Flow path adapter

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a flow path adapter for a flow measurement unit, which has a dust collection and rectification effect. A flow path adapter (10) according to the present disclosure is installed on a flow inlet (21) of a flow measurement unit (20) to introduce a measured fluid into the flow measurement unit (20). The flow path adapter (10) includes a flow path (11) provided inside a body and through which the measured fluid flows, and a plurality of ribs (15) provided in the flow path (11) such that the measured fluid that has been introduced into the flow path hits on the plurality of ribs, the flow path adapter (10) being installed in a manner to cover the flow inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a flow path adapter configured to be attached to the inlet of a flow measurement unit. Background Technology

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a flow measurement unit with an inlet, wherein a chamber is provided at the inlet. In this flow measurement unit, the chamber has the function of rectifying the target fluid, thereby improving the measurement accuracy.

[0003] This disclosure provides a flow path adapter configured to stabilize the measurement accuracy in a flow measurement unit.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-186032 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The flow path adapter in this disclosure is configured to be attached to the inlet of a flow measurement unit to introduce a target fluid into the flow measurement unit. The flow path adapter includes: a flow path disposed within the body of the flow path adapter and through which the target fluid flows; and a plurality of ribs disposed within the flow path, such that the target fluid introduced into the flow path collides with the plurality of ribs. The flow path adapter is configured to be attached to the flow measurement unit such that it covers the inlet of the flow measurement unit. Attached Figure Description

[0008] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the flow path adapter according to the first embodiment.

[0009] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow path adapter of the first embodiment along line AA.

[0010] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the flow path adapter attached to the flow measurement unit in the first embodiment.

[0011] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 A is attached to the flow measurement unit and along Figure 3 The diagram shows the flow path adapter of the first embodiment, viewed in the direction of arrow B. Figure 4 B is attached to the flow measurement unit and along Figure 3 The diagram shows the flow path adapter of the first embodiment, viewed in the direction of arrow C. Figure 4 C is attached to the flow measurement unit and along Figure 3 The diagram shows the flow path adapter of the first embodiment, viewed in the direction of arrow D. Figure 4 D is attached to the flow measurement unit and along Figure 3 The diagram shows the flow path adapter of the first embodiment, viewed in the direction of arrow E.

[0012] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 A is a perspective view of the flow path adapter of the first embodiment attached to the flow measurement unit. Figure 5 B is a perspective view of the flow path adapter attached to the flow measurement unit in the first embodiment.

[0013] [ Figure 6 ] Figure 6 A is a cross-sectional view of the flow measurement unit installed on the gas meter, wherein the flow path adapter of the first embodiment is attached to the flow measurement unit. Figure 6 B is a cross-sectional view of a flow measurement unit mounted on another gas meter, wherein the flow path adapter of the first embodiment is attached to the flow measurement unit. Detailed Implementation

[0014] (The professional knowledge, etc., that forms the basis of this disclosure)

[0015] When the inventor conceived of the idea of ​​this disclosure, the problem with measuring gas flow rate using a flow measurement unit built into a gas meter was that directly introducing gas flowing into the gas meter through the inlet into the flow measurement unit would cause turbulence in the gas flow, making stable flow measurement impossible. Therefore, various structures for rectifying the target fluid flowing into the flow measurement unit have been disclosed.

[0016] On the other hand, if the gas used as the target fluid for measurement includes dust, a predetermined dust test is required, and to solve this problem, a filter for removing dust or a structural device for collecting dust is needed.

[0017] However, adding the necessary components to solve the two problems would increase costs.

[0018] Therefore, this disclosure provides a flow path adapter configured to simultaneously achieve rectification and dust control measures while suppressing cost increases.

[0019] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments will now be described in detail. Note that unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or repeated descriptions of substantially the same components may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily lengthy and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0020] Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to those skilled in the art to satisfactorily understand this disclosure, but are not intended to limit the subject matter of the claims.

[0021] (First Implementation)

[0022] Reference Figures 1 to 6 The first embodiment will now be described.

[0023] [1-1. Construction of the flow path adapter]

[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the flow path adapter 10 of this embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line AA. Figure 3 It is along Figure 1 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of line AA and the flow path adapter 10 attached to the flow measurement unit 20. The flow path adapter 10 has a symmetrical shape with respect to the cross-sectional plane along line AA, and will be referred to in the following description. Figure 2 Explain the structure of the flow path adapter 10.

