Universal Flange Seal Ring for Ultrasonic Flow Meter Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Testing laboratories face challenges in accurately calibrating ultrasonic flow meters due to the need for various flange types and pressure ratings, leading to high costs from maintaining multiple pipe spools with different flange configurations.
Innovation Solution
A flange seal ring that allows coupling of flanges with varying types (raised face and ring-type joint) and pressure ratings without adapters or spools, using a metallic ring with block assemblies and o-ring grooves to create a seal between flanges of different configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pipe spools with different flange configurations are maintained, then calibration accuracy for various flange types is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flange seal ring is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate multiple flange types (raised face, ring-type joint) and pressure ratings through a single device. The seal ring includes a central bore that accepts various pipe inner diameters and sealing surfaces that adapt to different flange configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized pipe spools while maintaining calibration accuracy across all flange types
2Measurement precision
If multiple pipe spools with different flange configurations are maintained, then calibration accuracy for various flange types is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange seal ring serves multiple functions across different flange types and pressure ratings, replacing the need for expensive multiple pipe spools. By designing the seal ring with adaptable sealing surfaces and a universal central bore, the system achieves calibration accuracy for various flange configurations using a single, cost-effective device
3Device complexity
If a single flange seal ring design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different flange types decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flange seal ring incorporates local quality variations through its sealing surface design, where different portions of the seal ring can accommodate different flange types and pressure ratings. The central bore is designed to accept various pipe inner diameters, and the sealing surfaces include features like raised faces and ring-type joint grooves that adapt to specific flange configurations, allowing a single device to maintain high adaptability
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
Enables accurate calibration of ultrasonic flow meters by eliminating the need for multiple spools and reducing costs associated with gaskets or metallic ring seals, as the flange seal ring is reusable across different flange types and pressure ratings.
Implementation Method 1
a first sealing feature in the form of an o-ring compressed between the raised face of the first flange and a first sealing surface of the flange seal ring
Implementation Method 2
A metallic ring, or ring gasket, is placed between two RTJ flanges in the ring groove, and the ring gasket is deformed or 'coined' between the flanges to provide a seal
Data Source
AI summary
Method and system of a flange seal ring. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems comprising a metallic ring and a plurality of cogs. The metallic ring comprises a central bore that defines an internal diameter, a first sealing face that defines a first plane, a second sealing face that defines a second plane, a first groove in the first sealing face, and a second groove in the second sealing face. The plurality of cogs couple to the metallic ring, each cog extends through the first plane, and the plurality of cogs positioned one each at a plurality of radial positions around the metallic ring. At least one of the plurality of cogs configured to have an adjustable position relative to the central bore, and the cogs configured to align the central bore to a corresponding bore of a flange.