JPS6039967B2 - Flow measurement and adjustment device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The regulation and measurement of fluid flow rates, both gaseous and liquid, poses significant problems to the prior art, especially at extremely low flow rates.

A typical example is, for example, 1 lump to 300 pieces per hour.
It has been found that prior art systems used for low to medium flow rates (0.000 ft.) are relatively inaccurate and can be very expensive to achieve accurate measurement systems. Typical devices known for this purpose include hole or capillary flow meters connected to differential pressure transmitters or, in the case of high flow rates, to turbine meters. The present invention provides a means to readily display gas or liquid flow rates with high accuracy over a wide range of flow rates in a relatively simple and inexpensive system.

This can then be automated to the point of adjusting the conditions of the flow rate in response to measurements obtained by this means of the flow rate, and setting up appropriate alarms when the flow rate is above or below a desired level. or operate something similar. The system uses a glass or ceramic coated iron float within a quartz tube and can be used in highly corrosive environments or at high temperatures. Furthermore, since the flow rate can be measured inexpensively even at low flow rates of 5 to 1000 feet per hour, it has the potential to be used for regulating venous blood flow as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,741. The majority of that patent is also incorporated herein by reference. In accordance with the invention, a float, typically spherical or similarly shaped and responsive to magnetic forces, rests on a stop element disposed within a conduit or flow tube by movement of a fluid that urges the float against the stop element.

One or more magnetic means are arranged upstream of the stop element. Means is also provided for adjusting and increasing the magnetic force of the magnetic means to draw the float away from the stop element and move it in the direction of fluid flow. This means continuously and gradually increases the magnetic force until its effect on the magnetically responsive float overcomes the fluid flow forces and gravity. The amount of increase in magnetic force required to overcome the fluid flow force of the magnetic means is determined and related to the flow rate in the conduit, thereby giving an indication of its value. Typical of the means for increasing the magnetic force exerted by the magnetic means mentioned above are devices for gradually increasing the current to the electromagnet, such as current lamp generators or staircase generators (increasing the current in discrete steps). It is a means.

The generator generates the magnetic force of the magnetic means up to the point at which the float is withdrawn from the stop element. This point in time can be detected by any detection means responsive to changes in the position of the float element. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the detection means may also be an optical detector which emits a beam of light which passes through the tube or conduit and the float resting thereon in the part of the stop element.

In this embodiment, the conduit in the above section is transparent and the float shields the light rays passing through this transparent tube,
It acts as a mask, thereby preventing the light beam from hitting a photodetector placed on the reflective side of the tube. When the float leaves its rest position on the stop element, the light beam can pass through the transparent tube and strike the photodetector. The photodetector, on the other hand, measures the current delivered to the magnetic means or other means for increasing the magnetic force required to cause said movement of the float element. Other detectors can also be used.

By way of example, two capacitor plates may be placed on either side of the point where the float element would normally rest and connected to the oscillator circuit. When the float element is moved out of its position between the two capacitor plates, the capacitance of this capacitor changes and therefore the frequency at which the oscillating circuit operates changes, so that a detection measurement is made of a correlated increase in the magnetic force of said magnetic means. The float moves from its rest position. Further detection means may include strain gauges or piezoelectric sensors mounted on the stop element, or means for passing current through the float by means of contacts provided on the stop element, or a conductive coil placed near the stop element. But these all react to the separation of the float from the stop element. Means are also provided for detecting changes in the inductance or magnetic flux of the magnetic means with respect to the float as it moves. The float element, which is preferably spherical or cylindrical, generally has a cross-sectional area of approximately 50 to 95%, preferably 70 to 90%, of the cross-sectional area of the conduit in the portion that rests on the stop element.

The float may be made of any material that responds to a magnetic field that moves it from the position of the main hook toward the force of fluid flow. Therefore, it may be a sphere made of European iron, or it may be made of plastic or glass mixed with a magnetically reactive material such as iron or iron oxide powder, magnetic stainless steel with or without plating, soft iron with chrome plating, or the like. But that's fine. Floaters designed to create both laminar and turbulent flow conditions over a wide range of flow rates have also been devised.

The conduit having a cross-sectional area accommodating said stop element may be a normal conduit for flowing fluid or it may be a special conduit used for flow measurement.

