Patent Application
20140318281
The inventions relate to the field of testing flow meters and include improvements to test benches configured for testing the accuracy of flow meters such as water meters.
There are many different types of water meters, all using different principles to measure water flow including positive displacement, multi-jet, mutating disc, and the fluidic oscillator, just to name a few. Although they utilize vastly different principles to measure flow, the principle used to test their accuracy is the same: run an absolute known volume of water through a meter or group of meters, and compare their registered volumes to that of the known volume. If the results show an acceptable deviation from the known volume, then the meter is working correctly, if the deviation is unacceptable, it is not.
Further, while meters may be the exact same make and type, the results they produce can be entirely different. Some meters may not be accurate on low flows, others on high flows.
When testing flow meter accuracy, one should remember that the accuracies of the tests are only as good as the accuracy to which the meters are read. The most widely used and probably the most popular method for testing meters is the volumetric system. The volumetric system can be compared to a measuring cup; the tanks are calibrated and volumes are marked at different levels along the side, and the water level is viewed through a sight tube. The corresponding volume is then compared to the volumes recorded by the meters.
The standard small meter prior art gravimetric test system is made up of the following components:
One short coming of prior art systems gravimeter systems is that they require different size tanks for different flow rates. Such test systems may require a 3,300 gallon tank and associated scale, a 100 gallon tank and associated scale, and a 10 gallon tank and associated scale. Such a tank systems require lots of room and redundant scale technology. What is needed is a way of reducing the number of different tank and associated scale structures.
Another problem with prior art test systems is that they were designed for metal meters. Consequently, the test systems meter interface (e.g. meter fitting), used to associated the meter under test with the test bench, is configured for metal meters. Today, flow meters are increasingly being manufactured from composite materials and plastics. While such test systems can still be used to test composite meters, the prior art meter interface places significant stresses on a plastic meter and if one is not careful such a meter can be deformed affecting its accuracy during the test. Further, such stresses may cause permeate damage. What is needed is a new meter interface that does not subject the meter under test to unacceptable levels of pressure and stress.
Yet another shortcoming of prior art test system is that they are not well suited to test multiple fire hydrant meters.
Yet another shortcoming of prior art test systems is that the meter clamping process is more risky than it need be for larger meters.
Yet another shortcoming of prior art test systems is that they are not setup to test ultra low flow meters.
The disclosed inventions address at least the above described shortcomings.
The general objective of the present invention is to offer an improved test bench system that provides better ergonomics, improved space utilization by combining test tanks, improved safety features by enhancing metering coupling technologies.
The present invention describes an adapter apparatus configured for associated a meter under test with the fluid flow path of a test bench.
Another general object of the invention is an apparatus and method of sealing the connection between the apparatus and a meter under test to provide for a fluid tight seal at lower clamping pressure that do not significantly distort the case of a composite meter under test.
Another general object of the invention is to provide apparatus and method to stabilize larger meters and associated such larger meters to the fluid flow path of a test bench.
Another general object of the invention is to provide for a dual measurement tank that stores the fluid pumped through the meters during a test wherein a second smaller tank is disposed inside a first larger tank to reduce the amount of space and scales need to perform testing.
Additional objectives and embodiments of the present subject matter, not necessarily expressed in this summarized section, may include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features or parts referenced in the summarized objectives above, and/or features or components as otherwise discussed in this application.
Other objects and advantages of the invention may be obvious from the description of the drawings, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon review of the remainder of the specification.
A full and enabling description of the present subject matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
a is a top plan view of a prior art fluid meter with the meter attachment elements associated with a adapter apparatus;
b is a side elevation view of a prior art fluid meter showing a detached meter attachment element;
c is a side cross section view of an exemplary embodiment of an adapter apparatus showing a seal groove and seal enhancer;
d is a elevated perspective view of an adapter apparatus;
b is a front perspective view of a meter stabilizer apparatus;
Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present technology.
Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in or may be determined from the following detailed description. Repeat use of reference characters is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements or steps. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.
This section defines some of the terms used in this document while other terms are defined within the description.