[0025] exist Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the flow path adapter 10 has a flow path 11 for introducing gas from the gas meter into the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20. The flow path 11 includes inlet flow paths 12a to 12e as gas inlets and three partitions 13 that divide the interior of the flow path adapter 10, thereby forming a flow path from the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e to the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20.

[0026] The inlet flow path 12e has an opening only at the inlet 121e for gas inflow, while inlet flow paths 12a to 12d each have an opening at the inlet 121a to 121d for gas inflow, and inlet flow paths 12a to 12d also each have an opening 122a to 122d at a portion of the flow path. When the flow path adapter 10 is attached to the flow measurement unit 20 described later, the openings 122a to 122d are closed, thereby forming the flow path. Note that the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20 may be referred to as the first inlet, and the inlets 121a to 121e of the flow path adapter 10 may be referred to as the second inlet.

[0027] Additionally, the flow path 11 includes a plurality of ribs 15 of different heights arranged on the inner wall 14 and the wall surface of the partition 13 forming the flow path. The ribs 15 are spaced apart such that adjacent ribs 15 have different heights, and some of the higher ribs 15 are provided with grooves 15a. Furthermore, the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e may also be provided with ribs 15.

[0028] The flow measurement unit 20 attached to the flow path adapter 10 includes: an inlet 21 for gas to flow into as the target fluid; a measurement flow path 24 in which a sensor (not shown) configured to measure flow rate is arranged; an outlet 22 as the outlet of the gas; and a controller 23 configured to control the sensor and measure the flow rate.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, the flow path adapter 10 is attached to the flow measurement unit 20 such that it covers the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20. This closes the openings 122a to 122d of the inlet flow paths 12a to 12d via the outer wall of the measurement flow path 24 forming the flow measurement unit 20, thus forming a flow path. Gas flows into the flow path 11 of the flow path adapter 10 from the inlets (second inlets) 121a to 121e of the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e along the paths shown by the dashed lines Fa, Fb, and Fc, respectively, and is then guided to the inlet (first inlet) 21 of the flow measurement unit 20.

[0030] Figure 4 A to Figure 4 The Ds are respectively Figure 3 The diagrams show the directions of arrows B, C, D, and E, with hollow arrows indicating gas flow. Note that in... Figure 4 A to Figure 4 In D, the internal structures of a portion (half) of the flow path adapter 10, such as rib 15, are shown by dashed lines. For example... Figure 4 A to Figure 4 As shown in D, gas flows into each inlet flow path from the surrounding environment of the flow measurement unit 20.

[0031] Figure 5 A and Figure 5 B illustrates a method for attaching a flow path adapter 10 to a flow measurement unit 20, wherein the body of the flow path adapter 10 comprises a first body 10a and a second body 10b obtained by dividing the body into two parts at the center of the body. The first body 10a and the second body 10b are made of resin. The first body 10a and the second body 10b are substantially symmetrical, attached to the flow measurement unit 20 from the left and right sides of the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20, and joined together to form a single piece that functions as the flow path adapter 10. Note that, as a method for joining the first body 10a and the second body 10b together, mechanical fastening or adhesive bonding, such as screwing and snap-fit, can be employed accordingly.

[0032] Furthermore, needless to say, the partition 13 and rib 15 arranged in the flow path adapter 10 are formed to not interfere with the flow measurement unit 20, and are provided with a gap sufficient to maintain the flow path adapter 10. In addition, the notches 16 formed in the inlet flow paths 12a and 12b engage with the ribs 25 of the flow measurement unit 20 to achieve positioning and fixation.

[0033] In addition, although in Figures 1 to 4 The D is omitted, but the surface of the flow path adapter 10 has a plurality of protrusions and recesses 17, 18 and 19, each of which is formed by a groove extending through the entire width of the corresponding surface.

[0034] Furthermore, the partition 13, rib 15, and inlet flow paths 12a to 12e, as well as the protrusions 17 to 19 formed in each of the first body 10a and the second body 10b, are configured to demold in one direction when formed by resin molding. Note that the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e have partially open sidewalls, but when the flow path adapter 10 is attached to the flow measurement unit 20, the openings (openings 122a to 122d) of the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e are closed by the outer wall of the measuring flow path 24 of the flow measurement unit 20. Therefore, there is no problem that the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e function as independent flow paths.

