Filter Apparatus with Multi-Sensor Volume Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet manufacturing apparatuses face challenges in accurately controlling the volume flow rate of waste powder due to the use of mass flow rate sensors, which are less expensive but inaccurate, and airflow meters, which are costly.
Innovation Solution
A filter apparatus incorporating a wind speed sensor to measure mass flow rate, a temperature sensor, and a pressure sensor, along with a processor to control the blower's suction based on these measurements, allowing for precise volume flow rate control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mass flow rate wind speed sensor is used to control waste powder blower, then the cost is reduced, but the measurement accuracy of volume flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces temperature and pressure sensors as intermediary devices to measure environmental conditions. These measurements serve as mediators to calculate air density, which is then used to convert mass flow rate readings from the wind speed sensor into accurate volume flow rate data, resolving the measurement accuracy issue without requiring an expensive dedicated volume flow rate meter
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical measurement approach of traditional volume flow rate meters with a computational method. By combining measurements from standard sensors (wind speed, temperature, pressure) with density calculations based on environmental conditions, the system substitutes direct mechanical volume measurement with a calculated equivalent, achieving accurate volume flow rate control at lower cost
2Measurement precision
If a wind receiving plate is provided in the duct to measure volume flow rate, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the pressure loss increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the main airflow path by placing sensors in the bypass duct rather than in the primary waste powder transport duct. The wind speed sensor, temperature sensor, and pressure sensor are positioned in the bypass where airflow is diverted, eliminating the pressure loss that would occur if measurement devices were placed directly in the main waste powder flow path
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass duct serves as an intermediary channel that allows measurement of airflow characteristics without interfering with the main waste powder transport system. By measuring flow properties in this separate bypass path and using them to control the blower, the system achieves accurate measurement while avoiding the pressure loss that would result from placing measurement devices in the main duct
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 apparatus effectively controls the air volume by volume flow rate, ensuring consistent operation and reducing costs by using affordable sensors, while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a wind speed sensor that measures a mass flow rate of gas flowing through the pipe
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensor that measures a temperature
Implementation Method 3
a pressure sensor that measures an air pressure
Implementation Method 4
a blower that sucks, through the pipe, air filtered by the filter
Data Source
AI summary
A filter apparatus includes a filter, a pipe, a blower that sucks, through the pipe, air filtered by the filter, a wind speed sensor that measures a mass flow rate of gas flowing through the pipe, a temperature sensor that measures a temperature, a pressure sensor that measures an air pressure, and a processor that controls suction of the blower, based on the measured air pressure, the measured temperature, and the measured mass flow rate.