For the purposes of this document, two or more physical items are “mechanically associated” (sometimes simply “associated”) by bringing them together or into relationship with each other in any number of ways including a direct or indirect physical connection that may be releasable (snaps, rivets, screws, bolts, etc.) and/or movable (rotating, pivoting, oscillating, etc.) Similarly, two or more electrical items are “electrically associated” (sometimes simply “associated”) by bringing them together or into relationship with each other in any number of ways including: (a) a direct, indirect or inductive communication connection, and (b) a direct/indirect or inductive power connection. Additionally, while a drawing may illustrate various electronic components of a system connected by a single line, it will be appreciated that such “signal line” may represent one or more signal paths, power connections/paths, electrical connections and/or cables as required by the embodiment of interest.
This document contains headers. Such headers are place markers inserted for the convenience of the reader and are not to be used in the construction of this document or to limit its meaning in any way.
While the examples used in this document relate to systems for testing the accuracy of flow meters measuring the flow/consumption of water, it will be appreciated that such technology can be used to test the accuracy of flow meters measuring other types of fluid.
Fluid meters are configured to measure the volume of a fluid flowing through the meter thereby measuring fluid consumption. Such fluid meters require testing to verify accuracy. Basically, a fluid meter test system pushes a fluid through both a fluid Meter-Under-Test (MUT) and through a very accurate “reference meter”. Restated, all the fluid that flows during a test flows through both the MUT (meter under test) and the “reference-meter”. The “reference-meter” is configured to generate a very accurate reference-volume reading (which is considered to be the correct reading). Similarly, the meter under test (MUT) measures the volume of fluid that flows though itself and generates a MUT-volume reading. Thus, ideally, the MUT-volume reading would be identical to the reference-volume reading. How much the MUT-volume reading varies from the reference-volume reading is considered the MUT metering error. Ideally, a meter would have the same error at all flow rates. However, in the real world, the meter error is different depending on the flow rate and may measure a 2 gallons/minute flow rate more accurately than 5 gallons/minute flow rate (for example). Thus meters are typically tested at a plurality of flow rates.
Notably, the most accurate way to test water meters is with a gravimetric system. Thus, the “reference meter” described above is actually a gravimetric system that generates the previously described reference-volume reading.
Referring now to
After the reference-volume has been measured and the test is complete, the fluid in measurement tanks (20) is drained via return lines (24) and returned to the source tank using return pump (26).
As can be seen in
Referring now to
As best seen in
The apparatus-to-meter interface (40) defines a receiver-body (42) defining an receiver-inner perimeter and an receiver-outer perimeter wherein said receiver-inner perimeter is suitably sized to receive a meter attachment element (32,
As best seen in
The apparatus-to-meter interface further defines a seal groove (46) [see
As Depicted in
Notably, the various Adapter apparatus (34) component sizes may vary depending on the size of meter to be associated with a test bench (16). For one embodiment, receiver-body (42) is configured for being associated with a three-quarter inch meter attachment element (32). Fort such embodiment, the inner diameter of said hollow body (36) is about 0.875 inches and the inner diameter of said receiver body (42) is about 1.3 inches.
For a five-eights meter, the receiver-body (42) defines an inner diameter of about 1.0 inch and the inner diameter of hollow body (36) is about 0.625 inches. Similarly, for one inch meters, the receiver-body (42) defines an inner diameter of about 1.8 inches and the inner diameter of said hollow body (36) is about 1.1 inches.
As noted before the meter under test (18) can be of just about any size and the adapter size is modified accordingly. Notably, for the range of meter sizes from three-fourths inch, five-eights inch, and one inch, for one embodiment of the design, the adapter apparatus (34) is configured so that the dovetail groove (46) cross-section parameters do not change in size, only the major outside diameter size and minor inside diameter changes. Same is true for the seal enhancer (48). For a three-fourth inch meter, the O-Ring has the following dimensions: 1″ inside diameter, 1.25″ outside diameter and a width of ⅛″ where the inside diameter tolerance is 0.984±0.010, and the width tolerance is 0.139±0.004. For five-eights meters, three-fourths inch ID, 1″ OD and a width of ⅛″ where the ID tolerance is 0.734±0.010, and the width tolerance is 0.139±0.004. For the 1 inch meters, 1 5/16″ ID, 1 9/16″ OD and a width of ⅛″ where the ID tolerance is 1.296±0.012, and the width tolerance is 0.139±0.004.
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the seal groove and seal enhancer configuration allows much lower clamping pressures compared to prior art systems. Such lower clamping pressures are particularly advantageous when testing the newer composite chase meters as such lower clamping pressures will not significantly deform the measurement chambers of such meters.
