STREAM/SPRING

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention is generally related to water flow measuring devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for measuring the discharge rate/yield of a naturalspring/stream.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[002] Devices and methods for measuring the flow rate of a stream or discharge rate of a natural spring may pose an important factor while installing small hydro-energy projects, watermills (i.e. Gharats), and making water available for irrigation and domestic needs (specifically, during the lean season of the year).

[003] An efficient and precise device for the measurement of the discharge rate/yield of the spring/stream may be needed, but certain factors may influence the efficiency of the devices. For example, the presence of any foreign matter in the water may rust or choke the devices. The flow variation of a specific spring/stream throughout a year may be enormous and is extremely difficult for a single device of limited capacity to handle this wide range of flow and to measure it precisely. Further, ripples in the flowing stream may also interfere with the precise measurement of the instant discharge rate. Additionally, piping along the line of creep may also become one of the major reasons for the failure of the devices installed across the natural streams. [004] Certain devices and technologies for measuring water flow rate include a patent CN102620795B that discloses an invention relating to a water level and water flow velocity integral measuring device and belonging to the technical field of automatic detection. The water level and water flow velocity integral measuring device is characterized in that dual functions of simultaneously measuring the river water level and the water flow velocity are realized, and the measuring device consists of a balance weight block, a flow velocity sensor, a weighing sensor, a steel wire rope, a pulley, a weighing cable, a measuring cable, a cable, a waterproof junction box, a motor, a speed reducer, a steel wire rope rolling tube, a coding sensor, a water level intelligent meter, a flow velocity intelligent meter, a weighing intelligent meter, a water level display screen, a flow velocity display screen, and a weight display screen.

[005] Another patented technology includes a CN203216533U that discloses a portable flow rate/flow quantity meter. An electromagnetic flow rate sensor is electrically connected with a flow rate/flow quantity display instrument adopting a battery as a power supplying power source through a communication cable, such that the portable flow rate/flow quantity meter can be formed. The flow rate/flow quantity display instrument provides stable exciting current for the electromagnetic flow rate sensor; the electromagnetic flow rate sensor collects induced electromotive forces which are in direct proportion to the flow rate of a measured fluid, and transmits the induced electromotive forces to the flow rate/flow quantity display instrument through the communication cable; the induced electromotive forces are subjected to amplification and analog-digital conversion processing to form flow rate/flow quantity data of the measured fluid, and results are displayed by a liquid crystal display.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[006] It is an objective of the present invention to measure the continuous discharge of a waterspring/stream. In turn, the complete information regarding the total quantity of water discharged by the spring or flown through the stream for a particular period may be determined.

[007] It is an objective of the present invention to measure the discharge rate/yield of the water spring/stream very precisely.

[008] It is an objective of the present invention to provide a simple and easy to construct device for measuring the discharge rate/yield from water springs/streams.

[009] It is also an objective of the present invention that a device of any capacity may be fabricated according to the discharge rate range of the water spring/stream, using the inventive concept captured in the present application.

