Coaxial Linear Drive for Compact Small Volume Provers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional small volume provers for calibrating liquid flow sensors have a large footprint and require numerous parts, leading to reliability issues and high maintenance needs due to multiple components and high-pressure seals, which are impractical in applications with size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A small volume prover apparatus with a precision bore cylinder and piston configured with a flow-through valve, using an electromagnetic drive and reduced number of parts, including a hollow shaft with coils and magnets, to minimize size and increase reliability, and employing detectors for accurate position sensing and variable volume calibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional drive trains with electric motors, chains, or belts are used, then the piston can be pulled back to the start position, but the device footprint increases and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive mechanism and piston rod into a single integrated hollow shaft assembly. The electromagnetic coil is positioned within the hollow shaft, eliminating the need for separate drive trains, chains, or belts. This merging of components directly reduces the device footprint while maintaining the piston return function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shaft serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the structural support, the electromagnetic actuator housing, the fluid passage conduit, and the mechanical connection to the piston. This multi-functionality eliminates numerous separate components and reduces the overall device size.
2Ease of operation
If conventional drive trains with multiple components are used, then the piston can be pulled back, but the number of parts increases leading to high maintenance needs
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the electromagnetic coil, hollow shaft, and piston rod into a single assembly, the patent eliminates multiple discrete parts that would require individual maintenance. The reduced component count directly lowers maintenance requirements and simplifies repair operations.
3Ease of operation
If conventional drive trains with shafts are used, then the piston can be pulled back, but the number of seals increases leading to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the drive mechanism within the hollow shaft eliminates the need for separate upstream and downstream shafts, thereby reducing the number of high-pressure seals required. Fewer seals mean fewer potential failure points and improved overall system reliability.
4Ease of operation
If conventional drive trains are used, then the piston can be pulled back, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple discrete components (electromagnetic coil, hollow shaft, piston rod, seals, bearings) into a single integrated assembly. This merging dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining the essential piston return function.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow shaft assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, electromagnetic actuation, fluid conveyance, and mechanical drive transmission. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall device 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
The solution reduces the number of critical parts and seals, minimizing the device footprint while ensuring high reliability and low maintenance, capable of operating under adverse conditions with high loads and velocities.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic drive and reduced number of parts, including a hollow shaft with coils and magnets
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A small volume prover apparatus and method for precisely measuring the displaced volume of a fluid. A precision bore cylinder and a piston can be configured with a valve arrangement in order to permit fluid to pass through an annular passage when the piston travels from one position to an opposite position. A magnetized forcer connected to the piston and a magnetic drive chamber configured to produce linear motion of said magnetized forcer are operably connected to the piston in order to move the piston from one position to the other.