Flow Sensor Multiple Passages Throttle Point Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flow sensors have flow resistance in both the main and secondary channels that depend on flow rate, pressure, and temperature, leading to inaccurate measurements and potential turbulence issues at high flow rates.

Innovation Solution

The flow sensor features multiple passages at the main channel throttle point, allowing for adjustable division ratios between the main and measuring channels, reducing fluidic resistance and preventing turbulent flows, while maintaining laminar conditions in the measuring channel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a single throttle point is arranged in the main channel or measuring channel, then the flow can be throttled, but the flow resistance depends on flow rate, pressure, and temperature, leading to inaccurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow measurement accuracyVSAvoidflow resistance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle point in the main channel is divided into multiple passages instead of a single passage. This segmentation allows the flow to be distributed across multiple paths, reducing the dependency of flow resistance on flow rate, pressure, and temperature variations, thereby improving measurement accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different passages in the throttle point can have different cross-sectional areas, allowing local optimization of flow characteristics. This enables precise control over the division ratio between main channel and measuring channel flows, ensuring stable and accurate measurements under varying operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If the cross section of the measuring channel is reduced to increase flow speed, then the measuring range may be exceeded, but if increased, then turbulence may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow speed in measuring channelVSAvoidturbulence in main channel
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The throttle point is segmented into multiple passages with different cross-sectional areas. This allows the flow to be distributed in a controlled manner, maintaining laminar flow conditions in the measuring channel while preventing excessive turbulence in the main channel, thus avoiding measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By varying the cross-sectional areas of different passages in the throttle point, the flow division ratio between main channel and measuring channel can be optimized. This enables maintaining appropriate flow speeds without exceeding the measuring range or generating harmful turbulence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ensures that the flow rate division ratio is independent of pressure and temperature, allowing for accurate measurements across varying flow rates without exceeding the measuring range, and reduces turbulence in the main channel.

Implementation Method 1

The throttle point in the main channel increases the flow speed in the main channel and also causes a pressure change in the main channel depending on its cross section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure change: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 2

Laminar flows prevail in the first section, which is in the flow direction of the medium before the throttle point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Implementation Method 3

turbulent flow effects are present in the second section, which is after the throttle point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulent flow: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP2455724B1Flow sensor
Publication Date: 2016.09.21 AXETRIS AG
  • EP2455724B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP2455724B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP2455724B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6b

AI summary

The sensor has a sensor housing in which a flow channel extends between an inlet channel (15) and an outlet channel (16). The flow channel has a measuring channel (3) parallely connected to a main channel (2). A main channel orifice (17) is arranged in the main channel. The measuring channel has a sensor element for measuring flow of a gaseous or liquid medium. The main channel orifice has passages (19) between the inlet channel and the main channel and/or between the main channel and the outlet channel. The passages extend along a flow direction parallel to each other.