[0010] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more elaborate description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0011] An aspect of the present invention provides a device for measuring discharge rate/yield of a stream/spring, comprising: a collection and converging channel for receiving water of the spring/stream and conveying it to a water filtration system; the water filtration system installed adjacent to the collection and converging channel for filtering the water received from the collection and converging channel, where the water filtration system includes a rigid perforated chamber that encloses one or more vertical slots of filtration materials , enclosed filtration material slot(s) may comprise of sand, coal, or gravels (either singly or in combination) for filtration, and a rigid perforated chamber confine and support the enclosed slots of filtration materials , where the water filtration system restricts entry of foreign matter present in the spring/stream water, and the water filtration system being also for reducing water flow gradient; a water storage chamber, adjacent to the water filtration system, for receiving the water after being filtered through the water filtration system, the water storage chamber housing one or more water pipe inlets, located at one or more respective elevations, leading the water to one or more volumetric measurement devices, and the water storage chamber along with the water filtration system being collectively responsible for nullifying the ripples in water flow entering the one or more volumetric measurement devices; a flow measuring section, adjacent to the water storage chamber, housing the one or more water volumetric measurement devices of respective capacities for measuring the discharge rate/yield entering the one or more water volumetric measurement devices through the one or more water pipe inlets, where each of the one or more water volumetric measurement devices is connected to each of the one or more water pipe inlets depending on elevation of the water pipe inlet and the capacity of the volumetric measurement device such that a water pipe inlet located at a lower elevation in the water storage chamber connects and leads the water to a volumetric measurement device that is of smaller capacity to measure the discharge rate/yield during the lean season of the year and a water pipe inlet located at a higher elevation in the water storage chamber connects and leads the water to a volumetric measurement device that is of larger capacity to measure the discharge rate/yield during a voluminous water season (i.e. monsoon or postmonsoon); a plurality of vertical cut-offs installed at the bottom of the device such that the vertical cut-offs increase a line of creep to a satisfactory level to avoid piping along the line of creep; and one or more water pipe outlets for the one or more water volumetric measurement devices provided with respective one or more vertical bends out of the device, wherein the vertical bends assures that the water flow through the one or more water pipe inlets remains always full of water, which is an essential requirement for proper functioning of the one or more water volumetric measurement devices, and wherein the device is configured for providing complete information regarding a total quantity of water discharged by the spring and subsequently flown through the stream for a particular period; and wherein the device is configured to include the one or more water volumetric measurement devices of varying capacities to measure the discharge rate/yield of a stream/ spring. [0012] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the device further includes an entry section that conveys the water into the collection and converging channel from the stream/spring, wherein the width of the entry section depends upon the distance of the spring orifice from the upstream end of the device and on the size of the stream so developed, and wherein the entry section is located either at or below the bed level of the stream or spring orifice.

[0013] An embodiment of the present invention may providethe collection and converging channel having two surrounding walls that converge from the upstream end of the water entry section to the downstream end of the water storage chamber d.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the two surrounding walls have a height of 20 cm, and the two surrounding walls converge for a total length of 41 cm starting from the upstream end of the water entry section width of 76 cm to the downstream end of the water storage chamber width of 33 cm.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the gravels as enclosed filtration material is, the enclosed filtration material may be at least one of sand, coal, crushed stones, gravels, or any other suitable filtering material for filtration of the water, as individual slot or in combination , and the rigid perforated chamber is any type of filter that may suitably confine and support the enclosed filtration material , the rigid perforated chamber may include at least a nylon net with suitable perforations supported by a steel wire net, cotton net, nylon rope net, or any other suitable filtering material. [0016] Another embodiment of the present invention may provide the one or more water pipe inlets that are either of the same ordifferent sizes, installed at the different elevations in the water storage chamber, and the number of water pipe inlets correspond to the number of volumetric measurement devices, and wherein a smaller size water pipe inlet is located at a lower level and connected to a volumetric measurement device of smaller capacity than a larger size water pipe inlet located at a higher level in the water storage chamber being connected to a higher capacity volumetric measurement device.

[0017] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the one or more water volumetric measurement devices are either of the same or different capacities depending upon the range of water flow (from the lean season’s minimum to the monsoon’s maximum) the device has to handle throughout a year, and wherein the number of volumetric measurement devices installed depends upon the variation in oozing-out/flow rate of the water throughout the year ; and where, during a maximum water flow rate through the device, all of the one or more water volumetric measurement devices work simultaneously.

[0018] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the water storage chamber is 10 cm deeper than the bed level of the collection and converging channel.

