Axial Impeller Volumetric Measurement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing volumetric measurement and control devices for fluids, particularly in washing machines, face issues with precision, complexity, cost, and sensitivity to pressure and flow variations, leading to inaccurate measurements and operational malfunctions due to turbulence and impurities.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a coaxial axial impeller with helical blades and a diffuser with more ducts than blades, designed to ensure precise fluid flow measurement and control, is insensitive to pressure and flow variations, and can operate effectively with impurities, while being compact, economical, and simple.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a tangential impeller is used for volumetric measurement, then the device can measure fluid flow, but the device becomes complex, bulky, expensive and difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional tangential impeller configuration by using an axial impeller instead. The impeller axis is aligned parallel to the flow direction rather than perpendicular, fundamentally changing the measurement approach while achieving the same volumetric measurement function with simpler construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the complex metal inserts and sensor systems required by tangential impeller designs. By extracting these complicated components and relying on the axial impeller's direct rotation measurement, the device achieves measurement functionality without the bulk, cost, and maintenance burden of the removed elements
2Device complexity
If an axial impeller is used for volumetric measurement, then the device structure is simplified, but the device becomes too sensitive to pressure and flow variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flow conditioner positioned upstream of the axial impeller that pre-adjusts the flow conditions before the fluid reaches the impeller. This preliminary action ensures that the impeller operates under consistent, controlled flow conditions regardless of variations in upstream pressure or flow rate, thereby stabilizing measurements and improving reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conditioner modifies flow parameters such as velocity distribution and flow direction before the fluid enters the impeller region. By changing these parameters in advance, the system compensates for pressure and flow variations, allowing the axial impeller to maintain reliable and consistent rotational speed for accurate measurement
3Ease of manufacture
If the number of ducts equals the number of blades, then the device is simple to manufacture, but reading linearity deteriorates and measurement precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately creates an asymmetric relationship between the number of ducts and the number of impeller blades. By setting these numbers to be different (specifically, the number of ducts is a multiple of the number of blades plus one), the design achieves superior reading linearity and measurement precision while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the regular, repeating pattern of the ducts and blades
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 device provides accurate fluid measurement and control across various conditions, ensuring optimal operation at high and low pressures and different flow rates, with improved reading linearity and tolerance, and resistance to impurities, while maintaining a constant impeller speed to prevent stalling.
Implementation Method 1
an axial impeller (20), i.e. an impeller the axis of rotation of which is coaxial to the direction of the flow to be measured or controlled
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (1) for volumetric measurement and/or control of a fluid (F), of the type comprising: - a substantially tubular body (10), said body (10) comprising a first portion (11) for the inlet of the fluid (F) into the body (10) and a second portion (12) for the outlet of said fluid (F) from the body (10); - an impeller (20) positioned in said body (10) in such a way as to have an axis of rotation (A) substantially coaxial to the direction of the flow of fluid (F) to be measured or controlled, which flows from said first portion (11) to said second portion (12) within the body (10), in particular said axis of rotation (A) substantially coinciding with an axis (A) of the device (1); - a diffuser (30) arranged above the impeller (20) with respect to the flow of fluid (F), in particular said diffuser (30) being adapted to convey the flow of fluid (F) towards the blades (22) of the impeller (20). The peculiar feature of the present invention is that said diffuser (30) comprises a plurality of ducts (30C), at least one duct (30) of said plurality of ducts (30C) having a substantially circular section and a substantially helical trajectory.