Elastic Cable Filling Level Meter for Membrane Gasometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional membrane gasometer measurement techniques face inaccuracies due to membrane unbalancing and folding, especially in non-hemispherical shapes, leading to imprecise gas volume readings and potential damage from mechanical connections.
Innovation Solution
A filling level meter using a flexible, elastic connection between the measurement instrument and the gas membrane, employing helical springs or a heavy chain to maintain membrane balance and prevent unbalancing during emptying, ensuring precise and reliable gas volume measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a rigid mechanical connection (ultrasonic probe with metallic disc or reel with wire) is used to measure gas volume, then the measurement can be performed, but the membrane becomes unbalanced and folds during emptying, causing measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mechanical connections with a flexible elastic cable that connects the measurement instrument to the membrane. This flexible connection allows the membrane to move and deform freely during gas volume changes without being constrained by rigid structures, preventing membrane unbalancing and folding while maintaining continuous measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the connection medium from rigid (metallic disc, wire) to flexible elastic. The elastic cable can dynamically adjust its length and configuration as the membrane moves, maintaining the measurement function while allowing the membrane to retain its balanced shape during emptying cycles.
2Measurement precision
If a rigid connection structure is used to attach the measurement instrument, then the instrument remains stable, but the membrane collapses and forms folds during emptying, leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastic cable acts as a flexible connector that transmits mechanical forces while allowing the membrane to collapse and reform without creating harmful folds. The cable's flexibility prevents the transmission of rigid constraints that would cause the membrane to unbalance and fold during the emptying process.
3Ease of operation
If the membrane is allowed to collapse freely during emptying, then no mechanical constraint is applied, but the membrane becomes unbalanced and measurement accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical properties of the connection from rigid to flexible elastic, allowing the membrane to move freely during emptying while maintaining a balanced configuration. The elastic cable provides just enough constraint to prevent unbalancing without restricting the natural collapse and reform process.
4Device complexity
If traditional rigid connection methods are used, then the measurement instrument remains fixed, but the membrane creates loops and folds, especially in non-hemispherical gasometer shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible elastic cable provides a simple yet effective connection that works universally across different gasometer shapes (hemispherical, cylindrical, conical). Its flexibility allows it to accommodate the specific geometric characteristics of non-hemispherical shapes without causing membrane unbalancing or fold formation, maintaining measurement precision across various configurations.
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 elastic connection regulates the gas membrane's fall, maintaining chamber shape consistency and preventing tears, resulting in precise and reliable gas volume readings across cycles, even in non-standard gasometer shapes.
Implementation Method 1
A filling level meter for membrane gasometers consists of at least one accumulation chamber arranged for containing a gas, comprising an impermeable, flexible membrane capable of moving between two positions corresponding to the chamber being totally full and totally empty, wherein said meter comprises: an instrument associated with a fixed element, arranged for generating a signal of measurement of a physical value that can be correlated to the quantity of gas contained in said chamber; means for processing and displaying the value of the quantity of gas corresponding to said generated signal; a filiform, flexible means for connecting said instrument and said membrane, characterized in that said filiform, flexible means comprises at least one portion constituted by an elastic means.
Data Source
AI summary
Filling level meter (4) for membrane gasometer (1), including at least one accumulation chamber (C1) arranged for containing a gas, and an impermeable flexible membrane (2) capable of moving between two positions corresponding to the chamber being totally full and totally empty, wherein the meter (4) includes:an instrument (12) associated with a fixed element (3, 9), arranged for generating a signal of measurement of a physical value that can be correlated to the quantity of gas contained in the chamber (C1);elements for processing and displaying (5) the value of the quantity of gas corresponding to the generated signal; a filiform, flexible element (6) for connecting the instrument (12) and the membrane (2); the filiform, flexible element (6) including at least one portion constituted by an elastic member (7).