[0019] Another embodiment of the present invention may provide the device includes at least four vertical Cut-offs, of length 13 cm each. [0020] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the device further includes two or more counterforts to support the two surrounding walls of the collection and the converging channel, wherein each counterfort is configured at a suitable angle including a right-angle triangle to support the two surrounding walls.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention may provide the device is installed in a horizontal position, across the stream/spring flow direction, such that the approaching stream may enter entirely into the device through the collection and converging channel without bypassing the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] For a better understanding of the embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, references will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements/components throughout and wherein:

[0023] FIGs. 1A and IB illustrate exemplary top view and side view diagrams of the discharge rate/yield measuring device for a water spring/stream, while FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary dimensions of the top view and the side view diagrams of the discharge rate/yield measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary image of the discharge rate/yield measuring device showing an entry section of a collection and converging conveyance channel of the discharge rate/yield measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary image of a water filter installed in the discharge rate/yield measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary image of a water storage chamber of the discharge rate/yield measuring device showing the location of water pipe inlets of different sizes at different levels in the water storage chamber of the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary image of a flow measuring section installed with two volumetric measurement devices of different capacities in the discharge rate/yield measuring device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram showing counterforts [11], in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0029] This patent describes the subject matter for patenting with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. The principles described herein may be embodied in many different forms. [0030] Illustrative embodiments of the invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0031 ] The present invention provides a device for measuring the discharge rate/yield of a spring/stream. This may effectively determine the instant or long-term discharge rate and total water yield from a specific water spring/stream in a particular period. The yield measuring device may precisely measure the water discharge rate using simple components and their construction.

[0032] FIGs. 1 A and IB illustrate exemplary top view and side view diagrams of the device for measuring the discharge rate/yield of a spring/stream, while FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary dimensions of the top view and the side view diagrams of the device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 2, and 3 that show the device 100 may include one or more components to measure the water discharge rate/yield. The device 100 may be established at the water oozing-out location of the spring. The device 100 may also be employed at any suitable location in the stream, either upstream, downstream, or intermediate location of the complete watercourse. The yield measuring device 100 may include a collection and converging conveyance channel [1], that may receive the spring/stream water and convey it to a water filtration system of the device 100. The water filtration system may include at least two or more types of water filters [2] and [3].

[0034] The width of an entry section 302 of the device- 100, which may lead to the collection of spring/stream water and convey it to the wall filters [2] and [3] through a converging channel [1]. Further, the width of an entry section 302 may depend upon the size of the stream (if installed across a natural stream) or the distance of the spring orifice (i.e. oozing-out location) from its upstream end and on the size of the stream so developed (referring to FIG. 3). The wider entry section 302 on the upstream end of the device 100 may help in collecting waterfrom the wider stream without interfering with its natural course and conveying it to the converging conveyance channel [1] of the device 100.

[0035] Further, the collection and converging conveyance channel [1] may have surrounding walls [13] that may converge from an upstream entry section to downstream. In an embodiment, the walls [13] of the collection and converging conveyance channel [1] may have a height of 20 cm. In an embodiment, the walls [13] of the collection and converging conveyance channel [1] may converge for a total length of 41 cm starting from an upstream entry section width of 76 cm to the downstream end of the water storage chamber width of 33 cm . Further, in an embodiment, the dimensions of the water receipting, converging, and conveying channel [1] and the walls [13] may be fixed based on the quantity of water the device 100 has to handle and the geographical boundaries (i.e. width) of the natural stream to gauge. [0036] It may be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art that the dimensions, including the height, convergence dimensions, and the like, of the walls [13], may vary depending on the size, construction, and requirement in the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention. In an alternative embodiment, the walls [13] may also diverge depending on the size, construction, and requirement in the yield measuring device 100, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0037] As the water flows through the collection and converging conveyance channel [1], any sediments present in the water stream may settle down in the collection and converging conveyance channel [1], depending upon the size of the particulate matter present in the water stream and the flow velocity through the device 100. In an embodiment, the entry section of the collection and converging conveyance channel [1] of the device 100 may be kept at or below the bed level of the natural course of the water stream.

[0038] Further, in an embodiment, the device 100 may be installed essentially in a horizontal position. In an embodiment, device 100 may be installed across the flow direction of the stream, such that the water flows into device 100 through the collection and converging conveyance channel [1].

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary image of the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 showing the entry section 302 of the collection and converging conveyance channel

[1], in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In embodiment 300 shown in FIG. 3, the base of the entry section of the collection and converging conveyance channel [ 1 ] is below the bed of the natural course of the water stream.

