Parallel Flow Meter Reducing Ultrasonic Sensor Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meter devices have high product and installation costs due to the need for multiple ultrasonic vibrators, which increases the overall cost of measuring fluid flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter device with multiple measurement passage portions, where only some are equipped with flow rate measurement units, allowing for cost reduction while maintaining high precision by using symmetrical passage shapes and optimizing cross-sectional dimensions for streamline flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic vibrators are installed on each flow rate measurement unit to measure fluid flow rate through multiple measurement passages, then measuring precision is improved, but product cost and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the measurement function across multiple passages by using a single ultrasonic vibrator that can detect flow rates through multiple measurement passages simultaneously. The flow rate measurement unit is configured to measure flow rates through multiple passages without requiring a separate ultrasonic vibrator for each passage, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining measurement precision through the combined measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic vibrator is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple measurement passages. A single ultrasonic vibrator can be positioned and configured to detect flow characteristics across multiple passages, making one component perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate components. This universal application reduces the total number of ultrasonic vibrators needed.
2Reliability
If multiple ultrasonic vibrators are installed to measure flow rates through multiple measurement passages, then measurement reliability is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the measurement capability for multiple passages into a single flow rate measurement unit with one ultrasonic vibrator. This merging approach reduces installation complexity and cost by requiring only one installation location and one set of mounting hardware, while the device is designed to capture flow data from multiple passages through its measurement configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate measurement unit is designed to automatically calculate and determine the total flow rate by processing measurements from multiple passages simultaneously. The device performs self-service by integrating the measurement data from different passages through its control unit, eliminating the need for manual calibration or complex installation procedures that would be required if multiple separate vibrators were used.
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 solution reduces costs by minimizing the number of ultrasonic sensor units required while maintaining high measuring precision and reliability, as the fluid flow is optimized to be a streamline flow across all passages.
Implementation Method 1
the cross section dimensions are set such that when a flow of the fluid is at a maximum flow velocity, the flow becomes a streamline flow
Data Source
AI summary
A flow meter device includes: an inlet portion, into which a fluid flows; an outlet portion, from which the fluid flows out; a plurality of measurement passage portions provided parallel to each other between the inlet portion and the outlet portion; and at least one flow rate measurement unit, each flow rate measurement unit being configured to measure a flow rate of the fluid that flows through a passage in a corresponding one of the measurement passage portions. Shapes of passages in the respective measurement passage portions coincide with each other. The plurality of measurement passage portions include: the one measurement passage portion(s), which is/are each provided with the flow rate measurement unit; and the other measurement passage portion(s), which is/are not provided with the flow rate measurement unit.