If the latter conduits are used, generally cylindrical tubes are suitable, but in particular tapered tubes may also be used. The tube can be placed vertically, horizontally or at any angle. If a light source detector is used, at least the portion surrounding the stop element shall be made of a transparent material such as plastic, glass or fused quartz so that the light source detector can be activated to detect movement of the float from its rest position to the stop element. Make it. The stop element may be any means that serves to stop further flow of the magnetically responsive float without substantially impeding fluid flow through the conduit system.

This stop element can be made of plastic, glass, non-magnetic metal, wood, etc. conduit,
The relative diameters of the float element and the stop element must allow the float to rest on the stop element in its normal position without interfering with fluid flow within the conduit. With proper design of the shape and weight of the stop element, the taper, if any, of the tube in the flow-measuring part, the pole piece of the magnet and the float or sphere, the latter will be able to react when the magnetic force increases abnormally, e.g. when the current By means of a "snap action", the position for the stop element can be obtained in a far and distinct manner when the force of the fluid flow increases to overcome the force of the fluid flow. This makes the meter highly accurate and sensitive. A pair of stationary magnets, usually located upstream of the stop element, together with means for increasing the current to the stationary magnets, are used to increase the magnetic force to move the float element from its rest position.

However, it is also possible to increase the magnetic force applied to the magnetically responsive float by other means in an alternative manner. As an example, the associated part of the magnetic means can be changed, for example positioned closer to the stop element, to increase the magnetic force.

The position at which the magnetic means act to displace the float element from the stop element can thereby be correlated to the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the conduit. An alternative, less desirable option is to increase the number of magnetic elements brought into position until the required magnetic force is achieved, but in this case the increase in the number of magnetic elements is is correlated with

The flow readings provided by the flow measurement system described above may of course act to change the flow rate in response to the readings so obtained, and/or to activate an alarm system to indicate a necessary change in condition. Flow regulation systems can be interrelated.

The flow regulation system of the present invention can be used for both gas and liquid measurements.

Typical uses of this system include: Measuring gases applied to telephone lines or electrical cords under pressure, regulating the measurement of gases in analytical equipment, measuring the flow rate of liquids in intravenous delivery systems etc., smoke or explosive gases or radiation or contamination detectors, etc. 1 and metering of fluids in blends in the production of food or cosmetics, etc. The fluid regulation system also requires a low cost, remote display (digital display if desired), accurate flow metering over a wide range, and/or preferably sterile, disposable fluid contacting elements. It is particularly advantageous in cases. In another embodiment of the invention, the flow regulation system can be modified to function to measure fluid viscosity.

To explain this in detail, the fluid flowing through the conduit (at least in the part between the magnet and the stop element) should be held vertically in a waste stream (by forming a magnetic float element and keeping the velocity of the fluid constant). The magnetic force applied to the float is expressed by the following equation. Magnetic force = K constant (fluid velocity) (liquid viscosity) If the velocity of the fluid is constant, the magnetic force required to move the float from its predetermined position to the stop element makes it possible to measure the viscosity of the fluid, This system then functions as a linear viscometer.

This type of near viscometer can be used to measure fermentation, polymerization, paint formulations, food preparation materials such as ketchup, soap production, etc.
It is of particular importance for monitoring reactions in cosmetic manufacturing, dispensing processes, etc. where changes in viscosity are an important indication of reaction conditions and are necessary to change operating conditions. Therefore, IJ obtained in this way
A near viscometer detects changes in temperature, feed reactant to the system, etc. when a defined viscosity value is obtained.
The system can also function to cause changes in reaction conditions, such as monitoring mixing conditions. The present invention is distinguished from other flow regulation systems such as those described in US Pat. No. 3,662,598. The system of the above-mentioned patent utilizes the cyclic movement of a float between a sensor and a magnet, and correlates the number of cycles of this float element with the fluid flow rate. In such systems, the travel time of the float varies depending on the velocity of the fluid. In contrast, the present invention uses a stop element that normally places the float in its rest position by the force of fluid flow pressing against the stop element. The magnetic force required to overcome the force of fluid flow to displace the float element from its normal rest position, e.g. the required increase in current sent to an electromagnet, is correlated to the flow rate of the fluid; Used to measure and regulate flow rate or to determine fluid viscosity. Various features of the invention will be further elucidated by the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a simplified system illustrating the present invention is illustrated.

Here fluid flows through the conduit in the direction indicated by the arrow.
The portion of the conduit that measures the flow rate is shown as flow tube 10. Typically, the tube may be a length of clear tubing, such as clear plastic or glass, connected within a conventional conduit. Preferably, the transparent tube provides both the opportunity to use a normal light source detector and the opportunity to visually monitor the operation of the flow measurement system. A stop element 12 is provided within the flow tube 10 .

