Insertable Flow Meter Assembly for Subsurface Reservoirs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters for fluid extraction from subsurface reservoirs are costly and complex to design, manufacture, and install, especially in space-limited environments, due to their large size and requirement for flanges to handle pressure, making them difficult to replace and increasing extraction costs.
Innovation Solution
An insertable flow meter assembly with a flow measuring device formed as a single continuous structure that matches the inner cross-section of the flow passage, coupled with an end cap to seal and secure the device within the receiving structure, reducing the need for pressure-containing material and simplifying replacement processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If traditional flow meters with pressure-containing bodies and flanges are used, then they can handle various fluid pressures, but they become large in size and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is divided into two functional segments: a reusable pressure-containing receiving structure and a replaceable flow measuring device. This segmentation allows the expensive pressure-containing body to be used repeatedly while only the simpler measuring device needs to be replaced, reducing overall system cost and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow measuring device is extracted from the traditional integrated flow meter design and placed inside the receiving structure's flow passage. This extraction eliminates the need for a large external pressure-containing body, significantly reducing the flow meter's overall size while maintaining pressure handling capability through the receiving structure.
2Stress or pressure
If traditional flow meters with flanges are used, then they can contain fluid pressure, but they require significant material and are expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flow meter into a reusable receiving structure and a simpler flow measuring device, the manufacturing complexity and cost are reduced. The receiving structure is manufactured once to handle pressure, while the measuring device can be made from less expensive materials with simpler construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving structure serves multiple functions: it contains fluid pressure, provides a flow passage for measurement, and houses the flow measuring device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressure-containing components, reducing material requirements and manufacturing cost.
3Measurement precision
If traditional flow meters are used, then they can measure flow rate, but they are complex to install and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is segmented into a stationary receiving structure and a removable flow measuring device. This allows the measuring device to be easily extracted and replaced by simply removing it from the flow passage, eliminating complex flange disassembly and reassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow measuring device is nested within the receiving structure's flow passage. This nesting arrangement allows the measuring device to be easily inserted and removed from the receiving structure without disturbing the receiving structure itself, simplifying installation and replacement operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional flow meters are used, then they can handle various applications, but a large number of different designs are needed increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving structure is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different flow measuring devices for various applications. By standardizing the receiving structure's flow passage and mounting features, the same receiving structure can be used with different measuring devices suited for different fluids, pressures, and flow rates, eliminating the need for completely different flow meter designs for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the application-specific flow measuring device from the universal receiving structure, the system allows versatility through device selection while maintaining cost efficiency through reuse of the receiving structure across multiple applications.
Data Source
AI summary
An insertable flow meter assembly includes a flow measuring device configured to be inserted into a flow passage of a receiving structure. The flow measuring device is configured to enable determination of a flow rate of fluid through the flow passage, the flow measuring device is formed as a single continuous structure, and an outer cross-section of at least a portion of the flow measuring device is configured to be substantially the same as an inner cross-section of the flow passage. The insertable flow meter assembly also includes an end cap configured to engage an exterior surface of the receiving structure and to couple to the receiving structure at an end of the flow passage. The end cap is configured to block movement of the flow measuring device out of the end of the flow passage.