GB2301676A

GB2301676A - Fluid metering station with integral orifice plate

Info

Publication number: GB2301676A
Application number: GB9510987A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Richard Oliver
Original assignee: Hattersley Newman Hender Ltd
Current assignee: Olympus Ormskirk Ltd
Priority date: 1995-05-31
Filing date: 1995-05-31
Publication date: 1996-12-11
Anticipated expiration: 2015-05-31
Also published as: GB9510987D0; GB2301676B

Abstract

A fluid metering station comprises a plate 5 with an orifice 6 integrally formed with a stainless steel housing 1 defining chamfered inlet and outlet bores 2, 3. Radially spaced bosses 9, 10 integrally formed on the housing 1 and located midway between inlet and outlet bores 2, 3 communicate with the housing interior on opposite sides respectively of the plate 5 such that the pressure on either side of the plate can be measured via a suitable instrument (not shown) inserted into the bosses 9, 10. Grooves 14 and 15 formed on opposite sides respectively of the bosses 9, 10 can accept complementary parts of proprietary clamping devices.

Description

A FLUID METERING STATION The present invention relates to a fluid metering station and particularly but not exclusively, to a fluid metering station for use in piping systems where the method of connection is by proprietary grooved pipe end couplings.

Fluid metering stations are known in which an orifice plate defining an orifice of specified dimensions is clamped between adjacent parts of the station. These stations work satisfactorily, but they are expensive to make and time consuming to assemble.

It is an object of the present invention to mitigate or overcome these problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a fluid metering station housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and having an integral formation disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet defining an orifice having a predetermined dimensional relationship to the fluid inlet and means associated with the integral formation enabling the fluid pressure on both sides of the orifice to be sensed to enable fluid flow rate through the housing to be determined.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing is made of a corrosion resistant material. The means associated with the integral formation for enabling fluid pressure to be sensed may comprise bosses which communicate with the interior of the housing on opposite sides respectively of the formation. The bosses may be replaceable or integrally formed and may advantageously be internally screwthreaded to permit connection to pressure sensing devices. The housing may be formed externally with circumferential grooves to accept complementary parts of proprietary clamping devices. These grooves are disposed on opposite sides respectfully of the bosses. Preferably the inlet and outlet are chamfered or otherwise specially formed to prevent turbulent flow.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood one embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure I shows a side elevational view in section of one form of metering station, and Figure 2 shows an end elevational view of the station of figure 1.

Referring to the drawing, the station comprises a substantially cylindrical housing I, which is made of a corrosion resistance material such as stainless steel. This housing defines an inlet bore 2, and an outlet bore 3. A plate 5 is integrally formed with the housing and is disposed between the inlet and outlet bores 2 and 3. This plate 5 defines an orifice 6 which is machined to a special diameter in relation to the inlet bore. The ratio of these two diameters is known as the Beta ratio. The inlet and outlet bores are chamfered at 7 and 8 respectively to prevent turbulence and disruption to streamlined flow.

Two bosses 9 and 10 are also integrally formed on the housing I and located substantially midway between the inlet and outlet bores 2 and 3.

The bosses 9, 10 ex tend externally of the housing I and are spaced radially 900 apart. Into each boss 9, 10 is machined a thread 11, 12 to a specific depth and a smaller diameter access hole 13, 14 through into the interior of the housing I. The height of the boss from the main housing will normally be fixed but variances to meet specific applications is possible when the bosses may then be replaceable by threading into the main housing. The access holes 13, 14 drilled in each boss are so disposed to pass on either side of the central orifice 6 so that the pressure at each point can be measured via a suitable instrument (not shown) inserted into the threaded boss.

The housing I which may be produced by casting or machining is provided with two external circumferential grooves 14 and 15 disposed on opposite sides respectively of the bosses 9 and 10. The diameter of the housing ends, the width and diameter of the grooves 14, 15 and their lateral disposal from the end faces shall be to specific dimensions associated with proprietary clamping devices available commercially.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fluid metering station housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and having an integral formation disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet defining an orifice having a predetermined dimensional relationship to the fluid inlet and means associated with the integral formation enabling the fluid pressure on both sides of the orifice to be sensed to enable fluid flow rate through the housing to be determined.

2. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim I, in which the housing is made of corrosion resistant material.

3. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim I or 2, in which the means associated with the integral formation comprise bosses which communicate with the interior of the housing on opposite sides respectively of the formation.

4. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim 3, in which the bosses are integrally formed with the housing.

5. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim 3, in which the bosses are replaceable.

6. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, in which the bosses are internally screwthreaded to permit connection to pressure sensing devices.

7. A fluid metering station as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the housing is formed externally with circumferential grooves to accept complementary parts of clamping devices.

8. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim 7, in which the grooves are disposed on opposite sides respectfully of the bosses.

9. A fluid metering station as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are specially formed to prevent turbulent flow.

10. A fluid metering station as claimed in claim 9, in which the fluid inlet and fluid outlet are chamfered.

II. A fluid metering station substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.