Flow resistance insert and flow measuring or flow regulating device

Abstract

The invention relates to a flow resistance insert (14) for a flow measuring or flow regulating device, having discs (46, 48) which are pressed against one another, said discs forming at least one central, axial flow channel between them, from which a radial flow channel branches off. The discs comprise first discs (46) and second discs (48), which alternate. The first discs (46) are circumferentially closed annular discs, while the second discs (48) are circumferentially notched, one-piece annular discs. Furthermore, the invention describes a flow measuring or regulating device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a flow resistance insert for a flow measurement or regulation device having discs close together, the discs collectively forming at least one central, axial flow channel within their interiors.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a flow measurement or flow regulation device having such a flow resistance plug. Background Technology

[0003] Various types of flow measurement and flow regulation devices are known, operating using different measurement methods. One such method utilizes differential pressure measurement. Typically, two channels branch off from the main flow channel, with a flow resistance insert positioned between these two channels in the main flow channel, at which a pressure drop is defined. The differential pressure is then determined using various possible methods, such as a differential pressure unit that can be applied from both sides by pressure.

[0004] Importantly, the flow resistance inserts are replaceable, allowing different inserts to be inserted into the corresponding housings. These inserts must also be manufactured within very small tolerances to achieve the desired flow resistance within narrow limits. For this purpose, one or more flow channels through the insert must be manufactured precisely in terms of their location, cross-section, and orientation. A common flow resistance insert is the so-called sheet flow element, in which numerous parallel, typically identical-sized axial channels pass through a cylindrical insert. An alternative to this provides an insert consisting of closely spaced discs that form not only a central, axial flow channel but also one or more radial flow channels that branch off from at least one central, axial flow channel and deflect the flow radially outward. Such flow resistance inserts can achieve varying degrees of flow resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of this invention is to find a flow resistance plug that can be manufactured simply and precisely.

[0006] The objective is achieved by a flow resistance insert of a flow measurement or flow regulation device having discs close together, the discs collectively forming at least one central, axial flow channel within their interiors, from which radial flow channels branch out, wherein the discs have a first disc, the first disc alternating with a second disc, and wherein the first disc is a circumferentially closed annular disc and the similarly one-piece second disc is a circumferentially slit, one-piece annular disc for forming the radial flow channels.

[0007] The flow-resistance insert according to the invention has two types of discs, both of which are flat. A closed, annular disc completely encloses one or more central flow channels laterally, while the second disc is single or multiple-cut. These cuts then form lateral flow channels, allowing fluid to flow laterally outward from the flow-resistance insert from the one or more central flow channels. Because the second disc is constructed as a single piece, it does not need to consist of multiple parts, reducing installation complexity and eliminating the need for segments for orienting the second disc. This allows the lateral channels to be manufactured with great precision in position and size.

[0008] The second disc may have one, two, or more slits on its circumference, particularly four slits, and the resulting circumferential segments are coupled to each other via at least one connecting tab, the circumferential segments being formed between adjacent slits. The connecting tab is a one-piece component of the second disc and extends through an axial flow channel to connect one or more circumferential segments of the slit annular disc.

[0009] Therefore, the connecting piece will naturally divide the central axial flow channel into two or more flow channels along its axial length, depending on the number and orientation of the connecting piece.

[0010] As mentioned earlier, two or more connecting tabs may be provided, which may cross in the region of the axial flow channel and transition into each other therein.

[0011] The connecting pieces are arranged symmetrically, especially in the axial view, and particularly symmetrically with respect to the hypothetical, central axis point of the flow resistance plug, which is only one option.

[0012] To achieve the most layered flow possible along the axial direction, the radial thickness of the annular ring surrounding the first disk and the radial thickness of the circumferential section of the second disk can correspond to each other, that is, be the same. Therefore, there is no abrupt change in cross-section along the radial direction in the annular region from the first disk to the second disk that is attached to it.

[0013] The axial thickness of the first plate can be greater than that of the second plate, so that the axial dimension of the lateral channel formed by the cut is smaller.

[0014] One example of the invention is that the second disc has a thickness of 0.03 mm to 0.08 mm and the first disc has a thickness greater than 0.1 mm.

[0015] Stainless steel is particularly available as a material, for example, with the designation 1.4404.

