Device for solidifying flow field

Abstract

The utility model discloses a device for solidifying a flow field, which comprises a cylindrical pipe body and a fan-shaped grid arranged in the cylindrical pipe body, the fan-shaped grid is obtained by dividing a support column, the support column comprises a support shaft and a plurality of support side columns, the support shaft and the cylindrical pipe body share the same central axis, and the support side columns are respectively connected with the inner wall of the cylindrical pipe body and the support shaft. The interior of the cylindrical pipe body is divided into n identical fan-shaped grids by the supporting columns. The device for solidifying the flow field can be used for detection of various water meters, and is high in compatibility, low in cost and easy to install and fix. After the water flow passes through the fan-shaped grids, the flow velocity distribution is relatively average, the range value of the flow velocity is relatively small, the flow field and the metering are more stable, the reduction of the pressure loss is relatively small, the product quality is greatly improved, and particularly, the qualified rate of the metering of the water meter is greatly improved in the processes of sample feeding and ground inspection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a device for solidifying flow fields applicable to various types of water meters. Background Technology

[0002] A water meter is a device used to measure the volumetric flow rate of water through pipes. It is widely used in households, industry, and commerce to measure water consumption and calculate billing. Because the accuracy of water meters directly affects users' economic interests and the effectiveness of water resource management, regular inspection of water meters is crucial.

[0003] Currently, various types of water meters (mechanical, ultrasonic, electromagnetic, and volumetric) do not widely use rectifiers to solidify the flow field. This results in the meters failing type evaluation and on-site testing, and their data deviates significantly from the factory specifications. Furthermore, in some poor installation environments, this leads to inaccurate metering or even a complete failure to measure.

[0004] To ensure accurate metering, the U10D5 test plan and installation conditions are typically required during type evaluation or installation. This means that a straight pipe section at least 10 times the pipe diameter is needed upstream of the water meter, and at least 5 times the pipe diameter is needed downstream. Increasing the straight pipe section before the water meter stabilizes the water flow field, ensuring accurate flow measurement and reducing errors caused by irregular pipe layouts. These stringent installation conditions are not met in all areas, making it difficult to fundamentally solve the problem of inaccurate water meter readings.

[0005] Specifically, the problems with existing water meter testing include the following:

[0006] 1. Water meters are difficult to test. Many third-party laboratories do not have complete testing equipment. The pressure of the water flow into the meter varies greatly, resulting in a turbulent flow field and inaccurate measurement.

[0007] 2. The installation is quite difficult. In most places, the water meter installation conditions involve many bends, vertical and inclined pipes, which cannot meet the installation conditions for accurate water meter measurement.

[0008] 3. The water flow is more turbulent due to changes in pipe diameter, resulting in poorer metering accuracy;

[0009] 4. The production and calibration of water meters is quite difficult. The differences in multiple tests can be affected by factors such as the current water pressure and the installation angle, making it impossible to accurately calibrate the water meters to the required standard.

[0010] 5. The data from different test benches vary significantly, affecting the product's factory release and mandatory inspection pass rate;

[0011] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a device for solidifying the flow field that is applicable to various types of water meters with different materials and diameters, mainly for water meter detection and user use, to make the water flow more stable and the measurement more accurate. Utility Model Content

[0012] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention proposes a device for solidifying the flow field of various types of water meters, thereby resolving the issue of inaccurate water meter readings.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0014] A device for solidifying a flow field, the device comprising a cylindrical tube body, a fan-shaped grid disposed inside the cylindrical tube body, the fan-shaped grid being divided by support columns, the support columns comprising a support shaft coaxial with the cylindrical tube body, and a plurality of support side columns respectively connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical tube body and the support shaft, the support columns dividing the interior of the cylindrical tube body into n identical fan-shaped grids, where n is an integer from 3 to 12.

[0015] Furthermore, n=6 is preferred, that is, the sector grid consists of 6 sectors with a central angle of 60°.

[0016] Furthermore, in the support column, the support shaft and the support side column are all at the same height as the cylindrical tube.

[0017] Furthermore, the device has a protruding positioning block on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube, which is used to fix the device to the inlet or outlet of the water meter to prevent the device from becoming loose.

[0018] There can be multiple positioning blocks, preferably arranged symmetrically on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube.

[0019] Furthermore, the bottom of the cylindrical tube is chamfered, which makes the assembly process smoother, reduces the resistance when inserting the device for solidifying the flow field into the inlet and outlet, and avoids damage.

[0020] This invention sets the internal grid into a centrally symmetrical fan-shaped structure, which can better divide the water flow and make it more regular, while increasing the flow area and reducing the support columns. Compared with some conventional grids such as honeycomb, the fan-shaped grid can achieve lower pressure loss and meet national standards.

[0021] Furthermore, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is preferably 1.8 to 2:15.

[0022] The ratio of the height to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 5 to 7:15.

[0023] The preferred ratio of the wall thickness of the supporting side column to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 0.8 to 1:15.

