Flow Sensor Bypass Path Reduces Pressure Loss and Bearing Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow sensors experience high pressure loss and reduced product life when measuring large flow rates, leading to inaccurate measurements and wear-out of components due to increased load and friction.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor design that incorporates a bypass flow path within the piping main body, reducing the flow rate and pressure loss, and distributing the bypass paths around the central flow sensor main body to minimize load and prevent wear, allowing for accurate measurement across various flow rates and characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the flow sensor measures large flow rates directly through the main body, then the measurement range is extended, but the pressure loss increases and product life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into two separate paths: a main flow path for direct through-flow and a bypass flow path for measurement. This segmentation allows the majority of fluid to pass through the main path with minimal resistance while only a portion passes through the measurement path, thereby extending the measurable flow range without proportionally increasing pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
A bypass flow path acts as an intermediary channel that diverts a portion of the fluid flow for measurement purposes. This intermediary path allows the flow sensor to measure large flow rates indirectly by measuring the bypass flow, which is proportional to the total flow, rather than forcing all fluid through the measurement mechanism.
2Quantity of substance
If the flow sensor measures large flow rates directly, then the measurement range is extended, but the load on components increases causing wear and reduced product life
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow into main and bypass paths, the mechanical components in the bypass path (such as the rotating blade member and bearings) are exposed to significantly reduced flow rates and loads compared to if they handled the full flow. This segmentation protects components from excessive wear while maintaining the ability to measure large total flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flow path serves as a protective intermediary that limits the exposure of sensitive measurement components to high-flow conditions. By measuring a reduced portion of the total flow through this intermediary path, the components operate under less stressful conditions, extending their service life and maintaining reliability.
3Quantity of substance
If the flow rate increases drastically, then the measurement capability is improved, but the rotation speed of the blade member increases causing bearing wear
Solution Approach 1:
The flow segmentation ensures that the rotating blade member in the bypass path operates at a reduced rotation speed proportional to the bypass flow rate rather than the total flow rate. This significantly reduces the mechanical stress and friction on the bearings, extending their service life even when measuring large total flow rates.
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 design achieves reduced pressure loss and extended product life by distributing fluid flow through bypass paths, preventing excessive load on the flow sensor and maintaining accurate measurements across different flow rates and characteristics, while being cost-effective by reusing existing components.
Implementation Method 1
a fixed vortex flow generating blade member 106 which generates the vortex flow is provided
Implementation Method 2
by hall IC etc., together with the rotation of the flow measurement rotating blade member 112, by change of flux density by magnetized tip of the blade portion 140, or by outputting the change of the field direction as a pulse signal, flowing quantity is measured
Data Source
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AI summary
(Problem) The invention is to provide a flow sensor, in which in case that the flow rate is increased drastically to measure the large amount of fluid, the pressure loss is smaller than the conventional pressure sensors, and the heavy load is never applied to the flow sensor. Moreover, the invention is to provide a flow sensor, in which for instance, the wear-out damage is not caused in the bearing of the flow measurement rotating blade member, accurate measurement of the flowmeter can be attained and a long product life is provided. [Resolution Approach] The flow sensor of the invention being a flow sensor 10 to measure the flowing quantity of the fluid comprising: a flow sensor piping main body 12 in which the fluid is flowed, a flow sensor main body 24 which is located to the flow sensor main body 12 in the direction of the fluid flow, and a bypass flow path 62 which is located to the flow sensor piping main body 12 in the direction of the fluid flow.