Ultrasonic Gas Flowmeter Support Structure for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas flowmeters with ultrasonic flow rate measuring units suffer from instability due to cantilever support, leading to inaccurate measurements and potential gas leakage issues with traditional sealing methods.
Innovation Solution
A gas flowmeter design that incorporates a support member to stabilize the ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit, connecting it to the device body through a connecting pipe, which suppresses vibrations and enhances measurement accuracy while eliminating the need for bolts, thus preventing gas leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If outlet pipe supports ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit in a cantilever manner, then device structure is simplified, but ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit becomes unstable and swings
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into two independent support portions (first support portion and second support portion) that separately support opposite ends of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit. This segmentation provides distributed support along the length of the measuring unit, preventing cantilever-induced swinging while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If connecting pipe and ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit are fixed to device body by bolts, then stability is improved, but gas leakage occurs between bolt and hole periphery when sealing material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical fastening system using bolts and sealing materials is replaced with a friction-based press-fit system. The connecting pipe has a press-fit portion that is pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the device body, creating stable mechanical connection and gas-tight sealing through friction and contact pressure without requiring bolts or separate sealing materials.
3Measurement precision
If ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit is supported stably, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support portions are integrated as integral parts of the device body rather than separate components. The first and second support portions are formed directly on the device body, merging the support function into the existing structure and achieving stable measurement without adding complex external support mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The device body serves multiple functions: it contains the gas flow passage, provides structural housing, and incorporates the first and second support portions for mounting the ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate support components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring stable measurement.
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 design achieves stable flow rate measurements by preventing swinging of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit and maintains airtight sealing, improving the durability and accuracy of gas flow measurement.
Implementation Method 1
A gas flowmeter measures a flow rate of a gas (fluid to be measured) in such a manner that an ultrasonic wave is propagated through a gas which flows in a measuring pipe provided to a middle portion of a gas flow passage. For example, the gas flowmeter measures a flow rate of a gas by making use of a propagation time of an ultrasonic wave or a propagation speed of an ultrasonic wave.
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas flowmeter includes: device body (1) which accommodates a fluid to be measured; inlet pipe (4) through which the fluid to be measured flows into device body (1); and outlet pipe (5) through which the fluid to be measured flows out from device body (1) through connecting pipe (7). The gas flow meter also includes: ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit (9) which has a first end side connected to outlet pipe (5) and performs flow rate measurement of the fluid to be measured which flows in ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit (9); and connecting pipe (7) which is disposed between ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit (9) and outlet pipe (5), and is connected to outlet pipe (5). The gas flow meter further includes support member (10) which supports a second end side of ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit (9).