AU2019203635B2 - An ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter and method of operation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter has a measurement conduit having entrance and exit couplings for coupling in line with a water circuit connected to a water valve in use. The measurement conduit is formed to have a spindle channel between the couplings and a flow channel laterally adjacent the spindle channel, the flow channel comprising ultrasonic transducers operably coupled thereto for measuring water flow via the flow channel. 7

Description

An ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter and method of operation thereof Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to flowmeters and, more particularly, to standpipe flowmeters.

Background of the Invention

[2] Standpipe flowmeters are leased by water authorities for the temporary access of measured volumes of water from water mains.

[3] A conventional standpipe flowmeter comprises a measurement conduit having an entrance and an exit, and an impeller operably located therebetween. The impeller is typically operably coupled to an analogue counter by way of stepdown gearing. The measurement conduit is connected in line to a water supply valve to measure the flow of water therefrom.

[4] A typical water supply valve comprises a ball-and-spring valve. As such, an elongated brass spindle or rod is inserted through the measurement conduit such that the distal end thereof is able to depress the ball against the compression spring so as to allow the flow of water from the valve.

[5] Impeller type flowmeters are used for this particular arrangement given that an impeller can be retained laterally adjacent the spindle within a side recess of the conduit such that the tips of the impellers avoid the spindle extending through the conduit.

[6] However, impeller type flowmeters are problematic including for reasons that the mechanism is prone to jamming from grit and other debris entrained within the water flow, resulting in unmetered supply.

[7] The present invention seeks to provide an improved standpipe flowmeter, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[8] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[9] Impeller-type flowmeters have conventionally been used for standpipe flowmeters because the impellers can be arranged to avoid the valve depressing spindle extending through the measurement chamber thereof. However, whilst impellers can avoid the spindle, their mechanism is not reliable.

[10] There is provided herein and improved standpipe flowmeter employing ultrasonic measurement. Ultrasonic measurement has hitherto not been used for standpipe flowmeters because the solid spindle extending through the measurement chamber interferes with ultrasound signals. For example, a generally more accurate type of ultrasonic measurement is line-of-sight measurement wherein the propagation of ultrasonic signals from a transmitter to a receiver across a measurement channel is measured to determine the flow of water therethrough. The spindle would however interfere with these direct line-of-sight ultrasound signals.

[11] As such, the present ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter has a measurement conduit comprising

entrance and exit couplings for coupling in line with a water circuit connected to a supply valve,

wherein the conduit is divided into laterally adjacent separate spindle and flow channels. Ultrasonic

transducers are operably coupled to the flow channel.

[12] As such, the spindle may be inserted straight through the spindle channel between the

couplings to open the valve. The spindle channel closely accommodates the spindle, such as to within

a radial tolerance of 0.5 mm such that most of the flow between the couplings goes through the flow

channel for measurement by the ultrasonic transducers.

[13] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention,

preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[15] Figure 1 shows a bottom perspective view of ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter in accordance

with an embodiment;

[16] Figure 2 shows a top perspective view of the flowmeter;

[17] Figure 3 shows a side cross-sectional view of the flowmeter;

[18] Figure 4 shows a front elevation view of the flowmeter;

[19] Figure 5 shows a side elevation view of the flowmeter; and

[20] Figure 6 shows a top elevation view of the flowmeter.

Description of Embodiments

[21] An ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter 102 comprises a measurement conduit 100 (typically

integrally cast from metal, such as brass) comprising entrance and exit couplings 101 for fluidly

coupling in line with a water circuit connected to a water supply valve. Housing 105 (preferably of

aluminium) may be coupled to the conduit 100 for housing various electronics therein including

printed circuit boards 106, digital displays 107 power supplies and the like.

[22] With reference to Figure 3, the measurement conduit 100 comprises a spindle channel 103

extending longitudinally and straight between the couplings 101. With reference to Figure 4, the

spindle channel 103 is preferably coaxial with the couplings 101.

[23] The measurement conduit 100 further comprises a flow channel 104 located laterally adjacent

the spindle channel 103.

