:Bjerring Lindballe Thue
    申请人:Apator Miitors Aps；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Ultrasonic Consumption Meter
    Field of the invention [0001] This invention concerns an ultrasonic consumption meter for metering utilities such as heating, cooling, water, or gas, a utility network comprising such ultrasonic consumption meter, and methods of verifying ultrasonic consumption meters.
    Background of the invention [0002] Consumption meters, such as ultrasonic consumption meters, which are used for billing purposes are subdued to regulatory demands. Such regulatory demands may be demands to the precision of the measurements. Regulatory demands require that meters are individually tested and verified according to national or international regulations prior to installation.
    [0003] Also after installation, at intervals, consumption meter should be tested and reverified, traditionally involving labour-consuming tasks such as uninstalling of the consumption meter at the consumer site, test and verification at an authorized facility, and subsequent re-installation of the consumption meter at the consumer site.
    [0004] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic consumption meter which allows an easy test and verification procedure.
    Summary of the invention [0005] In a first aspect of the invention an ultrasonic consumption meter is provided, which comprises a flow channel body with a flow channel for the media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, a first housing, mounted on the first body part and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding third and fourth ultrasonic transducers
    DK 2019 70238 A1 for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a second electronic circuit for operating the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers and calculating a second flow rate of the media.
    [0006] Thus the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention comprises a flow channel body onto which two housings are mounted, each housing holding two ultrasonic transducers and electronics therefore, making up a separate flow rate measuring unit. The ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention thus comprises two flow rate measuring units.
    [0007] In the context of the present invention “a flow rate measuring unit” should be understood as a unit, which, based on the flow of the media, measures the flow rate thereof or a volume of the media, accumulated over a specified period of time.
    [0008] Such duplication of flow rate measuring units allows for easy testing and verification of the ultrasonic consumption meter, as the measurements of the first flow rate measuring unit may be used for verification of the second flow rate measuring unit, or vice versa.
    [0009] Preferably the first flow rate measuring unit is a master flow rate measuring unit, and the second flow rate measuring unit is a slave flow rate measuring unit, the master flow rate measuring unit being the flow rate measuring unit used for billing purposes, and the slave flow rate measuring unit being used for verification of the master flow rate measuring unit. Optionally, the operation of the slave flow rate measuring unit is controlled by the master flow rate measuring unit.
    [0010] The flow channel body of the ultrasonic consumption meter has two body parts: A first body part holding the first housing and a second body part holding the second housing.
    [0011] The first and second body parts may be individual parts, which may be directly connected or connected via a connecting element.
    [0012] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the first body part and the second part are integrated, preferably provided as one monolithic part, making up
    DK 2019 70238 A1 an integrated flow channel body, such as an integrated flow channel body made from metal, such as brass, for example a monolithic flow channel body, for example comprising a monolithic piece of metal.
    [0013] An integrated flow channel body allows for ease of production and installation of the ultrasonic consumption meter at the consumer site.
    [0014] In embodiments of the invention the flow channel body may further hold one or more sensors for measurement of other parameters of the media, such as pressure, pressure gradients, temperature, noise, turbidity, and chemical or biological substances.
    [0015] In alternative embodiments of the invention such one or more sensors for measurement of other parameters of the media, such as pressure, pressure gradients, temperature, noise, turbidity, and chemical or biological substances are arranged with the second body part in substitution for the second housing with the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers and the second electronic circuit.
    [0016] In a second aspect of the invention a method of test and verification of the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect is provided, said method comprising the step of comparing the first flow rate of the media and the second flow rate of the media, and, if fulfilling a verification criterion, qualifying the ultrasonic consumption meter, and, if not fulfilling the verification criterion, disqualifying the consumption meter. A verification criterion may be defined by a set of verification sub-criteria.
    [0017] Thus, with this aspect of the invention, the flow rates as determined with the first and second flow rate measuring units are compared, and if the flow rates deviate by less than a predetermined criterion, such as less than 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.2% or 0.1%, the ultrasonic flow meter qualifies. Otherwise the ultrasonic flow meter disqualifies.