[0035] Figure 6 A and Figure 6 B in the figures are cross-sectional views of the flow measurement unit 20 installed on the gas meter, wherein the flow path adapter 10 of this embodiment is attached to the flow measurement unit 20. Figure 6 A is a cross-sectional view of the gas meter 30 on which the flow measurement unit 20 has been installed. Figure 6 B is a cross-sectional view of the gas meter 40 on which the flow measurement unit 20 has been installed.

[0036] exist Figure 6 In A, the gas meter 30 includes a housing 31 having an internal space 36 with an inlet 32 ​​and an outlet 33 for gas. A shut-off valve 35, configured to cut off gas in abnormal conditions, is connected to the inlet 32. An internal piping 34 is connected to the outlet 33. A flow measurement unit 20 is arranged horizontally relative to the housing 31 of the gas meter 30, and the flow outlet 22 of the flow measurement unit 20 is connected to and fixed to the internal piping 34.

[0037] Then, the gas flowing into inlet 32 ​​passes through shut-off valve 35, reaches internal space 36, diffuses as indicated by hollow arrow, and then flows around from the side where internal piping 34 is arranged to inlet flow paths 12a to 12e of flow path adapter 10.

[0038] exist Figure 6In B, the gas meter 40 includes a gas inlet 42 and a gas outlet 43 disposed in a housing 41 having an internal space 46, and a shut-off valve 45 for shutting off the gas in abnormal conditions is connected to the inlet 42. The flow measurement unit 20 is arranged vertically relative to the gas meter 40, and the flow outlet 22 of the flow measurement unit 20 is connected to and fixed to the outlet 43.

[0039] Then, the gas flowing into inlet 42 passes through shut-off valve 45 and reaches internal space 46, diffuses as shown by hollow arrow, and then flows around from the upper part of internal space 46 to the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e of flow path adapter 10.

[0040] [1-2. The function of the flow path adapter]

[0041] The function of the flow path adapter 10 with the above-described structure will be explained below.

[0042] like Figure 3 As shown, the gas flowing into the flow path adapter 10 collides with the ribs 15 arranged in the flow path 11 and / or the inlet flow paths 12a to 12e, thereby flowing towards the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20 in a meandering state indicated by the dashed lines Fa, Fb and Fc.

[0043] The following will explain the effect in detail with reference to the flow represented by the dashed line Fc as an example. When the gas contains dust, the collision of the gas with the rib 15 causes the gas to flow while the dust is collected by the rib. Therefore, multiple ribs are provided in the channel leading to the inlet 21 of the flow measurement unit 20 to gradually remove the dust from the gas.

[0044] In this embodiment, some ribs 15 with a certain height have grooves 15a, so the grooves 15a can effectively collect dust in the gas.

[0045] Furthermore, the meandering flow of the gas creates a rectification effect and homogenizes the flow of gas into the flow measurement unit 20, enabling stable measurements. Therefore, when the flow measurement unit 20, with the flow path adapter 10 attached, is installed on the gas meter, as... Figure 6 A and Figure 6 As shown in B, stable measurements can be performed regardless of the orientation of the flow measurement unit 20.

[0046] [1-3. The effects of flow path adapters, etc.]

[0047] As described above, the following aspects have been disclosed in this embodiment and the like.

[0048] The first aspect of the flow path adapter (10) is a flow path adapter (10) configured to be attached to the inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20) to introduce the target fluid into the flow measurement unit (20). The flow path adapter (10) includes: a flow path (11) disposed in the body of the flow path adapter and through which the target fluid is to flow; and a plurality of ribs (15) disposed in the flow path (11) such that the target fluid introduced into the flow path (11) collides with the plurality of ribs (15), the flow path adapter (10) being configured to be attached to the flow measurement unit (20) in such a way that the flow path adapter (10) covers the inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20).

[0049] This enables the collection of dust included in the target fluid being measured, and further, the rectification effect allows the flow measurement unit (20) to measure the flow rate stably.

[0050] In the flow path adapter (10) relating to the first aspect of the second aspect, at least some of the plurality of ribs (15) have grooves (15a) in the surface of the target fluid being measured.

[0051] This improves the collection performance for dust included in the target fluid being measured.

[0052] In the flow path adapter (10) relating to the first or second aspect, the inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20) is a first inlet, the flow path (11) includes an inlet flow path (12a to 12e) for measuring the target fluid, and the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) has a second inlet (inlet 121a to 121e) extending in a direction opposite to the flow direction to the flow measurement unit (20).

