Vortex shedding flowmeter structure capable of replacing sensor on line

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vortex shedding flowmeter structure capable of replacing a sensor on line, which comprises a shell, a flow inlet, a flow outlet and a channel for communicating the flow inlet and the flow outlet are arranged on the shell, and is characterized in that a rotating mechanism capable of rotating in the shell is arranged in the shell, a through hole is arranged on the rotating mechanism, and the flow inlet and the flow outlet are communicated through the channel. A through hole is formed in the shell, the two ends of the through hole are communicated with the flow inlet and the flow outlet respectively, a plurality of generating bodies are arranged in the through hole, a sensor is arranged on the rotating mechanism, a sensor channel is formed in the rotating mechanism, the sensor is located in the sensor channel, one end of the sensor channel is communicated with the outside, and a rotating rod is arranged on the rotating mechanism and extends out of the shell. A standby branch pipe is arranged outside the shell, the two ends of the standby branch pipe are connected with the channel and located on the two sides of the through hole in the rotating mechanism, and a valve is arranged on the standby branch pipe. According to the utility model, the rotating mechanism is used for intercepting flow and is matched with the standby branch pipe, so that the sensor can be replaced under the condition of no flow interruption, and the production efficiency is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow measurement instrument technology, and in particular to a vortex flow meter structure with an online sensor replacement capability. Background Technology

[0002] In modern industrial production, the accuracy and stability of flow measurement play a crucial role in production efficiency and product quality. Vortex flow meters, as a commonly used flow measurement tool, are widely used in various fields such as petrochemicals, energy, and pharmaceuticals. However, when the sensor of a traditional vortex flow meter needs to be replaced, the production line must be stopped, increasing downtime and resulting in high downtime costs.

[0003] To improve production continuity and reduce economic losses during production downtime, an increasing number of companies are focusing on vortex flowmeter technology with online sensor replacement capabilities. The core innovation of this technology lies in its specific structural design and operating mechanism, which allows for sensor replacement without interrupting fluid flow. This effectively avoids downtime during production, significantly reduces production costs, and simultaneously ensures product quality and production safety. Currently, while some vortex flowmeters on the market possess online sensor replacement capabilities, several technical challenges remain, such as ensuring stable fluid flow during sensor replacement, simplifying the operation process to reduce the difficulty for maintenance personnel, and improving the stability and durability of the equipment under complex operating conditions.

[0004] CN 101979964 B discloses a vortex flow meter with an online sensor replacement capability, comprising a flow measuring tube, a vortex detector, a sensor, and a vortex generator fixedly installed inside the flow measuring tube and located upstream of the vortex detector. The vortex detector has a built-in hollow cavity and a tail fin at its outer end; an elastic body is placed at the tail of the sensor, which is inserted into the hollow cavity of the vortex detector and tightly fitted to it via the elastic body; the vortex detector is connected to a mounting hole in the flow measuring tube wall and sealed by welding. While this invention allows for online sensor replacement without stopping material flow by loosening and removing the clamping nut, the operation may require complex tools and procedures, and long-term use may lead to a decline in sealing performance, making maintenance and replacement difficult. Furthermore, under complex operating conditions, this invention may not effectively handle the load from fluid flow, posing a risk of leakage or flow measurement errors. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vortex flowmeter structure with an online sensor replacement capability.

[0006] The innovation of this utility model lies in the fact that the rotating mechanism and through-hole design inside the housing allow the sensor to be replaced without stopping the fluid flow, thereby avoiding production downtime caused by equipment maintenance and improving production efficiency. The installation of spare branch pipes and valves in the equipment allows the fluid channel to be switched when replacing the sensor, ensuring continuous fluid flow, reducing measurement interference caused by flow stoppage or switching, and ensuring the stability and accuracy of flow measurement.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned utility model objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is: a vortex flow meter structure with online sensor replacement, comprising a housing, an inlet and an outlet, and a channel connecting the inlet and the outlet, characterized in that a rotating mechanism is provided inside the housing, the rotating mechanism has a through hole, the two ends of the through hole are respectively connected to the inlet and the outlet, a plurality of generators are provided inside the through hole, a sensor for detecting the flow rate inside the through hole is provided on the rotating mechanism, a sensor channel is provided on the rotating mechanism, the sensor is located inside the sensor channel, one end of the sensor channel is connected to the outside, a rotating rod is provided on the rotating mechanism, the rotating rod extends outside the housing, a spare branch pipe is provided outside the housing, both ends of the spare branch pipe are connected to the channel and both ends are located on both sides of the through hole on the rotating mechanism, and a valve for controlling the flow of the spare branch pipe is provided on the spare branch pipe. The rotating mechanism and spare branch pipe inside the housing enable online sensor replacement without interrupting the flow, effectively avoiding downtime caused by equipment maintenance during production and improving production efficiency. The spare branch pipe and valve allow switching of the fluid channel when replacing the sensor, ensuring continuous fluid flow and avoiding flow instability that may occur during flow interruption or switching, further guaranteeing the accuracy and continuity of flow measurement.

