Multi-function flow monitoring apparatus with multiple flow sensor capability

• US 5,506,791 A
• Filed: 03/29/1994
• Issued: 04/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Sigma, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Original Assignee: American Sigma, Inc. (Danaher Corporation)
• Inventors: Sak, Cheryl, Daniels, Mark R., Agostini, Dean, Hungerford, William G., Churchfield, Paul D., Waild, Douglas D. Jr., Kaiser, Donald F., Tavano, Anthony, Randolph, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Ellis B.
• Application Number:
  US08/219,097
• Time in Patent Office: 742 Days
• Field of Search: 364/509, 364/510, 73/863.01, 73/863, 73/863.02, 73/863.03, 73/863.34, 141/1, 141/89, 141/91, 141/94, 141/130, 422/82.11, 422/98, 385/12
• US Class Current: 702/50
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/00 Other installations or implements for operating sewer systems, e.g. for preventing or indicating stoppage; Emptying cesspools
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/268 using optical fibres G01D5/28 - G01D5/38 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/002 wherein the flow is in an open channel
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/005 using floats
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/168 with electric indicating or recording
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/18 Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/24 by measuring variations of resistance of resistors due to contact with conductor fluid
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/245 with a probe moved by an auxiliary power, e.g. meter, to follow automatically the level
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/263 by measuring variations in capacitance of capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/296 Acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/44 using electrically actuated indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/14 Suction devices, e.g. pumps; Ejector devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/18 with provision for splitting samples into portions G01N1/12, G01N1/14 take precedence; fraction-collection apparatus for chromatography B01D15/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2035 by deviating part of a fluid stream, e.g. by drawing-off or tapping
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1043 from sewers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1081 Storing samples under refrigeration
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/1427 Positive displacement, piston, peristaltic
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/185 Conveyor of containers successively filled
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/18 Water
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3624 Fibre head, e.g. fibre probe termination optical details of light guide terminations G02B6/241; reshaping of light guides G02B6/2552; optical details of coupling light into or out of fibre end G02B6/262
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4203 : Optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4204 : the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208, H01L33/52
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4206 : Optical features G02B6/4207, G02B6/421 take precedence

Abstract

A multi-function fluid flow monitoring apparatus capable of measuring fluid flow-related variables of fluid in a channel on the basis of signals from any one or more of a plurality of different types of flow sensors. Such different types of flow sensors may include, for example, a bubbler-type pressure sensor, a submerged pressure transducer, an ultrasonic transducer, and/or a velocity sensor forming part of an area-velocity sensor system, each of which sensors may be selectively connected to the apparatus as needed to accommodate various monitoring conditions. The apparatus is further capable of monitoring various conditions of fluid in the channel, such as pH level, ORP, temperature, solution conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and the like. In addition, the apparatus may be selectively linked with one of a variety of external devices, such as an automatic sampling apparatus, a rain gauge, or a pump, so as to selectively initiate desired actions by such external device(s) or to otherwise operably cooperate with such external device(s). The multi-function apparatus comprises an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case. The integral operating unit includes a computer control system including a microprocessor, program memory, and data memory. External connectors are provided for selective connection to one or more different flow sensors, fluid condition sensors, and/or external devices. Signals from the flow sensor(s) and/or fluid condition sensor(s) are received and processed by the computer control system, as are signals from, and/or operations by, external devices linked to the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a display screen, controlled by the computer control system, which selectively displays data in either text or graphics formats. Data including flow-related data, fluid condition data, as well as data from external devices, may be transferred from the data memory of the apparatus to an external computer, printer, or the like by use of a hand-held data transfer unit or a modem integrally provided in the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus for monitoring at least one variable related to fluid flow in a channel, comprising:

an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case, said integral operating unit including computer means for controlling said apparatus and input means for receiving detected signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;

said input means being selectively connectable to any selected one or more of a plurality of different types of flow-sensing means for producing signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;

said integral operating unit further including means for processing said signals from each of said plurality of different types of flow-sensing means, for input to said computer control means;

power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; and

said computer control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory, and data memory, wherein;

said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including at least one fluid flow-related parameter; and

said microprocessor receives said signals related to fluid flow from said processing means and calculates values of said flow-related variable based on said signals and said user-input fluid flow-related parameter.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one flow-related variable comprises fluid depth, fluid flow rate, total flow, and fluid velocity.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external rain gauge, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on a portion of said unitary case;

said rain gauge interface means including means for processing signals for input to said computer control means;

said data memory stores rainfall data measured by said rain gauge;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined rainfall value; and

