Inline Transducer Housing Assembly Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters face challenges in maintaining accurate fluid flow measurement over a long period due to degradation of transducer integrity when placed inline with the fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A liquid-cooled 3D printing tool is used to fabricate an inline transducer housing assembly with features like a circular shelf, square or rectangular portal, and notch to stabilize and align the transducer, reducing the impact of fluid flow and ensuring accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transducers are placed inline with fluid flow for accurate measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but transducer integrity degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer assembly is divided into separate functional components: the transducer element, the holder, and the housing assembly. This segmentation allows the transducer to be protected within the housing while maintaining inline measurement capability, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and transducer integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A housing assembly acts as an intermediary structure between the fluid flow and the transducer. The housing with its circular shelf, portal, and notch provides a protective interface that allows the transducer to measure fluid flow accurately while shielding it from direct exposure to degrading fluid conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If transducers are mounted on the outside of the pipe for non-invasive measurement, then chemical compatibility and pressure restrictions are eliminated, but measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from traditional external mounting to an inline configuration by adding a protective housing dimension. The transducer is positioned within the fluid flow path but protected by the housing structure, achieving both non-invasive benefits and high measurement accuracy simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If a housing assembly with circular shelf and portal is used to stabilize transducer alignment, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple alignment and stabilization functions are merged into a single integrated housing assembly. The circular shelf, portal, and notch work together as a unified structure to stabilize the transducer holder and ensure proper alignment, reducing the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and simplifying the overall device.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inline transducer meter body can be fabricated by 3D moulding via use of a liquid cooled moving core and include a channel that can accept a separate core to enable formation of a port to accept a sensor assembly and a notch to help stabilize the sensor assembly in alignment with fluid flow. The inline transducer meter body can include a circular shelf adapted to receive a transducer assembly that interfaces in a complimentary manner with a circular ledge of a circular head section of the transducer assembly, a portal formed between the circular shelf and an inner surface of the housing adapted to interface in a complimentary manner with an alignment section of the transducer, and a notch formed in the inner surface of the flow tube opposite the portal to interface with a positioner formed on and extending from a transducer holder operating to secure the transducer holder flow alignment.