Servo-Displacement Flowmeter with Detachable Pump Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional servo type volumetric flowmeters have a large pump portion due to the need for a thick casing to minimize fluid deformation under pressure, making the pump portion bulky and difficult to replace, with a cantilever-like bearing structure and external drive shaft requiring seal members that affect rotor shaft rotation and durability.
Innovation Solution
A detachable pump unit system with a pump portion having a pressure guide port to equalize fluid pressures on both sides, reducing the need for a thick casing, using a magnetic joint for rotor shaft drive to prevent leakage, and a center-crank-like rotor shaft support to stabilize rotation, with a modular design for easy replacement and integrated differential pressure detection for enhanced accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the casing thickness is increased to minimize fluid deformation under pressure, then measurement precision is improved, but the pump portion size increases and becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The pump portion is divided into a pump unit that can be detached from the main body. The pump unit includes the measuring chamber and rotors, while the main body contains the casing and other components. This segmentation allows the pump unit to be smaller and more precise without requiring the entire assembly to be large, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and pump portion size.
Solution Approach 2:
A pressure equalization chamber is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump unit and the main body. This chamber equalizes the pressure on both sides of the pump unit, reducing the pressure differential that would otherwise require a thick casing to minimize fluid deformation. This allows the pump portion to be smaller while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If a cantilever-like bearing structure is used to support rotor shafts, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the pump portion size increases and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pump portion is segmented into a detachable pump unit that can be easily removed and replaced. The pump unit includes the measuring chamber, rotors, and bearing structures, all integrated into a modular assembly. This segmentation allows the entire pump unit to be replaced as a single module, making maintenance easier while allowing the bearing structure to be optimized for manufacturing without compromising replaceability.
3Ease of operation
If an external drive shaft with seal members is used to drive rotor shafts, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to affected rotor shaft rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The external mechanical drive shaft with seal members is replaced with a magnetic coupling drive system. The magnetic coupling transfers rotational motion from the drive motor to the rotor shafts through magnetic fields without physical contact. This eliminates the need for seal members that would interfere with rotor shaft rotation and affect measurement precision, while still allowing easy operation through motor control.
4Ease of operation
If external drive shafts with seal members are used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical drive shaft with seal members is replaced by a magnetic coupling drive system. The magnetic coupling consists of magnetic rings that transfer rotational motion without physical contact between the drive motor and the rotor shafts. This eliminates wear and leakage issues associated with mechanical seals and contact bearings, significantly improving reliability and durability while maintaining ease of operation through motor 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
The solution results in a compact, high-precision volumetric flowmeter with improved maintenance and performance, allowing for accurate flow rate measurement without fluid leakage and reduced size, facilitating easier replacement of the pump unit.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic joint for rotor shaft drive to prevent leakage
Data Source
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AI summary
A volumetric flowmeter (1) is equipped with a detachable pump unit (2), a main body casing (3) accommodating the pump unit (2), and a cover member (4). The main body casing (3) is equipped with a front side main body casing (8) accommodating the pump unit (2) and integrated with a differential pressure detecting means (6), and a rear side main body casing (10) connected to the front side main body casing (8) and allowing mounting therewithin of a servomotor (9) constituting a main body of a shaft driving means (5). The pump unit (2) is inserted into a unit accommodating recess (11) of the front side main body casing (8) and is then covered with the cover member (4) to be thereby completely accommodated.