Autonomous Turbine Flow Meter with Self-Powered Rotor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow meters require external power sources and often provide inaccurate and non-reproducible measurements of fluid flow rates due to bypass channels and pressure drop issues.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous, low-power turbine flow meter with a single interior channel and an axial reaction turbine that generates electrical power to operate without external power, using the fluid flow to produce alternating current for signal processing, ensuring all fluid contributes to measurement and minimizing pressure drop across a wide flow range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If external power sources are used to operate the flow meter, then the flow meter can function, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine flow meter generates its own electrical power through the turbine rotor that rotates with the fluid flow. The turbine acts as a generator, converting mechanical energy from the fluid into electrical energy to power the measurement circuit, eliminating the need for external power sources like batteries or mains power connections
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine serves dual functions: it acts as both the measurement element (rotating with fluid flow to indicate flow rate) and the power generation element (generating electrical energy to power the electronics). This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by combining multiple functions into a single component
2Stress or pressure
If bypass channels are added to reduce pressure drop, then pressure drop decreases, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to fluid fraction bypassing the rotor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the bypass channel from the system entirely, using only a single interior channel that forces all fluid to pass through the turbine rotor. This extraction of the problematic bypass component eliminates the trade-off between pressure drop and measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding bypass channels to reduce pressure drop (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using a reaction turbine design that inherently produces lower pressure drop without requiring bypass channels. The reaction turbine extracts energy from the fluid in a manner that maintains lower pressure differential across the meter
3Power
If impulse (nozzle) turbines are used, then power generation is efficient, but pressure drop increases and requires bypass channels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter of the turbine from impulse (nozzle) type to reaction type. This parameter change fundamentally alters the pressure-drop characteristics while maintaining adequate power generation for low-power electronics, eliminating the need for bypass channels
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 provides accurate, repeatable, and reproducible flow rate measurements without external power, reducing costs and environmental impact, and eliminating the need for bypass channels and separate flow sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine configured to generate electric energy from fluid flowing through said interior channel, wherein the turbine comprises a stator and a rotor with blades, and wherein the rotor is connected to an axially rotatable shaft
Implementation Method 2
the turbine is configured to generate electric energy from fluid flowing through said interior channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an autonomous, low-power turbine flow meter. The invention also relates to an assembly of at least one flow meter according to the invention and at least one signal receiving device configured to receive signals, preferably in a wireless manner, produced and transmitted by said flow meter. The invention further relates to a method for measuring at least one flow characteristic, in particular the flow rate, of a fluid flowing through a flow meter according to the invention.