Flow Meter With Spacer Plate For Non-Vertical Particulate Matter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters struggle to accurately measure particulate matter flow in non-vertical settings, such as inclined spouts, without interrupting the flow or requiring significant modifications to existing piping.
Innovation Solution
A non-vertical flow meter design featuring a chamber at a non-vertical angle with an inlet and outlet, a sensing box with a pivoting sensing surface, a load cell connected to the sensing surface, and a spacer plate coupled between the sensing box and the load cell, allowing for real-time flow measurement without altering the flow orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vertical flow meters are used to provide real-time data, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure modification requirements increase due to gravity requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter employs a dynamic pivoting sensing surface that can rotate to align with the flow direction regardless of chamber orientation. This dynamic adjustment allows the sensing surface to maintain optimal contact with flowing material in non-vertical configurations, enabling accurate measurement without vertical infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by removing the gravity-dependent vertical orientation requirement. The load cell measures force in any direction, and the pivoting sensing surface adapts its angle to match the flow direction, allowing accurate flow measurement in horizontal and inclined positions without modifying piping infrastructure
2Measurement precision
If vertical flow meters are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to flow interruption requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is designed to measure flow continuously without interrupting the material stream. The pivoting sensing surface dynamically adapts to maintain measurement capability while material flows through the chamber, eliminating the need to stop flow for measurement operations and ensuring continuous productive operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-vertical flow meters are used, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to lack of gravity assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing surface pivots dynamically to align with the flow direction in non-vertical chambers, creating an effective vertical measurement plane regardless of the chamber's actual orientation. This dynamic alignment restores gravity-assisted flow contact between material and sensing surface, maintaining measurement precision in horizontal and inclined positions
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting sensing surface acts as an intermediary element that translates non-vertical flow forces into measurable vertical forces on the load cell. By rotating to align with flow direction, the sensing surface mediates between the horizontal flow and the vertical measurement requirement, enabling accurate force measurement in non-vertical configurations
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 flow meter enables accurate, real-time measurement of particulate matter flow in various orientations, including non-vertical and horizontal settings, without interrupting the flow or requiring costly modifications to existing infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
The load cell in operational communication with the pivoting sensing surface
Implementation Method 2
Bulk materials are often moved by gravity through inclined spouts
Data Source
AI summary
A non-vertical flow meter is provided. The non-vertical flow meter includes a chamber, sensing box, load cell, guide, and a spacer plate. The chamber disposed at a non-vertical angle and comprising an inlet and an outlet, wherein the inlet and the outlet are disposed at the non-vertical angle. The sensing box disposed within the chamber, wherein the sensing box has a pivoting sensing surface, the pivoting sensing surface disposed on an interior surface within the non-vertically disposed chamber. The load cell in operational communication with the pivoting sensing surface, and the guide disposed within the chamber. The spacer plate coupled between the sensing box and the load cell.