An inline gas ultrasonic flow meter

Abstract

The application discloses an embedded gas ultrasonic flowmeter, and belongs to the technical field of flowmeters.The embedded gas ultrasonic flowmeter comprises a shell and a metering core assembled in the shell, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are assembled on the metering core, a volume correction instrument is installed on the top of the shell through a support, and a gas guide unit is assembled at both ends of the metering core.A stepped variable-diameter channel is arranged in the gas guide pipe, a flow straightener is rotatably connected to the stepped inlet of the variable-diameter channel, the angle of the flow straightener can be adjusted, the flow field distribution can be dynamically optimized according to different flow conditions, the vortex and secondary flow are reduced, and the measurement accuracy is improved.A third bearing seat is driven to move along a T-shaped sliding groove by an electric push rod, a connecting sleeve is controlled to be close to or away from a positioning sleeve, a friction block is attached to or separated from a brake ring, three worms are rotated respectively or simultaneously, the angle of the flow straightener on the corresponding vertical shaft is adjusted independently or synchronously by the worm drive, and the flow field optimization demand under different flow rates is flexibly adapted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of flow meter technology, and more particularly to an embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter. Background Technology

[0002] As a non-contact flow measurement device, the ultrasonic gas flow meter is widely used in natural gas trade metering, industrial process control and other fields due to its advantages such as low pressure loss, wide measurement range and high accuracy. Its core principle is to use an ultrasonic transducer to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals and use the influence of gas flow on the sound wave propagation time to achieve flow measurement. However, in practical applications, the uniformity of the gas flow field is crucial to the measurement accuracy. When gas flows through a pipeline, due to factors such as pipeline structure, valve disturbance or flow changes, non-ideal flow field distributions such as eddies and secondary flows are easily generated, which leads to deviations in the signal received by the ultrasonic transducer and thus reduces the measurement accuracy.

[0003] To address the issue of uneven flow field, traditional ultrasonic gas flow meters typically employ fixed rectifying devices within the pipeline. These devices improve the flow field distribution through physical obstruction and guidance. However, such fixed rectifying structures have significant limitations: firstly, their rectification effect is highly dependent on the designed flow conditions. When the actual flow deviates from the design value, the rectification effect drops drastically, making it unsuitable for measuring a wide flow range. Secondly, fixed structures lack dynamic adjustment capabilities, making it difficult to maintain an optimized flow field state under sudden flow changes or complex operating conditions, leading to fluctuations in measurement errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to propose an embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter to solve the problem of measurement error fluctuation in traditional ultrasonic gas flow meters.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter includes a housing and a metering core assembled inside the housing. The metering core is equipped with multiple ultrasonic transducers. A volume corrector is mounted on the top of the housing via a bracket. Both ends of the metering core are equipped with gas guiding units.

[0007] The gas guiding unit includes a gas guiding pipe fixed inside the housing, and a variable diameter channel is opened inside the gas guiding pipe. The flow field distribution of the gas is adjusted by a rectifier plate installed in the variable diameter channel.

[0008] An adjustment unit is installed on the housing. The adjustment unit includes an outer shell assembled on the housing. A vertical shaft is installed inside the outer shell through a first bearing seat. One end of the vertical shaft is connected to a rectifier to control the rectifier.

[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0010] The variable diameter channel is stepped, and the rectifier is rotatably connected to the entrance of the stepped section within the variable diameter channel.

[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0012] The adjustment unit also includes a main shaft rotatably connected to the housing, on which a worm gear is rotatably sleeved. Both ends of the worm gear are equipped with second bearing seats. The worm gear is connected to the housing through the second bearing seats. A worm wheel adapted to the worm gear is fixedly sleeved on the vertical shaft.

[0013] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0014] One end of the worm gear is slidably fitted with a connecting sleeve through a groove, and a friction block is inserted into the connecting sleeve through a slot. A brake ring corresponding to the friction block is fixed on the outer wall of the spindle.