    DK 2019 70238 A1 [0018] The step of comparison of the flow rate may be executed by the first and/or second electronic circuits itself/themselves, i.e. internally with the consumption meter, or it may be executed externally.
    [0019] The method allows for ease of test and verification.
    [0020] In a third aspect of the invention a utility network is provided, which comprises a plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters is the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention.
    [0021] Thus, with this aspect of the invention, the utility network comprises a plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters, and at least one ultrasonic consumption meter is the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the invention, i.e. an ultrasonic consumption meter with two flow rate measurement units.
    [0022] According to this aspect of the invention at least one ultrasonic consumption meter of the utility network is capable of self-testing and self-verification.
    [0023] In a fourth aspect of the invention a method of test and verification of the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters of the utility network according to the third aspect of the invention is provided, wherein the method comprises the step of, for one or more of the at least one ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention, comparing the first flow rate of the media and the second flow rate of the media, and, if fulfilling a verification criterion, qualifying the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters, and, if not fulfilling the verification criterion, disqualifying the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters. A verification criterion may be defined by a set of verification sub-criteria.
    [0024] Preferably, when verifying the plurality of consumption meters with the utility network, not all consumption meters are tested. Instead a statistically representative fraction of the consumption meters is tested, and if verified, all consumption meters of the utility network, possibly restricted to consumption meters of same type or model, are deemed to qualify.
    DK 2019 70238 A1 [0025] If the utility network verification is performed by more than one of the at least one ultrasonic consumption meters according to the first aspect of the invention, the verification criterion may define whether the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters should be disqualified when just one of the meters according to the first aspect of the invention fails to compare the first flow rate and the second flow rate acceptably, of if it requires unacceptable results from more than one meter, for example from at least 1%, at least 2%, at least 5% or at least 10% of the tested meters, to deem the plurality of meters disqualified.
    [0026] With this embodiment the fraction of consumption meters to test preferably comprises the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention, which may be tested using the ease-to-test facility of this ultrasonic consumption meter. Typically, at least 1%, such as at least 2%, such as at least 5%, such as at least 10%, such as at least 20% of the meters of the utility network should be tested, and these meters may thus preferably be of the type of ultrasonic consumption meters according to the first aspect of the invention to facilitate the testing.
    [0027] Alternatively, a number of ultrasonic consumption meters corresponding to the square root of the total number of ultrasonic consumption meters with the utility network should be tested and may thus preferably be of the type of ultrasonic consumption meters according to the first aspect of the invention. In other words, a utility network comprising a total of N consumption meters, may preferably comprise at least consumption meters of the type according to the first aspect of the invention facilitating easy testing.
    DK 2019 70238 A1
    The drawings [0028] Various embodiments of the invention will in the following be described with reference to the drawings where fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first 5 aspect of the invention, figs. 2 - 4 show an embodiment with a two-part flow channel body, and figs. 5 - 7 show an embodiment with an integrated flow channel body.
    DK 2019 70238 A1
    Detailed description [0029] With Figure 1 an ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention is shown.
    [0030] With this figure the ultrasonic consumption meter 10 comprises a flow channel body 20, which is made up of a first body part 30 and a second body part 40.
    [0031] A first housing 50 is arranged with the first body part 30, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers 70a and 70b and a first electronic circuit 80a.
    [0032] A second housing 60 is arranged with the second body part 40, and holding third and fourth ultrasonic transducers 70c and 70d and a second electronic circuit 80b.
    [0033] Arrow 90 illustrates a possible direction and entry point of media of flow is to be measured. In another embodiment flow can be measured in both the indicated and opposite directions.
    [0034] Figures 2 - 4 show an embodiment if the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the flow channel body comprises two separable body parts.
    [0035] With this figure the ultrasonic consumption meter 11 comprises a flow channel body 21a, which is made up of a first body part 31 and a second body part 41.
    [0036] A first housing 51 is arranged with the first body part 31, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers 71a and 71b and a first electronic circuit 81a.
    [0037] A second housing 61 is arranged with the second body part 41, and holding third and fourth ultrasonic transducers 71c and 71d and a second electronic circuit 81b.
