IT201800005704A1 - ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS DETECTION AND STORAGE OF DIFFERENCE DATA BETWEEN MEASUREMENT POINTS - Google Patents

Description

Invention with TITLE: ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS DETECTION AND STORAGE OF DIFFERENT LEVEL DATA BETWEEN MEASUREMENT POINTS

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to an electronic system which continuously detects and stores the difference in height that may be found between the various foundation elements placed at the base of a building. The system is realized by means of a plurality of mutually cooperating devices which allow to continuously measure and memorize the level differences between a plurality of measurement points, making such information available on interrogation through a data line.

The system periodically detects the level of the foundation elements of buildings or artifacts, detecting and memorizing any variations, even minimal, thus allowing to highlight subsidence of the support points by detecting and recording any possible reciprocal level variation of the same support points. Said periodic survey allows to constantly monitor the integrity of the building, also in order to protect the safety of people who for any reason are in the vicinity of the building itself and who may possibly be damaged in the event of even partial collapse of the same.

The systems for measuring the stability of the foundations of buildings known up to now, carry out periodic leveling measurements with optical instruments or with fluid levels.

The first of said systems presupposes the intervention of an operator, who, by means of an optical station, compares the level differences found between the measurement station and a plurality of points of interest in which graduated staffs are installed.

The second of said systems uses a system of communicating vessels in which the fluid, according to principles known since ancient times, reaches the same level in each vessel, being the distance between the free surface of the fluid and the top of the vessel measured with different methods such as, for example, the return time of an ultrasonic pulse.

For the purpose of a continuous measurement of the differences in level, all methods requiring human intervention must be excluded for reasons of economy and practicality and, consequently, only those automatic systems that are based on the principle of vessels remain applicable. communicating which, however, present some critical aspects that need to be resolved in practical applications. These systems, in fact, are able to provide reliable results only on condition that the fluid has the same density throughout the system and that the measurement of the level of the free surface is carried out with methods that are sufficiently accurate and independent of the operating temperature, conditions which, at present, they strongly penalize its accuracy.

The principle underlying the present invention is that of communicating vessels and the choice of means for the realization of the purposes of the system is such as to guarantee both that the fluid has the same density throughout the system and that the measurement of the level of the free surface is carried out with a very accurate method and absolutely independent of the operating temperature.

In particular, the homogeneity of the density of the fluid within the system is obtained thanks to the use of a circulation pump which circulates and mixes the measuring fluid until it has the same temperature throughout the system.

The measurement of the level of the free surface of the fluid is obtained with a very accurate method and absolutely independent of the operating temperature, based on the measurement of the immersion point of a pair of electrodes in the measuring fluid, this measurement being carried out by checking the position relative to a fixed laser beam and a linear array of photodetectors movable integrally to the pair of electrodes during their immersion movement in the fluid in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the fluid itself.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION

The operation of the system (100) is now described by way of non-limiting example with reference to Figure 1 in which the following are schematically represented:

- a control module (110) capable of communicating, through a first data transmission line (120) with a plurality of measurement modules (130) and of providing the results of the measurements obtained through a second data line (140); - two or more measurement modules (130), each rigidly installed in a corresponding measurement point and connected to the control module (110) through a data transmission bus (120) and through a hydraulic circuit (150) which crosses all measurement modules (130);

- the aforesaid control module (110) further comprises: electronic module (111) with functions of command, processing and storage of information, a tank (112) containing a measuring fluid and a circulation pump (113), the aforesaid being tank (112) and the circulation pump (113) crossed by the hydraulic circuit (150) which passes through all the measurement modules (130).

With reference to this Figure 1, the operation of the system can be described as follows:

- the electronic module (111) activates, at regular intervals, the circulation pump (113) so as to circulate the measuring fluid through the hydraulic circuit (150) so that the fluid contained in the tank (112) transits through all the measurement modules (130) until it returns back to the tank (112);

- during the circulation of the fluid the measurement modules (130) will inform the electronic module (111) about the temperature of the fluid itself by sending the current value through the data bus (120), so that the electronic module (111) can maintain the 'activation of the pump (113) until the fluid has reached the same temperature in all points of the hydraulic circuit (150);

- once the thermal homogeneity of the fluid has been reached, the electronic module (111) will interrupt the circulation of the fluid, waiting for a time T sufficient for the static equilibrium to be reached and the fluid to stabilize at the same level inside all the measuring modules ( 130);

- once the time T has elapsed, the electronic module (111) through the data bus (120) will interrogate, one at a time, all the measurement modules (130), requesting each one to carry out an accurate measurement of the fluid level inside the module itself , transmitting the result of the measurement performed through the same bus (120);

- having received the information relating to the fluid levels in all the measurement modules (130), the electronic device (111) will store the read values and will obtain, by comparison with the historical values previously recorded, any variations in the level differences between the first module and each of the others;

- the electronic device (111) will be able to receive and interpret any messages coming from the data line (140) providing the measurement values read by the various modules (130) in response to these messages.

