Single-Piece Cryogenic Flow Meter With Fixed Orifice Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring low flow rates of cryogenic fluids in small conduits due to off-center orifice plate positioning, gasket brittleness at cryogenic temperatures, and susceptibility to vibrations and thermal inaccuracies, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter design featuring a single-piece construction with butt welds and capillary fittings to ensure accurate pressure transmission, eliminating gaskets and moving parts, and providing a large thermal mass to stabilize measurements, using '316' stainless steel for cryogenic compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flow meters with gaskets and moving parts are used, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to gasket brittleness at cryogenic temperatures and susceptibility to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components (orifice plate, body, caps, gaskets) into a single integrated flow meter assembly where the orifice plate is permanently attached to the body and caps are secured with set screws, eliminating the need for separate gaskets and moving parts while maintaining measurement reliability in cryogenic environments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes problematic components (gaskets, moving parts) from the traditional flow meter design, extracting only the essential measurement function through a fixed orifice plate in a rigid body structure, thereby eliminating gasket brittleness and vibration susceptibility
2Manufacturing precision
If orifice plate is positioned manually between flanges, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to off-center positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The orifice plate is permanently attached to the body in a fixed position, combining the positioning function into the manufacturing process rather than requiring separate field adjustment, ensuring consistent centering accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The orifice plate position is predetermined and fixed during manufacturing, performing the positioning action beforehand rather than requiring manual adjustment during installation, thereby ensuring manufacturing precision
3Measurement precision
If flow meters with small thermal mass are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal inaccuracies at cryogenic temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal mass parameter of the flow meter by using a solid metal construction instead of lightweight materials, increasing thermal mass to reduce thermal inaccuracies and stabilize measurements in cryogenic environments
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 flow meter achieves precise flow rate measurements in small conduits with low flow rates and velocities at cryogenic temperatures by minimizing vibration effects and ensuring even thermal expansion, while maintaining accuracy and durability in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
differential pressure sensor that senses the difference in the pressure before and after the orifice plate
Implementation Method 2
an orifice plate with a hole, or a plurality of holes through it. In such meters, a differential pressure sensor is used that senses the difference in the pressure before and after the orifice plate
Data Source
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AI summary
A flow meter (102) includes a meter section (200) formed from a single stock of material and having a first inner pipe portion (214), a second inner pipe portion (216) and an orifice plate (218) defined between the first inner pipe portion (214) and the second inner pipe portion (216), wherein the orifice plate (218) has an orifice with a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross- sectional area of the first inner pipe portion (214). The flow meter (102) further includes a first pipe connecting section (202) connected to a first side of the meter section (200) and having a pipe flange (230) and a second pipe connection section (204) connected to a second side of the meter section (200) and having a second pipe flange (250).