A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics

Abstract

The utility model discloses a flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristic relates to flow sensor technical field, including the encapsulation pipe, the encapsulation pipe is installed on the flow pipeline, still be equipped with the water gauge on the flow pipeline, the pressure detection module, flexible carrier and graphene film are equipped successively from outside to inside in the encapsulation pipe, the graphene film is attached on the inner wall of encapsulation pipe, the flexible carrier is wrapped in the both ends of graphene film and the back of graphene film. The utility model provides flow sensor's sensitivity is higher phase, is more suitable for the detection of small flow, makes the service life of sensor can reach more than eight years. And graphene has very high chemical stability and biocompatibility, will not cause the pollution of water quality in the application, deduces the flow rate change in the pipeline through the pressure change, and calculates the flow from this further, can correspond to the real -time change of flow rate with the pressure change and carry out flow detection, accurate and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of flow sensor technology, specifically to a flow sensor based on the pressure characteristics of graphene. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of the smart water industry, the accuracy of water metering remains a crucial basis for water companies and users to calculate water fees. Various innovations have been made in metering methods, and flow sensors are currently widely used in many fields. Common flow sensors include ultrasonic flow sensors and electromagnetic flow sensors. Ultrasonic flow sensors calculate flow rate by measuring the time difference of ultrasonic waves propagating in a fluid. They have advantages such as non-contact measurement and wide applicability, but they suffer from insufficient sensitivity in detecting small flow rates and are relatively expensive. Electromagnetic flow sensors, based on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, are more accurate in measuring conductive fluids, but they have certain requirements regarding the conductivity of the fluid, and their accuracy decreases when measuring low-conductivity fluids. Utility Model Content

[0003] Purpose of the utility model: The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a flow sensor based on the pressure characteristics of graphene, which solves the problem of insufficient sensitivity of existing flow sensors in detecting small flow rates.

[0004] Technical solution

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by this utility model is as follows:

[0006] A flow sensor based on the pressure characteristics of graphene includes an encapsulation tube installed on a flow pipe, on which a water meter is also provided. Inside the encapsulation tube, from the outside to the inside, are arranged a pressure detection module, a flexible carrier, and a graphene membrane. The graphene membrane is attached to the inner wall of the encapsulation tube, and the flexible carrier is wrapped around both ends and the back of the graphene membrane.

[0007] Furthermore, the graphene film is circular or rectangular.

[0008] Furthermore, microgrooves or porous structures are etched onto the graphene film.

[0009] Furthermore, a pressure detection module is fixed to the outer side of the flexible carrier facing the encapsulation tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the pressure detection module includes a piezoresistive strain gauge or a capacitive pressure sensor.

[0011] Furthermore, a micro cantilever beam or diaphragm is provided between the flexible carrier and the pressure detection module.

[0012] Furthermore, the pressure detection module has a lead wire that is connected to the water meter.

[0013] Furthermore, the water meter is equipped with a processor.

[0014] Furthermore, the wire is electrically connected to the processor inside the water meter via an analog-to-digital converter and a signal amplifier.

[0015] Beneficial effects

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has the following advantages:

[0017] The flow sensor provided by this invention has higher sensitivity and is more suitable for detecting small flow rates, extending its service life to over eight years. Furthermore, graphene possesses extremely high chemical stability and biocompatibility, ensuring it will not pollute water quality during application. By deriving flow velocity changes within the pipeline from pressure variations, and further calculating the flow rate, flow detection using pressure changes can accurately and efficiently correspond to real-time flow velocity changes. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a circuit diagram of Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0021] 1. Encapsulation tube; 2. Circulation pipe; 3. Water meter;

[0022] 4. Pressure detection module; 5. Flexible carrier; 6. Wire; Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the technical solution of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0024] Example 1

[0025] Combined with appendix Figure 1-3 A flow sensor based on the pressure characteristics of graphene includes an encapsulation tube 1. The relevant components of the sensor are installed inside the encapsulation tube 1. The encapsulation tube 1 is connected to the middle section of the liquid flow pipe 2. The encapsulation tube 1 is set close to the water meter 3 to facilitate the wiring connection between the encapsulation tube 1 and the water meter 3. The water meter 3 can be directly installed on the flow pipe 2.

[0026] The encapsulation tube 1 includes a pressure detection module 4, a flexible carrier 5, and a graphene membrane. The pressure detection module 4, the flexible carrier 5, and the graphene membrane are arranged sequentially from the outside to the inside within the encapsulation tube 1. The pressure detection module 4, the flexible carrier 5, and the graphene membrane work together to detect the pressure changes of the liquid in the flow channel 2 acting on the graphene membrane.

[0027] The graphene film is made of graphene material and is a ring-shaped or rectangular ultrathin film. The graphene film is bonded inside the encapsulation tube 1, and the liquid in the flow channel 2 directly contacts and passes through the graphene film. When the graphene film is ring-shaped, it can be fitted inside the encapsulation tube 1, and the liquid in the flow channel 2 passes directly through the center of the graphene film. When the graphene film is rectangular, it can be positioned on any side wall inside the encapsulation tube 1, and the liquid inside the encapsulation tube 1 can also contact the graphene film. By bonding the graphene film to the encapsulation tube 1 and allowing it to contact the liquid inside, the pressure exerted by the liquid flow on the side wall directly acts on the graphene film. When the liquid flows over the surface of the graphene film, the change in liquid velocity causes a change in the pressure exerted by the fluid on the graphene film. By measuring these pressure changes, the flow rate of the fluid can be calculated.