[0016] The first and second disks, in particular, are etched using photochemical etching to create cuts or openings, thus forming channels. The outer circumference is also etched.

[0017] To manufacture the particularly thinner second disk with minimal cost and high precision, a high-precision steel strip is selected as the initial material, which is then subjected only to photochemical etching. The adjacent, directly adjacent stacks of the second disks are then rotated relative to each other in an oriented manner.

[0018] Generally, it is important to improve the stability of the second disc by using one or more connecting tabs so that pressing the first and second discs together axially does not result in undesirable deformation of the second disc, which could cause undesirable leaks between the discs. The first disc must therefore also be stable so that it does not deform when pressed together, thus avoiding being forced into one or more flow channels. This would cause a change in pressure loss. The second disc remains stable when pressed together due to the non-deformation of the connecting tabs.

[0019] The first and second discs may optionally both have axially threaded holes, with threaded holes aligned from disc to disc, thus forming a fastening opening. Through this fastening opening, the discs are axially pressed together and may also be oriented relative to each other in a circumferential direction.

[0020] To achieve high stability in the second disc, each screw hole in the second disc can be located in the radial extension of the associated connecting tab, despite the presence of one or more notches or screw holes. In this region, i.e., via the connecting tab, the corresponding circumferential section of the second disc is stable.

[0021] The first and second plates, which are placed directly and planarly against each other, form a plate stack.

[0022] A non-flow-through sealing element is preferably abutted at the axial end of the disc, and a tube is abutted at the opposite end, the tube having a central inlet channel leading to a central flow channel, wherein the sealing element and the tube are screwed together and the plates are clamped therebetween. The sealing element prevents fluid from axially flowing through the insert, allowing fluid to flow out of the insert from one or more central, axial flow channels via lateral flow channels.

[0023] The plug-in is a self-stable component that is provided as a unit and can be inserted into a flow measurement or flow regulation device.

[0024] As already mentioned at the beginning, the present invention also relates to a flow measurement or flow regulation device for fluids, having a housing having a fluid channel into which a flow resistance insert according to the invention is inserted. A first, lateral channel, particularly radially upstream of the disc, branches off from the fluid channel. Furthermore, a second channel is provided radially from the disc, the second channel being particularly configured as an annular channel and leading into a subsequently lateral channel, either lateral or radial, formed by a cut in a second disc. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, which are referred to below. The drawings show:

[0026] - Figure 1 A cross-sectional view is shown through a flow measurement or flow regulation device according to the invention, having an inserted flow resistance plug according to the invention.

[0027] - Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1 The image shows a longitudinal sectional view and a perspective view of the flow resistance plug.

[0028] - Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 An exploded view of the flow resistance connector.

[0029] - Figure 4 A top view of a variant of a disk in a flow resistance insert according to the invention is shown.

[0030] - Figure 5 A top view is shown of another variation of a disc in the flow resistance insert according to the invention.

[0031] - Figure 6 Another variation of the disk of the flow resistance plug according to the invention is also shown.

[0032] - Figure 7 The flow resistance plug according to the invention is shown in the location according to... Figures 4 to 6 A top view of the so-called first disc between the discs, and

[0033] - Figure 8 A perspective top view of the closure element of the flow resistance plug according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0034] exist Figure 1 The image shows a device for measuring and / or regulating the flow of fluids, having a housing 10 having a fluid passage 12 configured as a blind hole extending in an axial direction.

[0035] Pushing in the fluid channel 12 Figure 2The flow-resistance insert 14, configured as a pre-installed unit, is further shown. In the flow direction (see arrow A), the flow-resistance insert has a tube 16 with a central inlet channel 18 extending axially through the entire tube 16. Downstream, a plate stack 20 composed of discs with their surfaces pressed together is connected to the end of the tube 16. Downstream of the plate stack 20, a non-flow-permeable, particularly cylindrical, sealing element 22 is abutted thereon.

[0036] exist Figure 2 As can be seen in the perspective view, the closure element 22 is tightened onto the tube 16 by means of a screw 24 extending through the plate stack 20, and the plate stack is axially clamped between it and the tube 16.

[0037] Upstream of the plate stack 20, the tube 16 has one or more lateral, particularly radial, openings 24 that extend to a circumferential groove 26 that forms an annular channel which is in turn bounded by the housing 10 at the outer circumference.

