Gas Meter Housing Sealing via Electronic Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas meters face issues due to drag and potential gas-tightness loss caused by the passage of a dynamic drive train through the housing, which also complicates calibration and affects accuracy over time.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves eliminating the need for a dynamic drive to pass through the housing by using electronic means for gas volume totalization and digitization within the housing, with mechanical gear wheels actuated by a drive gear and sensors to detect angular position, allowing for electronic signal transmission and display outside the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dynamic drive train passes through the housing to actuate the index mechanism, then the mechanical gas volume totalization can be displayed outside the housing, but drag is introduced and gas-tightness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the totalizer into two separate components: a mechanical totalizer inside the housing that performs gas volume totalization, and a digital display unit outside the housing that shows the measurement. This segmentation eliminates the need for a dynamic drive train to pass through the housing wall, as the mechanical totalizer remains entirely within the sealed housing while the display is externally located and connected via electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical coupling (drive train passing through housing) with an electronic sensing system. Sensors detect the angular position of the mechanical totalizer components and convert this mechanical information into electronic signals that are processed and displayed digitally outside the housing, substituting mechanical transmission with electronic signal transmission.
2Manufacturing precision
If a drive train passes through the housing, then mechanical gas volume totalization can be transmitted, but calibration is complicated and accuracy changes as the meter ages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drive train transmission through the housing with electronic sensors that detect the angular position of the mechanical totalizer. This substitution eliminates the need for calibration of a passing drive train, as the sensors directly measure the mechanical components' positions and convert them to electronic signals, removing the source of accuracy drift and calibration complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a dynamic drive passes through the housing wall, then the index mechanism can be actuated, but the gas-tightness of the meter is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into sealed mechanical components inside the housing and external display components, eliminating the need for any dynamic passage through the housing wall. The mechanical totalizer and index mechanism remain entirely within the sealed housing, while the display function is externalized and connected through non-penetrating electronic sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical actuation through the housing wall with electronic sensing and signal transmission. The sensors detect the mechanical totalizer's position without requiring physical penetration of the housing, maintaining gas-tightness while enabling external display functionality.
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 approach enhances accuracy and stability by reducing drag, maintaining gas-tightness, simplifying manufacturing, and providing tamper-resistant and batteryless non-volatile memory for accurate gas volume measurement.
Implementation Method 1
The encoding means comprise at least one sensor for detecting the angular position or rotation count of the at least one gear wheel
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a gas meter (1) comprising : - a measuring unit (3) through which a gas volume flows, - mechanical means (7) driven by the measuring unit (3) for totalizing or digitising the gas volume, and - encoding means associated with the mechanical means (7), characterized in that the measuring unit (3), the mechanical means (7) and the encoding means are placed within a common housing (2).