[0015] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0016] The outer surface of the main shaft is fitted with a positioning sleeve corresponding to the brake ring, and the inner cavity of the positioning sleeve is provided with a trumpet-shaped guide groove.

[0017] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0018] A spring is installed on the outer wall of the friction block via an extension plate, and one end of the spring is fixed to the connecting sleeve.

[0019] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0020] The outer casing is fitted with a cover plate, and a third bearing seat is slidably connected to the lower surface of the cover plate through a T-shaped groove. The connecting sleeve is installed inside the third bearing seat, and a mounting seat is fixed inside the T-shaped groove. An electric push rod connected to the third bearing seat is fitted on one side of the mounting seat.

[0021] As a further description of the above technical solution:

[0022] A drive component is fixed on one side wall of the housing, and gears are mounted on the output end of the drive component and the outer surface of the main shaft.

[0023] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0024] With the set air guiding unit and adjustment unit, a stepped variable diameter channel is opened in the air guiding pipe. Combined with the rectifier plate rotatably connected to the stepped inlet of the variable diameter channel, the flow field distribution can be dynamically optimized for different flow conditions by adjusting the angle of the rectifier plate, thereby reducing eddies and secondary flows and improving measurement accuracy.

[0025] In the adjustment unit, the third bearing seat is driven to move along the T-shaped slide groove by an electric push rod, which controls the connecting sleeve to move closer to or away from the positioning sleeve, so that the friction block and the brake ring are engaged or separated, and the three worms rotate separately or simultaneously, thereby driving the worm wheel on the corresponding vertical shaft to drive the rectifier plate to adjust its angle independently or synchronously, flexibly adapting to the flow field optimization requirements under different flow rates. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the housing provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the metering core provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the adjustment unit provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 The present invention provides an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the installation position of the air guide tube provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the rectifier plate and the vertical shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0032] Figure 7 The present invention provides an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 Enlarged view of point B in the middle;

[0033] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the connecting sleeve provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0034] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the overall structure provided according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0035] Legend:

[0036] 10. Shell;

[0037] 20. Metering core; 21. Ultrasonic transducer;

[0038] 30. Volume correction instrument;

[0039] 40. Air guiding unit; 41. Air guiding pipe; 42. Variable diameter channel; 43. Rectifier plate;

[0040] 50. Adjustment unit; 51. Housing; 52. Main shaft; 53. Vertical shaft; 54. Worm gear; 55. Worm wheel; 56. Connecting sleeve; 57. Friction block; 58. Brake ring; 59. Positioning sleeve; 510. Spring; 511. Electric push rod; 512. Drive component; 513. Gear. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] like Figure 1 - Figure 9 As shown, the present invention provides:

[0043] An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter includes a housing 10 and a metering core 20 assembled inside the housing 10. The metering core 20 is equipped with multiple ultrasonic transducers 21. In particular, multiple pairs of ultrasonic transducers 21 are evenly arranged along the circumferential direction to form multiple measurement paths. Cross-validation is used to improve reliability. When a pair of transducers causes abnormal signal due to changes in gas composition (such as fluctuations in moisture content) or temporary obstruction, the measurement data of other paths can be cross-compared to eliminate abnormal values, thereby improving the reliability of the system under complex operating conditions.

[0044] A volume corrector 30 is mounted on the top of the housing 10 via a bracket. Both ends of the metering core 20 are equipped with air guiding units 40. Specifically, the volume corrector 30 reads the temperature and pressure values ​​of the digital temperature and pressure sensors, as well as the detected operating flow rate, and performs PTZ volume conversion according to the gas equation to convert the operating flow rate into the standard flow rate.

[0045] For further details, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the gas guiding unit 40 includes a gas guiding pipe 41 fixed inside the housing 10. A variable diameter channel 42 is provided inside the gas guiding pipe 41. The gas flow field distribution is adjusted by the rectifier plate 43 installed in the variable diameter channel 42.

