Angled Pressure Port Flow Meter for Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential pressure flow meters experience accuracy issues due to abrupt shifts in flow coefficient at moderately high Reynolds' numbers, leading to anomalous flow patterns and unpredictable flow measurements, particularly at low and high flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The flow meter design incorporates at least one angled pressure port in the fluid conduit, positioned downstream of the cone-shaped differential pressure producer, with its centerline extending across a relatively undisturbed region of flow, avoiding the influence of the support bar and potential re-circulating currents, and providing pressure signals that maintain a consistent flow coefficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional pressure ports are positioned directly downstream of the cone-shaped differential pressure producer, then the meter structure is compact and easy to assemble, but the flow coefficient exhibits abrupt shifts at moderately high Reynolds' numbers leading to anomalous flow patterns and measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure ports are positioned asymmetrically relative to the cone-shaped differential pressure producer, with the downstream pressure port offset at an angle rather than directly aligned. This asymmetric positioning avoids the support bar and re-circulating current regions, preventing abrupt shifts in flow coefficient and maintaining measurement accuracy across a wider range of flow rates.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pressure ports are positioned to avoid anomalous flow regions, then flow coefficient consistency is improved, but the meter length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the meter length axially to avoid anomalous flow regions, the downstream pressure port is positioned in a different dimensional orientation - offset laterally and angled relative to the cone-shaped differential pressure producer. This allows the pressure port to access undisturbed flow regions without increasing the overall meter length, maintaining compactness while ensuring flow coefficient consistency.
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
This design prevents abrupt shifts in the flow coefficient, ensuring accurate flow rate measurements across a wider range of flow rates by minimizing the impact of anomalous flow regions, maintaining the meter's compact shape and ease of assembly.
Implementation Method 1
A differential flow meter is based on Bernoulli's theorem and the conservation of mass of a fluid flow between two points in a flow
Implementation Method 2
the centerline of the at least one angled pressure port extends across the flow in a relatively undisturbed region
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E
AI summary
An aspect provides a flow metering apparatus, comprising: a fluid conduit having a differential pressure producer therein; at least one pressure port angled between 0 and 90 degrees in a wall of the fluid conduit; and at least one other pressure port; wherein the at least one pressure port and the at least one other pressure port provide pressure signals. Other aspects are described and claimed.