[0008] Furthermore, the housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing that are detachably connected. This detachable connection between the first and second housings simplifies equipment maintenance and parts replacement, reduces operating costs, and extends the overall lifespan of the structure.

[0009] Furthermore, the first and second housings are connected by bolts. This bolted connection improves the stability and sealing of the housings.

[0010] Furthermore, a sealing ring is provided at the junction of the first and second housings and the through hole. The addition of the sealing ring at the junction of the first and second housings and the through hole effectively protects the rotating mechanism, ensuring its stable and smooth operation during long-term use; the sealing ring also maintains the equipment's airtightness, preventing fluid leakage.

[0011] Furthermore, the rotating mechanism is equipped with a mounting base for fixing the sensor, and a first sealing cover is provided between the mounting base and the housing, while a second sealing cover is provided between the rotating rod and the housing. The addition of the mounting base ensures the stability of the sensor during operation; the first and second sealing covers prevent external contaminants from entering the housing, avoiding production problems.

[0012] Furthermore, the first sealing cover is connected to the fixed base via bearings, and the second sealing cover is connected to the rotating rod via bearings. Using bearings ensures the consistency of the rotating mechanism, rotating rod, and fixed base during rotation; the use of bearings guarantees precise alignment and smooth operation of each moving part, improving the stability and response accuracy of the rotating mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, the bearing is a ball bearing. Using ball bearings provides precise rotational concentricity.

[0014] Furthermore, the rotating rod and the rotating mechanism are interference-fitted. This interference fit enhances the tightness and stability between them, effectively preventing loosening issues caused by prolonged use or improper operation.

[0015] Furthermore, a sealing gasket is provided at the connection gap between the first sealing cover and the fixed base, and a sealing gasket is provided at the connection gap between the second sealing cover and the rotating rod. By providing sealing gaskets between the first sealing cover and the fixed base, and between the second sealing cover and the rotating rod, the sealing performance can be further improved; the sealing gaskets can effectively prevent external media from entering the interior of the overall structure, ensuring the accuracy of the measurement results.

[0016] Furthermore, the fixed base and the rotating mechanism are connected by welding, and the spare branch pipe and the housing are also connected by welding. This welding method improves the connection strength and sealing between components, while also enhancing the safety and durability of the overall structure.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] 1. In this utility model, the rotating mechanism inside the housing and the spare branch pipe enable the online replacement of the sensor without interrupting the flow, effectively avoiding downtime caused by equipment maintenance during production and improving production efficiency; the spare branch pipe and valve can switch the fluid channel when replacing the sensor to ensure continuous fluid flow and avoid flow instability that may be caused by flow stoppage or switching, further ensuring the accuracy and continuity of flow measurement.

[0019] 2. This utility model improves the stability and sealing of the housing through bolted connections; the addition of a sealing ring at the connection point between the first and second housings and the through hole ensures stable operation over long periods; the addition of a fixed base ensures the stability of the sensor during operation; the use of the first and second sealing covers prevents external contaminants from entering the housing; the interference fit between the rotating rod and the rotating mechanism enhances their tightness and stability; the sealing performance is further improved by placing sealing gaskets between the first sealing cover and the fixed base, and between the second sealing cover and the rotating rod; the sealing gaskets effectively prevent external media from entering the overall structure, ensuring the accuracy of measurement results. Welding is used to improve the connection strength and sealing performance between components.

[0020] 3. The bearing connection method used in this utility model can ensure the consistency of the rotating mechanism, rotating rod and fixed seat during rotation; the use of bearings ensures the precise docking and smooth operation of each moving part, and improves the stability and response accuracy of the rotating mechanism; the use of ball bearings provides precise rotational concentricity. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a top view of the entire utility model.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the present invention in normal operation.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sensor replacement process in this utility model.

[0025] In the picture:

[0026] 1. Housing; 2. Inlet; 3. Outlet; 4. Channel; 5. Rotating mechanism; 6. Through hole; 7. Generator; 8. Sensor; 9. Sensor channel; 10. Rotating rod; 11. Spare branch pipe; 12. Valve; 13. Housing No. 1; 14. Housing No. 2; 15. Sealing ring; 16. Fixing base; 17. Sealing cap No. 1; 18. Sealing cap No. 2; 19. Bearing; 20. Sealing gasket. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Example 1: As Figure 1 , 2The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement as described in sections 3 and 4 includes a housing 1. The housing 1 has an inlet 2 and an outlet 3, and a channel 4 connecting the inlet 2 and the outlet 3. A rotating mechanism 5, rotatable within the housing 1, is provided inside the housing 1. The rotating mechanism 5 has a through hole 6, with both ends connected to the inlet 2 and the outlet 3 respectively. Several generators 7 are provided inside the through hole 6. A sensor 8 for detecting the flow rate within the through hole 6 is provided on the rotating mechanism 5. A sensor channel 9 is provided on the rotating mechanism 5, with the sensor 8 located inside the sensor channel 9. One end of the sensor channel 9 is connected to the outside. A rotating rod 10 is provided on the rotating mechanism 5, extending outside the housing 1. A spare branch pipe 11 is provided outside the housing 1, with both ends connected to the channel 4 and located on either side of the through hole 6 on the rotating mechanism 5. A valve 12 for controlling the flow through the spare branch pipe 11 is provided on the spare branch pipe 11. The housing 1 is detachably composed of a first housing 13 and a second housing 14. The first housing 13 and the second housing 14 are bolted together. A sealing ring 15 is provided at the joint between the first housing 13 and the second housing 14 and the through hole 6. The rotating mechanism 5 is provided with a fixing seat 16 for fixing the sensor 8. A first sealing cover 17 is provided between the fixing seat 16 and the housing, and a second sealing cover 18 is provided between the rotating rod 10 and the housing 1. The first sealing cover 17 is connected to the fixing seat 16 through a bearing 19, and the second sealing cover 17 is connected to the rotating rod 10 through a bearing 19. The bearing 19 is a ball bearing. The rotating rod 10 and the rotating mechanism 5 are interference-fitted. A sealing gasket 20 is provided at the gap between the first sealing cover 17 and the fixing seat 16, and a sealing gasket 20 is provided at the gap between the second sealing cover 18 and the rotating rod 10. The fixing seat 16 and the rotating mechanism 5 are welded together, and the spare branch pipe 11 is welded together with the housing 1.

[0029] The working principle of this utility model is as follows: During normal operation, the medium enters from the inlet 2. At this time, the through hole 6 on the rotating mechanism 5 is connected to the channel 4, and the valve 12 on the spare branch pipe 11 is closed. The medium flows through the generator 7 in the through hole 6. At this time, the sensor 8 works. After the medium passes through the through hole 6, it is discharged from the outlet 3. When it is necessary to replace the sensor 8 without interrupting the flow, the valve 12 on the spare branch pipe 11 is opened. The medium in the channel 4 flows through the spare branch pipe 11 to achieve the purpose of continuous flow. Rotating the rotating rod 10 drives the rotating mechanism 5 to rotate 90 degrees, cutting off the flow in the channel 4. In this state, the pressure in the channel 4 is all outside the rotating mechanism 5, and there is no pressure in the internal space. The sensor 8 can be replaced. After the replacement is completed, the rotating mechanism 5 is restored to its original position by rotating the rotating rod 10, and the valve 12 on the spare branch pipe 11 is closed at the same time. When it is necessary to control the flow rate of the medium through the through hole 6, the spare branch pipe 11 can be opened to achieve the function of regulating the flow rate of the medium.

[0030] In summary, the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments of this utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this utility model without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A vortex flowmeter structure with an online replaceable sensor, comprising a housing, wherein the housing is provided with an inlet and an outlet, and a channel connecting the inlet and the outlet, characterized in that, The housing contains a rotating mechanism that can rotate within the housing. The rotating mechanism has a through hole, with its two ends connected to an inlet and an outlet, respectively. Several generators are located within the through hole. The rotating mechanism is equipped with a sensor for detecting the flow rate within the through hole. The rotating mechanism also has a sensor channel, with the sensor located within the sensor channel. One end of the sensor channel is connected to the outside. The rotating mechanism has a rotating rod that extends outside the housing. A spare branch pipe is located outside the housing, with both ends connected to the channel and located on either side of the through hole on the rotating mechanism. The spare branch pipe is equipped with a valve for controlling the flow through it.

2. The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is composed of a first housing and a second housing that are detachably connected.

3. The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement according to claim 2, characterized in that, The No. 1 and No. 2 shells are connected by bolts.

4. The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement according to claim 2, characterized in that, A sealing ring is provided at the joint between the No. 1 shell and the No. 2 shell and the through hole.

5. The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism is provided with a fixing seat for fixing the sensor. A first sealing cover is provided between the fixing seat and the housing, and a second sealing cover is provided between the rotating rod and the housing.

6. The vortex flowmeter structure with an online replaceable sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first sealing cover is connected to the fixed base via a bearing, and the second sealing cover is connected to the rotating rod via a bearing.

7. The vortex flowmeter structure with an online replaceable sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bearing is a ball bearing.

8. The vortex flowmeter structure with online sensor replacement according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating rod and the rotating mechanism are interference-fitted.

9. The vortex flowmeter structure with an online replaceable sensor according to claim 6, characterized in that, A sealing gasket is provided at the gap between the No. 1 sealing cover and the fixed base, and a sealing gasket is provided at the gap between the No. 2 sealing cover and the rotating rod.

10. The vortex flowmeter structure with an online replaceable sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixed base and the rotating mechanism are connected by welding, and the spare branch pipe and the shell are connected by welding.

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