Adjustable Turbine Flow Meter Sensor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Turbine flow meters face errors due to precise positioning requirements of electromagnetic sensors, leading to improper operation and costly rework when machine tolerances are not met.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of adjustable pickup positioning mechanisms, including a locator pad and plate, allows for accurate alignment of electromagnetic pickups relative to other meter components, enabling proper operation with relaxed machining tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electromagnetic sensors are positioned with high precision during manufacturing, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase due to strict machine tolerance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor positioning system transitions from a fixed, precision-machined arrangement to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The sensor assembly includes movable components that allow post-manufacturing adjustment of sensor position and orientation, enabling operators to optimize sensor placement without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the meter housing or other stationary components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows change in the positional parameters of the electromagnetic sensors after manufacturing. Adjustment mechanisms enable modification of sensor position, angle, and spacing from their factory-set positions, allowing optimization of sensor parameters to achieve accurate measurement even when initial manufacturing tolerances are not optimal.
2Reliability
If multiple electromagnetic sensors are used for validation, then measurement reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple adjustment mechanisms for different sensors are merged into a single integrated sensor assembly structure. The assembly allows coordinated adjustment of multiple sensors simultaneously through shared adjustment components, reducing the overall complexity that would result from having separate adjustment mechanisms for each sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly incorporates universal adjustment mechanisms that can be used for multiple sensors within the same assembly. A single adjustment mechanism may serve multiple sensors, or the assembly structure itself provides universal positioning capabilities that apply to all sensors in the group, reducing the total number of specialized adjustment components needed.
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 ensures accurate signal phase differences, validating meter operation and reducing waste and rework costs by allowing for precise positioning of electromagnetic pickups during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
As each turbine blade, or other flow indicator feature (e.g., paramagnetic button mounted in a rim around the blades) of the turbine, moves into close proximity with the sensor, the magnetic field of the sensor is deflected, producing a voltage in the sensor's coil.
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic field of the sensor is deflected, producing a voltage in the sensor's coil
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for calibrating a turbine flow meter via adjustment of electromagnetic sensor position are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a turbine flow meter includes a flow tube, a plurality of electromagnetic pickups, and a locator plate. The electromagnetic pickups are configured to detect rotation a flow indicator in the flow tube. The pickups are secured to the locator plate. The locator plate is configured to adjustably position the pickups relative to the flow tube.