Ribbed Case Support for Fluid Meter Burst Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluid meters face challenges in achieving adequate secondary containment due to the high burst pressure requirements, leading to excessive case weight and cost, especially in larger sizes, where increasing case thickness is not viable.
Innovation Solution
A sensor system with a case support featuring ribs extending along the outer portion of the case, which increases the burst pressure while minimizing weight and affecting vibrational frequencies, by contacting the case when it deforms outward by a threshold amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the case thickness is increased to provide adequate secondary containment, then the burst pressure of the case increases, but the case weight increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The case support structure is segmented into multiple ribs that extend around the case, distributing the load and providing reinforcement without requiring a solid thick-walled construction. This segmentation allows the case to achieve higher burst pressure capability while maintaining lower weight compared to a uniformly thickened case.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines the original case material with an additional case support structure made of ribbed reinforcement elements. This composite approach creates a multi-layered containment system where the ribs provide structural strengthening, enabling the case to withstand higher pressures without increasing the base case thickness and associated weight.
2Strength
If the case thickness is increased to provide adequate secondary containment, then the burst pressure of the case increases, but the cost increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The case support is divided into discrete rib elements that can be manufactured separately and then assembled around the case. This segmentation enables more efficient manufacturing processes compared to producing a single thick-walled case, reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity while achieving the required burst pressure rating.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction of case plus case support ribs allows for optimized material usage, where the ribs are placed only where structurally necessary to reinforce the case. This targeted reinforcement approach reduces overall material consumption and manufacturing cost compared to uniformly thickening the entire case wall.
3Strength
If the case diameter is decreased to maintain acceptable hoop stress at higher pressure, then the burst pressure capability improves, but the size of the fluid conduits must be decreased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of solving the pressure containment problem by changing the case internal diameter (one dimension), the invention adds structural reinforcement in a different dimension by attaching external ribs to the case outer surface. This dimensional approach allows the case to maintain its original diameter and conduit sizes while achieving higher burst pressure capability through the added rib structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite case-and-ribs construction provides the structural strength needed for high pressure containment without requiring a reduction in case internal diameter. The ribs act as external strengthening elements that allow the case to withstand higher pressures while maintaining the original conduit dimensions and flow capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor system (30) including a sensor assembly (10) for a fluid meter (5) is provided. The sensor assembly (10) includes one or more fluid conduits (103 A, 103B). The sensor assembly (10) also includes a case (101) surrounding at least a portion of the one or more fluid conduits (103A, 103B). The sensor system (30) also includes a case support (300). The case support (300) surrounds at least a portion of the case (101). The case support (300) includes one or more ribs (330) that extend along at least a portion of the case (101) and contact the case (101) at least when the case (101) deforms outward by a threshold amount.