GB2150721A - Remote data collection and transport apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronic flow totalizer (E.F.T.) (20) to be employed at a remote location without electrical power. A portable terminal (35) is utilized to effect electronic data retrieval from a nonvolatile E.F.T. memory (powered by a lithium battery 36) to a non-volatile memory within the terminal. The terminal is then transported to an office or other convenient location, and the transferred data is printed out. During operation. the E.F.T. electronic circuitry reads periodically (once every 5 or once every predetermined period of time from 1 to 60 seconds), the differential pressure (19), static pressure (21) and the flow temperature (22) sensors and then computes the flow rate, updates the total flow and other parameters, stores them in the E.F.T. memory and also displays total flow on the E.F.T. liquid crystal display (LCD) (45). A timing circuit (24) is provided which keeps track of the duty cycle. After computation, power to all E.F.T. circuitry is turned off except the timing circuit and LCD display. The timing circuit wakes up all the circuitry when the beginning of a new sampling interval starts. Thus, only a small battery is then required to provide power to the E.F.T. (20) for nearly five weeks or more. The terminal (35) is connected to the E.F.T. (20) and subsequently to a printer via the same quickly detachable electrical connector (32). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Remote data collection and transport apparatus This invention relates to micropower computers for use at remote locations for flow measurements, and more particularly to means for electronic data retrieval.

The present invention seeks to provide portable apparatus for electronic data retrieval with a micropower electronic data processing system which does not require the use of large batteries for remotely located computers.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a microcomputer including a microprocessor, a read only memory connected to supply instructions to the microprocessor, a timing circuit including a real time clock, a battery connected to supply electric power to the timing circuit when power is supplied and is not supplied to said microprocessor, a power supply gate actuable upon a predetermined count of the real time clock to supply electric power to the microprocessor, means responsive to the last of the instructions for opening the power supply gate, and means responsive to the predetermined count to close the power supply gate.

The microcomputer may be incorporated in a flowmeter which comprises a pipeline section, an orifice plate fixed in the pipeline section and having an orifice therethrough and a differential pressure unit connected across the orifice plate for producing a signal D proportional to the pressure drop across the orifice plate.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a flowmeter, comprising a pipeline section, an orifice plate fixed in the pipeline section and having an orifice therethrough, a differential pressure unit connected across the orifice plate for producing a signal D proportional to the pressure drop across the orifice plate, a microcomputer including a microprocessor, the microcomputer computing flow as a function of D, an electronic data processing apparatus including a printer located at a position of convenience, the microcomputer being located remote from the position of convenience and having a remote shift register therein to store data, a portable terminal including at least one switch, a portable battery and a portable shift register, and first and second quickly detachable electrical connector sockets coupled to the microcomputer and the printer, respectively, for electrically coupling the remote shift register to the portable shift register and the portable shift register to the printer, the portable terminal having a plug to mate with each of the sockets, actuation of the switch causing the data stored in the remote shift register to be shifted into the portable shift register, the portable terminal having a battery to prevent data stored in memory therein from being lost when electrical power is otherwise lost, the printer being adapted to print the data contained in the portable shift register.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided an electronic data processing apparatus, comprising a printer located at a position of convenience, a microcomputer located remote from the position of convenience and having a remote shift register therein to store data, a portable terminal including at least one switch, a portable battery and a portable shift register, and first and second quickly detachable electrical connector sockets coupled to the microcomputer and the printer, respectively, for electrically coupling the remote shift register to the portable shift register and the portable shift register to the printer, the portable terminal having a plug to mate with each of the sockets, actuation of the switch causing the data stored in the remote shift register to be shifted into the portable shift register, the portable terminal having a battery to prevent data stored in memory therein from being lost when electrical power is otherwise lost, the printer being adapted to print the data contained in the portable shift register.

The circuit of the present invention saves considerable power and makes the use of a large battery unnecessary.

By electronic data retrieval, a data filled register may be manually carried to a print out point.

