Flowmeter Manifold Indexing Boss Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional Coriolis flowmeters face challenges in accurate and efficient assembly due to cumbersome and error-prone multi-part manifolds, which add weight and complexity, leading to potential misalignment and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of indexing bosses on a unified manifold with an integrated flange simplifies assembly, ensures alignment, and stiffens the housing, reducing weight and complexity while providing a larger surface area for secure attachment of flow tubes and other internal structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional multi-part manifolds are used in Coriolis flowmeters, then the flowmeter can be assembled with separate components, but the assembly becomes cumbersome and error-prone, increasing complexity and potential misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate manifold components into a single integrated manifold structure with indexing bosses built-in. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment operations between multiple parts, directly resolving the contradiction by making the manifold simpler to manufacture and assemble while reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing bosses are pre-formed as integral parts of the manifold structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action of pre-positioning alignment features eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures during assembly, thereby improving ease of assembly while maintaining low device complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional multi-part manifolds are used, then components can be manufactured separately, but the assembly requires precise alignment that is difficult to achieve, reducing manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the indexing bosses into the manifold structure itself, the patent ensures that alignment features are precisely positioned during the manifold's own manufacturing process, rather than requiring precise alignment during assembly of separate parts. This resolves the contradiction by achieving high alignment precision while keeping assembly simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The indexing bosses on the manifold automatically provide alignment guidance to the flow tube during assembly. The flow tube's outer surface fits onto these bosses, creating self-aligning connection that eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures, thereby improving manufacturing precision without increasing device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If indexing bosses are added to the manifold, then alignment and assembly accuracy improve, but the manifold design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing bosses are merged into the manifold structure as integral features rather than separate components. This approach improves assembly accuracy through built-in alignment guidance while avoiding the complexity of additional separate parts, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved precision and increased design complexity.
4Weight of stationary object
If separate manifolds and flanges are used, then components can be manufactured independently, but the overall weight and complexity of the flowmeter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flange and manifold into a single integrated structure with indexing bosses. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts and overall weight while maintaining manufacturing flexibility, as the integrated structure can still be manufactured using standard processes. The merging directly addresses the contradiction by reducing weight without sacrificing ease of manufacture.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A flowmeter and a manifold for the same are provided according to an embodiment. The manifold comprises a body defining a first face and an opposing second face. A first orifice that projects into the body from the first face is defined by the body, and a second orifice that is also defined by the body projects into the body from the second face. The first and second orifices meet to define a fluid passage traversing through the body, and the second orifice is configured to fluidly connect to at least one flow tube of the flowmeter. At least one boss projects from the second face.