Vortex Flow Meter Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vortex flow meters are limited by fixed measurement ranges and are not suitable for non-isothermal applications, leading to inaccuracies due to the transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional vortex flow patterns, which affects the relationship between Strouhal and Reynolds numbers.
Innovation Solution
A high-precision vortex flow meter with a round-front blunt body and temperature control system, allowing for adjustable measurement range by detecting and adjusting the temperature of the vortex shedder, which extends the applicability to both low and high Reynolds number flows, including laminar flow regimes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional vortex flow meter uses a fixed measurement range design, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accurately measure flow rates outside the designated range due to transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional vortex flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the vortex shedder geometry adjustable rather than fixed. The blunt body can be positioned at different locations within the fluid channel, allowing the meter to adapt to different flow conditions and Reynolds numbers. This dynamic adjustment capability enables accurate measurement across a wide range of flow rates without requiring multiple fixed-range meters or complex multi-range mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the vortex shedder by allowing adjustment of its position, size, and shape characteristics. By modifying these parameters, the meter can compensate for different flow conditions and maintain accurate measurements across varying Reynolds numbers, resolving the contradiction between measurement range and structural simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vortex flow meter is designed for isothermal conditions only, then the measurement is simple, but it cannot accurately measure non-isothermal flows where temperature variations affect vortex shedding characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing temperature as a controllable variable. The temperature control system adjusts the vortex shedder temperature to match or compensate for the fluid temperature, ensuring consistent vortex shedding characteristics regardless of thermal conditions. This allows the meter to maintain measurement accuracy in non-isothermal environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through temperature sensors that continuously monitor both the fluid temperature and vortex shedder temperature. The control system uses this feedback information to adjust the heating or cooling of the vortex shedder, maintaining optimal measurement conditions even when external thermal conditions vary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the measurement range is extended to cover both low and high Reynolds number flows, then the applicability is improved, but the precision may deteriorate due to the three-dimensional vortex flow transition zone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic adjustment of the vortex shedder geometry to navigate through different flow regimes. By adjusting the blunt body parameters, the system can operate optimally in laminar flow (low Reynolds number) or turbulent flow (high Reynolds number) conditions, avoiding the problematic transition zone and maintaining precision across extended measurement ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the vortex shedder to optimize performance across different Reynolds numbers. By adjusting size, shape, and position, the system can maintain stable two-dimensional vortex shedding patterns even at extended measurement ranges, preventing the onset of three-dimensional flow patterns that cause measurement errors.
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 solution enables precise measurement of fluid flow rates across a broader range of conditions, including non-isothermal flows, by calculating effective Reynolds numbers using temperature ratios and kinematic viscosity, thus overcoming the limitations of conventional meters.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature control element for adjusting the temperature of the vortex shedder
Implementation Method 2
temperature sensors for detecting the temperatures of the upstream fluid field and that of the blunt body
Implementation Method 3
The measurement of shedding frequency is achieved by detecting the frequency of pressure fluctuation caused by periodic shedding of vortex induced downstream of the vortex shedder
Implementation Method 4
From the universal relationship between the Strouhal number and the effective Reynolds number, the flow rate of the fluid is calculated
Data Source
AI summary
A high-precision vortex flow meter includes a blunt body having a predetermined dimension and being arranged inside a fluid channel to serve as a vortex shedder. The vortex flow meter also includes a temperature detecting device for detecting the vortex shedder temperature and a temperature control element for adjusting the vortex shedder temperature. A frequency measuring device is arranged in the downstream section of the blunt body for detecting the vortex shedding frequency. From the measured temperatures of the upstream fluid flow and that of the blunt body, an effective temperature and a temperature ratio are calculated. The kinematic viscosity of the fluid is looked up from database. By using the relationship between the Strouhal number and Reynolds number, the fluid flow rate is calculated. By employing different blunt body temperature, the measurement range of the flow meter can be broadly extended.