[0024] The thickness of the preferred positioning block is 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

[0025] The device for solidifying the flow field provided by this utility model can be used in the testing of various water meters. When conducting prototype testing, the rectifier can be installed at the inlet and outlet. This way, even if the calibrated water meter is installed at other locations or in different laboratories, the flow field can be solidified to be consistent with that during calibration, avoiding the failure rate caused by location differences and improving the pass rate of the prototype. For areas with many installation restrictions, the rectifier can be installed at the inlet, which can meet the installation requirements of the highest level of flow field sensitivity U0D0 in the national standard for water meters, and can adapt to various environments.

[0026] In summary, the following beneficial effects can be achieved by applying this utility model:

[0027] 1. Strong compatibility: This utility model's device is suitable for all current water meter products. It can be adapted to different water meters, such as those with diameters of DN15-50 (15-50mm), various installation angles, through-beam or reflection measurement methods, and ultrasonic, electromagnetic, or mechanical measurement principles, by selecting a suitable rectifier.

[0028] 2. Low cost and simple installation.

[0029] 3. It can make the water meter more stable during testing and user use.

[0030] 4. The fan-shaped grid ensures that the flow velocity is evenly distributed after the water flows through, and the velocity range is relatively small. This results in a more stable flow field and metering, with less reduction in pressure loss, which greatly improves the quality of the product. In particular, it greatly improves the accuracy and pass rate of water meter measurement during sample delivery and on-site inspection. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the device for solidifying the flow field in Example 1.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a side view of the apparatus for solidifying the flow field in Example 1.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a top view of the apparatus for solidifying the flow field in Example 1.

[0034] Figure 4 The image shows the simulated flow field of the turbulent fluid without passing through the rectifier in Example 2. The left and right images are velocity cloud maps of the metering surface at 25% and 75%, respectively.

[0035] Figure 5The image shows the simulated flow field diagram after adding a square grid rectifier in front of the meter in Example 2. The left image is a schematic diagram of the square grid rectifier, and the middle and right images are velocity cloud maps of the metering surface at 25% and 75%, respectively.

[0036] Figure 6 The image shows the simulated flow field diagram after using the sector grid rectifier of Example 1 in front of the table in Example 2. The left and right images are velocity cloud maps of the metering surface at 25% and 75%, respectively.

[0037] Figures 1-3 In the middle, 1-cylindrical tube, 2-fan-shaped grid, 3-support column, 31-support shaft, 32-support side column, 4-positioning block, 5-chamfer. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The technical solution of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0039] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model; the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. In addition, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installed," "connected," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be a connection within two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0040] Example 1

[0041] This embodiment provides a device for solidifying a flow field, such as... Figure 1As shown, the device includes a cylindrical tube 1 and a sector-shaped grid 2 disposed inside the cylindrical tube 1. The sector-shaped grid 2 is divided by support columns 3. The support columns include a support shaft 31 with the same central axis as the cylindrical tube 1, and a plurality of support side columns 32 respectively connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical tube 1 and the support shaft 31. The support columns 3 divide the interior of the cylindrical tube 1 into n identical sector-shaped grids 2, where n is an integer from 3 to 12.

[0042] In a preferred implementation, such as Figure 1 As shown, n=6, that is, the sector grid consists of 6 identical sectors with a central angle of 60°, with the support axis 31 as the axis, forming a central symmetry.

[0043] Furthermore, in the support column 1, the support shaft 31 and the support side column 32 are both at the same height as the cylindrical tube 1.

[0044] Furthermore, the device has a protruding positioning block 4 on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube 1, which is used to fix the device to the inlet or outlet of the water meter to prevent the device from loosening. It can still be firmly fixed on the water meter after experiencing mechanical climate environments such as transportation vibration, mechanical impact, and high and low temperature aging.

[0045] There can be multiple positioning blocks 4, preferably symmetrically arranged on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube 1.

[0046] The bottom of the cylindrical tube 1 is provided with a chamfer 5. The chamfer 5 can make the assembly process smoother, reduce the resistance when the device is inserted into the inlet and outlet, and avoid damage.

[0047] Furthermore, the ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is preferably 1.8 to 2:15.

[0048] The ratio of the height to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 5 to 7:15.

[0049] The preferred ratio of the wall thickness of the support side column to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 0.8 to 1:15. The wall thickness of the support side column should not be too large; reducing the wall thickness is equivalent to increasing the area of ​​the fan-shaped grid, which is more conducive to reducing pressure loss. However, the wall thickness of the support side column should not be too small either, otherwise it will not achieve the rectification effect.

[0050] For a DN15 water meter, this embodiment provides a device for solidifying a flow field. The cylindrical tube has an outer diameter of 15mm and a height of 6mm; the wall thickness of the tube is 2mm, and the outer wall of the tube has four positioning blocks with a thickness of 0.5mm. Figure 1 As shown, the flow pattern is evenly and symmetrically distributed on the outer wall of the pipe. The 2mm wall thickness facilitates better installation and allows for partial constriction after water enters, increasing the flow rate and making the metering more stable.

