Ultrasonic metering instrument flow channel structure for stabilizing gas flow field

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ultrasonic metering instrument flow channel structure for stabilizing a gas flow field. The device is characterized in that two-side horn mouths are arranged at the air inlet end of the runner to form a two-side horn mouth runner, and the air outlet of the runner is connected with a bent pipe; lengthened laminar flow sheets are arranged in the flow channels of the horn mouths on the two sides and extend to the opening end faces of the horn mouths on the two sides. According to the utility model, the flared flow channels on the two sides and the lengthened laminar flow sheets in the flared flow channels on the two sides are formed by integral injection molding; the laminar flow sheets in the horn mouths on the two sides are even number layers larger than 2, so that the transducer signal transmission layer is always kept in the middle of the flow channel. While the air flow is uniformly distributed, the odd number of ventilation layers formed by the even number of layer flow sheets can also prevent the thickness of the layer flow sheets from blocking the central point with the strongest signal of the transducer. The flow channels with the horn mouths on the two sides are connected with the large-rounded-corner bent pipe in an end face sealing mode, and the flow channel rubber sealing rings in the flow channel air outlet sealing grooves and bent pipe flange threaded holes in the bent pipe end face sealing flange plates are fastened through screws.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a flow channel structure for an ultrasonic metering instrument that stabilizes the gas flow field. Background Technology

[0002] Natural gas, as a widely available energy source, is experiencing a surge in demand nationwide due to policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Existing gas meters primarily employ a mechanically driven diaphragm meter structure. This structure transmits and measures gas flow mechanically, offering advantages such as simplicity and low cost. However, with technological advancements, diaphragm meters are gradually being replaced by more advanced ultrasonic meters. Ultrasonic meters utilize time-of-flight measurement and are non-contact, enjoying widespread application in homes and businesses due to their high accuracy, absence of moving parts during operation, and long-term stability.

[0003] However, the stability of the gas flow field in ultrasonic transducers has always been a difficult problem to solve. Regarding the stability of the gas flow when it reaches the transducer detection position, the laminar flow plate structure inside the flow channel generally does not completely stabilize the gas flow field effectively. This significantly impacts the repeatability of measurement errors, resulting in poor product measurement. This invention improves the stability of the gas flow field and achieves better consistency in measurement errors by lengthening the laminar flow plate and designing a large-radius bend in the tube for guiding the flow. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a technical solution for the flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument that stabilizes the gas flow field.

[0005] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that: two horn-shaped openings are provided at the air inlet end of the flow channel to form a two-sided horn-shaped flow channel, and the air outlet of the flow channel is connected to a bend; an extended laminar flow plate is provided inside the two-sided horn-shaped flow channel, and the extended laminar flow plate extends to the opening end face of the two-sided horn-shaped openings.

[0006] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the two-sided horn-mouth flow channels, the two-sided horn mouths, and the extended laminar flow plate are integrally formed.

[0007] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that a transducer fixing seat is provided on the side wall of the two horn-shaped flow channels, and a transducer is installed inside the transducer fixing seat.

[0008] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the side walls of the flow channel with flared openings on both sides where the transducer mounting base is installed are the left and right extension directions of the flared openings on both sides.

[0009] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the extended laminar flow plate divides the flow channel space into a ventilation layer and a transducer signal transmission layer, with the transducer signal transmission layer facing the transducer to ensure that the transducer signal is transmitted in the transducer signal transmission layer.

[0010] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the extended laminar flow plate is set to an even number of layers, and the extended laminar flow plate and the four inner wall surfaces of the two flared flow channels have a certain draft angle.

[0011] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the extended laminar flow plate is provided with a small rounded corner at one end of the flow channel inlet.

[0012] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that a flow channel rubber sealing ring is provided between the flow channel outlet and the bend, and the flow channel rubber sealing ring is installed in the flow channel sealing groove of the flow channel outlet.

[0013] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the bend of the tube is set with a large rounded corner structure.

[0014] The flow channel structure of the ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field is characterized in that the outlet end of the flow channel on both sides of the flared flow channel is provided with a flow channel end face sealing flange, and the flow channel end face sealing flange is provided with a flow channel flange through hole; the inlet end of the bend is provided with a bend end face sealing flange, and the bend end face sealing flange is provided with a bend flange thread hole; the flow channel end face sealing flange and the bend end face sealing flange are fastened together by bolts, so that the flow channel end face sealing flange and the bend end face sealing flange coincide, thereby achieving a seal.

