Tubular Flow Sensor with Projection-Guided Detection Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow sensors are prone to malfunction due to moisture intrusion, which affects the accuracy of fluid flow rate measurement, as moisture can adhere to and damage the sensor elements.
Innovation Solution
The flow sensor design incorporates a body with a first and second passage, a throttle section, and detector passages that open into the passages via projections from the inner walls, preventing moisture intrusion into the sensor passages and enhancing detector durability by ensuring stable fluid flow through rectifying elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensor element is disposed directly in the fluid passage to measure flow rate, then measurement precision is improved, but moisture intrusion causes reliability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fluid passage system into separate sections: a main fluid passage for bulk flow and a sensor conduit for detection. The sensor element is isolated in the sensor conduit, which is connected to the main passage through throttle sections. This segmentation allows the sensor to measure flow rate indirectly through pressure differential caused by throttling, while the sensor itself remains protected from direct exposure to moisture in the main fluid passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces throttle sections as intermediary elements between the main fluid passage and the sensor conduit. These throttle sections create a controlled flow path that generates pressure differential, which is then detected by the sensor element. The throttle sections act as mediators that transmit flow information to the sensor without requiring the sensor to be directly exposed to the fluid, thereby protecting the sensor from moisture intrusion.
2Measurement precision
If the sensor element is exposed to fluid flow for direct detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but moisture adherence causes durability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the detection system into a sensor conduit that is physically separated from the main fluid passage. The sensor element is housed within the sensor conduit, which is connected to the main passage through throttle sections. This segmentation ensures that the sensor element detects flow rate through pressure differential in a controlled environment, while remaining isolated from moisture in the main fluid passage, thereby maintaining both detection accuracy and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The throttle sections serve as intermediary components that enable the sensor element to detect flow rate information without direct exposure to the fluid. By creating a controlled flow path and pressure differential, the throttle sections mediate between the fluid flow and the sensor element, allowing accurate detection while protecting the sensor from moisture adherence that would otherwise reduce durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow sensor includes a detector provided on a side surface of a body formed in a tubular shape. First and second passages formed in the interior of the body communicate with an introduction passage of the detector via first and second sensor passages. The first and second sensor passages penetrate through and open respectively on first and second projections, which project at predetermined heights from an inner circumferential surface of the body, communicating with the first and second passages. A fluid, which flows from the first passage and into the first sensor passage, after being guided to the introduction passage and the flow rate thereof detected by a detector, flows through the second sensor passage and into the second passage.