Pressure-Based Flow Meter with Sensing Cap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current flow measurement technologies require impact on sensing devices, which can cause damage to flowable materials and obstruct flow, necessitating a method that measures flow based on pressure or force instead of impact.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter apparatus and method that uses a sensing cap to measure flow by pressure, allowing materials to flow over a rounded cap without impact, utilizing a load cell to translate pressure into a readable signal for real-time analysis, maintaining high throughput and reducing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If impact-based sensing devices are used to measure flow, then flow measurement can be achieved, but material damage and flow obstruction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces impact-based mechanical sensing with pressure-based sensing. Instead of measuring the impact force of materials striking a sensing surface, the invention uses a sensing cap that measures pressure exerted by materials as they flow over it, eliminating the harmful impact while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rounded sensing cap surface instead of a flat impact surface. This curved geometry allows materials to roll over and flow smoothly across the sensing surface, preventing impact damage and obstruction while still enabling accurate pressure-based flow measurement
2Measurement precision
If impact-based sensing devices are used to measure flow, then flow measurement can be achieved, but flow path obstruction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces impact-based mechanical sensing with pressure-based sensing. Instead of measuring the impact force of materials striking a sensing surface, the invention uses a sensing cap that measures pressure exerted by materials as they flow over it, eliminating the harmful impact while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a rounded sensing cap surface instead of a flat impact surface. This curved geometry allows materials to roll over and flow smoothly across the sensing surface, preventing impact damage and obstruction while still enabling accurate pressure-based flow measurement
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 accurate and efficient flow measurement with reduced material damage, improved process management, and cost savings by measuring flow without obstructing the flow path, allowing for continuous monitoring and regulation of flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
measuring the weight or pressure of the flowable material on the cap
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring the rate of flow and measuring the total weight of material that is passing through a flow meter under continuous flow conditions by way of pressure on a sensing cap rather than impact or any other prior art methods. The method further includes determining the rate of flow of a material, particulate, slurry or liquid during conveyance with a sensing unit placed in the path of conveyance such that the flow is measured without a loss in capacity of the conveyance. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention typically contain a flow sensing unit, an integrator and software directed to the interpretation of the data received by the sensing unit and integrator.