[24] The conduit 100 comprises diversions 108 towards the entrance and exit of the conduit 100

leading to and from the flow channel 104 at opposite ends of the spindle channel 103. With reference

to Figure 4, the flow channel 104 is preferably laterally adjacent the spindle channel 103.

[25] As such, water flowing via the entrance coupling of the conduit 100 can flowwithin the spindle

channel 103 and the flow channel 104 on account of the diversions 108.

[26] In use, the elongate spindle is inserted straight through the spindle channel 103 of the conduit

100. Preferably, the inner diameter of the spindle channel 103 conforms closely to the exterior

diameter of the elongate spindle. With reference to Figure 4, in embodiments, the spindle may

comprise an outer diameter of 16 mm whereas the inner diameter of the spindle channel 103 is

approximately 17 mm, thereby allowing a small tolerance of approximately 0.5 mm between the

spindle and the interior of the spindle channel 103. An inner diameter of the flow channel 104 may be

greater than 50 mm. As such, water flowing via the entrance and exit couplings 104 mostly flows

through the flow channel 104, with any water flowing around the spindle being negligible for

measurement purposes.

[27] Transverse ultrasonic barrel 109 may extend across the flow channel 104 and comprise an

ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver at opposite ends thereof. The ultrasonic transmitter

transmits ultrasound across the flow channel 104 which is received by the ultrasonic receiver for

ascertaining the flow of water through the flow channel 104.

[28] In embodiments shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic barrel 109 is orientated at approximately

450 with respect to the elongate axis of the flow channel 104, thereby occupying less space and

allowing for integral orthogonal support spars 110 to extend sideways and which may fasten to the

housing 105 at distal ends thereof by fasteners 111. As such, the housing 105 may be removed by

unfastening the fasteners 111from the support spars 110.

[29] The term "approximately" as used herein should be construed as being within 10% of the

value stated unless otherwise indicated.

[30] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide

a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that

specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of

specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

Claims (13)

1. Claims 1. An ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter comprising a measurement conduit, the measurement conduit comprising entrance and exit couplings for coupling in line with a water circuit connected to a water valve in use, wherein the measurement conduit is formed to comprise a spindle channel between the couplings and a flow channel laterally adjacent the spindle channel, the flow channel comprising ultrasonic transducers operably coupled thereto for measuring water flow via the flow channel.
2. 2. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle channel is coaxial with the couplings.
3. 3. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spindle channel is sized for an intended elongate spindle such a tolerance of less than 1 mm is allowed between an exterior surface of the spindle and an interior surface of the spindle channel.
4. 4. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spindle channel comprises an interior diameter of less than 18 mm.
5. 5. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spindle channel comprises an interior diameter of approximately 17 mm.
6. 6. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 5, wherein the spindle comprises an exterior diameter of approximately 16 mm.
7. 7. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic barrel extending across the flow channel, the ultrasonic barrel having an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver at opposite ends thereof.
8. 8. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the ultrasonic barrel is orientated at an angle of less than 90 with respect to an elongate axis of the flow channel.
9. 9. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ultrasonic barrel is orientated at approximately 45 with respect to the flow channel.
10. 10. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising orthogonal support spars extending from the conduit.
11. 11. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an electronics housing operably coupled to the conduit.
12. 12. The ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electronic housing is coupled to distal ends of orthogonal support spars extending from the conduit.
13. 13. A method of measuring water volume using an ultrasonic standpipe flowmeter comprising a measurement conduit, the measurement conduit comprising entrance and exit couplings, the method comprising coupling the couplings in line with a water circuit connected to a water valve, and wherein the measurement conduit is further formed to comprise a spindle channel between the couplings and a flow channel laterally adjacent the spindle channel, the flow channel comprising ultrasonic transducers operably coupled thereto for measuring water flow via the flow channel, wherein the method further comprises inserting an elongate spindle straight through the spindle channel from one side of the flowmeter to another to disengage the water valve.

    by his patent attorneys, Patentec Patent Attorneys www.patentec.com.au