Integrated Ultrasonic Valve Assembly for Accurate Short-Path Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building management systems (BMS) and HVAC systems require a conduit between the valve and flow sensor to ensure accurate flow measurements, which increases the overall size and number of parts in the assembly, making installation difficult and costly.
Innovation Solution
A reduced length ultrasonic flow sensor assembly with a controller that applies a flow rate measurement filter to generate a filtered measurement, allowing for accurate flow control without the need for a conduit, by using a first and second ultrasonic transducer positioned such that a portion of the flow path is parallel and another portion is perpendicular to the fluid flow, and a structural member to maintain a fixed distance between the transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conduit is installed between the valve and flow sensor to ensure accurate flow measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the flow sensor assembly directly with the valve body, eliminating the need for a separate conduit. The sensor housing is coupled to the valve body to form a unified assembly, allowing flow measurements to be taken directly at the valve outlet where flow conditions are already stabilized, thus achieving both measurement accuracy and reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flow conditioner as an intermediary component within the sensor assembly that stabilizes flow conditions before measurement. This flow conditioner creates the necessary straightened flow profile for accurate ultrasonic measurements without requiring a long external conduit, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall assembly complexity
2Measurement precision
If a conduit is installed between the valve and flow sensor, then measurement precision is improved, but the overall size and number of parts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor assembly is merged with the valve body into a single integrated unit. The sensor housing is coupled to the valve body, and the flow conditioner is positioned within the sensor assembly, eliminating the need for external conduit and reducing the overall length and number of parts in the system
3Device complexity
If the distance between acoustic reflectors is minimized, then device complexity is reduced, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the ultrasonic transducers, specifically operating at a higher frequency (e.g., 2 MHz or higher) to achieve sufficient signal-to-noise ratio with shorter reflector spacing. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliable measurements while using a compact sensor assembly with minimized distance between acoustic reflectors
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 eliminates the need for a conduit, reducing the size and number of parts in the assembly, while maintaining accurate flow measurements and improving installation and cost efficiency by using statistical filtering techniques to control the signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The processing circuit is configured to operate the first ultrasonic transducer to emit an ultrasonic signal along a flow path of the fluid in the conduit
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to apply a flow rate measurement filter to the raw flow rate measurement to generate a filtered flow rate measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a flow rate of a fluid through a valve includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive a raw flow rate measurement from a flow rate sensor assembly configured to measure the flow rate. The controller is further configured to apply a flow rate measurement filter to the raw flow rate measurement to generate a filtered flow rate measurement. The controller is further configured to control actuation of an actuator configured to change the flow rate using the filtered flow rate measurement. The controller is configured to automatically adjust the flow rate measurement filter in response to detecting an event that causes stoppage of the actuation of the actuator.