Contactless Rotary Pump Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid transport systems in medical applications face inaccuracies and contamination risks due to reliance on volumetric control, contact measurements, and limitations of non-intrusive sensors, especially when handling admixtures of different fluid components.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a rotary pump with non-intrusive sensors to measure fluid flow by modeling current drawn, inlet and outlet pressures, pump rotational speed, and fluid density, allowing for precise contactless fluid flow rate calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If volumetric control with balance chambers is used to monitor flow rate, then flow measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to errors from flexible membranes and fluid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the fluid path by using external sensors (load cells, ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors) that measure flow rate without contacting the fluid. This eliminates the need for balance chambers with flexible membranes that are sources of error and contamination, thereby improving measurement precision while preventing fluid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary measurement mechanisms that indirectly measure fluid flow without direct contact. Load cells measure weight changes of fluid containers, ultrasonic sensors measure flow through sound wave transmission, and optical sensors measure flow through light interaction. These intermediaries provide accurate measurements while preventing contamination of the measured fluid.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-intrusive sensors such as ultrasonic or optical sensors are used for contactless measurement, then fluid contamination is avoided, but measurement precision deteriorates when handling admixtures of different fluid components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-functional measurement system that can adapt to different fluid types. By combining multiple sensor types (load cells for weight-based measurement, ultrasonic sensors for non-contact measurement, optical sensors for transparent fluids) and using a controller that selects the appropriate measurement method based on fluid properties, the system achieves both contactless operation and high measurement precision across various fluid admixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters based on fluid characteristics. For admixtures of different fluid components, the system adjusts which physical property is measured (weight, ultrasonic transmission, optical properties) and modifies measurement frequencies and thresholds to maintain precision despite variations in fluid composition, while始终保持 contactless measurement to avoid contamination.
3Device complexity
If rotary pump rotation counting is used to determine fluid amount, then simple measurement is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inaccurate or imprecise rotation-to-flow correlation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation-counting method with sensor-based measurement systems. Load cells replace rotation counting by directly measuring fluid weight, ultrasonic sensors replace it by measuring flow velocity, and optical sensors replace it by measuring flow characteristics. This substitution eliminates the imprecise rotation-to-flow correlation while maintaining relatively simple system architecture through electronic rather than mechanical measurement.
4Measurement precision
If contact measurements such as balance chambers are used for fluid regulation, then flow measurement capability is provided, but reliability deteriorates due to potential for fluid contamination and error sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the measurement function from the fluid path by using external sensors that measure flow rate without contacting the fluid. Load cells measure container weight changes externally, ultrasonic sensors measure flow through the container walls, and optical sensors measure flow through transparent portions. This extraction eliminates error sources and contamination risks associated with balance chambers while maintaining measurement capability and improving reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods are provided for measuring fluid flow across a pump used in a system for precisely and accurately metering fluid. The systems, devices, and methods can use contactless approaches to measure the properties of the fluid being pumped. The measured properties can be used to precisely and accurately determine the flow rate through the pump.