[0015] The two flared flow channels and the extended laminar flow plates within them are integrally injection molded. The laminar flow plates inside the two flared openings form an even number of layers (greater than two), ensuring the transducer signal transmission layer remains centered within the flow channel. While ensuring even airflow distribution, the odd number of ventilation layers formed by the even-numbered laminar flow plates also prevents the thickness of the laminar flow plates from obstructing the center point of the strongest transducer signal. The laminar flow plates are extended in several ways: extending the upper and lower laminar flow plates of the transducer signal transmission layer to the flared opening; extending all laminar flow plates except those on the upper and lower laminar flow plates of the transducer signal transmission layer to the flared opening; and extending all laminar flow plates to both flared openings. However, extending the laminar flow plates on the upper and lower sides of the transducer signal transmission layer to the flared end, and extending other laminar flow plates (excluding the upper and lower sides of the transducer signal transmission layer) to the flared ends on both sides, will result in uneven airflow velocity in the various ventilation layers inside the flow channel. Therefore, the optimal approach in this invention is to extend all laminar flow plates to the flared end, so that the airflow can be evenly distributed to each ventilation layer after entering the flow channel. The flow channels on both sides of the flared end where the laminar flow plates are extended are connected to the large-radius bend using an end-face sealing method. The flow channel rubber sealing ring in the air outlet sealing groove is fastened to the threaded hole of the bend flange on the end-face sealing flange of the bend using screws.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0017] 1) The laminar flow plate structure inside the flow channel at both sides of this utility model is integrally molded in one piece with the flow channel. The length of all laminar flow plates inside the flow channel is extended to the outermost edge of the two side bell mouths. The flow field inside the flow channel is rectified as soon as the gas enters the inlet of the flow channel. Moreover, the laminar flow plates must be an even number of layers to ensure that the transducer signal layer is in the middle position of the flow channel, making the gas more stable in the transducer signal transmission and the error measurement more accurate. There is a certain draft angle between the laminar flow plates and the four inner walls of the flow channel, and the layer thickness is kept within a certain range, ensuring that the flow channel structure is easier to demold.

[0018] 2) The flow channels on both sides of this utility model are integrally molded in one piece, and the front end of the flow channel is provided with flared openings extending to the left and right sides, which ensures that the gas enters the flow channel through the flared openings, thereby increasing the gas flow rate, reducing the low-speed area, and ensuring the accurate measurement of the transducer signal layer.

[0019] 3) This utility model uses a large rounded corner bend to guide the airflow at the outlet of the flow channel, ensuring that the gas smoothly enters the pipeline after flowing out, greatly reducing the secondary flow phenomenon, reducing the impact of secondary flow on ultrasonic measurement, ensuring that the measurement layer is always in a laminar flow state, and improving the accuracy of measurement error. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1This is an exploded view of the ultrasonic metering module of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 This is an overall assembly drawing of the ultrasonic metering module of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A sectional view;

[0023] Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the two flared flow channels of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A sectional view;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a top view of the two flared flow channels of this utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is an isometric drawing of the bent pipe of this utility model;

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A sectional view;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the transducer signal transmission layer laminar flow plate of this utility model, which is extended to the two sides of the horn mouth flow channel.

[0029] Figure 10 Axonometric view of the transducer signal transmission layer laminar flow plate of this utility model extended to both sides of the horn mouth flow channel;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the air-permeable laminar flow plate of this utility model, which is extended to the two sides of the flared mouth flow channel.

[0031] Figure 12 Axonometric view of the air-permeable laminar flow plate of this utility model, extended to the two sides of the flared mouth flow channel;

[0032] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the flared flow channels on both sides of the odd-layer laminar flow plate of this utility model.

