Flow Meter Projection Turbulence Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters struggle to accurately measure low flow velocities due to weak voltage signals generated by piezo elements, making it difficult to evaluate these signals effectively.
Innovation Solution
The flow meter incorporates at least one projection on the inner wall of the measuring chamber upstream of the disruptive body, which generates turbulence and amplifies vortices, resulting in a stronger impact on the measuring body and enhanced signal strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of the measuring body is increased to amplify voltage signals, then the signal strength at low flow velocities is improved, but the device complexity and noise amplification increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces projections as intermediary structures on the inner wall upstream of the disruptive body. These projections generate turbulence that serves as a mediator to amplify vortices, which in turn strengthen the impact on the measuring body and produce stronger voltage signals without requiring electronic amplification or increasing measuring body sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the naturally occurring turbulence near the wall, which would normally be considered a loss or harmful effect, into a beneficial resource. By strategically placing projections in regions where wall turbulence exists, the design harnesses this turbulence to amplify the vortex street and strengthen measurement signals at low flow velocities
2Measurement precision
If electronic amplification of pressure sensors is applied to strengthen signals, then the voltage signal is improved, but noise signals are also amplified
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using electronic amplification that amplifies both signal and noise, the invention converts hydrodynamic turbulence (a physical phenomenon) into a beneficial amplification mechanism. The projections generate turbulence that physically amplifies vortices, resulting in stronger mechanical impact on the measuring body and stronger voltage signals without the need for electronic gain that would simultaneously amplify noise
3Measurement precision
If the measuring body is made more sensitive to detect weak signals, then low flow velocity measurement is improved, but the difficulty of signal evaluation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projections act as intermediary structures that generate turbulence to amplify vortices before they reach the measuring body. This physical amplification mechanism ensures that even at low flow velocities, the vortices maintain sufficient strength to produce clearly detectable voltage signals with strong spectral peaks, making signal evaluation straightforward without requiring highly sensitive measuring bodies
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 the effective measurement of low flow velocities by intensifying vortices and increasing signal strength, thereby improving the accuracy and ease of signal analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The reason for this effect can be assumed to be that the arrangement of at least one projection upstream of the bluff body generates turbulence at the projection
Implementation Method 2
A measuring body that is deflectable due to vortex formation on the obstruction is further disposed in the measuring chamber downstream of the obstruction
Implementation Method 3
The periodic vortex shedding on the obstruction can be measured with the measuring body, for example, by applying a piezo element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a flow meter (1) for measuring the flow velocity of a fluid, comprising a measuring tube (10) that forms a measuring chamber (11) through which the fluid flows, and at least one baffle (12) arranged in the measuring chamber (11), wherein a measuring element (13) is further arranged downstream of the baffle (12) in the measuring chamber (11), which is deflectable due to vortex formation at the baffle (12). According to the invention, at least one projection (15) extending into the measuring chamber (11) is formed upstream of the baffle (12) on an inner wall (14) that delimits the measuring chamber (11).