Flow Meter Temperature Sensors Integrated in Housing Cavity

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow meters for liquids, such as water meters, face increased complexity and manufacturing costs due to the use of external temperature sensors connected via wire connections, which introduce leak passages and require additional mounting and handling, making it costly and inefficient to measure liquid temperature effectively.

Innovation Solution

A flow meter design with internal temperature sensors placed within the cavity of the housing, where a first sensor measures the cavity wall temperature in contact with the liquid and a second sensor measures the ambient temperature, allowing the electronic circuit to estimate the liquid temperature without external connections, thus simplifying the device and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If external temperature sensors are connected via wire connections into the housing, then temperature measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensors are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the sensing function with the housing component. This eliminates the need for separate external sensors and their wire connections, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity wall acts as an intermediary medium that transmits temperature information from the liquid to the sensors. By measuring the temperature of the cavity wall, the system indirectly obtains liquid temperature without requiring direct sensor contact with the liquid or external connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If external temperature sensors are used with wire connections, then temperature reading is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature reading capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature sensors are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the sensing function with the housing component. This eliminates the need for separate external sensors and their wire connections, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, encloses the cavity, and integrates the temperature sensors. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If wire connections are introduced into the housing cavity, then external sensors can be connected, but leak passages are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature sensor connectionVSAvoidleak prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wire connections and external sensor mounting requirements are extracted and eliminated from the system. The sensors are instead integrated directly into the housing, removing the source of potential leak passages and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The temperature sensors are integrated directly into the housing structure, merging the sensing function with the housing component. This eliminates the need for separate external sensors and their wire connections, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design allows for cost-effective manufacturing of flow meters that provide accurate temperature readings, enabling precise liquid temperature estimation and alarm generation, while avoiding the need for external sensor connections and reducing complexity, with precision achievable below 3 °C using simple models and potentially better with advanced algorithms.

Implementation Method 1

a first temperature sensor is arranged to measure a temperature of the cavity wall in contact with the liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a second temperature sensor arranged to measure an ambient temperature of the cavity inside the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 3

based on the first and second temperature readings to estimate a liquid temperature of the supplied liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2840362B1Flow meter with two temperature sensors in housing

Publication Date: 2021.02.24 KAMSTRUP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention discloses a flow meter (1), such as a water meter, with integrated temperature reading of the supplied liquid. The flow meter comprises at least two temperature sensors arranged in a cavity (4) of the meter. A first temperature sensor (8) is arranged to measure a temperature of the cavity wall area, and a second temperature sensor (9) is arranged to measure an ambient temperature of the cavity. In this manner a flow meter is provided which is capable of measuring the temperature of the flowing liquid without penetrating the flow tube or the cavity.