Simple identical conventional quickly detachable electrical connectors may be employed to connect and to disconnect a portable terminal to and from an electric flow totalizer and a printer.

In order that the invention and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, some embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of analog sources which may be employed with the present invention, Figure 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram of a battery and a partial block diagram of a timing circuit and a microcomputer shown in Fig. 2, Figure 4 is a graph of an ON/OFF waveform characteristic of the operation of the present invention, Figure 5 is a block diagram of further parts of an electronic flow totalizer and of a portable terminal constructed in accordance with the present invention, Figure 6 is a further block diagram of an alternative embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention, Figure 7 is a flow chart with the present invention, and Figure 8 is another flow chart.

In Fig. 1, a pipeline is shown at 10 having an orifice plate 11 fixed therein. Orifice plate 11 is provided with an orifice 12.

Inside pipeline 10, there is also provided a temperature sensor 14 connected to an output lead 13.

A differential pressure unit 15 is provided to produce an output signal on an output lead 16 directly proportional to the difference in pressure on opposite sides of orifice plate 11.

A static pressure unit is provided at 17 which produces an output signal on an output lead 18 directly proportional to the pressure on the right hand side of orifice plate 11.

One embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2 including an electronic flow totalizer (E.F.T.) 20. The E.F.T. includes a microcomputer 25, a differential pressure source 19, a static pressure source 21 and a temperature source 22. Source 19 may include differential pressure unit 15 of Fig. 1.

Source 21 may include static pressure unit 17 of Fig. 1. Temperature source 22 may include sensor 14 of Fig. 1. The outputs of sources 19, 21 and 22 are connected to a sensor read and digitize circuit (A/D converter) 23. The sensor read circuit is connected to a microprocessor 27 in microcomputer 25. A read only memory (ROM) 28 is likewise connected to microprocessor 27 as is a random access memory (RAM) 29. Software 30 is provided to calculate certain equations set forth hereinafter.

The ROM 28 stores the program employed.

A battery 26 is connected through a power supply gate 43 that is controlled by a timing circuit 24 to microprocessor 27 and elsewhere as will be described.

Microprocessor 27 has a connection to an input-output circuit 31. Circuit 31 is connected to a socket 33 of a quickly detachable electrical connector 32. Connector 32 includes a plug 34 connected from a portable terminal 35.

Terminal 35 includes a battery 36 to permit nonvolatile storage and, if desired, a liquid crystal display 37.

The E.F.T. 20 calculates total flow every five seconds or other predetermined period of time adjustable between 1 to 60 seconds.

ROM 28 goes completely through its program within about 1/3 second.

Within the other 4 2/3 seconds of the cycle, the battery 26 is effectively disconnected from microprocessor 27 and microcomputer 25 and from other components as shown in Fig. 3. The way in which this is done is that the last instruction in a set is received by the microprocessor 27 from ROM 28 causing a flip flop 42 shown in Fig. 3 to be reset. This "zero" output of flip flop 42 at 46 is then connected to the power supply gate 43 which turns off power supply 47 to 41 which disconnects the microprocessor 27 and essentially the balance of the microcomputer circuit 25. This continues to occur until the real time clock 44 sets the slip flop 42 at 39 signalling that it is time to wake-up the microprocessor 27.This "one" output of flip flop 42 at 46 turns on the power supply gate 43 which turns on power supply 47 at 41 to again supply the microprocessor 27 and the balance of microcomputer circuiting 25 with power. Battery 26 is connected to clock 44, flip flop 42, LCD display circuit 45 and power supply 47 at 40. It is essentially disconnected from all other components in the E.F.T. 20. In Fig. 4, the short square pulse is the waveform of the output on lead 46 shown in Fig. 3. The shut down feature of the present invention makes it advantageously possible to use a very small battery e.g. a lithium battery in a remote location where there is no electrical power and even such a small battery can provide power for a period of five weeks or more.

The present invention also has data retrieval and print out features. The calculation of total flow in E.F.T. 20, the storage of the same therein, the shift of the stored total into portable terminal 35' shown in Fig. 5, and the print out from the terminal are all done.

