Adjustable Orifice Flow Measurement Across Wide Pipeline Flow Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems require multiple flowmeters to accurately measure fluid flow rates at different conditions, such as very low or very high flows, due to the inability to achieve a sufficient pressure drop with a single orifice.
Innovation Solution
A system with a valve mechanism, actuator, upstream pressure sensor, adjustment controller, differential pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and calculation controller, which adjusts the size of an adjustable orifice based on pressure and temperature data to calculate fluid flow rates accurately across varying conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a normal orifice size is used to measure fluid flow rate, then the system structure is simple, but at small fluid flow rates the required minimum pressure drop cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the orifice size adjustable rather than fixed. The valve mechanism allows the orifice diameter to be dynamically changed based on flow conditions, enabling the system to adapt to both small and large flow rates. This resolves the contradiction by allowing the orifice to be small for low flow measurement (achieving sufficient pressure drop) and large for high flow measurement (maintaining system simplicity).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the orifice size parameter according to flow rate requirements. The controller adjusts the valve actuator to change the orifice diameter, thereby changing the pressure drop characteristics. This allows the same measurement system to accurately measure flow rates across a wide range by adjusting the orifice parameter rather than using multiple fixed orifices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple flowmeters are used to measure fluid flow rate at different flow conditions, then measurement precision across all conditions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single flow measurement system that can handle multiple flow conditions. The adjustable orifice valve allows one flowmeter to perform the function of multiple flowmeters would otherwise be needed. The system maintains measurement accuracy across different flow rates by adjusting the orifice size rather than requiring separate specialized flowmeters for each condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics to allow a single flow measurement device to adapt to varying flow conditions. By dynamically adjusting the orifice size based on detected flow conditions, one flowmeter can accurately measure both small and large flow rates, replacing the need for multiple static flowmeters and reducing overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the orifice size is fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot achieve sufficient pressure drop at small fluid flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by making the orifice size a variable parameter rather than a fixed one. The valve mechanism allows the orifice diameter to be adjusted based on flow conditions, ensuring sufficient pressure drop is achieved at small flow rates while maintaining appropriate pressure characteristics at larger flow rates. This resolves the contradiction between fixed simplicity and variable performance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate measurement of fluid flow rates at various flow conditions, overcoming the need for multiple flowmeters by dynamically adjusting the orifice size and incorporating temperature data for precise calculations.
Implementation Method 1
the orifice may create a pressure drop, which is related to the flow velocity, and the fluid flow rate through the orifice may be calculated based on the differential pressure measured across the orifice
Implementation Method 2
an upstream pressure sensor operable to sense pressure of the fluid in the pipeline at a first upstream location of the pipeline upstream from the adjustable orifice
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor operable to sense temperature of the fluid in the pipeline at a first downstream location of the pipeline downstream from the adjustable orifice
Implementation Method 4
the calculation controller is configured to calculate the flow rate of the fluid based on differential pressure data received from the differential pressure sensor, temperature data received from the temperature sensor, and size data indicative of the size of the adjustable orifice received from the adjustment controller
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a pipeline and a valve mechanism defining an adjustable orifice. An actuator is coupled to the valve mechanism and operable adjust a size of the adjustable orifice. An upstream pressure sensor senses pressure of the fluid and an adjustment controller is communicatively coupled to the actuator and the upstream pressure sensor, wherein the adjustment controller actuates the actuator to adjust the size of the adjustable orifice based on data received from the upstream pressure sensor. A differential pressure sensor measures differential pressure across the adjustable orifice and a temperature sensor senses temperature of the fluid downstream from the adjustable orifice. A calculation controller is communicatively coupled to the adjustment controller, the differential pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor, wherein the calculation controller calculates flow rate of the fluid based on data received from the differential pressure sensor, the temperature sensor, and the adjustment controller.