Angled Insert Magnetic Flow Meter Reduces Debris and Stress

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional magnetic flow meters with perpendicular sensor inserts face challenges in maximizing magnetic field effect, accommodating varying fluid flows, and withstanding structural stresses, while also being prone to debris accumulation and requiring custom designs for different conduit sizes.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic flow meter with a sensor insert body angled at approximately 45 degrees, providing increased length for component spacing, improved signal-to-noise ratio, and reduced structural stresses, which allows for more versatile and durable flow measurement across various conduit sizes and flow characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the sensor insert is positioned perpendicular to the fluid flow, then the magnetic field effect is maximized, but the sensor is prone to debris accumulation and structural stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field effectVSAvoiddebris accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor insert is positioned at an angled orientation (non-perpendicular) relative to the fluid flow direction, creating an asymmetric configuration that reduces debris accumulation on the sensor surface while maintaining sufficient magnetic field effect for accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Measurement precision

If the sensor insert length is increased to accommodate component spacing, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the structural stresses increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidstructural stresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The angled orientation of the sensor insert creates an asymmetric geometry that optimizes the length-to-stress ratio, allowing sufficient component spacing for improved signal-to-noise ratio while reducing the structural stresses compared to a perpendicular configuration of the same length

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Measurement precision

If custom sensor designs are created for different conduit sizes, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The angled sensor insert design creates a universal configuration that can be adapted to various conduit sizes without requiring completely custom designs, as the angular geometry provides consistent performance characteristics across different application scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The angled sensor insert body enhances flow measurement accuracy, durability, and ease of manufacturing by enabling better spacing of electrodes and coils, averaging longitudinal flow variations, and reducing debris accumulation, while allowing a single sensor design to fit a range of conduit diameters.

Implementation Method 1

Faraday's Law states that a conductor moving through a magnetic field produces a voltage. In this case, the charge-carrier laden fluid acts as a conductor moving though the magnetic field produced by the sensor, thus producing a voltage.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Faraday's Law states that a conductor moving through a magnetic field produces a voltage. The magnitude of the voltage is proportional to the velocity at which the fluid water moves through the magnetic field.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday's Law: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2893302B1Angled insert magnetic flow meter
Publication Date: 2017.11.08 MCCROMETER INC
  • EP2893302B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2893302B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2893302B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An aspect provides a flow metering apparatus, including: a sensor insert body configured to enter a fluid conduit at an angle with respect to a wall of said fluid conduit; at least one electrode mounted on said sensor insert body; and a coil assembly including at least one magnetic coil in said sensor insert body. Other aspects are described and claimed.