Curved Chute Flow Meter for Particulate Matter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow measurement and weighing devices are not accurate, fast, and are heavy, requiring many moving parts, which limits their effectiveness in monitoring and managing material flow.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter system comprising a hopper, transfer tube, and a curved chute with a load beam, where sensors and actuators work together to measure centrifugal force and flow rate, allowing for precise calculation of mass based on inertial force and flow rate, with fewer and lighter components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load cells are attached to shelves or baffles to measure flow, then flow measurement capability is provided, but accuracy is insufficient and device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from traditional load cells and shelves, replacing them with a curved chute that directly measures centrifugal force of flowing material. This eliminates the need for heavy support structures while maintaining measurement capability through the relationship between centrifugal force and flow rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical load cell system with a centrifugal force measurement system using a curved chute. The measurement is based on the centrifugal force generated by material flow through the curved path, which is converted to flow rate data, substituting the traditional mechanical weighing approach.
2Measurement precision
If traditional flow measurement devices are used, then flow monitoring is provided, but speed and accuracy are not sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical weighing systems with a centrifugal force measurement system that provides rapid, continuous measurement. The curved chute design allows material to flow through and generate centrifugal force that is immediately measurable, enabling fast response times while maintaining high accuracy through the direct relationship between centrifugal force and flow rate.
3Measurement precision
If load cells and multiple components are used for flow measurement, then measurement capability is provided, but device complexity and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow measurement and weighing functions into a single integrated system using a curved chute. The chute simultaneously guides material flow and measures centrifugal force, eliminating the need for separate load cells, shelves, and supporting structures. This consolidation reduces the number of parts while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from complex mechanical assemblies and implements it through a simple curved chute design. By removing unnecessary components like load cells and supporting shelves, the system achieves accurate measurement with minimal parts.
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 system provides a more accurate, lightweight, and efficient means of measuring flow rate and weight of particulate matter, improving the accuracy and speed of material flow monitoring while reducing the number of parts.
Implementation Method 1
The flow meter has a curved chute and a load beam that measure the centrifugal force of material acting upon the curved chute over time
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter used in relation to a hopper mounted to a frame and a transfer tube connected to an in communication with the hopper. Both the hopper and the transfer tube have gates that are connected to actuators for selectively opening and closing the gates. A sensor is mounted to the frame adjacent the transfer tube. Mounted below and in communication with the transfer tube is the flow meter. The flow meter has a curved chute and a load beam that measure the inertial force of material acting upon the curved chute over time.