Offset-Bore Flow Restrictor for Compact Pressure Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow restrictors for mass flow controllers are not compact enough to meet the requirements of space-constrained applications while maintaining precise differential pressure measurement capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A flow restrictor with at least two flow guiding elements, such as an inlet plate, a throttle plate, and an outlet plate, arranged at a distance from each other with bores offset in a spatial direction, creating a turbulence restrictor that generates a significant pressure difference for precise measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a laminar flow element is used for flow restriction, then precise differential pressure measurement is achieved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is segmented into multiple flow guiding elements (inlet plate, intermediate plate, outlet plate) with multiple bores each, arranged in series to create multiple flow deflections. This segmentation allows achieving the desired pressure difference with a more compact structure compared to a single large laminar flow element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a planar laminar flow design to a three-dimensional turbulent flow design by arranging multiple flow guiding elements at different positions along the central axis with offset bores. This spatial arrangement creates multiple flow deflections in different directions, generating significant pressure difference within a compact volume.
2Measurement precision
If the flow restrictor uses multiple flow guiding elements with offset bores to create turbulence, then a significant pressure difference is generated for precise measurement, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flow guiding elements (inlet plate, intermediate plate, outlet plate) with multiple bores each are merged into a single integrated flow restrictor assembly. This combining of elements achieves the desired turbulent flow and pressure difference while maintaining a unified structure that is easier to manufacture and install than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restrictor serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates turbulence through multiple flow deflections, generates a significant pressure difference for measurement, and maintains a compact design. The same structure achieves both flow restriction and pressure differential generation without requiring separate components.
3Measurement precision
If the bores of adjacent flow guiding elements are arranged offset without overlapping projections, then multiple flow deflections are achieved for turbulence generation, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bores of adjacent flow guiding elements are deliberately arranged in asymmetric offset positions rather than aligned symmetrically. This asymmetric arrangement ensures that the projection of bores from one plate does not overlap with bores of adjacent plates, creating effective flow deflection and turbulence while providing clear manufacturing guidelines for bore positioning.
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 compact design of the turbulence restrictor enables precise differential pressure measurement while minimizing installation space, outperforming laminar flow elements in terms of space efficiency and measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the flow guiding elements cause a multiple flow deflection for a fluid flow and these flow deflections cause a turbulent fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flow is deflected several times, in particular at least twice, when passing through the turbulence throttle and thus undergoes a multiple change in flow direction, whereby the desired significant pressure drop across the turbulence throttle can be achieved
Data Source
AI summary
Flow restrictor for a mass flow controller, having at least two flow guiding elements from the group: inlet plate with at least one inlet bore, throttle plate with at least one throttle bore, outlet plate with at least one outlet bore. The flow guiding elements are arranged at a distance from one another and wherein the at least one inlet bore, the at least one throttle bore and the at least one outlet bore are each arranged offset from one another in a spatial direction transverse to a central axis of the flow restrictor.