Referring now to
As depicted in the various figures, each latching device (78) is configured to receive at least one locking member (80). Suitable embodiments of a locking member include pins and bolts and nuts.
As depicted in
MSA (70) further comprises a coupling adapter (90) defining a first coupling end (90a) and an opposing second coupling end (90b) and wherein said coupling adapter (90) is mechanically associated with and extends through said coupling interface (86) so that said first coupling end (90a) is on one side of said horizontal adapter plate (84) and said second coupling end (90b) is on the opposing side of said horizontal adapter plate (84). The first coupling adapter end (90a) and the second coupling adapter end (90b) are configured for being associated with a meter attachment element of a fluid meter and/or a test bench flow path attachment point. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that such a configuration allows a plurality of meters to be connected in series and tested at the same time. For example, if one wished to test 5 meters, one would use four MSA (70) device to align, support and stabilize the meters with the test bench.
Suitable coupling adapters (90) include swivel adapters that attach securely to the horizontal adapter plate but include a swivel end that can be mechanically associated with the meter attachment member of a fluid meter.
Latching devices (78) are configured for mechanically and moveably associating said U-shaped support frame with at fluid meter test bench support rail. The latching device are configured to slide along such support rails to a desired point. The locking members (80) are configured to lock the mechanical association between said U-shaped support frame and said test bench so that the MSA (70) device cannot tip over. It should be appreciated that for come configuration locking members (80) will lock the MSA (70) device in place. For one embodiment, the locking members (80) simply keep the MSA (70) device from falling over and allows the MSA (70) device to slide along the test bench support rails.
As best seen in
Referring now to
For the currently preferred embodiment, dual measurement tank (100) comprises a first tank (102) defining a hollow cylinder comprising a first tank upper end (104) and a first tank lower end (106). The first tank upper end (104) is open (like the upper end of a cup) and the first tank lower end (106) defines a first tank bottom (108). The first tank defines a first tank height and a first tank diameter thereby defining a first tank volume.
Dual measurement tank (100) further comprises a second tank (110) defining a hollow cylinder comprising a second tank upper end (112) and a second tank lower end (114). The second tank upper end (112) is open and the second tank lower end (114) defines a second tank bottom (116). The second tank defines a second tank height and a second tank diameter thereby defining a second tank volume.
The first tank bottom (108) defines a first tank drain port (109) that extends through the approximate center of such first tank bottom (108). Such drain port is configured to drain the fluid out of said first tank once the testing and measurements are complete. Similarly, the second tank bottom (116) defines a second tank drain port (118) at the approximate center of such second tank bottom (116). The second tank drain port (118) is configured to drain the fluid out of such second tank once the testing and measurements are complete.
The first tank bottom further defines a drain port interface (107) configured for being associated with said second tank drain port (118). One embodiment of such an interface is a hole that mechanically associated with the second tank draining port using means such as welding to define a leak proof seal. Notably, the distance from the side of the first tank (102) and the drain port interface (107) is greater than the diameter of the second tank (110) to provide for a predefined second tank offset (111). Such tank offset allows water to more fully drain after testing.
As depicted in
For one embodiment, both tanks further define volume indicator ports (105) configured for being associated with volume indicators. Such volume indicators are typically graduated clear tubes that indicated the amount of water in the associated container.
Support members (103) are mechanically associated with the outside of the first tank and are configured to support the measurement tank (100) on a scale configured to measure the weight of the fluid inside the measurement tank (100).
To enhance draining, the first tank bottom (108) and the second tank bottom (116) define a convex surface extending away from the tanks and the drain ports are defined at the center of said convex surface. Such a configuration enhance draining of all the fluid from the measurement tank (100) after testing and measurements are complete.
Exemplary dual measurement tank volumes include a first tank volume of 100 gallons and said second tank volume of 10 gallons. As depicted in
One of skill in the are will appreciate that prior art systems used a plurality of individual tanks with each tank having its own scale. (for example: a 100 gallon tank and associate scale and a 10 gallon tank and associated scale). Such a configuration not consumed considerably more space than the dual tank system, such a configuration was significantly more expensive.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
This application claims priority to provisional application 61/811,830 filed on Apr. 15, 2013 and is further a continuation in part to design application 29/480,517 filed on Jan. 27, 2014 and the contents of all such references are hereby incorporated by this reference for all that they disclose for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61811830 | Apr 2013 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29480517 | Jan 2014 | US |
| Child | 14253824 | US |