[0028] The graphene film is an ultrathin film with a thickness of less than 500 nm. Microgrooves or porous structures are etched on the graphene film to enhance pressure response sensitivity. Graphene has high sensitivity, high wear resistance, high corrosion resistance, high stability, and good biocompatibility. Therefore, the graphene film can remain in the flow channel 2 for a long time without affecting the liquid in the flow channel 2.

[0029] The graphene film is surrounded by a flexible carrier 5, which wraps around the edges of the graphene film at both ends in the liquid flow direction and on the back of the graphene film. The flexible carrier 5 is made of silicone or polyimide, is easily elastically deformable, and has a thickness of about 1-2 mm. The back of the flexible carrier 5 integrates a pressure transmission structure, preferably such as a micro cantilever beam or diaphragm. The pressure transmission structure can amplify and transmit the deformation of the graphene film caused by fluid pressure.

[0030] A pressure detection module 4 is fixedly mounted on the side of the flexible carrier 5 facing the encapsulation tube 1. The pressure detection module 4 is tightly bonded to the flexible carrier 5 and the graphene film, and is wrapped around the back of the flexible carrier 5. The pressure detection module 4 is used to convert the deformation of the graphene film into an electrical signal.

[0031] When water flows over the graphene membrane, the pressure exerted by the water causes the membrane to deform. This deformation is then transmitted to the flexible carrier 5, which is attached to the graphene membrane. The deformation is then transmitted to the pressure detection module 4, which includes a piezoresistive strain gauge or a capacitive pressure sensor. The pressure detection module 4 converts the graphene membrane deformation into an electrical signal.

[0032] The pressure detection module 4 is electrically connected to an external signal processing circuit via a wire 6. The wire 6 transmits the pressure changes detected by the pressure detection module 4, allowing external equipment to process these pressure changes to obtain the flow rate of the liquid in the flow pipe 2 and further deduce the liquid flow rate. A protective shielding layer is added to the outside of the wire 6 to prevent electromagnetic interference.

[0033] The graphene film, flexible carrier 5, and pressure detection module 4 are combined to form a sensor. The encapsulation tube 1 encloses the sensor, thus protecting and limiting its position. The encapsulation tube 1 is made of epoxy resin or parylene and is approximately 2-3 mm thick. Anti-slip textures or an adhesive coating are applied at the connection point between the encapsulation tube 1 and the flow pipe 2 to enhance the stability of the encapsulation tube 1 within the pipe after installation.

[0034] The inner diameter of the encapsulation tube 1 is the same as the inner diameter of the flow channel 2 to reduce the concealment of the sensor inside the encapsulation tube 1 from the liquid flow in the flow channel 2. The wire 6 of the pressure detection module 4 is led out directly from the encapsulation tube 1.

[0035] A buffer material, such as silicone, is filled between the pressure detection module 4 and the flexible carrier 5 to absorb vibrations in directions other than pressure. A support grid can be added between the graphene film and the flexible carrier 5 to prevent excessive deformation of the graphene film.

[0036] The wire 6 is connected to an external signal processing circuit, preferably the wire 6 is connected to the water meter 3, so that the pressure of the graphene film can be detected in real time, so as to further deduce the flow rate of the liquid in contact with the graphene film, and thus further deduce its flow rate.

[0037] The water meter 3 can be integrated with a processor. The processor is equipped with a processing circuit that calculates the flow rate from the electrical signal of pressure change. The processor can also work with the time circuit to calculate the specific flow rate in the flow pipe 2.

[0038] Wire 6 is connected to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which is connected to a signal amplifier. The ADC converts pressure changes into electrical signals and transmits them to the signal amplifier. The signal amplifier amplifies the electrical signals of resistance changes and transmits them to a processor located inside the water meter 3. The processor has a pre-stored processing circuit that calculates liquid flow based on resistance changes and further calculates the liquid flow rate based on the duration of the flow rate. The water meter 3 directly displays the liquid flow rate.

[0039] The analog-to-digital converter and signal amplifier can be integrated into the water meter 3, or they can be integrated into a single connector mounted on the encapsulation tube 1. In practical use, the sensor is suitable for working environments where the flow pipe 2 is filled with liquid, allowing the graphene membrane to be in complete contact with the liquid, thus making the detection results more accurate.

[0040] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flow sensor based on the pressure characteristics of graphene, characterized in that, The device includes a packaging tube installed on a flow pipe, which is also equipped with a water meter. Inside the packaging tube, from the outside to the inside, there are a pressure detection module, a flexible carrier, and a graphene film. The graphene film is attached to the inner wall of the packaging tube, and the flexible carrier is wrapped around both ends and the back of the graphene film.

2. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The graphene film is circular or rectangular.

3. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 2, characterized in that, Microgrooves or porous structures are etched on graphene films.

4. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 1, characterized in that, A pressure detection module is fixed to the outer side of the flexible carrier facing the encapsulation tube.

5. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure detection module includes a piezoresistive strain gauge or a capacitive pressure sensor.

6. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 4, characterized in that, A micro cantilever beam or diaphragm is provided between the flexible carrier and the pressure detection module.

7. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure detection module has a lead wire that is connected to the water meter.

8. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 7, characterized in that, The water meter is equipped with a processor.

9. A flow sensor based on graphene pressure characteristics according to claim 8, characterized in that, The wire is electrically connected to the processor inside the water meter via an analog-to-digital converter and a signal amplifier.

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