Gas Meter Particle Trap Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas meter filters become clogged over time due to contaminant particles, leading to obstructed gas flow and increased pressure, which fails to meet the requirements of European standard EN 14236 for immunity to specific particle sizes and compositions.
Innovation Solution
A particle trap with a filter housed in a body having an inlet and an outlet, where the outlet is positioned to allow particles to accumulate adjacent a second portion, either below or to the side, utilizing a fiberglass filter with varying density to direct gas flow and prevent particle lodging, ensuring continuous gas flow without filter clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is used to remove particles from gas, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but the filter becomes clogged over time causing gas flow obstruction and pressure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The particle trap is divided into distinct functional zones: a first portion containing the filter for particle removal, and a second portion serving as a particle accumulation chamber. This segmentation allows the filter to capture particles while the accumulated particles are directed to a separate chamber, preventing filter clogging and maintaining continuous gas flow through the system.
2Reliability
If a filter is used to remove particles from gas, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but gas pressure increases due to flow obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful accumulated particles are extracted from the filter area and directed to a separate second portion of the particle trap. This extraction prevents particles from blocking the filter pores and gas flow path, thereby maintaining normal gas pressure levels while continuing to provide effective particle removal through the filter.
3Reliability
If the outlet is positioned above the particle accumulation zone, then particle accumulation is enhanced by gravity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is positioned at a higher elevation than the second portion, creating a gravitational potential difference that naturally drives particles to accumulate in the lower second portion. This use of gravitational equipotentiality simplifies the device structure by eliminating the need for additional mechanical components or active control systems to achieve particle separation and accumulation.
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 particle trap effectively removes contaminant particles from the gas stream, preventing filter clogging and ensuring compliance with European standards by allowing particles to accumulate away from the filter, thus maintaining optimal gas flow and pressure levels.
Implementation Method 1
a filter disposed inside the particle trap between a top wall and a bottom wall of the housing
Implementation Method 2
the second portion is spaced away from the outlet... particles in the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet can accumulate adjacent the second portion
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Particle traps and meters fitted with particle traps are described for removing particles from a gas flowing through a gas meter, for example, removing particles from a gas flowing through an ultrasonic gas meter serving a domestic property. In one example, the particle trap has a body which defines a space defined by first and second portions of the body and housing a filter, an inlet through which gas can enter the space, and an outlet through which the gas can exit the space. The inlet and outlet are defined in the first portion and second portion is spaced away from the outlet.