[0038] The housing 10 has an upstream, lateral, and especially radial first channel 28 and a second channel 30 extending laterally and especially radially downstream of the plate stack 20, wherein channels 28 and 30 are part of a bypass.

[0039] The closure element 22 has an external dimension smaller than the corresponding area of ​​the fluid channel 12, such that an annular channel 32 is formed on its outer circumference, which also extends radially laterally in the plate stack 20, since the plate stack 20 also has an external dimension smaller than the corresponding section of the wall segment of the housing 10 that forms the fluid channel 12.

[0040] In particular, the external dimensions of the disk and the enclosing element correspond.

[0041] At the axial end of the fluid channel 12, a third channel 34 branches out, which leads to an electrically operable fluid regulating valve 35. A lateral fourth channel 36 then leads back from the fluid regulating valve into the housing 10 and to the outlet fluid channel 38.

[0042] A fluid measuring device 40 is positioned and arranged between flow channels 28 and 30. This fluid measuring device can be configured differently, for example, as a device for measuring the pressure difference of the fluid in channels 28 and 30. Other possibilities are also possible, such as thermal measurement methods.

[0043] In the variant forms shown, according to Figure 1The device is used as a flow control device because the fluid can be measured in the fluid measuring device 40, and its flow velocity, for example, can be determined from it. Based on the data, the fluid regulating valve 35 can then be operated to control or regulate the flow rate of the fluid through channels 34, 36, and 38.

[0044] If the device is to be designed solely for measuring the flow rate of fluids, then the fluid regulating valve 35 and, if necessary, the channel 36 can be omitted, allowing the outlet fluid channel 38 to be flowably connected to the fluid channel 12. Alternatively, to achieve a combined component system, channels 34 and 36 can also be coupled to each other via U-shaped connecting channels located at their ends on the housing 10.

[0045] An inlet pipe 42 and an outlet pipe 44 may also be provided upstream of the fluid channel 12 and downstream of the outlet fluid channel 38.

[0046] exist Figure 3 The diagram shows an exploded view of the flow resistance plug 14.

[0047] The flow resistance insert includes multiple, flat, planar discs that are abutted against each other by means of their flat end faces.

[0048] The disk comprises a first disk 46 which is identically constructed and a second disk 48 located therebetween, the second disk preferably being identically constructed, that is, it may or should have the same size and geometry.

[0049] The first disk, number 46, is a closed ring disk, one of which is in... Figure 7 As shown in the diagram. The disk 46 has a ring thickness d measured radially, the ring thickness being uniform and of equal size around the circumference and having a central opening 50. Furthermore, it is provided with a plurality of screw holes 52, which are connected to... Figure 8 The screw hole 52' in the closure 22, shown separately again, is aligned.

[0050] Figures 4 to 6 Different, optional second disc 48 is shown, which can be used in the plate stack 20, wherein this disc 48 can also be disposed between the two first discs 46 or between the first disc 46 and the closure element 22 or between the first disc 46 and the end side of the tube 16 and clamped therebetween in an axial plane.

[0051] The second set was 48. Figure 4 The variant shown also has a screw hole 52”, which is aligned with screw holes 52 and 52’ when they are installed together, such that they together form a fastening opening for fastening screw 24 to pass through.

[0052] Pipe 16 has a thread 56 accessible at the end (see...) Figure 3), and the fastening screw 24 can be turned into it.

[0053] The second disk 48 is also an annular disk, with an outer ring extending around its circumference, the thickness d of which corresponds to the thickness d of the first disk 46, and the outer diameter or outer dimension of which corresponds to the outer diameter or outer dimension of the first disk 46.

[0054] However, unlike the first set 46, the second set 48 has a cut around the circumference.

[0055] According to Figure 4 In one embodiment, an odd number of lateral, radially extending cuts 54 are provided, which extend through the entire circumferentially extended annular segment 60.

[0056] The central opening 50 is divided into multiple channels by two cross-shaped tabs 62 extending through the center A, wherein the cut 54 begins in one channel. Alternatively, only one tab may exist.

[0057] In this embodiment, it should also be noted that the screw hole 52” is located in the radial extension of the horizontally extending connecting piece 62, which is an option.

[0058] The connecting piece 62 is a one-piece component of the entire second disc 48 and stabilizes the annular section 60.