The operation of the electronic device (111) is now described by way of non-limiting example with reference to Figure 2 in which the following are schematically represented:

- a processing unit (200) capable of communicating, through a local bus (201) with a first line transceiver unit (220) used by the device itself for communication through the data bus (120), with a second unit line transceiver (240) used by the device itself for communication through the data line (140), with a display (202) and with a keyboard (203) used for any local conversation with an operator, with an electronic switch ( 204) used to activate the circulation pump (113).

The operation of the measurement module (130) is now described by way of non-limiting example with reference to Figure 3 in which the elements composing it are schematically represented in one of the currently preferred possible embodiments. In particular, figure 3 shows a sectional view of the measurement module (130) consisting of: - a tank (301) equipped with two hose holders (302 and 303) through which the measurement fluid enters the tank (301) up to at which the level of its free surface reaches the level of equilibrium (304), being the aforementioned tank (301) provided with two vertical tracks (305) which act as a guide for housing a bulkhead (306) and a circuit electronic detection (307);

- a cover (308) to which an electronic control circuit (309) is stably fixed;

- an electronic detection circuit (307) comprising a linear array of photodetectors (310), two immersion electrodes (311), of which only one is shown in Figure 3, a microprocessor for reading the array of photodetectors (310) and a resistive divider for measuring the resistance between the two immersion electrodes by means of the A / D converter contained in the same microprocessor (not shown in figure 3);

- a bulkhead (306) stably housed in the lower part of the tank by means of the two vertical tracks (305) comprising a temperature sensor (312) housed inside a cylindrical cavity obtained in the aforementioned bulkhead (306) and protected by a bed of resin cast inside the aforementioned cylindrical cavity;

- a laser diode illuminator (313) stably anchored between two cylindrical half-cavities obtained in the tank (301) and in the lid (308) which horizontally projects a light beam which illuminates the array of photodetectors in one point (310) ;

- a motor with mechanical gear ratio (314) to whose axis is keyed a crank (315) coupled to a connecting rod (316) in turn mechanically coupled by means of an axis (317) to the aforementioned electronic detection circuit (307).

With reference to the aforementioned figure 3, the operation of the measurement module (130) can be described as follows:

- the laser diode illuminator (313), the temperature sensor (312), the electronic detection circuit (307) and the motor (314) are connected to the electronic control circuit (309) by means of wiring cables not shown in figure 3;

- the data transmission bus (120) which connects the control module (110) and all the measurement modules (130) together is connected to a connector of the electronic control circuit (309) and is not shown in figure 3;

- when the measurement module (130) is requested, via the data transmission bus (120), to measure the level of the fluid present in the tank (301), the electronic control circuit (309), after having activated the 'laser diode illuminator (313), will activate the motor (314) so that this, through the mechanical movement of the crank (315), of the connecting rod (316) and of the axis (317), determines the reciprocating motion of the electronic circuit detection (307) upwards and downwards along the two tracks (305) so that the two electrodes (311) are alternately immersed and emerging from the free surface of the fluid (304);

- the state of immersion and emersion of the two electrodes (311) from the fluid is detected by the microprocessor of the electronic detection circuit (307) which, at each state transition of the electrodes (311), will read the relative position of the photodetector array ( 310) with respect to the optical beam projected horizontally by the laser diode illuminator (313), each time communicating to the electronic control circuit (309) the average value of the readings made in the two successive state transitions (from the "emerged" state to the "state" immersed "and vice versa);

when the electronic control circuit (309) has acquired reading values such that the values read do not differ from the average of the last N readings beyond a predetermined S limit, it will consider the measurement cycle completed and communicate the final result to the control module (310) via the data transmission bus (120).

