Variable-Area Flowmeter Conduit for Wide-Range Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flowmeters require multiple devices to handle varying flow rates and pressure conditions, leading to increased complexity and expense, as well as difficulties in applications where flowmeter reconfiguration is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A flowmeter with a variably modulated conduit that adjusts its cross-sectional area using fluid-actuated bladders or membranes to maintain a consistent fluid velocity and differential pressure, allowing for accurate measurement across a wide range of flow rates in a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flowmeters of various sizes are utilized in parallel to measure low fluid flow accurately and handle high flow rates without heavy pressure loss, then flow measurement accuracy across wide range is improved, but device complexity and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the conduit cross-sectional area variable rather than fixed. The conduit can dynamically adjust its flow area to accommodate different flow rates, allowing a single flowmeter to handle both low and high flow conditions accurately. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed-size flowmeters operated in parallel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the conduit cross-sectional area from constant to variable. By adjusting the flow area parameter in response to different flow conditions, the flowmeter maintains measurement accuracy across a wide range of flow rates without requiring multiple devices.
2Measurement precision
If multiple flowmeters are used to handle varying flow rates, then measurement accuracy is improved, but installation complexity and maintenance expenses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flowmeter universal by enabling it to perform accurate measurements across multiple flow rate conditions through variable cross-sectional area. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple specialized flowmeters, simplifying installation and reducing maintenance requirements.
3Device complexity
If a fixed cross-section conduit is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to maintain consistent fluid velocity across varying flow rates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static conduit structure into a dynamic one where the cross-sectional area can change. This allows the conduit to maintain consistent fluid velocity across varying flow rates by adjusting its geometry, thereby improving measurement precision without excessive complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If parallel meter schemes are used to accommodate differing experimental conditions, then flow rate measurement range is improved, but reconfiguration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for reconfiguration by providing a flowmeter with dynamically adjustable cross-sectional area. The conduit can adapt to different flow conditions without requiring physical re-piping or re-configuration, making it ideal for applications like wind-tunnel experiments where conditions vary.
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 flow measurement across a wide range of rates without significant pressure loss, reducing the need for multiple flowmeters and simplifying installation and maintenance by maintaining a consistent fluid velocity and differential pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet and an opposing drive coil have received great success in the flowmeter industry. An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired conduit amplitude and frequency
Implementation Method 2
the pickoffs can use the motion provided by the driver to induce a voltage
Implementation Method 3
A flowmeter with a variably modulated conduit that adjusts its cross-sectional area using fluid-actuated bladders or membranes
Data Source
AI summary
A flowmeter (5) is provided having a sensor assembly (10) connected to meter electronics (20), wherein the sensor assembly (10) comprises at least one driver (104) and at least one pickoff (105) and a variably modulated conduit (300) configured to change a flow area (304) therein.