Self-Powered Volume Flowmeter for Compressible Fluid Regimes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flowmeters struggle to accurately measure the volumetric flow rate of compressible fluids, particularly due to challenges in measuring fluid pressure at vena-contracta and handling regime transitions from subsonic to supersonic and vice versa.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered volume flowmeter that measures the rotational speed of a wheel, determines the permanent pressure loss, and assesses the fluid regime to calculate the volumetric flow rate, using energy harvested from the compressible fluid flow to power the flowmeter independently of external energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a turbine-based flowmeter is used to measure compressible fluid flow, then the flow rate can be measured, but the device requires external power sources and cannot handle regime transitions from subsonic to supersonic
Solution Approach 1:
The flowmeter uses a pneumatic motor powered by the compressible fluid itself to drive a generator, producing electrical power for the electronic components. This self-powered arrangement eliminates external power sources and enables the device to adapt to different flow regimes including transitions from subsonic to supersonic flow.
2Measurement precision
If fluid pressure is measured at vena-contracta to improve flow rate accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure measurement location from the difficult vena-contracta region and places it at the flow inlet where measurement is easier. The system measures pressure at the flow inlet and uses this information in a computational model to determine the flow rate, avoiding the measurement difficulties at the vena-contracta while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If a constriction is added upstream of the wheel to improve flow measurement, then the wheel can be actuated by compressible fluid, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the constriction element with the wheel assembly, where the wheel itself forms part of the constriction structure. This integration ensures reliable wheel actuation by the compressible fluid while minimizing additional structural complexity, as the wheel serves dual purposes of flow measurement and flow control.
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
This solution simplifies fluid pressure measurements, improves accuracy in determining volumetric flow rates for compressible fluids, and reduces operational costs by eliminating the need for external power sources, while also being versatile for both subsonic and supersonic flow regimes.
Implementation Method 1
the compressible fluid flowing through the flow inlet and actuating the wheel
Implementation Method 2
A pneumatic motor, which may be integral with the system dose metering means, is powered by the expanding gas and drives an electrical generator to produce at least the required electrical power for operating the system
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present invention pertains to a method for determining the volumetric flow rate of a compressible fluid flow flowing through a volume flowmeter having a flow inlet, a wheel downstream of the flow inlet and a constriction downstream of the flow inlet and upstream of the wheel, the compressible fluid flowing through the flow inlet and actuating the wheel. The method comprises measuring the rotational speed of the wheel and determining the permanent pressure loss across the wheel based on the measured rotational speed. The method further comprises measuring the fluid pressure of the compressible fluid flow at the flow inlet and determining whether the compressible fluid flow in the volume flowmeter is in the subsonic or in the supersonic regime based on the determined permanent pressure loss and the measured fluid pressure. The method also comprises measuring the fluid temperature of the compressible fluid flow at the flow inlet and determining the volumetric flow rate of the compressible fluid flow based on the determined permanent pressure loss, the measured fluid pressure, the regime of the compressible fluid flow and the measured fluid temperature. Other aspects of the present invention pertain to volume flowmeter for determining the volumetric flow rate of a compressible fluid flow, a data processing device for controlling a volume flowmeter, a computer program for the controller and a computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program.