Ultrasonic Flow Meter Partition Plate Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic flow meter devices experience non-uniformity in flow rate due to warpage or burr in partition plates, which affect the alignment of obverse and reverse surfaces, leading to varied flow velocity distribution among flat fluid passages.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic flow meter device incorporates a partition plate with identification sections, such as convex or recessed areas, to ensure proper alignment of obverse and reverse surfaces, and a sheet with apertures to facilitate ultrasonic wave transmission and reception, allowing for accurate measurement and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If partition plates are inserted without identification sections, then assembly is simpler, but obverse and reverse surfaces cannot be properly aligned, causing non-uniform flow velocity distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies visual marking (analogous to color changes) by providing identification sections on the partition plate that have different appearances from the surrounding areas. These identification sections enable visual recognition of obverse and reverse surfaces, ensuring proper alignment during assembly without requiring complex mechanical features.
2Ease of manufacture
If partition plates have warpage or burr, then manufacturing is easier, but flow velocity distribution becomes non-uniform among flat fluid passages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing identification sections on the partition plate during manufacturing. This allows the orientation to be determined and recorded at the manufacturing stage, so that during assembly, the partition plate can be quickly and correctly oriented without requiring complex inspection or adjustment procedures, thereby maintaining both manufacturing ease and surface precision.
3Productivity
If directions of obverse and reverse surfaces do not conform, then assembly is faster, but flow rate non-uniformity occurs among flow meter devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual identification sections that provide immediate visual feedback during assembly, allowing workers to quickly determine the correct orientation of the partition plate. This maintains high assembly speed while ensuring consistent orientation across all devices, thereby maintaining measurement reliability.
4Manufacturing precision
If identification sections are provided on partition plate, then proper alignment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing identification sections only at specific locations on the partition plate rather than modifying the entire structure. This localized approach provides the necessary alignment information while minimizing the impact on overall device complexity and maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 ensures uniform flow velocity distribution among flat fluid passages, reducing non-uniformity in flow rates and enhancing the accuracy of flow measurements by easily identifying and aligning the partition plate surfaces during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of ultrasonic transducers which transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave via the opening
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter device comprises a fluid passage forming section (32) including a measurement fluid passage (31), and an opening (38) facing a bottom surface of the measurement fluid passage; a pair of ultrasonic transducers (46, 47) which transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave via the opening; a partition plate (39) which partitions the measurement fluid passage; and an identification section (56, 58) provided on an end surface of the partition plate and used to identify an obverse surface (39a) and a reverse surface (39b) of the partition plate.