Monolithic T-Joint Cold Forming for Flow Meter Transducers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow measurement devices require different sensor nozzles for varying tube diameters, leading to complexity and high costs in manufacturing, especially for thin tubes and metal materials, as primary forming methods are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a T-joint produced via cold plastic deformation methods, such as collar drawing, featuring standardized interfaces that allow for the connection of measurement transducers across various tube diameters, enabling cost-effective manufacturing and simplifying the production process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensor nozzles are welded to the measuring device, then the connection is secure and reliable, but different sensor nozzles must be used for measuring tubes with different tube diameters, increasing device complexity and manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized T-joint interface that can accommodate measurement transducers for different tube diameters. The T-joint features a uniform connection interface (e.g., threaded or flanged) that allows the same sensor nozzle design to be used across multiple measuring tube sizes, eliminating the need for diameter-specific sensor nozzles while maintaining secure welded or threaded connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measuring device into modular components: the measuring tube, the T-joint connection piece, and the measurement transducer. This segmentation allows the T-joint to serve as a standardized adapter that interfaces between the tube and transducer, enabling universal transducer designs while accommodating different tube dimensions through the intermediate T-joint component.
2Ease of manufacture
If primary forming methods are used to produce measuring tubes with T-joints monolithically, then manufacturing is simplified, but the process becomes very complex and expensive, especially for thin measuring tubes and selected materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the manufacturing process into separate stages: first producing the measuring tube, then separately creating the T-joint (via deformation or attachment), and finally connecting the measurement transducer. This segmentation avoids the need for complex monolithic primary forming while achieving the same functional result through simpler, more versatile secondary processing methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first creating the measuring tube and T-joint structure, then subsequently attaching the measurement transducer. This staged approach allows each component to be optimized and prepared independently before final assembly, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to attempting to form all components simultaneously in a single primary forming operation.
3Device complexity
If measurement transducers are arranged directly on the measuring tube, then the device structure is simplified, but the interfaces must be matched to each particular measuring tube, increasing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the T-joint as an intermediary component between the measuring tube and the measurement transducer. The T-joint provides a standardized interface that mediates between the varying tube dimensions and the fixed transducer interface requirements, eliminating the need for custom interface matching for each tube while maintaining a simple overall device structure.
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
Enables the use of identical measurement transducers on measuring tubes of different diameters, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while ensuring a secure and interchangeable connection through shape-interlocking or material-bonded methods, suitable for industrial flow measurement applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one T-joint of the measuring tube is produced by means of deforming the measuring tube, especially by means of a cold plastic deformation method, e.g. collar drawing
Implementation Method 2
collar drawing is also known. Plastic deformation methods in general and collar drawing specifically are known to those skilled in the art.
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring device for registering at least one measured value of at least one process variable. The measuring device comprises a measuring tube. The measuring tube has at least one T-joint, on which at least one measurement transmitter is arranged, wherein the measuring tube together with the T-joint is monolithic, and wherein the T-joint is producible from the measuring tube at least partially by a plastic deformation method.