[0040] Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 2, and 4, the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may further include a water filtration system. The water filtration system may include at least two or more types of water filters [2] and [3]. The enclosed filter medium [3] may contain gravels of different sizes. In an embodiment, the gravels in the enclosed filter medium [3] may have varied sizes, for example from 5 mm to 10 mm (Referring to FIG. 4). Further, to confine and support the filter medium [3], a rigid perforated chamber [2] may be employed in the construction of the device 100. The rigid perforated chamber [2] may be of any type that may suitably confine and support the enclosed filter medium [3], for example, a rigid perforated chamber [2] may include and is not limited to a nylon net with suitable perforations that can be supported by a steel wire net, according to an embodiment. The steel wire net may have size of 1 inch x 1 inch, in an exemplary embodiment.

[0041] It may be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art that the enclosed filter medium [3] may be composed of the different or same size of gravels, or may also be composed of any other material, such as including and not limited to sand, coal, crushed stones, gravels, or any other suitable filtering material, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention. It may be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art that the rigid perforated chamber [2] may be of any other suitable material and is not limited to only nylon net, such as including and not limited to the cotton net, nylon rope net, or any other suitable filtering material, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0042] Usually, the spring water may remain turbid-free but in some cases, it may not be feasible to install the device 100 at or very near to the spring orifice. The oozed-out water from the spring may start flowing on the land surface and immediately converted into a surface stream. The wall filters [2] and [3] may restrict the entry of any kind of foreign matter present in the spring/stream water that may choke or interfere with the efficient functioning of one or more volumetric measuring device(s) included in the device 100.

[0043] Another major function and advantage of the wall filters [2] and [3] may be to reduce the flow gradient. Thus, the size of the particles in the enclosed filter medium [3] and the size of the perforations in the rigid perforated chamber [2] may depend upon the desired filtration rate. The filtration rate through the wall filters [2] and [3] should not be restricted to such an extent that the ponded water upstream may either try to overtop the wall filtres [2] and [3] or may find its way from either or both sides of the device 100. In other words, the filtration rate should not be less than the stream flow rate or the water oozing-out rate through the spring orifice.

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary image 400 of the wall filter [2], that may be made up of the nylon net 402 supported by a steel wire net 404.

[0045] Further, referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 2, and 5, the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may include a water storage chamber [4] that may also act as the second sedimentation chamber (Refer to FIG. 5). Water may flow into the water storage chamber [4] after being filtered through the wall filters [2] and [3]. The water storage chamber [4] may further also house one or more water pipe inlets located at different elevations that may further lead the water to one or more volumetric measuring device(s) installed in another section [7] of the device 100. The one or more water pipe inlets may be of different sizes or same sizes, depending on the size, construction, design, and requirement of the device 100, without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention. The number of water pipe inlets may specify the number of volumetric measuring devices of different capacities that may be installed in the device 100.

[0046] A smaller size pipe-inlet that may be located at a lower level may indicate that a volumetric measuring device is of smaller capacity than a larger size pipe-inlet at a higher level that is attached with a higher capacity volumetric measuring device (Refer FIG. 5). Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the water storage chamber [4] maybe 10 cm deeper than the bed level of the channel [1]. It may be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art that the water storage chamber [4] may be located at a suitable level deeper than the bed level of the channel [1], without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0047] The ripples in the flowing stream may interfere with the precise measurement of the flow by the device 100. The water storage chamber [4] along with the wall filters [2] and [3] may be collectively responsible for nullifying the ripples in the water flow entering the volumetric measurement device(s) installed in the device 100. [0048] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary image 500 of the water storage chamber [4] of the device showing the location of the water pipe inlets of different sizes at different elevations in the water storage chamber [4] of the device 100.

[0049] Referring to FIGs. 1 A, IB, and 5, a water level [5] may represent the lowest flowing level of spring/stream during the lean season of the year, while a water level [6] may indicate the highest level during the maximum flow. While passing through the filtration medium(s) of the wall filters [2] and [3], the flowing stream losses a considerable amount of head. As a result, after passing through the wall filters [2] and [3], the water level [5] of the flowing stream may lower to a water level [5a] and the water level [6] may lower to a water level [6a] .

