In-Line Flow Meter Energy Harvesting for Pressure Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Metrology devices, such as flow meters, face challenges with power generation and reliability due to limited on-board power sources, leading to maintenance needs and potential customer billing errors from pressure fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An energy harvester system that leverages the kinetic and potential energy of flowing fluids to generate power, using rotating elements like impellers to convert energy into electrical signals, which can supplement or replace on-board power sources and regulate pressure to maintain measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an energy harvester is added to generate power for metrology devices, then power availability and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the energy harvesting function with the existing flow meter housing and measurement chamber into a single integrated device. The turbine is positioned within the flow path of the meter, and the generator is coupled to the turbine shaft, allowing energy generation without adding separate external components. This merging approach improves power availability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter housing serves multiple functions: it contains the measurement chamber for flow measurement, houses the turbine and generator for energy harvesting, and provides structural support. The turbine shaft serves dual purposes by both measuring flow (through its rotation) and driving the generator to produce electrical energy. This multi-functionality improves power availability while avoiding the need for additional dedicated components.
2Measurement precision
If pressure regulation is implemented to maintain measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure regulation function is integrated into the existing flow meter structure by positioning the turbine within the measurement chamber and using the same housing to contain both measurement and regulation components. The regulator adjusts pressure downstream of the turbine, and this pressure regulation is coordinated with the energy harvesting function, allowing accurate measurement without requiring completely separate regulation systems.
3Power
If a turbine-based energy harvester is used, then power generation capability is improved, but pressure loss in the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine is designed to extract only a portion of the available energy from the flowing fluid, rather than attempting to maximize energy extraction. The turbine blades are sized and positioned to capture sufficient kinetic energy to drive the generator and produce electrical power, while leaving enough residual energy in the flow to maintain acceptable pressure levels downstream. This partial action approach ensures power generation without excessive pressure loss that would affect system performance.
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 energy harvester system provides reliable power to metrology devices, reduces maintenance needs, and maintains measurement accuracy by regulating pressure, thus addressing power limitations and potential billing errors.
Implementation Method 1
An energy harvester system that leverages the kinetic and potential energy of flowing fluids to generate power, using rotating elements like impellers to convert energy into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
a generator unit that generates electricity by receiving rotational torque from the shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An energy harvester (10) for use in-line with a pipe (12) to harness potential and kinetic energy of fluids (14) flowing therein. Structure (100) for the energy harvester (10) may include a shaft (126) and a blade (128) extending radially therefrom. The shaft (126) can penetrate a housing that operates as a pipe section (112) to install the device in-line with the pipe (12). The shaft (126) can couple with an electrical generator (134). A load (138) may connect with voltage terminals (180, 182) on the generator (134) so that fluid impinging on the blades (128) will rotate the generator (134) to power the load (138), effectively harvesting power from the flowing fluid (14). In one implementation, a load control device (140) that couples with the generator voltage terminals (180, 182) controls a pressure characteristic of the fluid (14), such as pressure drop, by applying an electrical load on the generator (134) and controllably impeding rotation of the shaft (126).