Volumetric Flow Meter with Orthogonal Passages and Magnetic Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional volumetric flow meters face challenges in efficiently measuring liquid flow within ducts due to friction and wear issues, particularly when integrated with dynamic components that directly interact with gears, and often require complex gasketing and positioning systems.
Innovation Solution
A volumetric flow meter design featuring a housing chamber with orthogonal inlet and outlet passages, elliptical sprockets, and a permanent magnet, where the liquid flow causes rotation of the sprockets, allowing a magnetic sensor to detect the rotational motion and provide an electrical signal for flow rate measurement, eliminating direct gear interaction and enabling compact construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional volumetric flow meters use direct gear interaction for flow measurement, then measurement function is achieved, but friction and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct mechanical gear interaction with a magnetic field-based detection system. A permanent magnet is mounted on the rotor, and a magnetic sensor detects the rotational position and speed of the rotor without physical contact. This eliminates friction and wear between measurement components while maintaining accurate flow measurement capability.
2Reliability
If conventional flow meters use complex gasketing and positioning systems, then sealing and alignment are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex gasketing and positioning systems by designing a compact integrated housing that directly receives the flow meter cartridge. The housing chamber is formed within the housing body itself, removing the need for separate sealing gaskets and complex alignment mechanisms while maintaining reliable sealing and positioning.
3Ease of operation
If conventional flow meters are designed for easy installation in ducts, then ease of operation is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flow meter housing with the duct structure by providing a housing chamber formed directly within the housing body. The flow meter cartridge is inserted directly into this integrated chamber, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets, external housings, or additional positioning components. This integration maintains ease of installation while minimizing the space occupied in the 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
This design reduces friction and wear, allows for compact integration within ducts, and provides accurate volumetric flow rate measurements without the need for gaskets or complex positioning, enhancing measurement efficiency and durability.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permanent magnet arranged on board one of the rotors, and a magnetic sensor capable of providing pulses deriving from a passage in the field of action of the permanent magnet
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6a~6e
AI summary
Volumetric flow meter, comprising a casing (10) adapted to be fitted into a duct (C; 51, 62, 63) and comprising a base body (11) and a cap (13) cooperating to define a housing chamber (15), the housing chamber (15) being on opposite sides delimited by a base plane (11c) formed in the base body (11) and by a cap plane (13d) formed in the cap (13), wherein through the cap (13) there is formed an inlet passage (13e) fluidically communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c), and wherein through a bottom (11d) of the base body (11) there is formed an outlet passage (11e) fluidically communicating with the housing chamber (15) and extending orthogonally to the base plane (11c). The flow meter further comprises a pair of rotors (17, 18) mounted rotatably within the housing chamber (15), a permanent magnet (19) arranged on board one of the rotors (17), and a magnetic sensor (20).