Patent NZ-758447-A (NZ)
Title: Integrated ball valve and ultrasonic flowmeter
Inventor: BONOMI VITTORIO
IPC: F16K5/06
Filed: 2018-03-12
Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of fluid control systems that include a flowmeter having a ball valve. Conventional fluid control systems are usually associated with size constraints of the valves and flowmeters, unacceptable flowmeter accuracy, and pressure drops that affect accurate fluid flow metering. Further, conventional flow meters having ball valves are usually large in size making then difficult to install, maintain and replace. The presently claimed invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter with an integrated ball valve and its use in a fluid flow control system. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic flow meter comprises an ultrasonic flow meter with integrated ball valve, comprising: a meter housing having inlet and outlet openings and a valve chamber; a ball contained within the valve chamber, said ball having an orifice; a spindle received in the meter housing and connected to the ball such that rotation of the spindle causes rotation of the ball, and a temperature sensor positioned in the spindle and configured to measure the fluid temperature; an actuator supported by said meter housing and connected to said spindle for turning the ball within said meter housing between an open position allowing fluid flow through the orifice and a closed position preventing fluid flow; a first ultrasonic transducer positioned in said meter housing upstream of said ball; a second ultrasonic transducer positioned in said meter housing downstream of said ball; first and second acoustic reflectors positioned within the meter housing; a controller connected to said first and second ultrasonic transducers and to the temperature sensor; and wherein said first and second ultrasonic transducers and first and second acoustic reflectors are aligned to transmit and reflect ultrasonic signals in at least one direction through the orifice of the ball when the ball is in an open position and said controller is configured to determine the fluid velocity based on measured speed of sound and calculate the volume of fluid passing through the orifice based on at least the measured fluid velocity and cross·sectional area of the orifice. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic flow meter comprises an ultrasonic flow meter with integrated ball valve, comprising: a meter housing comprising a body and an end adapter connected together and configured to form an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a valve chamber; a ball contained within the valve chamber, said ball having an orifice; an actuator supported by said meter housing and operatively connected to said ball for turning the ball within said meter housing between an open position allowing fluid flow through the orifice and a closed position preventing fluid flow; a first ultrasonic transducer positioned in said housing upstream of said ball; a second ultrasonic transducer positioned in said housing downstream of said ball; a controller connected to said first and second ultrasonic transducers; and wherein said first and second ultrasonic transducers are aligned to transmit and reflect ultrasonic signals in at least one direction through the orifice of the ball when the ball is in an open position and said controller is configured to determine the fluid velocity based on measured speed of sound and calculate the volume of fluid passing through the orifice based on at least the measured fluid velocity and cross-sectional area of the orifice, wherein said body and end adapter each include gauged threads for assembling the end adapter onto the body and wherein said gauged threads are configured such that a specific number of turns ensures alignment, and alignment markers on the body and end adapter that when aligned indicate the first and second ultrasonic transducers are aligned. The presently claimed invention also relates to a fluid control system for a premises including a fluid system and a plurality of plumbing fixtures, appliances and gas devices connected into the fluid system. The fluid flow control system comprises a fluid flow control system for a premises, said premises including a fluid system and a plurality of plumbing fixtures, appliances and gas devices connected into the fluid system; an ultrasonic flow meter with integrated ball valve connected into the fluid system, said ultrasonic flow meter with integrated ball valve comprising: a meter housing comprising a valve body and end adapter connected together and configured to form an inlet opening and outlet openings and a valve chamber; a ball contained within the valve chamber, said ball having an orifice; an actuator supported by said meter housing and connected to said ball for turning the ball within said meter housing between an open position allowing fluid flow through the orifice and a closed position preventing fluid flow; a first ultrasonic transducer positioned in said meter housing upstream of said ball; a second ultrasonic transducer positioned in said meter housing downstream of said ball; and a controller connected to said first and second ultrasonic transducers, wherein said first and second ultrasonic transducers are aligned to transmit and reflect ultrasonic signals in at least one direction through the orifice of the ball when the ball is in an open position and said controller is configured to determine the fluid velocity based on measured speed of sound and calculate the volume of fluid passing through the orifice based on at least the measured fluid velocity and cross-sectional area of the orifice, wherein said body and end adapter each include gauged threads for assembling the end adapter onto the body, wherein said gauged threads are configured such that a specific number of turns ensures alignment, and alignment marks on the body and end adapter that when aligned indicate the first and second ultrasonic transducers are aligned, said controller comprising a memory having a fluid usage signature configured for each plumbing fixture, appliance and gas device in the premises and configured to measure the consumption of fluid inside the premises, and a graphical user interface connected to said controller for displaying status and inputting data of the fluid system and specific signatures of said plumbing fixtures, appliances, and gas devices.