Modular Flow Measuring System with Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow measurement systems using Coriolis flow meters experience measurement errors under extreme pressure and temperature conditions, and they are complex, difficult to maintain, and lack flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A modular measuring system design with a supply unit and measuring unit housed together, and an outlet pressure control unit in a separate housing, allowing the outlet pressure control unit to be positioned near the consumer under extreme conditions, using pneumatic and electrical connections to maintain accuracy and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the outlet pressure control unit is integrated into the same housing as the measuring unit, then the system structure is compact and simple, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under extreme pressure and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate housings: the measuring unit housing containing the flow meter and supply unit, and the outlet pressure control unit housing containing the pressure control components. This segmentation allows the pressure control unit to be positioned remotely in extreme environments while keeping the sensitive measuring components in a controlled environment, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy without excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet pressure control unit is extracted from the measuring unit housing and placed in a separate housing. This extraction enables the pressure control functionality to operate independently in extreme pressure and temperature conditions, while the flow measurement remains accurate in a controlled environment, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If the outlet pressure control unit is positioned remotely from the measuring unit, then measurement accuracy is maintained under extreme conditions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs segmentation by separating the outlet pressure control unit from the measuring unit into different housings. This allows remote positioning of the pressure control unit in extreme environments while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular design, with connections established via existing main line infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate housing design for the outlet pressure control unit enables multi-functionality: it can serve both as a pressure control station and as a protective enclosure for sensitive components. The modular universal design allows the same housing structure to accommodate various control units depending on specific application requirements, reducing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flow measurement systems are used under extreme conditions, then equipment requirements are met, but measurement errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The critical flow measurement function is extracted from the extreme environment by positioning the measuring unit in a controlled environment, while only the pressure control functionality is exposed to extreme conditions. This extraction eliminates measurement errors caused by extreme temperature and pressure while still meeting the adaptability requirements through the remote pressure control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary approach where the outlet pressure control unit acts as a mediator between the flow source and the consumer. It transmits the medium through the system while maintaining accurate pressure control, allowing the sensitive flow meter to remain protected while still serving extreme condition applications.
4Ease of manufacture
If the measuring system is designed as a single integrated unit, then ease of manufacture is improved, but flexibility and adaptability to customer requirements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular components (measuring unit and outlet pressure control unit) that can be manufactured separately using standardized housing designs. This segmentation maintains ease of manufacture through modular assembly while enabling high flexibility, as customers can configure different combinations and positions of the modular units according to their specific requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular segmented design introduces dynamic configurability to the system. Customers can dynamically adjust the system configuration by positioning the outlet pressure control unit at different locations or selecting different housing sizes, while the standardized modular interfaces ensure ease of assembly and manufacture across all configurations.
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 system achieves highly accurate flow rate measurements across a wide range, maintaining precision even under extreme conditions, with reduced equipment complexity and ease of use, and allows for easy adaptation to customer requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a measuring unit with at least one flow meter, in particular a Coriolis flow meter (50), by which the flow rate in a main line (26) connected to the media connection (18) can be measured
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Measuring systems for measuring a flow on a load (10) are known, comprising a supply unit (12), which has a media connection (18) and a flush gas connection (20) and/or an inert gas or compressed air connection (22); a measuring unit (14), which comprises at least one flowmeter (50) and at least one actuatable valve (46, 60, 70) and is fluidically connected to the supply unit (12) in order to selectively introduce a media flow or a flushing gas flow and via which a flow can be measured; an outlet pressure regulating unit (16), via which the measuring unit (14) can be connected to the load (10) and which has at least one outlet pressure sensor (86) and at least one actuatable valve (80, 116, 124); and a main line (26), which is connected to the media connection (18) and via which the supply unit (12), the measuring unit (14), and the outlet pressure regulating unit (16) are fluidically connected. The aim of the invention is to allow reliable measurement results to be guaranteed over a long period of time even under extreme conditions, to which the load is exposed. According to the invention, the supply unit (12) and the measuring unit (14) are arranged in a housing (74), and the outlet pressure regulating unit (16) is arranged in a separate housing (90), wherein the actuatable valves (46, 60, 70, 80, 116, 124) of the measuring unit (14) and the outlet pressure regulating unit (16) and the outlet pressure sensor (86) of the outlet pressure regulating unit (16) are connected to the supply unit (12) via lines (88).