Paddle Orifice Plate With Integrated Impulse Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paddle style orifice plates are limited by the need for separate components and complex installation processes, while wafer style integrated flow meters are hindered by size and safety concerns, as well as costly testing and material sourcing issues.
Innovation Solution
A paddle style orifice plate design with embedded impulse lines allows for direct mounting of a process variable transmitter on the handle, eliminating the need for additional components and simplifying installation, and can be easily adapted for different pipe sizes without the need for extensive testing or exotic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If paddle style orifice plate is used with separate components (flange tap flanges, valves, impulse tubes, instrument manifolds), then measurement functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (orifice plate, flange tap flanges, valves, impulse tubes, and instrument manifolds) into a single integrated paddle-style orifice plate assembly. The pressure ports are directly formed in the orifice plate body, and impulse line channels are integrated into the plate structure, eliminating the need for separate external components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle-style orifice plate is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the flow restriction for differential pressure measurement, provides integrated pressure ports for upstream and downstream pressure sensing, incorporates impulse line channels for pressure transmission, and includes a handle for installation and removal. This multi-functional design replaces several separate components with a single universal device.
2Device complexity
If wafer style integrated flow meter is used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing complexity and material sourcing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated flow measurement device into distinct functional segments within a unified structure: the orifice plate body with formed pressure ports, integrated impulse line channels, mounting flanges, and a removable handle. This segmentation allows for simpler manufacturing of individual components that are then assembled into the complete device, avoiding the need for complex monolithic construction while maintaining integration benefits.
3Device complexity
If wafer style integrated flow meter is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity for different line sizes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables easy adaptation to different line sizes by modifying geometric parameters of the paddle-style orifice plate such as plate diameter, pressure port positions and sizes, and impulse line channel dimensions. These parameter changes can be made through standard machining operations without requiring fundamental design changes or extensive retooling, allowing rapid production adaptation to different pipeline sizes.
Data Source
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AI summary
A differential pressure fluid flow meter element for insertion between the connecting flanges (120, 122) of conduit sections of a fluid carrying conduit (121, 123) includes a flat orifice plate (110) having a fluid contacting region (114) for positioning in a flow of fluid through the conduit and a handle (112) extending outward from an outer portion of the fluid contacting region (114). The flat orifice plate (110) includes at least one pressure port (230, 232) formed in the fluid contacting region (114) of the plate, and at least one impulse line channel (211, 213) formed in the flat orifice plate (110) and extending from one of the at least one pressure port through the handle to a corresponding transmitter interface port (214, 215). A plurality of apertures (320) formed in the handle and disposed and arranged relative to the at least one transmitter interface port (214, 215) allow mounting of the process variable transmitter (102) directly to the handle (112), with the transmitter (102) substantially perpendicular to a plane of the handle (112).