said microprocessor initiates flow monitoring operations on the basis of said predetermined rainfall value.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises at least one fluid condition monitoring module;

said fluid condition monitoring module being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said external connector being selectively connectable to a fluid condition sensor means for detecting at least one variable related to a condition of said fluid and outputting signals proportional thereto;

said fluid condition monitoring module including means for processing said signals for input to said computer control means;

said program memory being programmed for computing values of said fluid condition; and

said microprocessor receives said fluid condition signals via said fluid condition monitoring module and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said signals.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises pH;

said fluid condition sensor means comprises a pH sensor; and

said data memory stores fluid condition data.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises solution conductivity;

said fluid condition sensor means comprises a conductivity sensor; and

said data memory stores fluid condition data.

7. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises oxygen reduction potential (ORP);

said fluid condition sensor means comprises an ORP sensor; and

said data memory stores fluid condition data.

8. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said fluid condition comprises dissolved oxygen;

said fluid condition sensor means comprises a dissolved oxygen sensor; and

said data memory stores fluid condition data.

9. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external automatic sampling apparatus, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said automatic sampling apparatus interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition; and

said microprocessor sends control signals to said automatic sampling device, via said interface means, to initiate sampling operations by said automatic sampling apparatus on the basis of said user-input at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said flow-sensing means includes a fluid level measuring system for measuring fluid depth in said channel and for sending to said microprocessor signals representing depth of fluid in said channel;

said flow-sensing means includes a fluid velocity measuring system operably connected to said microprocessor;

said fluid velocity measuring system operates on the principle of Doppler frequency shift of a transmitted electromagnetic wave;

said fluid velocity measuring system sends to said microprocessor signals representing average velocity of said fluid flow in said channel;

there is provided a keypad operably connected to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor;

said microprocessor calculates cross-sectional area of said fluid in said channel based on channel geometry information entered by a user via said keypad and said signals representing depth of fluid in said channel; and

said microprocessor calculates average flow rate by the equation average flow rate equals average velocity multiplied by said calculated channel cross-sectional area.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein:

said fluid velocity measuring system includes means for obtaining a Doppler shifted frequency signal which is proportional to the speed of moving particles in said fluid;

said fluid velocity measuring system also includes a spectrum analyzer circuit to which said Doppler shifted frequency signal is fed as an input; and

wherein the output of said spectrum analyzer circuit is a weighted frequency distribution of its input signal over discrete frequency intervals, and wherein the weighting of each frequency component corresponds to the strength of scattered energy at each velocity interval; and

to obtain average velocity, the centroid of said frequency distribution is calculated and the result is used by said microprocessor for calculating said average flow rate.

13. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

said program memory stores a plurality of equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable;

said microprocessor calculates values of said flow-related variable based on said signals, said user-input fluid flow-related parameter, and a selected one of said stored equations;

said data memory further stores fluid flow-related data;

said processing means comprises a plurality of control modules, each of said control modules being respectively operatively associated with one of said plurality of different types of flow sensing means;

said input means comprises a plurality of connectors mounted on an external portion of said unitary case, each of said connectors being selectively connectable with an associated one of said plurality of flow sensing means; and

each of said control modules is operably connected between an associated one of said plurality of connectors and said computer control means.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of control modules comprises a submerged sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means comprises a submerged sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said submerged sensor control module.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of control modules comprises a velocity sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means comprises a velocity sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said velocity sensor control module.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of equations stored in said program memory include equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable with respect to a plurality of different fluid flow restricting devices;

said plurality of equations stored in said program memory further include equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable with respect to a plurality of different fluid channel configurations; and

said at least one user-input fluid flow-related parameter comprises a selected fluid flow restricting device or channel configuration.

18. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external automatic sampling apparatus, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said automatic sampling apparatus interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined value of said flow-related variable; and

said microprocessor sends control signals to said automatic sampling device, via said interface means, to initiate sampling operations by said automatic sampling apparatus on the basis of said user-input predetermined value of said flow-related variable.

19. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external pump, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on a portion of said unitary case;

said pump interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined flow-related variable value; and

said microprocessor initiates operation of said pump on the basis of said predetermined flow-related variable value.

20. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of control modules comprises an ultrasonic sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means comprises an ultrasonic sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said ultrasonic sensor control module.

21. An apparatus according to claim 20, wherein:

said ultrasonic sensor control module includes means for supplying acoustic pulses to said ultrasonic sensor, and detector means for receiving echo signals from said ultrasonic sensor; and

said microprocessor controls operations of said ultrasonic sensor control module to optimize settings for said acoustic pulse means and said detector means.

