Flowmeter Housing Pressure Equalization Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flowmeters with pressure equalization openings have high installation and maintenance costs due to complex sealing mechanisms like bursting discs or pressure relief valves, which pose a risk of housing damage and injury during sudden pressure changes.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter design where the closure means for the pressure equalization opening is detachable by internal pressure, allowing it to release from the housing at a predetermined threshold, reducing installation and maintenance efforts and ensuring non-destructive detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex sealing devices like rupture discs or pressure relief valves are used to close the pressure equalization opening, then housing safety is improved, but installation and maintenance effort increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use component that is attached to the pressure equalization opening and intentionally destroyed during operation to open the opening. This disposable approach eliminates complex sealing devices while reducing installation and maintenance effort, as the sealing element requires no special tools for installation or removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is extracted from the housing structure and made as a separate, attachable component. This allows the sealing element to be easily attached and removed independently from the housing, significantly simplifying installation and maintenance operations compared to integrated complex sealing devices.
2Reliability
If a pressure equalization opening is provided to release internal pressure, then housing damage from overpressure is prevented, but the risk of injury from sudden pressure changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be destroyed in a controlled manner at a predetermined pressure threshold, allowing gradual pressure equalization rather than sudden release. This preliminary controlled action prevents the harmful effect of sudden pressure changes that could cause injury, while still protecting the housing from overpressure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element's destruction is designed to occur at a specific pressure parameter threshold. By controlling the pressure at which the sealing element fails, the system transforms the harmful sudden pressure release into a controlled gradual equalization process, eliminating the injury risk while maintaining housing protection.
3Reliability
If the connection between the sealing element and housing is made strong to prevent accidental detachment, then sealing reliability is improved, but the sealing element cannot be easily removed when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the sealing element and housing is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The connection strength changes based on operating conditions - it remains strong under normal conditions to prevent accidental detachment, but can be easily broken when intentional removal is needed. This is achieved through the destroyable connection that responds to pressure changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is pre-designed with a connection that is intentionally weak compared to the element's structural strength. This preliminary design ensures that when pressure builds up, the connection breaks first rather than damaging the sealing element, allowing easy removal while maintaining sealing reliability during normal operation.
4Strength
If the sealing element is made robust to withstand high pressure, then pressure resistance is improved, but the connection between sealing element and housing becomes harder to break at predetermined pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed with non-uniform local quality - the bulk of the element is robust to withstand high pressure, while the connection area is intentionally made weaker. This local differentiation allows the sealing element to be pressure-resistant where needed while having a specific weak connection point that breaks at the predetermined pressure threshold.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection design incorporates a parameter change in material or structural properties at the connection interface. This allows the sealing element to maintain high overall strength for pressure resistance while the connection has different properties that enable it to break at a specific pressure level, solving both requirements simultaneously.
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 a compact pressure safety system with reduced installation and maintenance costs, ensuring the closure means is not damaged and can be easily removed when internal pressure exceeds a set threshold, thus preventing housing damage and enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
a connection is formed between the closure element and the housing, which is broken by the action of the internal pressure on the closure element when a predetermined internal pressure threshold is reached
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2i
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The flowmeter (1) has housing (2) and a measuring tube (3). The housing has an internal volume and a pressure equalization hole (4). The internal volume configured to surround the measuring tube. A pressure compensating opening is closed with a closure portion (5). The connection of housing is disconnected when a predetermined pressure threshold value by the effect of an internal pressure in the internal volume of the closure portion is released from the housing.