The stop element 12 can be a tubular appendage or bottom, usually located in the center of the flow tube, a screen, a rod or a wire, to stop the normal flow of the float element 11 and maintain it in the position indicated by Pi. . The stop element must not be so large as to impede fluid transmission, nor must it be shaped so as not to create swirls or the like that would degrade the accuracy of the system. In the illustrated embodiment,
The flow tube 01 is a plastic conduit with two diameters, and the stop element 12 is a stainless steel tubular element with two diameters. It is then fixed in place as an integral part of the tube or fixed to the wall of the tube. In this embodiment, the float 11, which is a sphere, has a diameter of about 1.
8 wind. The float is loosely fitted to the flow tube 10' and fixed against the flow by a stop element 12. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the float is a magnetic stainless steel sphere. Upstream of the stop element 12 are a pair of magnet poles 13 and 1.
4 is placed.

Usually this magnetic pole is located very close to both the flow tube 10 and the rest position Pi of the float element.
This is because the magnetic force must eventually move the float element 11 from its rest position to the position Pm against the force of fluid flow. In the embodiment shown here, the magnet pole is spaced approximately 5 sails from the top of the stop element 12 and is located within 0.5 sails from the outer wall of the flow tube 10. In a preferred embodiment the float element 1
A detector indicating the movement of 1 from its rest position takes the form of a light source 15 and a detector 16 and operates as an optical detection system.

The light beam emitted from the light source 15, indicated by the arrow, is blocked by the opaque stainless steel sphere 11 when it is in its resting position Pi. When this optical detection system is used to measure flow, a current lamp generator 18 increases the current delivered to the electromagnets 13 and 14.The measurement cycle is started by a logic circuit 17 which increases the current delivered to the electromagnets 13 and 14 by means of a current lamp generator 18. The logic circuit 17 itself is activated by the operator or by a timer actuating a button or switch that initiates operation of the flow measurement system. As the current increases, the magnetic force exerted by the magnets 13 and 14 on the sphere also increases. This increase in magnetic force eventually overcomes the gravitational force keeping the flow and possibly the float element 11 in place at the stop 12.
At the point when this magnetic force is overcome, the float element leaves its stop position and moves against the flow of fluid towards the pole piece of the electromagnet to the position Pm. In the embodiment shown, at this point the light beam is no longer blocked by the float 11 and the photodetector 16 is activated for this purpose.

This is also detected on the one hand by a logic circuit and the generator 18 supplies the necessary magnet current or voltage to sample this point in time. The amount of current required to pull the float 11 out of its stop position is correlated to the pressure drop due to the float or fluid flow rate and can be considered as the latter drop. As an example, one or more calibration curves are attached to the system (as found in flow meters) in which the amount of current is correlated to the flow rate of a liquid within a predetermined viscosity and concentration range; In addition to this, the user may calibrate the system himself/herself in advance.

Logic circuit 17 is shown schematically. This circuit is typically activated by a photodetector when the sphere leaves the stop element. This circuit causes a signal proportional to the magnet current to be sent to the dispensing device 19 to provide an indication of the flow rate. The logic circuit causes the current in the electromagnet to go to zero until the next float returns to the stop element. The measurement system is now ready for the next measurement. Figure 2 shows a magnetic reaction core 21 made from European steel, metal, scraps, etc.
2 shows another type of float 11 in the form of a plastic or glass sphere 20 with a In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the logic circuit operates to determine the fluid flow rate as described below.

That is, at the beginning of a fluid measurement, an oscillator 50 that generates a uniform rectangular wave is switched on and the output is sent to a digital counter 51 and an integrator 52.

The output of the integrator, which rises linearly from zero in steps, is used (by current generator 53) to regulate the current sent to electromagnet 54, and this fin flow is also stepped in a linear manner. Rise. When the current in the electromagnet increases enough to pull the float or sphere away from the stop element against the force of fluid flow, a beam of light passes through the flow tube and is detected by optical sensor 5.
Detected by 5.

At this point the oscillator 50 is turned off by the logic element 56 and the count of the digital counter 51 is directly proportional to the electromagnet current required to move the sphere from the stop, and thus directly correlated to the fluid flow rate. Apart from this, logical element 5
Under the control of 6, the current of the electromagnet can be displayed on a meter 61. A very simple, low cost and reliable digital output is thus obtained, and the meter can be easily connected alternately to one or more digital displays 57, digital computers or flow regulators 59.