22. An apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising:

display screen means for selectively displaying said data stored in said data memory in either text or graphics form, said display screen means being mounted on an exterior portion of said unitary case;

means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device; and

said display means and said transfer means being controlled by said computer control means.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said transfer means comprises an external connector operatively connected with said computer control means and mounted on said unitary case, and an external portable data transfer unit selectively connectable to said external connector to retrieve data stored by said computer control means; and

said portable data transfer unit is adapted to be in turn selectively connected to an external output device to transfer said data to said output device.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said transfer means comprises a modem mounted within said unitary case, and an external connector operatively connected with said modem and mounted on said unitary case.

25. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein:

said plurality of control modules comprises a bubbler sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means comprises a bubbler flow sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said bubbler sensor control module.

26. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:

said bubbler sensor control module comprises, in addition to said processing means;

an air pump operatively connected with an air reservoir so as to pressurize said reservoir;

air flow restriction means connected to said reservoir; and

first pressure sensing means connected between said air flow restriction means and said reservoir, and second pressure sensing means connected downstream of said reservoir;

said associated one of said connectors is connected to said air pump downstream of said second pressure sensing means;

said microprocessor receives signals from said first and second pressure sensing means, and calculates the difference in pressure between said first and second pressure sensing means; and

said microprocessor is connected to said air pump so as to operate said pump to maintain a predetermined pressure difference between said first and second pressure sensing means.

27. An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein:

said plurality of control modules further comprises a submerged sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means further comprises a submerged sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said submerged sensor control module.

28. An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein:

said plurality of control modules further comprises an ultrasonic sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means further comprises an ultrasonic sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said ultrasonic sensor control module.

29. An apparatus according to claim 28, wherein:

each of said submerged, bubbler, and ultrasonic control modules and its respective associated connector and sensor defines a fluid depth measuring subsystem;

said plurality of control modules further comprises a velocity sensor control module, and said plurality of flow sensing means further comprises a velocity sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said velocity sensor control module;

said velocity sensor control module, said associated connector, and said velocity sensor comprising a fluid velocity measurement subsystem; and

a selected one of said fluid depth measuring subsystems and said fluid velocity measurement subsystem together define an area-velocity sensor system.

30. A bubbler-type fluid flow monitoring apparatus for monitoring at least one variable related to fluid flow in a channel, comprising:

an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case, said integral operating unit including computer means for controlling said apparatus;

a bubbler sensor connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case and being selectively connectable with a bubbler sensor so as to receive signals related to fluid flow in said channel produced by said bubbler sensor;

power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus;

said integral operating unit further including bubbler sensor control means connected with said bubbler sensor connector, said bubbler sensor control means comprising;

means for processing said signals for input to said computer control means;

an air pump operatively connected with an air reservoir so as to pressurize said reservoir;

air flow restriction means connected to said reservoir; and

first pressure sensing means connected between said air flow restriction means and said reservoir, and second pressure sensing means connected downstream of said reservoir;

said bubbler sensor connector being connected to said air pump downstream of said second pressure sensing means;

said computer control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein;

said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including at least one fluid flow-related parameter; and

said microprocessor receives signals from said first and second pressure sensing means, and calculates the difference in pressure between said first and second pressure sensing means;

said microprocessor is connected to said air pump so as to operate said pump to maintain a predetermined pressure difference between said first and second pressure sensing means; and

said microprocessor receives said signals related to fluid flow from said processing means and calculates values of said at least one flow-related variable based on said signals and said user-input fluid flow-related parameter.

31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein:

said program memory stores a plurality of equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable;

said data memory stores fluid flow-related data;

said at least one flow-related variable comprises fluid depth, fluid flow rate and total flow; and

said microprocessor calculates values of said at least one flow-related variable based on said signals, said user-input fluid flow-related parameter, and a selected one of said stored equations.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising:

display screen means for selectively displaying said data stored in said data memory in either text or graphics form, said display screen means being mounted on an exterior portion of said unitary case;

means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device; and

said display means and said transfer means being controlled by said computer control means.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises at least one fluid condition monitoring module;

said fluid condition monitoring module being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said external connector being selectively connectable to a fluid condition sensor means for detecting at least one variable related to a condition of said fluid and outputting signals proportional thereto;

said fluid condition monitoring module including means for processing said signals for input to said computer control means;

said program memory being programmed for computing values of said fluid condition;

said microprocessor receives said fluid condition signals via said fluid condition monitoring module and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said fluid condition based on said signals; and

said data memory stores said fluid condition data.

34. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein:

said at least one flow-related variable comprises fluid depth in said channel; and

including;

a keypad operably connected to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor;

a fluid velocity measuring system operably connected to said microprocessor;

said fluid velocity measuring system operates on the principle of Doppler frequency shift of a transmitted electromagnetic wave;

said fluid velocity measuring system sends to said microprocessor signals representing average velocity of said fluid flow in said channel;

said microprocessor calculates cross-sectional area of said fluid in said channel based on channel geometry information entered by a user via said keypad and said fluid depth variable; and

said microprocessor calculates average flow rate by the equation average flow rate equals average velocity multiplied by said calculated channel cross-sectional area.

35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

36. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein:

said fluid velocity measuring system includes means for obtaining a Doppler shifted frequency signal which is proportional to the speed of moving particles in said fluid;

said fluid velocity measuring system also includes a spectrum analyzer circuit to which said Doppler shifted frequency signal is fed as an input; and

wherein the output of said spectrum analyzer circuit is a weighted frequency distribution of its input signal over discrete frequency intervals, and wherein the weighting of each frequency component corresponds to the strength of scattered energy at each velocity interval; and

to obtain average velocity, the centroid of said frequency distribution is calculated and the result is used by said microprocessor for calculating said average flow rate.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

38. An apparatus for monitoring at least one variable related to fluid flow, and at least one non-flow related fluid condition variable, of fluid in a channel, comprising:

an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case, said integral operating unit including computer means for controlling said apparatus and first input means for receiving detected signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;

said first input means being selectively connectable to any selected one or more of a plurality of different types of flow-sensing means for producing signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;

said integral operating unit further including first means for processing said signals from each of said plurality of different types of flow-sensing means, for input to said computer control means;

said integral operating unit further including second input means for receiving detected signals related to at least one fluid condition in said channel, said second input means being selectively connectable to at least one fluid condition sensor means for detecting at least one fluid condition and outputting signals proportional thereto;

said second input means including second means for processing said signals from said at least one fluid condition sensor means, for input to said computer control means;

power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus; and

said computer control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein;

said program memory stores a plurality of equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable;

said program memory is programmed for computing values of said at least one fluid condition;

said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including at least one fluid flow-related parameter, and further stores fluid flow-related data and fluid condition data;

said microprocessor receives said signals related to fluid flow from said first processing means and calculates values of said at least one flow-related variable based on said signals, said user-input fluid flow-related parameter, and a selected one of said stored equations; and

said microprocessor receives said signals related to said at least one fluid condition from said second processing means and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said at least one fluid condition based on said signals.

39. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said at least one fluid condition comprises pH; and

said at least one fluid condition sensor means comprises a pH sensor.

40. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said at least one fluid condition comprises solution conductivity; and

said at least one fluid condition sensor means comprises a conductivity sensor.

41. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said at least one fluid condition comprises oxygen reduction potential (ORP); and

said at least one fluid condition sensor means comprises an ORP sensor.

42. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said at least one fluid condition comprises dissolved oxygen; and

said at least one fluid condition sensor means comprises a dissolved oxygen sensor.

43. An apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising:

display screen means for selectively displaying said data stored in said data memory in either text or graphics form, said display screen means being mounted on an exterior portion of said unitary case;

means for selectively transferring said stored data to an external output device; and

said display means and said transfer means being controlled by said computer control means.

44. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external automatic sampling apparatus, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said automatic sampling apparatus interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined value of said flow-related variable; and

said microprocessor sends control signals to said automatic sampling device, via said interface means, to initiate sampling operations by said automatic sampling apparatus on the basis of said user-input predetermined value of said flow-related variable.

45. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external automatic sampling apparatus, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case;

said automatic sampling apparatus interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition; and

said microprocessor sends control signals to said automatic sampling device, via said interface means, to initiate sampling operations by said automatic sampling apparatus on the basis of said user-input at least one predetermined value of said fluid condition.

46. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external rain gauge, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on a portion of said unitary case;

said rain gauge interface means including means for processing signals for input to said computer control means;

said data memory stores rainfall data measured by said rain gauge;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined rainfall value; and

said microprocessor initiates flow monitoring operations on the basis of said predetermined rainfall value.

47. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said integral operating unit further comprises interface means for an external pump, said interface means being connected with an external connector mounted on a portion of said unitary case;

said pump interface means including means for processing signals for input to, and output from, said computer control means;

said user-selected input parameters includes a predetermined flow-related variable value; and

said microprocessor initiates operation of said pump on the basis of said predetermined flow-related variable value.

48. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said first processing means comprises a plurality of control modules, each of said control modules being respectively operatively associated with one of said plurality of different types of flow sensing means;

said first input means comprises a plurality of connectors mounted on an external portion of said unitary case, each of said connectors being selectively connectable with an associated one of said plurality of flow sensing means; and

each of said control modules is operably connected between an associated one of said plurality of connectors and said computer control means.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein:

said plurality of control modules comprises a bubbler sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means comprises a bubbler flow sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said bubbler sensor control module.

50. An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein:

said plurality of control modules further comprises a submerged sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means further comprises a submerged sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said submerged sensor control module.

51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein:

said plurality of control modules further comprises an ultrasonic sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means further comprises an ultrasonic sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said ultrasonic sensor control module.

52. An apparatus according to claim 51, wherein:

said plurality of control modules further comprises a velocity sensor control module, and said plurality of different types of flow sensing means further comprises a velocity sensor which is selectively connectable to an associated one of said connectors so as to be operably connected with said velocity sensor control module.

53. An apparatus according to claim 38, wherein:

said flow-sensing means includes a fluid level measuring system for measuring fluid depth in said channel and for sending to said microprocessor signals representing depth of fluid in said channel;

said flow-sensing means includes a fluid velocity measuring system operably connected to said microprocessor;

said fluid velocity measuring system operates on the principle of Doppler frequency shift of a transmitted electromagnetic wave;

said fluid velocity measuring system sends to said microprocessor signals representing average velocity of said fluid flow in said channel;

there is provided a keypad operably connected to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor;

said microprocessor calculates cross-sectional area of said fluid in said channel based on channel geometry information entered by a user via said keypad and said signals representing depth of fluid in said channel; and

said microprocessor calculates average flow rate by the equation average flow rate equals average velocity multiplied by said calculated channel cross-sectional area.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

55. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein:

said fluid velocity measuring system includes means for obtaining a Doppler shifted frequency signal which is proportional to the speed of moving particles in said fluid;

said fluid velocity measuring system also includes a spectrum analyzer circuit to which said Doppler shifted frequency signal is fed as an input; and

wherein the output of said spectrum analyzer circuit is a weighted frequency distribution of its input signal over discrete frequency intervals, and wherein the weighting of each frequency component corresponds to the strength of scattered energy at each velocity interval; and

to obtain average velocity, the centroid of said frequency distribution is calculated and the result is used by said microprocessor for calculating said average flow rate.

56. An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

57. An area-velocity sensor system for monitoring fluid flow in a channel, comprising, in combination:

a microprocessor;

a fluid level measuring system for measuring fluid depth in said channel and for sending to said microprocessor signals representing depth of fluid in said channel;

a keypad operably connected to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor;

a fluid velocity measuring system operably connected to said microprocessor;

said fluid velocity measuring system operating on the principle of Doppler frequency shift of a transmitted electromagnetic wave;

said fluid velocity measuring system sending to said microprocessor signals representing average velocity of said fluid flow in said channel;

said microprocessor calculates cross-sectional area of fluid in said channel based on channel geometry information entered by a user via said keypad and said signals representing depth of fluid in said channel; and

said microprocessor calculating the average flow rate by the equation average flow rate equals average velocity multiplied by said calculated channel cross-sectional area.

58. A system according to claim 57, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.

59. A system according to claim 57, wherein:

said fluid velocity measuring system includes means for obtaining a Doppler shifted frequency signal which is proportional to the speed of moving particles in said fluid;

said fluid velocity measuring system also includes a spectrum analyzer circuit to which said Doppler shifted frequency signal is fed as an input; and

wherein the output of said spectrum analyzer circuit is a weighted frequency distribution of its input signal over discrete frequency intervals, and wherein the weighting of each frequency component corresponds to the strength of scattered energy at each velocity interval; and

to obtain average velocity, the centroid of said frequency distribution is calculated and the result is used by said microprocessor for calculating said average flow rate.

60. A system according to claim 59, wherein:

flow direction is obtained by detecting a relative phase difference between said transmitted electromagnetic wave and a quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave;

and means are provided for processing said transmitted electromagnetic wave and said quadrature shifted transmitted electromagnetic wave to obtain an actual Doppler wave and a quadrature shifted Doppler wave; and

said actual Doppler wave and said quadrature shifted Doppler wave are input into direction sensing firmware which assigns a direction to the velocity before it is transmitted to said microprocessor.