Annular Throttling Component for Stable Differential Pressure Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flowrate measurement devices face challenges in generating a sensitive and clear differential pressure signal while stabilizing the flow state, leading to limitations in measurement accuracy and reliability due to the requirement for upstream and downstream straight pipes and the influence of negative factors like vortex and pulsation.
Innovation Solution
A throttling component with annular fluid channels is introduced, which accelerates fluid velocity and adjusts flow velocity distribution to standardize the flow state quickly, eliminating the need for upstream and downstream straight pipes and generating a stable differential pressure signal with a high signal-to-noise ratio for accurate flowrate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional flow sensors (orifice plate, Venturi tube) are used to measure flowrate by pressure difference, then flowrate measurement can be achieved, but long upstream and downstream straight pipes are required to ensure standard pipe flow, which limits application occasions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the flow conditioning function into multiple segments: the flow conditioner with multiple channels segments the flow path, and multiple pressure sensing points segment the pressure measurement locations. This segmentation allows standard pipe flow to be achieved more quickly without requiring long straight pipes upstream and downstream, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and pipeline configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioner acts as an intermediary device between the non-standard flow (from pumps, valves, bends) and the flow sensor. It conditions the flow to achieve standard pipe flow locally without requiring long straight pipes, thereby enabling accurate measurement while simplifying the overall pipeline configuration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If flow conditioning devices with multiple channels are used to stabilize flow and reduce vortex, then flow stability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner performs multiple functions simultaneously: it conditions flow to achieve standard pipe flow, stabilizes flow velocity distribution, reduces vortex and pulsation, and provides multiple pressure sensing locations. This multi-functionality improves flow stability without requiring separate devices for each function, thus avoiding increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the flow conditioning function and the pressure measurement function into a single integrated structure. The multiple channels of the flow conditioner serve both as flow stabilization elements and as pathways that create distinct pressure zones for measurement, combining multiple functions into one compact device.
3Reliability
If porous orifice plates with through holes are used to balance flow state, then Reynolds number can be balanced in each hole, but the device still requires certain thickness and multiple holes, increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conditioner features channels with different cross-sectional areas at different locations, creating local variations in flow characteristics. This local quality variation allows different regions to have optimized flow conditions, achieving balanced flow state and reliable measurement while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a continuous structure rather than multiple discrete holes.
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 throttling component rapidly stabilizes fluid flow, reduces the need for site-specific straight pipe arrangements, and enhances the accuracy and reliability of flowrate measurement by producing a stable differential pressure signal, improving measurement precision and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A throttling component with annular fluid channels is introduced, which accelerates fluid velocity and adjusts flow velocity distribution to standardize the flow state quickly
Implementation Method 2
If a throttling element with a flow area smaller than the cross-sectional area of a pipeline is placed in the pipeline filled with fluid, the fluid beam in the pipeline will generate local contraction or flow separation when passing through the throttling element, and the static pressure will be reduced at the position of contraction or separation, so that certain pressure difference (in other words, differential pressure) can be generated before and after the throttling element
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3~4
Figure 5a~7
AI summary
A throttling component and a conditioning and flowrate measurement device comprising a throttling component. The throttling component comprises a central throttling element (2) and multiple peripheral throttling elements (3). The multiple peripheral throttling elements (3) are sequentially sleeved on the exterior of the central throttling element (2), and are coaxial to the central throttling element (2); annular fluid channels (1, 1a, 1b) are respectively formed between the central throttling element (2) and its adjacent peripheral throttling element (3), and between adjacent peripheral throttling elements (3). A sensitive and clear differential pressure signal is generated while the throttling component stabilizes the flow, so that the accuracy and reliability of flowrate measurement can be improved.