[0033] Figure 14 This is an isometric view of the flared flow channels on both sides of the odd-numbered layer laminar flow plate of this utility model;

[0034] Figure 15 This is a front view of the flared flow channels on both sides of the odd-layer laminar flow plate of this utility model;

[0035] In the diagram: 1-flared flow channels on both sides, 2-transducer, 3-bend, 4-ventilation layer, 5-transducer signal transmission layer, 6-flow channel inlet, 7-small rounded corner of laminar flow plate, 8-extended laminar flow plate, 9-flow channel rubber sealing ring, 10-flow channel outlet, 11-bend outlet, 12-flow channel end face sealing flange, 13-flow channel flange through hole, 14-flow channel sealing groove, 15-flared openings on both sides, 16-bend end face 17-Sealing flange, 18-Large fillet, 19-Transducer signal transmission layer laminar flow plate extended to both sides of the flared mouth, 20-Original length laminar flow plate, 21-Ventilation layer laminar flow plate extended to both sides of the flared mouth, 22-Flanking flared mouth channels of odd-numbered laminar flow plates, 23-Transducer signal transmission channel, 24-Transducer signal receiving channel, 25-Transducer mounting base. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0037] An ultrasonic metering instrument flow channel structure for stabilizing gas flow field is disclosed. The flow channel inlet 6 has two flared openings 15 on either side, forming a two-flared-opening flow channel 1. The flow channel outlet 10 connects to a bend 3, with the bend of the bend 3 having a large rounded corner 18. An extended laminar flow plate 8 is installed inside the two-flared-opening flow channels 1, extending to the opening end faces of the two flared openings. Both the two-flared-opening flow channels 1 and the large rounded-corner bend 3 are integrally injection molded. Simultaneously, the extended laminar flow plate 8 structure inside the two-flared-opening flow channels 1, as well as the two flared openings and the flow channel 1, are integrally molded in a single step. Transducer mounting bases 25 are installed on the side walls of the two flared flow channels 1. A set of transducers 2 are installed in the mounting bases 25, forming a transceiver transducer system. The side walls of the two flared flow channels where the mounting bases are installed are the left and right extension directions of the two flared openings. The extended laminar flow plate 8 divides the flow channel space into a ventilation layer 4 and a transducer signal transmission layer 5. The transducer signal transmission layer faces the transducer, ensuring that the transducer signal is transmitted in the transducer signal transmission layer. The gas flows in from the flow channel inlet 6 and is evenly distributed to the ventilation layer 4 and the transducer signal transmission layer 5. The ultrasonic wave is emitted through the transducer signal transmission channel 23 and reflected to the transducer signal receiving channel 24, thus completing the gas flow metering.

[0038] To increase the stability of the gas during the metering process, the length of all laminar flow plates inside the two-sided bell-mouth flow channels 1 is extended to the outermost plane of the two-sided bell mouth 15. The upper and lower surfaces of each laminar flow plate form a certain draft angle, and a small rounded corner 7 is provided at the front end of the extended laminar flow plate 8. This reduces the collision of the gas with structural edges when the gas enters the flow channel inlet 6, greatly reducing the generation of secondary flow. At the same time, the structural design of the extended laminar flow plate 8 enables the flow field inside the two-sided bell-mouth flow channels 1 to evenly distribute the gas among the various layers as soon as the gas enters the flow channel inlet 6. After a longer rectification distance, the gas can smoothly reach the metering position. The two-sided bell-mouth flow channels 1 and the large rounded corner bend 3 are fastened together with screws through the flow channel flange through hole 13 of the upper flow channel end face sealing flange 12 of the two-sided bell-mouth flow channels 1 and the bend flange thread hole 17 of the upper bend flange end face sealing flange 16 of the large rounded corner bend 3.

[0039] This invention rectifyes airflow by extending laminar flow plates to the flared end. In previous technologies, the original length of the laminar flow plate 20 was typically kept at a certain distance from the air inlet 6 of the flow channel. However, when a rectification device is added to rectify the airflow, a cavity of a certain thickness still exists between the rectification device and the laminar flow plate, which leads to a significant increase in the generation of secondary flow, thus affecting the gas metering of the transducer signal transmission layer. Therefore, in order to ensure the metering effect of the transducer signal transmission layer and reduce the generation of secondary flow, this design extends all the laminar flow plates inside the flow channels 1 at both sides of the flared end to the outermost plane of the flared end 15 on both sides of the flared end, and sets a certain draft angle on the upper and lower surfaces of the extended laminar flow plate 8, so that the cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet 6 of the flow channel 1 at both sides of the flared end is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet 10 of the flow channel. This ensures that the product structure is easy to form and demold, while also playing a certain role in guiding the airflow. A small rounded corner 7 is provided at the foremost end of the extended laminar flow vane 8, which reduces the collision of the gas with the structural edges when the gas enters the flow channel inlet 6, greatly reducing the generation of secondary flow. All the laminar flow vanes inside the two flared flow channels 1 are extended to the outermost plane of the two flared openings 15, which allows the gas to be evenly distributed among the layers as soon as it enters the flow channel inlet 6. After a longer rectification distance, the gas can reach the metering position smoothly.