[0046] Specifically, the variable diameter channel 42 is stepped, which can effectively reduce abrupt changes in the flow field and smooth the velocity distribution. The stepped variable diameter design avoids the local pressure loss caused by traditional abrupt diameter changes by gradually contracting or expanding the flow channel. Especially under high flow conditions, the stepped structure can transition the flow velocity more smoothly and reduce the energy loss when the gas passes through. At the same time, the larger flow area at the inlet of the stepped section can reduce the risk of impurity accumulation. Combined with the rotation adjustment of the rectifier 43, it can dynamically adapt to the gas environment with high humidity. The rectifier 43 is rotatably connected to the inlet of the stepped section in the variable diameter channel 42. The dynamic adjustment of the stepped variable diameter channel 42 and the rectifier 43 can significantly reduce flow field distortion and adapt to complex installation environments and dynamic flow changes. At the same time, the rectifier 43 can actively correct the flow field distribution by adjusting the angle in real time, reducing the signal attenuation or phase shift of the ultrasonic transducer 21 caused by flow field distortion. Especially in low flow or complex installation environments (such as elbows, downstream of valves), it can significantly improve the linearity and repeatability of flow measurement.

[0047] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, an adjustment unit 50 is installed on the housing 10. The adjustment unit 50 includes an outer shell 51 assembled on the housing 10. A vertical shaft 53 is installed inside the outer shell 51 through a first bearing seat. One end of the vertical shaft 53 is connected to the rectifier 43 to realize the control of the rectifier 43, so that the rectifier 43 can automatically adjust according to the real-time flow data, optimize the flow field distribution, and reduce eddies and secondary flows.

[0048] The adjustment unit 50 also includes a main shaft 52 rotatably connected to the housing 51. A worm 54 is rotatably sleeved on the main shaft 52. Both ends of the worm 54 are equipped with second bearing seats. The worm 54 is connected to the housing 51 through the second bearing seats. A worm wheel 55 adapted to the worm 54 is fixedly sleeved on the vertical shaft 53. A connecting sleeve 56 is slidably sleeved on one end of the worm 54 through a groove. The self-locking characteristics of the worm 54 and the worm wheel 55 are used to lock the position of the main shaft 52 after rotation.

[0049] The outer shell 51 is equipped with a cover plate. Preferably, the cover plate is made of two separate plates spliced ​​together. The two separate plates are connected by a hinge. At the same time, both separate plates are connected and fixed to the outer shell 51. The lower surface of the cover plate is slidably connected to a third bearing seat through a T-shaped sliding groove. The connecting sleeve 56 is installed in the third bearing seat.

[0050] A friction block 57 is inserted into the connecting sleeve 56 through a slot. A spring 510 is installed on the outer wall of the friction block 57 through an extension piece. One end of the spring 510 is fixed to the connecting sleeve 56. A brake ring 58 corresponding to the friction block 57 is fixed on the outer wall of the main shaft 52. A positioning sleeve 59 corresponding to the brake ring 58 is sleeved on the outer surface of the main shaft 52. A flared guide groove is opened in the inner cavity of the positioning sleeve 59. Through the flared guide groove, when the connecting sleeve 56 moves into the positioning sleeve 59, the friction block 57 and the brake ring 58 can gradually fit together under the guidance of its special inner wall.

[0051] Preferably, one end of the friction block 57 inserted into the slot is an inwardly concave arc shape, with its center located on the axis of the main shaft 52. That is, the arc end of the friction block 57 can fit against the brake ring 58 on the outer wall of the main shaft 52. After the friction block 57 and the brake ring 58 are tightly fitted, the friction force generated between them can cause the main shaft 52 to rotate with the brake ring 58, and simultaneously drive the connecting sleeve 56 to rotate through the friction block 57, thereby driving the worm gear 54 to rotate. The other end of the friction block 57 is an outwardly convex arc shape, and the surface of this end is smooth.

