Submerged Gas Meter Segmentation for Underwater Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow meters are not designed to operate underwater or in submerged fluid environments, limiting their use in areas prone to flooding or groundwater exposure.
Innovation Solution
A modular, water-tight metering system comprising a mechanical unit and an electronic unit with a connective interface that allows separation and easy maintenance, enabling operation in submerged conditions by protecting internal components and facilitating rapid assembly and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flow meters are used, then accurate gas measurement is achieved, but the device cannot operate in submerged environments
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is divided into separate sub-assemblies including a mechanical unit and an electronic unit that can function independently or together. This segmentation allows the device to be configured for different environmental conditions, including submerged applications, while maintaining measurement accuracy and reliability.
2Ease of repair
If the meter is designed as a single integrated unit, then structural integrity is maintained, but maintenance requires stopping gas flow and complex disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The meter employs separable sub-assemblies connected through standardized interfaces, allowing individual components to be removed and replaced without disassembling the entire device. This enables maintenance personnel to access and service specific components while gas flow continues through the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized connective interfaces are designed to accommodate multiple functions and configurations, allowing different sub-assemblies to be interchangeably connected. This universal interface design simplifies maintenance procedures while maintaining structural integrity across various operational configurations.
3Ease of operation
If the mechanical unit is removed for electronic unit maintenance, then component servicing is enabled, but gas flow must be stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic unit is designed as a separate, self-contained sub-assembly with its own connection interfaces. This allows the electronic unit to be removed, serviced, or replaced independently of the mechanical unit, enabling maintenance operations without interrupting gas flow through the mechanical measurement components.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas meter (100) and like metering systems that are configured for use underwater. The gas meter may embody a positive displacement rotary gas meter having a meter body with impellers that counter-rotate in response to material flow. The gas meter can also comprise an index unit having an electronics assembly to generate a value that equates rotation of impellers with a parameter of the material flow. The gas meter can further comprise a connective interface having a first part and a second part, one each disposed on the meter unit and the index unit, respectively, the first part and the second part coupling with one another to provide data to the electronics assembly, the data corresponding with operating conditions on the meter unit and rotation of the impellers. In one example, the first part and the second part are configured so that the meter unit and the index unit are operable underwater to generate the value.