Taper Pipe Flow Meter Using Magnetostrictive Float Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional taper pipe-shaped area flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring flow rates due to limitations in distance measurement technologies, such as short pulse time for radar methods and errors in ultrasonic wave propagation, which restrict their application in generating reliable electric signals for flow rate control systems.
Innovation Solution
A magnetostrictive distance measurement method is employed, using a probe shaft with a magnetostrictive line to detect the position of a float with a magnet, calculating the flow rate based on the measured position, and providing the data as an electric signal through a microprocessor and communication part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a laser or ultrasonic sensor is used to detect float position, then an electric signal can be generated, but measurement precision is insufficient due to short pulse time and wave propagation errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical (laser) and acoustic (ultrasonic) measurement systems with a magnetostrictive measurement system. The magnetostrictive sensor detects the float position through magnetic field interaction and elastic wave propagation in a solid rod, eliminating the limitations of electromagnetic pulse timing and acoustic wave propagation in air that caused measurement precision problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical medium for signal propagation from air (ultrasonic) or electromagnetic field (laser) to a solid magnetostrictive rod. This parameter change in the transmission medium enables more precise measurement by utilizing the higher velocity and stability of elastic waves in solid material compared to acoustic waves in air.
2Measurement precision
If a magnetostrictive sensor is used to detect float position, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetostrictive rod serves multiple functions: it acts as the structural support for the sensor, the transmission medium for elastic waves, and the element that generates the measurement signal through magnetostriction. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed compared to traditional sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetostrictive rod acts as an intermediary between the float (with magnet) and the measurement system. It transmits the positional information from the float to the measurement circuit through magnetostrictive effects, simplifying the overall system architecture by providing a direct physical coupling mechanism.
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 approach allows for precise and accurate measurement of flow rates with high accuracy, enabling the use of taper pipe-shaped area flow meters in process control systems by overcoming previous limitations in distance measurement technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a probe shaft in which a magnetrostrictive line is embedded and which is installed in the taper pipe and detects a position of the float through a magnetostrictive method
Data Source
AI summary
A taper pipe-shaped area flow meter uses a magnetostrictive distance measurement method through which a flow rate may be accurately measured by measuring a height of a float through a magnetostrictive method. A taper pipe-shaped area flow meter using a magnetostrictive distance measurement method includes a taper pipe including an inlet at a lower portion thereof and an outlet at an upper portion thereof and formed in a taper shape having a diameter decreasing downward, a float in which a magnet is embedded and a height of the float is changed according to a flow rate in the taper pipe, a probe shaft in which a magnetrostrictive line is embedded and which is installed in the taper pipe and detects a position of the float through the magnetostrictive method, and a magnetostrictive distance measuring part, which is configured to apply a pulse to the probe shaft, receive a signal reflected by the magnet of the float, measure a position of the float, and calculate a flow rate from the position of the float. The taper pipe-shaped area flow meter using the magnetostrictive distance measurement method has a high accuracy because the magnetostrictive method is applied thereto and may inexpensively measure a flow rate by using a simple mechanical structure, and there is an advantage in that a measured value is provided as an electric signal and used in various fields such as a process control.