In Fig. 5, a microprocessor (MPU) is shown again at 27'. A RAM 29' communicates with MPU 27', and to a shift register 52 via another shift register 48. Microprocessor 27' is connected to shift register 48. The latter has an input of shift pulses from a clock 49 and a gate 50. Gate 50 is turned on by a momentary contact push button switch 51 shown in terminal 35'.

An electrical connector 32' may be identical to electrical connector 32. Shift register 52 is connected through connector 32' from shift register 48. A liquid crystal display 37' is connected from shift register 52. A battery is provided at 36'.

After the data in register 48 has been transferred to register 52, the plug 34' and socket 33' components of connector 32' may be separated and the entire portable terminal 35' may be transported to an office or other more convenient location. The data contained in shift register 52 may then be printed when connected as shown in Fig. 6. Socket 34" may be identical to socket 34'.

System flow charts are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The "asleep" step at the top of Fig. 7 indicates the 4 2/3 second period in Fig. 4.

The "power on reset" represents the position (not shown) of switch 47 in Fig. 3. The "disable interrupt" prevents microprocessor 27 from interrupting those inputs needed.

The "RAM O.K." indicates that RAM 29 still contains all the data required and that no volatilization has taken place.

"Coldstart" means that RAM 29 has lost all of its data. In both Figs. 7 and 8, "OPDlSP" means operation dispatch".

In Fig. 4, the 1/3 second pulse may be changed in width to less or more than 1/3 of a second. Moreover, it may be adjustable in width.

The printer may, if desired, have a display for use therewith or in lieu thereof.

The E.F.T. computes one of the flow rates Qaw Qb or Q by one of three respective equations thus: Q = Ca(D)'/2

Q = CC(DS)"2 where Ca, Cb and Cc are orifice coefficients, F is temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, D is differential pressure, and S is static pressure.

Qa is the flow rate of a liquid. Qb is a temperature compensated flow rate of a gas.

Q is a flow rate of a constant temperature gas.

Data other than total flow may be collected, retrieved and printed out. For example, the E.F.T. may keep computing the flow data from the start of the day to the close-out time of the day, then compute daily averages and store them under the date in the following format: l.D.

Date Time DF ADP ASP AFT EQ APC OC Events Total Flow = - - since last reset date ADP is daily average differential pressure where AFT is daily average flow tempera ture, DF is daily flow, ASP is daily average static pressure, EQ is equation number, APC is static pressure altitude adjust ment constant (Gage/Static) Events (Symbol) The electronic flow totalizer package may display on its liquid crystal display (LCD) the total accomulated flow from last reset to the last sampled interval. The E.F.T. may keep this number in its memory with appropriate update at every sample interval calculation.

An electronic package in combination with the portable terminal can calibrate the differential pressure (DP) and static pressure (SP) sensors and change orifice constants to effect range change. The equation number, static pressure constant, and daily buffer close-out time may also be changed.

The E.F.T. can store data in the form set forth above for a period of 40 days, one line of daily data per day.

The present invention includes an electronic package which can release stored information on demand, when requested, through the hand held data terminal.

The E.F.T. can detect the presence of the portable terminal connection. During the connection period, the complete circuitry of the electronic package remains on and interrupt is disabled.

Real time clock 44, as is well known, may include at least a clock and a counter to produce a gating pulse perhaps the same as the leading edge of the 1/3 second part of the waveform in Fig. 4.

Claims (16)

1. A microcomputer including a microprocessor, a read only memory connected to supply instructions to the microprocessor, a timing circuit including a real time clock, a battery connected to supply electric power to the timing circuit when power is supplied and is not supplied to said microprocessor, a power supply gate actuable upon a predetermined count of the real time clock to supply electric power to the microprocessor, means responsive to the last of the instructions for opening the power supply gate and means responsive to the predetermined count to close the power supply gate.