[0040] like Figure 9As shown, the transducer signal transmission layer laminar flow plates extended to the two sides of the horn-shaped flow channel 19 are compared with the two sides of the horn-shaped flow channel 1 extended to the two sides of the horn-shaped flow channel 15. The laminar flow plates of the upper and lower layers of the transducer signal transmission layer are extended to the two sides of the horn-shaped flow channel 15, while the length of the remaining original laminar flow plates 20 remains unchanged. Although the transducer signal transmission layer 5 with the transducer signal transmission layer laminar flow plates extended to the two sides of the horn-shaped flow channel 19 achieves a better rectification effect, the gas flow velocity in the ventilation layer 4 is lower than that in the transducer signal transmission layer 5. This causes the gas to collide at the gas outlet 10 of the flow channel, forming a secondary flow. This disturbs the process of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the transducer signal transmission channel 23 in the transducer signal transmission layer 5 being reflected to the transducer signal receiving channel 24, thus affecting the measurement accuracy.

[0041] Similarly, the laminar flow channels 21 of the ventilation layer are extended to the two sides of the horn opening, compared to the two sides of the horn opening channel 1 where the laminar flow channel 8 is extended to the two sides of the horn opening 15. The lengths of the laminar flow channels 20 in the upper and lower layers of the transducer signal transmission layer remain unchanged, while the remaining laminar flow channels 8 are extended to the two sides of the horn opening. This flow channel design not only results in poor rectification effect of the transducer signal transmission layer 5, but also, because the gas flow velocity in the transducer signal transmission layer 5 is lower than that in the ventilation layer 4, secondary flow is formed at the outlet 10 of the flow channel due to the collision of the two gas flows with different velocities, which has a significant impact on the metering of the transducer signal transmission layer.

[0042] In summary, this design extends all laminar flow plates inside the two-sided flared channel 1 to the outermost plane of the two-sided flared channel 15, ensuring the stability of gas flow and gas metering effect, and reducing the generation of secondary flow. Meanwhile, compared to the two-sided flared channel 1 with even-sided laminar flow plates, the extended laminar flow plates 8 of the odd-numbered laminar flow plates 22 significantly obstruct the middle part of the transducer signal transmission channel 23 and the transducer signal receiving channel 24. The strongest signal from the transducer is concentrated at the center of the transducer, thus the two-sided flared channel 22 with odd-numbered laminar flow plates will have a significant impact on metering, or even fail to meter. Therefore, by using an even number of extended laminar flow plates 8 (greater than 2) in the two-sided flared channel 1, the transducer signal layer is ensured to be in the middle position of the channel, making the gas more stable in transducer signal transmission and the error measurement more accurate. The laminar flow plates and the four inner walls of the channel have a certain draft angle, and the layer thickness is maintained within a certain range, ensuring that the channel structure is easier to demold.

[0043] This invention employs a one-piece molded flow channel 1 with two flared openings, and two flared openings 15 extending to the left and right at the front end of the flow channel. The two flared openings 15 are at a certain angle to the side wall of the flow channel. This design aims to accelerate the gas flow rate, reduce the low-flow-rate area of ​​the gas, and ensure the accurate metering of the transducer signal transmission layer 5.