[0052] Specifically, as the connecting sleeve 56 moves toward the positioning sleeve 59, the inner wall of the trumpet-shaped guide groove gradually contacts the friction block 57. Under the action of the inner wall with its gradually decreasing diameter, the friction block 57 gradually comes into close contact with the brake ring 58 and maintains a close fit at the minimum diameter. The minimum diameter is a horizontal section that can completely fit with the outwardly protruding arc end of the friction block 57. At the same time, the inner wall of the trumpet-shaped guide groove is also smooth, so that while the trumpet-shaped guide groove acts as a pusher against the friction block 57, the friction block 57 can also rotate smoothly in the horizontal section of the trumpet-shaped guide groove.

[0053] As the friction block 57 gradually comes into contact with the brake ring 58 due to the flared guide groove, the spring 510 is gradually compressed. As the connecting sleeve 56 moves away from the positioning sleeve 59 again, the friction block 57 is gradually driven away from the brake ring 58 under the action of the spring force of the spring 510, thus releasing the contact between the two.

[0054] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 As shown, a mounting base is fixed inside the T-shaped groove, and an electric push rod 511 with one end connected to the third bearing seat is mounted on one side of the mounting base.

[0055] Specifically, the electric push rod 511 can drive the third bearing seat to move within the T-shaped groove, thereby causing the connecting sleeve 56 to move closer to or further away from the positioning sleeve 59, and thus allowing the friction block 57 to engage with or move away from the brake ring 58. Simultaneously, the electric push rods 511 at different positions can control the movement of the connecting sleeves 56 at different positions, allowing the three connecting sleeves 56 to move closer to the positioning sleeve 59 individually or simultaneously. This allows the three worm gears 54 to rotate simultaneously or separately with the main shaft 52, thereby allowing the rectifier vanes 43 at different positions to adjust their angles simultaneously or separately to accommodate different flow rates. Furthermore, by controlling the rectifier vanes 43 at different positions to adjust independently through the electric push rods 511, the flow field can be optimized for small flow rates (such as the minimum flow point) and large flow rates (such as the maximum flow point), thus expanding the applicability of the flow meter.

[0056] Three adjustment modes can be achieved by independently controlling three electric actuators 511:

[0057] 1. Fully synchronous mode: All rectifiers 43 are adjusted simultaneously, which is suitable for scenarios with rapid changes in flow rate (such as sudden changes in gas load).

[0058] 2. Partial Adjustment Mode: Only some rectifiers 43 are adjusted, which is suitable for local flow field distortion (such as unilateral interference in the installation environment).

[0059] 3. Energy-saving mode: Under steady flow conditions, only one set of rectifiers 43 is adjusted, while the rest are fixed by self-locking, reducing the power consumption of the drive component 512.

[0060] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, a drive component 512 is fixed on one side wall of the housing 51. Preferably, the drive component 512 is a micro motor. Gears 513 are mounted on the output end of the drive component 512 and the outer surface of the main shaft 52. In particular, the two gears 513 mesh with each other.

[0061] Specifically, after the start-up drive 512 is activated, the main shaft 52 rotates with the cooperation of the gear 513. Before this, when the connecting sleeve 56 approaches the positioning sleeve 59, causing the friction block 57 on it to tightly adhere to the surface of the brake ring 58 at the corresponding position, the rotating main shaft 52 will synchronously drive the connecting sleeve 56 to rotate, thereby causing the worm 54 connected to the connecting sleeve 56 to rotate together, thereby driving the worm wheel 55 to drive the rectifier 43 indirectly connected to it to rotate, thus completing the angle adjustment to optimize the flow field distribution and reduce eddies and secondary flows.

[0062] Specifically, this embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter operates / is used as follows:

[0063] 1. Select adjustment mode: According to the flow rate change range (such as small fluctuations or large sudden changes), the electric push rod 511 drives the third bearing seat at the corresponding position to move, so that the connecting sleeve 56 is close to the positioning sleeve 59, and the friction block 57 is tightly fitted with the brake ring 58 under the action of the trumpet-shaped guide groove.