[0053] This increases the flow path in the flow path adapter (10), improves the collection performance of dust included in the target fluid being measured, and improves the rectification effect. Therefore, when the flow measurement unit (20) is attached to the gas flow meter, the flow rate can be measured stably regardless of the attachment direction. In addition, the ribs (15) provided for the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) further improve the dust collection performance.

[0054] In the flow path adapter (10) relating to the third aspect, the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) can be configured around the measurement flow path (24) of the flow measurement unit (20).

[0055] This enables the miniaturization of the flow path adapter (10), thereby also enabling the miniaturization of the gas meter attached to the flow measurement unit (20) to which the flow path adapter (10) is attached.

[0056] In the flow path adapter (10) relating to the fourth aspect, when the flow path adapter (10) is attached to the flow measurement unit (20), a portion of the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) may be formed by the outer wall (outer peripheral surface) of the measurement flow path of the flow measurement unit (20).

[0057] Therefore, when the first body (10a) and the second body (10b) included in the flow path adapter (10) are molded from resin, the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) can be molded to open a portion (the surface facing the flow path adapter (10)). In this case, when the flow path adapter (10) is attached to the flow measurement unit (20), the opening surface is closed by the outer wall (outer peripheral surface) of the measuring flow path. Thus, the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) can function as a flow path.

[0058] Additionally, in the flow path adapter (10) of the sixth aspect involving any of the third to fifth aspects, the inlet flow path (12a to 12e) may include multiple inlet flow paths.

[0059] This increases the area that the target fluid comes into contact with before it reaches the inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20), thereby improving the dust collection performance.

[0060] In addition, in the seventh aspect of the flow path adapter (10) relating to any of the first to sixth aspects, the body of the flow path adapter (10) includes a first body (10a) and a second body (10b) obtained by dividing the body into two parts, and the first body (10a) and the second body (10b) can be combined with each other such that the body is attached to the flow measurement unit (20) in such a way that the body covers the flow inlet (21) of the flow measurement unit (20).

[0061] This allows the first body (10a) and the second body (10b) to be easily molded from resin and easily attached to the flow measurement unit (20).

[0062] Note that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and therefore, various changes, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made to the above embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims or the equivalent scope of the claims.

[0063] Industrial availability

[0064] This disclosure applies to flow measurement units used in gas meters that are configured to measure the flow rate of gases including dust (i.e., the target fluid).

[0065] List of reference numerals

[0066] 10 Flow Adapter

[0067] 11 flow path

[0068] 12a, 12b, 12e import flow paths

[0069] 13 partitions

[0070] 14 Inner Wall

[0071] 15 ribs

[0072] 16 gaps

[0073] 17, 18, 19 Concave and convex parts

[0074] 20 Flow Measurement Units

[0075] 21 Inlet

[0076] 22 Outlets

[0077] 23 Controller

[0078] 24 Measurement Flow Path

[0079] 25 ribs

[0080] 30 and 40 gas flow meters

Claims

1. A flow path adapter configured to be attached to the inlet of a flow measurement unit to introduce a target fluid into the flow measurement unit, the flow path adapter comprising: A flow path, which is arranged in the body of the flow path adapter and through which the target fluid being measured flows; and Multiple ribs are arranged in the flow path such that the target fluid being introduced into the flow path collides with the multiple ribs. The body of the flow path adapter includes a first body and a second body obtained by dividing the body into two parts, and The first body and the second body are configured to be attached to the flow measurement unit from both sides of the inlet of the flow measurement unit such that the flow path adapter covers the inlet of the flow measurement unit, and the first body and the second body are configured to combine with each other to form a single piece that functions as the flow path adapter.

2. The flow path adapter according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least some of the plurality of ribs have grooves in the surface that is being impacted by the target fluid being measured.

3. The flow path adapter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The inlet of the flow measurement unit is the first inlet. The flow path includes an inlet flow path for the target fluid being measured, and The inlet flow path has a second flow inlet that extends in a direction opposite to the flow direction to the flow measurement unit.

4. The flow path adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inlet flow path is configured around the measurement flow path of the flow measurement unit.

5. The flow path adapter according to claim 4, characterized in that, With the flow path adapter attached to the flow measurement unit, a portion of the inlet flow path is formed by the outer peripheral surface of the flow measurement unit.

6. The flow path adapter according to claim 3, characterized in that, The import flow path includes multiple import flow paths.

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