[0059] In the plate stack 20 itself, a central, axial flow channel is formed by a central opening 50 in the first plate 46 and a separate central opening 50 in the second plate 48. The flow channel is partially divided into multiple central flow channels in the region of the second plate 48. The central flow channels then lead to a common section of the flow channels, which in turn leads to the next first plate 46.

[0060] according to Figure 5 Implementation methods and basis Figure 4 The difference in the implementation method is that two radial or generally lateral cuts 54' are provided, which in the installed state connect the central flow channel with the annular channel 32.

[0061] In this embodiment, a circumferential section 66 is formed, which is connected in one piece to the remaining second disc 48, i.e., the other annular sections, only through a radially extending tab 62. However, the second disc 48 is also constructed in one piece.

[0062] The vertically extending piece 62 corresponds to the following: Figure 4 The vertically extending tab 62 is connected to a screw hole 52 in its extension.

[0063] according to Figure 6 Implementation methods and basis Figure 5 The difference in the implementation method is that there are four lateral, especially radial, cuts 54”, which are preferably evenly distributed around the circumference, that is, spaced apart from each other at 90°, though this is not mandatory.

[0064] The resulting circumferential segments 66 are then connected to each other via associated connectors 62.

[0065] In all embodiments, it is only optionally proposed that the connecting pieces 62 intersect and are further symmetrically distributed with respect to an axial view, which also corresponds to a top view. In this embodiment, the radial thickness d is also the same as that in the associated, adjacent first disc 46.

[0066] Optionally, the first plate 46 may also have one or more splices 62.

[0067] The axial thickness of the first plate 46 is preferably at least twice as large as the axial thickness of the second plate 48.

[0068] The first and second disks 46, 48 are preferably formed of flat metal plates, and their openings 50 can be produced, for example, by photochemical etching.

[0069] The construction of the second disc 48 is certainly not limited to the variant shown. However, it is important that the second disc is constructed entirely as a single piece, so that no parts are used for sections.

Claims

1. A flow resistance insert for a flow measurement or flow regulation device, the flow resistance insert having discs (46, 48) closely abutting each other, the discs collectively forming at least one central axial flow channel within their interiors, from which radial flow channels branch out, the discs having a first disc (46) alternating with a second disc (48), the first disc (46) being a circumferentially closed annular disc, and the second disc (48) being a circumferentially slit, one-piece annular disc for forming the radial flow channels, wherein fluid from the central axial flow channel can flow laterally outward through the radial flow channels from the flow resistance insert (14), characterized in that, The second disc (48) has one, two or more cuts (54, 54', 54") on its circumference, the cuts extending through an annular segment (60) of the second disc (48) that extends throughout the circumference to form the radial flow channel, wherein the resulting circumferential segments (66) are coupled to each other via connecting tabs (62) that extend through the central axial flow channel and cross and transition into each other in the region of the central axial flow channel, and the circumferential ring of the first disc (46) and the circumferential segments (66) of the second disc (48) have the same radial thickness (d).

2. The flow resistance plug-in according to claim 1, characterized in that, The connecting pieces (62) are symmetrically distributed in the axial view.

3. The flow resistance plug-in according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The axial thickness of the first disk (46) is greater than that of the second disk (48).

4. The flow resistance plug-in according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first and second discs (46, 48) have axial screw holes (52, 52', 52") that are aligned with each other from the first disc (46) to the second disc (48) and together form at least one fastening opening.

5. The flow resistance plug-in according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each screw hole (52") in the second disc (48) is located in a radial extension of a connecting piece (62).

6. The flow resistance plug-in according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, On a stack of plates (20) formed by directly abutting discs (46, 48), a non-flow-through sealing element (22) is abutted at the downstream end in the axial direction and a tube (16) is abutted at the opposite end, the tube having a central inlet channel (18) leading to a central flow channel, wherein the sealing element (22) and the tube (16) are screwed together and the stack of plates (20) is clamped between the sealing element and the tube.

7. A flow measurement or flow regulation device having a housing (10) having a fluid channel (12) into which a flow resistance insert (14) according to any one of the preceding claims is inserted, wherein a first channel (28) branching laterally from the fluid channel (12) and located upstream of the disk (46, 48) is provided laterally on the side of the disk (46, 48) a second channel (30).

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