Manifold Splitter Protrusions for Vortex and Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-conduit Coriolis mass flowmeters experience vortex shedding and acoustical noise due to fluid flow over the manifold splitter, particularly when measuring gases, which affects the accuracy and reliability of mass flow rate measurements.
Innovation Solution
A manifold design with a splitter section featuring protrusions on its faces to disrupt fluid flow, reducing the formation of coherent vortices and noise, including the option of forming protrusions of varying shapes and sizes on both splitter faces to further disturb the fluid stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional manifold splitter without protrusions is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but vortex shedding and acoustical noise occur due to fluid flow over the splitter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies protrusions only at specific locations on the splitter surface where vortex shedding occurs, rather than modifying the entire manifold structure. This localized modification disrupts coherent vortex formation while maintaining the overall simplicity of the manifold design and minimizing impact on manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions act as intermediary elements between the fluid flow and the splitter surface. These intermediate structures disrupt the direct interaction between the fluid and the splitter, preventing coherent vortex shedding while maintaining the basic splitter geometry and minimizing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If protrusions are added to the splitter section to disrupt fluid flow, then vortex shedding and noise are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the splitter surface by adding protrusions with specific geometric parameters (height, diameter, spacing, shape). By optimizing these parameters, the design achieves effective vortex disruption and noise reduction while maintaining manufacturability through standard manufacturing processes and reasonable geometric constraints.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple protrusions of varying shapes and sizes are formed on splitter faces, then fluid flow disruption is enhanced and vortex shedding is minimized, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs protrusions with varying shapes, sizes, and distributions on the splitter faces, creating asymmetric features that effectively disrupt coherent vortex formation. This asymmetric design prevents organized flow patterns while remaining manufacturable through standard machining or additive manufacturing processes with appropriate tolerances.
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 manifold design effectively minimizes vortex shedding and associated noise, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of mass flow rate measurements by disrupting fluid flow patterns at the splitter section, thereby reducing vibrations and audible noise.
Implementation Method 1
the flow over the splitter can produce vortex shedding in the fluid flow. Vortex shedding is an oscillating flow that takes place when a fluid such as air or water flows past a blunt body at certain velocities
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A manifold (400, 600, 700) with reduced vortex shedding, a vibratory meter (5) including the same, and a method of manufacturing both are described. The manifold (400, 600, 700) comprises a first conduit section (202), a second conduit section (204), a splitter section (406, 606, 706) positioned between the first conduit section (202) and the second conduit section (204), the splitter section (406, 606, 706) including a first splitter face (408a, 608a, 708) facing the first conduit section (202), and a first protrusion (412a, 612a, 712), at least a portion of which is positioned on the first splitter face (408a, 608a, 708).