Flow Meter Bonding Area Segmentation for Heat Loss Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermal flow meters, a significant portion of heat from the heating means is lost to the measurement tube or its surroundings rather than being transmitted to the liquid, reducing the accuracy of flow rate measurements, especially at low flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical measurement tube with a flat surface and recesses on its outer circumference is bonded to a temperature detecting substrate, creating a planar bonding area with varying widths to enhance heat transfer to the liquid, while maintaining secure bonding and fixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bonding area between the heating means and the measurement tube is increased, then the bonding strength is improved, but the heat loss to the measurement tube and surroundings increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding area is segmented into two distinct zones: a first bonding area with a first width and a second bonding area with a second width greater than the first width. This segmentation allows the heating means to be bonded with sufficient strength while limiting the area through which heat can be lost to the measurement tube and surroundings.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bonding area are given different widths to optimize local functions. The first bonding area has a narrower width to reduce heat loss in the region where heating occurs, while the second bonding area has a wider width to provide sufficient bonding strength and structural support where heat loss is less critical.
2Reliability
If the bonding area between the heating means and the measurement tube is increased, then the bonding reliability is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding area is divided into a first bonding area and a second bonding area with different widths. The first bonding area with narrower width is positioned to minimize heat loss during heating, thereby maintaining measurement precision, while the second bonding area with wider width ensures sufficient bonding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding structure exhibits local quality variation where the first bonding area has a narrower width optimized for reducing heat loss and maintaining measurement accuracy, while the second bonding area has a wider width optimized for providing bonding reliability and structural integrity.
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
This configuration increases the quantity of heat transmitted to the liquid, improving the accuracy of flow rate measurements and reducing heat loss, especially for small flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
heat from the heating means is transmitted to the liquid circulated in the measurement tube through the measurement tube
Implementation Method 2
a temperature detecting substrate having a heating resistance element and a temperature detecting resistance element formed on a detection surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flow meter that determines a liquid flow rate based on temperature. The flow meter has a cylindrical measurement tube having an internal flow passage, and a temperature detecting substrate including a heating resistance element a temperature detecting resistance element formed on a detection surface thereof. The measurement tube has a flat surface facing the detection surface of the temperature detecting substrate, and a pair of recesses arranged so as to sandwich the internal flow passage at a position where the heating resistance element is arranged. The flat surface and the detection surface are bonded together to form two bonding area. A width of the first bonding area is narrower than a width of the second bonding area so that heat, transmitted through the measurement tube from the heating resistance element is increased.