2. A microcomputer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means responsive to a predetermined count comprises a flip flop having a reset input connected to receive a pulse corresponding to the last of said instructions, a set input connected to receive a pulse upon said real time clock reaching said predetermined count, a "1" output connected to actuate said power supply gate, and a "0" output connected to actuate said power supply gate.

3. A flowmeter comprising a pipeline section, an orifice plate fixed in the pipeline section and having an orifice therethrough, a differential pressure unit connected across the orifice plate for producing a signal D proportional to the pressure drop across the orifice plate, and a microcomputer as claimed in claim 1 or 2 which is arranged to compute flow as a function of D.

4. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 3, wherein a static pressure unit is connected from the pipeline section on one side of the orifice plate to produce an output signal S proportional to static pressure, the microcomputer computing gas flow as a function of both D and S.

5. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 4, wherein a temperature probe is positioned inside the pipeline to produce an output signal F directly proportional to temperature, the microcomputer computing flow of a variable temperature gas as a function of all of D, S and F.

6. A flowmeter, comprising a pipeline section, an orifice plate fixed in the pipeline section and having an orifice therethrough, a differential pressure unit connected across the orifice plate for producing a signal D propor tional to the pressure drop across the orifice plate, a microcomputer including a microprocessor, the microcomputer computing flow as a function of D, an electronic data processing apparatus including a printer located at a position of convenience, the microcomputer being located remote from the position of convenience and having a remote shift register therein to store data, a portable terminal including at least one switch, a portable battery and a portable shift register, and first and second quickly detachable electrical connector sockets coupled to the microcomputer and the printer, respectively, for electrically coupling the remote shift register to the portable shift register and the portable shift register to the printer, the portable terminal having a plug to mate with each of the sockets, actuation of the switch causing the data stored in the remote shift register to be shifted into the portable shift register, the portable terminal having a battery to prevent data stored in memory therein from being lost when electrical power is otherwise lost, the printer being adapted to print the data contained in the portable shift register.

7. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 6, wherein a static pressure unit is connected from the pipeline section on one side of the orifice plate to produce an output signal S proportional to static pressure, the microcomputer computing gas flow as a function of both D and S.

8. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 7, wherein a temperature probe is positioned inside the pipeline to produce an output signal F directly proportional to temperature, the microcomputer computing flow of a variable temperature gas as a function of all of D, S and F.

9. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein one of the microcomputer and portable terminal includes a clock, a gate connected between the clock and the remote shift register, the gate being responsive to closure of the switch to admit shift pulses to the portable shift register from the clock, mating of the microcomputer socket and the plug connecting the remote shift register and the portable shift register.

10. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 9, wherein a static pressure unit is connected from the pipeline section on one side of the orifice plate to produce an output signal S proportional to static pressure, the microcomputer computing gas flow as a function of both D and S.

11. A flowmeter as claimed in claim 10, wherein a temperature probe is positioned inside the pipline to produce an output signal F directly proportional to temperature, the microcomputer computing flow of a variable temperature gas as a function of all of D, S and F.

12. An electronic data processing apparatus, comprising a printer located at a position of convenience, a microcomputer located remote from the position of convenience and having a remote shift register therein to store data, a portable terminal including at least one switch, a portable battery and a portable shift register, and first and second quickly detachable electrical connector sockets coupled to the microcomputer and the printer, respectively, for electrically coupling the remote shift register to the portable shift register and the portable shift register to the printer, the portable terminal having a plug to mate with each of the sockets, actuation of the switch causing the data stored in the remote shift register to be shifted into the portable shift register, the portable terminal having a battery to prevent data stored in memory therein from being lost when electrical power is otherwise lost, the printer being adapted to print the data contained in the portable shift register.

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the microcomputer or the portable terminal includes a clock, a gate connected between the clock and the remote shift register, the gate being responsive to closure of the switch to admit shift pulses to the portable shift register from the clock, mating of the microcomputer socket and the plug connecting the remote shift register and the portable shift register.

14. A microcomputer substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

15. A flowmeter substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.

16. An electronic data processing apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.