Annular Rotor Velocity Flowmeter with Swirler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing velocity flowmeters with hydrodynamic suspension suffer from high hydraulic resistance, limited working velocity range, uneven rotor rotation, and resonance issues, which affect their reliability and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The method involves twisting the flowing medium with a swirler before it enters the working chamber to create a conical vortex, placing the rotor inside it, and using a tapered diffuser and confuser design to even out flow velocity and maintain linear rotor revolution frequency, while employing magnetic or dielectric materials and transducers to convert rotor motion into electrical signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spherical rotor with a through-hole is used for hydrodynamic suspension, then the rotor can be suspended without rubbing supports, but precession of the rotation axis and uneven rotation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the rotor by using an annular rotor with specific inner and outer diameters instead of a spherical rotor with a through-hole. This parameter change eliminates the precession of the rotation axis while maintaining hydrodynamic suspension capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spherical rotor shape to an annular rotor shape with curved surfaces. The specific curvature design of the annular rotor prevents uneven rotation and precession while enabling stable hydrodynamic suspension in the working chamber.
2Ease of operation
If tangential holes are used to feed liquid into the working chamber, then the rotor can be set in motion, but hydraulic resistance is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid feed system by introducing a prechamber before the working chamber. The prechamber divides the flow path and allows for more efficient liquid distribution to the rotor, reducing hydraulic resistance while maintaining the ability to set the rotor in motion.
3Reliability
If the working chamber cross-section is larger than inlet/outlet channels, then the rotor can be suspended, but the range of working velocities is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a swirler that creates rotating flow and a tapered diffuser that adapts the flow velocity profile. These dynamic features allow the flowmeter to maintain reliable rotor suspension across a broader range of working velocities by actively adjusting the flow characteristics.
4Reliability
If a spherical rotor is used for hydrodynamic suspension, then rubbing supports are eliminated, but resonance tendency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an annular rotor with specific curvature characteristics instead of a spherical rotor. The annular shape with optimized inner and outer diameters reduces the tendency for resonance while maintaining the hydrodynamic suspension effect, eliminating harmful resonant vibrations.
5Device complexity
If the rotor is activated by a straight stream, then the structure is simple, but rotation is uneven and precession occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a swirler as an intermediary element between the inlet channel and the rotor. The swirler modifies the straight stream into a rotating flow that evenly activates the annular rotor, preventing precession and ensuring uniform rotation while adding only moderate structural complexity.
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 approach reduces hydraulic resistance, extends the range of measurable velocities, stabilizes rotor rotation, and prevents resonance, enhancing the flowmeter's reliability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
twisting the flowing medium with a swirler before it enters the working chamber to create a conical vortex
Implementation Method 2
a method for setting in motion the rotor of a velocity flow meter, using a flowing fluid, in which the flowmeter is fluid (liquid or gas)-dynamically suspended
Implementation Method 3
using a tapered diffuser and confuser design to even out flow velocity and maintain linear rotor revolution frequency
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to measurement equipment used in the measurement of the flow rate of fluids. Velocity flowmeters comprise a housing, having a pre-chamber with a flow swirler mounted therein and an inlet channel, and a working chamber, having a diffuser with curvilinear grooves on the surface thereof and a converging tube with an outlet channel. A spherical rotor is mounted on a cylindrical shaft in the working chamber. The diameter of a through-hole of the rotor exceeds the diameter of the cylindrical rod. The rotor has mounted thereon either a permanent magnet, which is magnetised perpendicularly to the axis of the through-hole, or a ring-shaped magnet, which is magnetised parallel to the axis of the ring. An induction coil or electrodes of a differential capacitive transducer are secured on the housing. The technical result consists in reducing flow resistance, expanding the range of operating speeds of a fluid, and preventing resonant swinging of the spherical rotor in the working chamber.