Flowmeter with Segmented Throttle Sections for Wide Range Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Differential-pressure flowmeters have a limited measurable flow-rate range, requiring multiple flowmeters to measure higher flow rates, which increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A flowmeter configuration with an upstream-side and downstream-side channel, pressure sensors, a first throttle section, a bypass channel, and an on/off valve, allowing fluid to pass through either one or both throttle sections to measure a wide range of flow rates while minimizing cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple differential-pressure flowmeters are used to measure flow rates exceeding the measurable flow-rate range, then the measurable flow-rate range is extended, but the manufacturing cost increases due to an increase in the number of flowmeters
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter is divided into multiple throttle sections (first throttle section, second throttle section, third throttle section) with different channel areas, allowing each section to handle different flow rate ranges. The on/off valves control which sections are active, enabling the system to measure a wide range of flow rates using a single segmented device rather than multiple complete flowmeters.
Solution Approach 2:
A single flowmeter device is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating throttle sections with different channel areas and using on/off valves to activate different sections based on the flow rate being measured. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate flowmeters, reducing manufacturing cost while extending the measurable flow-rate range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple differential-pressure flowmeters are used to measure higher flow rates, then the flow-rate measurement capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to an increase in the number of flowmeters
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple throttle sections that would otherwise require separate flowmeter devices are merged into a single flowmeter body. The first, second, and third throttle sections are integrated with common upstream and downstream channels, pressure sensors, and control valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining the capability to measure various flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The flowmeter incorporates on/off valves that dynamically activate or deactivate different throttle sections based on the flow rate being measured. This dynamic configuration allows a single device to adapt its effective channel area to match the measurement requirements, replacing the need for multiple static flowmeter devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single differential-pressure flowmeter is used, then the manufacturing cost is minimized, but the measurable flow-rate range is limited to about ten times the flow rate at the lower limit
Solution Approach 1:
Different throttle sections are designed with different local qualities (channel areas) to optimize performance for specific flow rate ranges. The first throttle section has a larger channel area for higher flow rates, while the second and third throttle sections have progressively smaller channel areas for lower flow rates, allowing a single device to maintain measurement accuracy across a wide flow-rate range.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective channel area parameter of the flowmeter is changed by activating different throttle sections based on the flow rate being measured. By switching between throttle sections with different channel areas using on/off valves, the flowmeter adapts its measurement parameters to match the flow rate magnitude, extending the measurable range beyond the limitation of a single fixed channel area design.
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
Enables measurement of flow rates over a wide range without significantly increasing manufacturing costs by using a single flowmeter with adjustable throttle sections and an on/off valve to control fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
an upstream-side pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid in the upstream-side channel; a downstream-side pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid in the downstream-side channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A flowmeter in which a flow rate can be measured over a wide flow-rate range while an increase in the cost of manufacture thereof is minimized, and a flow-rate controller equipped with such a flowmeter are provided. Provided are an upstream-side pressure sensor that measures the pressure of a fluid in an upstream-side channel, a downstream-side pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the fluid in a downstream-side channel, a first throttle section disposed between the upstream-side channel and the downstream-side channel and having a channel area that is smaller than that of at least the upstream-side channel, a bypass channel branching off from between the upstream-side pressure sensor in the upstream-side channel and the first throttle section and connected with the downstream-side channel, an on/off valve that controls the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the bypass channel, and a second throttle section disposed between the bypass channel and the downstream-side channel and having a channel area that is smaller than that of at least the bypass channel.