[0050] Next to the water storage chamber [4], the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may further include a flow measuring section [7] that may house one or more water volumetric measurement device(s) of the same or different capacities. In an embodiment, one or more water volumetric measurement device(s) may be of the same or different capacities depending upon the range of flow the device has to handle throughout the year.

[0051] In an exemplary situation of the present invention, the discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may be installed with two water volumetric measurement devices [8] and [9]. For example, the water volumetric measurement devices may be of sizes 20 mm [8] and 25 mm [9] (Refer FIG. 6). The number of volumetric measurement devices that need to be installed may depend upon the range of flow rate to be measured throughout the year. Each volumetric measurement device works well within a certain range of water flow through it. To account for the minimum flow rate during the lean season of the year, a smaller capacity volumetric measurement device [8] may be installed with the entry at the lower-most position in the water storage chamber [4]. Water levels in the channel [1] and water storage chamber [4] may be at a lower level during the lean season of the year and the water may be discharged through the lower capacity volumetric measurement device [8] which may be installed at the lower level in the section [7].

[0052] With an increase in the oozing-out rate of water from the spring or increased flow in streams during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons, water levels in the channel [1] and water storage chamber [4] may rise and the water may be discharged through the higher capacity volumetric measurement device [9] which may be installed at the higher level in the section [7]. It may be noted here that during the maximum flow rate through the device 100, both the volumetric measurement devices [8] and [9] work simultaneously.

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary image 600 of the flow measuring section [7] installed with two volumetric measurement devices [8] and [9], in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] One of the major reasons for the failure of any water discharge rate or yield measuring device that is installed across the natural streams may be the piping along the line of creep. To avoid this failure, the line of creep is increased to a satisfactory level using the weighted creep ratio formula. Thus, referring to FIGs. IB and 2, several vertical Cutoffs [10] may be provided at the bottom of the base of the device 100. In an exemplary embodiment, a total of four numbers of vertical cut-offs [10] may be installed, which may be a suitable length to increase the line of creep to a satisfactory level. For example, the vertical Cut-offs [10] may be of length 13 cm each.

[0055] Further, referring to FIGs. IB, 2, and 7, to support the walls [13] of the collection and the converging conveyance channel [1], some counterforts [11] may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment, each counterfort [11] may be in the shape of a right-angle triangle having dimensions, for example, of the base and altitude equal to 5 cm each. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram 700 showing the counterforts [11], in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Further, it may be apparent to a person ordinary skilled in the art, that the counterforts [11] may be constructed at a suitable angle, other than right angle also, to suitably support the walls [13] of the collection and the converging conveyance channel [1], without deviating from the meaning and scope of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIGs. 1A, IB, 2, one or more water pipe outlets of the one or more water volumetric measuring devices [8] and [9] may be provided with vertical bends [12]. The vertical bends [12] may be provided to make assure that the flow through the water pipes remains always full of water, which is an essential requirement of a water volumetric measuring device for its proper functioning. Moreover, the levels of the water pipe outlets may decide the depth (i.e. level) of water in the water storage chamber [4].

[0057] Advantageously, the water discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may provide a simple and easy to construct device for measuring the discharge rate from spring/stream continuously. In turn, the complete information regarding the total quantity of water discharged by the spring and subsequently flown through the stream for a particular period may be determined.

[0058] Further, the water discharge rate/yield measuring device 100 may measure the discharge rate of natural spring or the flow rate of a stream very precisely.

[0059] In addition, using the inventive concept captured in the present application, any water discharge rate/yield measuring device of any capacity may be fabricated according to the water discharge/flow rate range of a spring/stream.

[0060] Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specifications or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any component(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or component of any or all the claims.

[0061] It is intended that the disclosure and examples be considered exemplary only. Though the present disclosure includes examples from water discharge rate/yield measuring devices and methods, the system and method disclosed herein may be employed for various applications as would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. The references to measuring devices and machines used here are intended to be applied or extended to the larger scope and should not be construed as restricting the scope and practice of the present invention.