[0051] The supporting side columns have a wall thickness of 1mm to ensure structural stability; the open area of ​​each sector grid is 13.1mm. 2 .

[0052] When adapting to water meters of different diameters, simply enlarge the size proportionally.

[0053] By making the rectification effect into a fixed fan-shaped structure, the water flow can be better divided and made more regular. It also increases the grid area, which increases the water flow area and reduces the support columns. Compared with some conventional grids, honeycomb structures can achieve lower pressure loss and meet national standards.

[0054] Example 2

[0055] The apparatus for solidifying the flow field in Example 1 was used to test a DN15 water meter.

[0056] When there is no sufficiently long straight pipe section (less than 15cm) in the current section, and without the use of a device to solidify the flow field, the flow field entering the pipe section is relatively turbulent. The measured error of the water meter fluctuates greatly, the basic error is unqualified, and the repeatability is also poor, with errors of -2.50%, -3.65%, and -1.58%, respectively.

[0057] After adding the solidified flow field device of Example 1 at the inlet and outlet, water meter tests were conducted under the same conditions, and the errors obtained were -0.58%, -0.25%, and -0.98%, all of which were qualified.

[0058] Fluid simulation using STAR-CCM+ shows the flow field under different conditions when a turbulent flow field enters:

[0059] Without a rectifier added before the flow meter, the flow field distribution is highly uneven. Figure 4 As shown.

[0060] By adding different rectifiers at the inlet, the simulated flow velocity cloud diagrams under different metering surfaces are shown below. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown.

[0061] The table includes existing technology solutions such as grid-type rectifiers. Figure 5 The left image shows multiple square grid rectifiers. After adding rectifiers, as shown... Figure 5 As shown in the middle and right figures, the flow field has been partially improved.

[0062] After adding the sector-shaped grid rectifier (cross-shaped rectifier) ​​of Example 1 to the table, as follows: Figure 6 As shown, the turbulent flow field is significantly improved. The simulation results show a more uniform velocity distribution, a smaller velocity range, and a more stable flow field and metering.

[0063] The existing grid-type rectifier solution, due to the addition of more grid support columns, reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the grid opening, occupies the space for water flow, and thus significantly increases the pressure loss. By comparing the pressure loss of the existing DN15 pipe section, it is 18 kPa without the rectifier, 30 kPa after adding a square grid rectifier at the inlet, and 42 kPa after adding square grid rectifiers at both the inlet and outlet.

[0064] If the sector-shaped grid rectifier of Example 1 is used instead, the pressure loss is 24 kPa after adding the sector-shaped grid rectifier at the inlet, and 31 kPa after adding sector-shaped grid rectifiers at both the inlet and outlet.

[0065] The results show that when the product's inherent pressure loss meets Δp25, in forward metering only, adding a grid rectifier reduces the product's pressure loss to Δp40, while adding a fan-shaped grid rectifier keeps it at Δp25. In direct bidirectional metering, adding a grid rectifier reduces the pressure loss to Δp63, while adding a fan-shaped rectifier reduces it to Δp40, resulting in a relatively small reduction in pressure loss.

[0066] This invention sets the internal grid into a centrally symmetrical fan-shaped structure, which can better divide the water flow and make it more regular, and increase the water flow area through the grid, reducing the support column. Compared with some conventional grids such as honeycomb or square grids, the fan-shaped grid can achieve lower pressure loss and meet national standard requirements.

[0067] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An apparatus for solidifying a flow field, characterized in that... The device includes a cylindrical tube body, a sector-shaped grid disposed inside the cylindrical tube body, the sector-shaped grid being divided by support columns, the support columns including a support shaft coaxial with the cylindrical tube body, and multiple support side columns respectively connected to the inner wall of the cylindrical tube body and the support shaft, the support columns dividing the interior of the cylindrical tube body into n identical sector-shaped grids, where n is an integer from 3 to 12.

2. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... n=6, meaning the sector grid consists of 6 sectors with a central angle of 60°.

3. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... In the support column, the support shaft and the support side column are all at the same height as the cylindrical tube.

4. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The device has a protruding positioning block on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube, which is used to fix the device at the inlet or outlet of the water meter.

5. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 4, characterized in that... The positioning blocks are multiple and are evenly and symmetrically arranged on the outer wall of the cylindrical tube.

6. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The bottom of the cylindrical tube is chamfered.

7. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The ratio of the thickness to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 1.8 to 2:

15.

8. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The ratio of the height to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 5 to 7:

15.

9. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 1, characterized in that... The ratio of the wall thickness of the supporting side column to the outer diameter of the cylindrical tube is 0.8 to 1:

15.

10. The apparatus for solidifying a flow field as described in claim 4, characterized in that... The thickness of the positioning block is 0.2 to 0.5 mm.

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