[0044] This invention employs a large-round-corner bend 3 design. In previous technologies, the gas outlet pipe of the ultrasonic meter had a right-angle bend structure. This right-angle bend structure of the gas outlet pipe can lead to serious pressure loss and induce flow field fluctuations, causing a decline in the overall performance of the gas meter. Therefore, in order to ensure a smooth transition of gas from the ultrasonic meter after metering, this design adopts a large-round-corner bend 3 design. This allows the rectangular structure of the sealing flange 16 at the bend end face to transition more smoothly to the gas outlet 11 using the large-round-corner bend 18, ensuring that the gas smoothly enters the pipeline after flowing out, greatly reducing secondary flow phenomena, minimizing the impact of secondary flow on the ultrasonic metering accuracy, ensuring that the gas in the transducer signal transmission layer 5 is always in a laminar flow state, and improving the accuracy of metering errors.

[0045] This utility model employs a two-sided flared flow channel 1 and a large-radius bend 3, both of which are integrally injection molded. To ensure the sealing performance of the connection between the two-sided flared flow channel 1 and the large-radius bend 3, a two-sided flared flow channel sealing groove 14 is provided at the front end of the flow channel end face sealing flange 12 on the two-sided flared flow channel 1. A flow channel rubber sealing ring 9 is installed into the two-sided flared flow channel sealing groove 14, so that the flow channel rubber sealing ring 9 in the two-sided flared flow channel sealing groove 14 forms a certain interference fit with the venting inner wall surface of the bend end face sealing flange 16. Then, screws are used to fasten the connection through the flow channel flange through hole 12 of the flow channel end face sealing flange 12 on the two-sided flared flow channel 1 and the bend flange thread hole 17 of the bend end face sealing flange 16 on the large-radius bend 3, so that the flow channel end face sealing flange and the bend end face sealing flange coincide, achieving stable and reliable sealing performance.

[0046] The specific examples described in this utility model are merely illustrative of the spirit of this utility model. Those skilled in the art to which this utility model pertains may make various modifications or additions to the described specific examples or use similar methods to replace them, but without departing from the spirit of this utility model or exceeding the scope defined by the appended claims.

[0047] Although this utility model uses numerous terms such as ultrasonic transducer, flow channel, bend, flare, air inlet, air outlet, transducer, snap-fit, rectifier structure, laminar flow plate, and secondary flow, the possibility of using other terms is not excluded. The use of these terms is merely for the convenience of describing and explaining the essence of this utility model; interpreting them as any additional limitation would contradict the spirit of this utility model.

Claims

1. A flow channel structure for an ultrasonic metering instrument with a stable gas flow field, characterized in that: the flow channel... The air inlet end is provided with two flared mouths to form two flared mouth flow channels, and the air outlet of the flow channel is connected to a bend pipe; an extended laminar flow plate is provided in the two flared mouth flow channels, and the extended laminar flow plate extends to the opening end face of the two flared mouths.

2. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The two flared flow channels are integrally formed with the two flared openings and the extended laminar flow plate.

3. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... A transducer mounting base is provided on the side wall of the two flared flow channels, and a transducer is installed inside the transducer mounting base.

4. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 3, characterized in that... The side walls of the flow channels on both sides of the transducer mounting base are the left and right extension directions of the two side horns.

5. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The extended laminar flow plate divides the flow channel space into a ventilation layer and a transducer signal transmission layer. The transducer signal transmission layer faces the transducer, ensuring that the transducer signal is transmitted in the transducer signal transmission layer.

6. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The extended laminar flow sheet is configured with an even number of layers, and there is a certain draft angle between the extended laminar flow sheet and the four inner wall surfaces of the two flared flow channels.

7. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The extended laminar flow plate is provided with a small rounded corner at one end of the air inlet of the flow channel.

8. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... A flow channel rubber sealing ring is provided between the air outlet of the flow channel and the bend, and the flow channel rubber sealing ring is installed in the flow channel sealing groove of the air outlet of the flow channel.

9. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The bend in the pipe is designed with a large rounded corner.

10. The flow channel structure of an ultrasonic metering instrument for stabilizing gas flow field according to claim 1, characterized in that... The air outlet end of the flow channel on both sides of the flared flow channel is provided with a flow channel end face sealing flange, and the flow channel end face sealing flange is provided with a flow channel flange through hole; the air inlet end of the bend is provided with a bend end face sealing flange, and the bend end face sealing flange is provided with a bend flange thread hole; the flow channel end face sealing flange and the bend end face sealing flange are fastened together by bolts, so that the flow channel end face sealing flange and the bend end face sealing flange coincide, thereby achieving a seal.

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