[0064] 2. Drive adjustment: Start the drive component 512, which drives the main shaft 52 to rotate through the gear 513. The friction block 57 transmits the rotational force of the main shaft 52 to the connecting sleeve 56, which drives the worm gear 54 to rotate.

[0065] 3. Adjust the angle of the rectifier 43: The worm 54 drives the vertical shaft 53 to rotate through the worm wheel 55, thereby adjusting the angle of the rectifier 43 and optimizing the flow field distribution in the variable diameter channel 42;

[0066] 4. Reset and hold: After adjustment, the electric push rod 511 drives the connecting sleeve 56 away from the positioning sleeve 59, the spring 510 causes the friction block 57 to disengage from the brake ring 58, and the rectifier plate 43 maintains the adjusted angle to continuously adapt to the current flow conditions.

[0067] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter, comprising a housing (10) and a metering core (20) assembled within the housing (10), wherein a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (21) are mounted on the metering core (20), and a volume corrector (30) is mounted on the top of the housing (10) via a bracket, characterized in that, Both ends of the metering core (20) are equipped with air guiding units (40). The gas guiding unit (40) includes a gas guiding pipe (41) fixed inside the housing (10). A variable diameter channel (42) is provided inside the gas guiding pipe (41). The gas flow field distribution is adjusted by multiple rectifier plates (43) installed in the variable diameter channel (42). An adjustment unit (50) is installed on the housing (10). The adjustment unit (50) includes an outer shell (51) assembled on the housing (10). A vertical shaft (53) is installed inside the outer shell (51) through a first bearing seat. One end of the vertical shaft (53) is connected to the rectifier (43) to realize the control of the rectifier (43), so that multiple rectifiers (43) can be adjusted simultaneously, adjusted separately, or only one set of adjustments can be maintained, so as to be suitable for scenarios with rapid flow changes, scenarios with local distortion of the flow field, or scenarios with steady flow.

2. The embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The variable diameter channel (42) is stepped, and the rectifier (43) is rotatably connected to the entrance of the stepped section inside the variable diameter channel (42).

3. The embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustment unit (50) further includes a main shaft (52) rotatably connected to the housing (51). A worm gear (54) is rotatably sleeved on the main shaft (52). Both ends of the worm gear (54) are equipped with second bearing seats. The worm gear (54) is connected to the housing (51) through the second bearing seats. A worm wheel (55) adapted to the worm gear (54) is fixedly sleeved on the vertical shaft (53).

4. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 3, characterized in that, One end of the worm (54) is slidably fitted with a connecting sleeve (56) through a groove. A friction block (57) is inserted into the connecting sleeve (56) through a slot. A brake ring (58) corresponding to the friction block (57) is fixed on the outer wall of the main shaft (52).

5. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outer surface of the main shaft (52) is fitted with a positioning sleeve (59) corresponding to the brake ring (58), and the inner cavity of the positioning sleeve (59) is provided with a trumpet-shaped guide groove.

6. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 5, characterized in that, A spring (510) is installed on the outer wall of the friction block (57) via an extension piece, and one end of the spring (510) is fixed to the connecting sleeve (56).

7. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 6, characterized in that, The outer shell (51) is fitted with a cover plate, and the lower surface of the cover plate is slidably connected to a third bearing seat through a T-shaped groove. The connecting sleeve (56) is installed in the third bearing seat, and a mounting seat is fixed in the T-shaped groove. An electric push rod (511) with one end connected to the third bearing seat is fitted on one side of the mounting seat.

8. An embedded ultrasonic gas flow meter according to claim 7, characterized in that, A drive unit (512) is fixed on one side wall of the housing (51), and gears (513) are mounted on the output end of the drive unit (512) and the outer surface of the main shaft (52).

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