The present invention has been described by way of illustration, but not of limitation, according to some preferred embodiments, but it is to be understood that any variations and / or modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without thereby departing from the relative scope of protection. as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS CLAIM 1: Electronic leveling system called "Electronic system for the continuous detection and recording of the difference in height between measurement points" with the purpose of measuring the differences in level between a plurality of measurement points, characterized by the fact of being composed of : a) a control module, a data transmission bus, a plurality of measurement modules, a hydraulic circuit and a data transmission line through which to provide the results of the measurements obtained. CLAIM 2: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 1 characterized by the fact that two or more measurement modules, each rigidly installed in a corresponding measurement point, are connected to the aforementioned control module through a data transmission bus. CLAIM 3: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 1 characterized by the fact that the aforementioned measurement modules and the aforementioned control module are connected together by a hydraulic circuit that passes through all the measurement modules. CLAIM 4: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 1 characterized by the fact that the aforementioned control module further comprises: a) an electronic module with functions of command, processing and storage of information, b) a tank containing the measuring fluid, c) a circulation pump, since the aforementioned tank and the circulation pump are crossed by the hydraulic circuit that crosses all the measurement modules. CLAIM 4: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic module with information processing and storage control functions is able to directly control the activation of the circulation pump and to control, through the line data, the activation of the measurement modules, receiving from them through the same data line the information that allows them to evaluate the level differences between each measurement module and all the other measurement modules belonging to the system. CLAIM 5: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic module with information processing and storage control functions is able to locally store the measurement data, making it available in response to query messages from from the data line, the information on the difference in height between the different measurement modules. CLAIM 6: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic module activates, at regular intervals, the circulation pump so as to circulate the measuring fluid through the hydraulic circuit, ensuring that the fluid contained in the tank passes through all the measurement modules until it returns to the tank again. CLAIM 7: Electronic levelometric system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that during the circulation of the fluid the measurement modules inform the electronic module about the temperature of the fluid itself, sending the current value through the data bus, allowing this allows the electronic module to maintain the activation of the pump until the fluid has reached the same temperature in all points of the hydraulic circuit. CLAIM 8: Electronic levelometric system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that, once the thermal homogeneity of the fluid is reached, the electronic module will stop the circulation of the fluid, waiting for a time T sufficient for the hydrostatic equilibrium to be reached and the fluid can stabilize at the same level within all measurement modules, since this time T is a specific characteristic of the system known a priori. CLAIM 9: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that, once the aforementioned time T has elapsed, the electronic module through the data bus will interrogate, one at a time, all the measurement modules, requesting each to carry out the accurate measurement of the fluid level inside the module itself, transmitting the result of the measurement performed through the same bus. CLAIM 10: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic device, once the information relating to the fluid levels has been received from all the measurement modules, stores the read values and obtains, for comparison with the historical values recorded previously, any variations in the level differences between the first module and each of the others. CLAIM 11: Levelometric electronic system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic device will be able to receive and interpret any messages coming from the data line providing the measurement values read by the various modules in response to these messages. CLAIM 12: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1 and 4, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned electronic device consists of a processing unit, a local bus, a line transceiver unit, a line transceiver unit, a display and a keyboard for local communication with an operator and by an electronic switch, the aforementioned display units, keyboard and electronic switch being controlled by the processing unit and the aforementioned line transceiver and line transceiver units respectively used by the processing unit for communication via the data bus and via the data line. CLAIM 13: Electronic levelometric system as per CLAIMS 1, 4 and 11, characterized by the fact that the processing unit which is part of the electronic device uses an electronic switch to activate and deactivate a fluid circulation pump. CLAIM 14: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIMS 1, 4 and 11, characterized by the fact that the aforementioned measurement module consists of: a) a tank equipped with two hose connectors and with two internal vertical tracks, b) a bulkhead, c) an electronic detection circuit, d) a cover, e) an electronic control circuit, f) an electronic detection circuit, g) a laser diode illuminator, h) a motor with mechanical reduction equipped with crank, connecting rod and axis of coupling. CLAIM 15: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 14, characterized in that in the aforementioned measurement module the detection circuit consists of a microprocessor, an array of photodetectors, two immersion electrodes and a resistive divider. CLAIM 16: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 1, 4 and 13, characterized by the fact that in the aforementioned measurement module the microprocessor of the detection circuit detects the state of immersion of two electrodes in the fluid by measuring the voltage at the ends of a resistive divider of the which the electrodes constitute one of the two branches. CLAIM 17: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 1, 4, 11 and 13, characterized by the fact that in the aforementioned measurement module the microprocessor of the detection circuit determines the relative position of the circuit itself with respect to the laser diode illuminator by reading which of the photodetectors that make up the array is illuminated by the beam of light emitted by the laser diode illuminator. CLAIM 18: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 14, 15, 16 and 17, characterized by the fact that in the aforementioned measurement module the microprocessor of the detection circuit determines the relative position of the circuit itself with respect to the laser diode illuminator both in the which the immersion electrodes of the circuit itself are immersed in the fluid, and when the immersion electrodes emerge from the fluid, since the entire circuit is animated with an upward and downward reciprocating motion due to the mechanical action determined by the motor assembly, crank, connecting rod and coupling axis, and the motor being activated during the entire measurement cycle. CLAIM 19: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 17, characterized by the fact that in the aforementioned measurement module the immersion electrodes of the detection circuit are made by means of two graphite bars. CLAIM 20: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM 14, characterized by the fact that in the aforementioned measurement module the detection of the fluid temperature is carried out by the control circuit through a temperature sensor consisting of a thermistor, since this sensor is housed inside a a cavity in the bulkhead filled with resin to protect the leads of the sensor itself. CLAIM 21: Electronic leveling system as per CLAIM from 1, characterized by the fact that the measuring fluid used in the hydraulic circuit consists of 50% distilled water, 50% ethylene glycol with the addition of sodium hydrogen carbonate at the rate of 12 grams per liter.