    [0038] The first body part 31 and the second body part 41 are joined by a connection element 21b.
    DK 2019 70238 A1 [0039] Figures 5 - 7 show another embodiment of the ultrasonic consumption meter according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the two body parts are integrated in the flow channel body, for example as a monolithic part.
    [0040] With this figure the ultrasonic consumption meter 12 comprises a flow 5 channel body 22, which integrates the first body part 32 and a second body part 42 into an integrated flow channel body.
    [0041] A first housing 52 is arranged with the first body part 32, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers 72a and 72b and a first electronic circuit 82a.
    [0042] A second housing 62 is arranged with the second body part 42, and holding 10 third and fourth ultrasonic transducers 72c and 72d and a second electronic circuit 82b.
    DK 2019 70238 A1 [0043] List of reference signs:
    10, 11, 12 Ultrasonic consumption meter
    20, 21a, 22 Flow channel body
    21b Connection element
    30, 31, 32 First body part
    40, 41, 42 Second body part
    50, 51, 52 First housing
    60, 61, 62 Second housing
    70, 71, 72 Ultrasonic transducers
    80, 81, 82 Electronic circuit
    Flow [0044] In the following, embodiments E1-E8 describe additional possible embodiments of the invention:
    [0045] E1: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of another parameter of the media.
    [0046] E2: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of the pressure of the media.
    DK 2019 70238 A1 [0047] E3: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of pressure gradients of the media.
    [0048] E4: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of pressure transients of the media.
    [0049] E5: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of the temperature of the media.
    [0050] E6: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter
    DK 2019 70238 A1 further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of noise signals in the media.
    [0051] E7: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of the turbidity of the media.
    [0052] E8: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of chemical substances in the media.
    [0053] E9: An ultrasonic consumption meter comprising a flow channel body with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part and a second body part, and a first housing, mounted on the first body part, and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers and calculating a first flow rate of the media, wherein the ultrasonic consumption meter further comprises a second housing, mounted on the second body part, and holding a sensor for measurement of biological substances in the media.
    权利要求:
    Claims (6)
    [1] Claims
    1. An ultrasonic consumption meter (10) comprising:
    a flow channel body (20) with a flow channel for a media to be measured and having a first body part (30) and a second body part (40);
    a first housing (50), mounted on the first body part (30), and holding first and second ultrasonic transducers (70a, 70b) for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a first electronic circuit (80a) for operating the first and second ultrasonic transducers (70a, 70b) and calculating a first flow rate of the media, characterized in that the ultrasonic consumption meter (10) further comprises a second housing (60), mounted on the second body part (40), and holding third and fourth ultrasonic transducers (70c, 70d) for emitting and receiving ultrasound between them and a second electronic circuit (80b) for operating the third and fourth ultrasonic transducers (70c, 70d) and calculating a second flow rate of the media.
    [2] 2. The ultrasonic consumption meter (10) according to claim 1, wherein the first body part (30) and the second body part (40) are integrated.
    [3] 3. The ultrasonic consumption meter (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first body part (30) and the second body part (40) forms a monolithic part.
    [4] 4. A method of verification of the ultrasonic consumption meter (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises the step of:
    comparing the first flow rate of the media and the second flow rate of the media, and, when fulfilling a verification criterion, qualifying the ultrasonic consumption meter (10), and, when not fulfilling the verification criterion, disqualifying the consumption meter (10).
    [5] 5. A utility network comprising a plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters, wherein at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters is the ultrasonic consumption meter (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3.
    DK 2019 70238 A1
    [6] 6. A method of verification of the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters of the utility network of claim 5, wherein the method comprises the step of:
    for the at least one ultrasonic consumption meter (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, comparing the first flow rate of the media and the second flow rate of the media,
    5 and, when fulfilling a verification criterion, qualifying the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters, and, when not fulfilling the verification criterion, disqualifying the plurality of ultrasonic consumption meters.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    DK180662B1|2021-11-11|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2019-10-30| PAT| Application published|Effective date: 20191018 |
    2021-11-11| PME| Patent granted|Effective date: 20211111 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DKPA201870229|2018-04-17|
    DKPA201870229|2018-04-17|
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