Also, when the output of this meter is obtained by the desired output device, the current in the integrator and electromagnet is reset to zero until the float returns to the stop element, and the counter 51 is returned to zero (or the flow If possible, use a negative count to compensate for the effects of gravity if the tube is installed vertically).

The meter is now ready to measure the flow rate of the next fluid. In a modification of the embodiment described above, the output of the first integrator 52 is re-integrated and the output of the second integrator 60
The output of is used to regulate the electromagnet's current.

The current in the electromagnet is now proportional to the number of pulses emitted by the oscillator 50. As the force of fluid flow becomes proportional to the binary value of flow velocity due to the presence of turbulent sulfur, the output of the counter varies linearly with flow velocity, and this allows direct reading of flow velocity in some embodiments. This is its biggest advantage. FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention, in which the basic principle of the invention is used to indicate flow rate, and in particular the meter element as described above functions as a Linear viscometer. do.

Each element in FIG. 3 is labeled the same as in FIG.

The conduit or flow tube 110 includes a float element 111 which in its normal position is layered with a stop element 112 . In the illustrated embodiment, the stop elements 112 take the form of a flat grid or the like. Although not shown, means for maintaining a constant flow rate of the fluid flowing in the conduit 110 in the direction of the arrow is also provided.

As examples, there are gas pumps, piston pumps (with constant flow rate pistons), etc. that can maintain a constant flow rate.

Float element 111 is specially shaped to ensure that the fluid flow is laminar where the float moves. Typically this is a, b,
The present invention uses a cylindrically shaped float with a narrow gap between it and the wall of the conduit to induce such a laminar flow state of the fluid. element is intended. The embodiment shown as a multi-winged magnetic float can be made of stainless steel or plated iron.

The magnetic means can also be connected to a non-magnetic wing upstream or downstream of the magnetic part of the float. Under laminar flow conditions, the magnetic force applied to the float is expressed by the following equation:

Magnetic force = (constant coefficient) / (flow velocity) / (viscosity of fluid) According to this, if the flow is kept constant, the viscosity of the fluid will be the same as the float element 111.
is proportional to the magnetic force required to displace the stop element 112 from the stop element 112, and the resulting magnetic force can be used to represent the viscosity of the fluid.

Thus, in the same way as described for the measurement of the flow rate, the magnetic force exerted on the float element 111 by the magnetic means 113 is increased until this float moves from the stop 112.

This is also sensed on the one hand by a combination of light beam 115 and sensor 116. As previously mentioned, the required magnetic force can be verified for flow rate measurements and viscosity measurements. An indication of the viscosity is given by an indication of the required current or other magnetic force carried by a constant function of calibration. The calibration function of this system was previously confirmed by passing a fluid of known viscosity through the system at a constant flow rate and solving the equations described above. Accordingly, the above-described system can function as an inexpensive viscometer capable of making accurate viscosity measurements at viscosity rates.

Various modifications to the elements of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and are encompassed by the system defined in the claims.

Embodiments of the invention are as follows. 1 said magnetic means are electromagnets, said means for increasing the magnetic force comprising means for increasing a current to said magnetic means and thereby increasing the magnetic field strength thereof, and said float element is connected to said stop element; A device in which the amount of increase in current required to move the fluid from the flow rate is related to the flow rate of the fluid.

2. Apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the means for increasing the current to the magnetic means is a current lamp or a staircase generator.

3 further comprising secessor means placed on a portion of said stop element, said sensor means actuated when said float element moves from its predetermined position relative to said stop element, whereby said sensor means causes said float element to move from its rest position; Apparatus for sampling the necessary arrangement of said means for increasing the magnetic force displacing from position.

4. The device of embodiment 3, wherein the conduit in the part of the stop element is transparent.

5. Apparatus according to embodiment 4, wherein the sensor means is an optical sensor.

6. A device in which the float means is responsive to the magnetic force of the magnetic means (a spherical body having a magnetically responsive material therein).

7. A device in which said means for increasing the magnetic force comprises means for changing the position of said magnetic means, thereby varying the magnetic force applied to said float element.

8. The apparatus further comprising adjustment means actuated by said means for indicating the flow rate, said adjustment means adjusting the flow rate when the flow rate changes from a preset level.

9. A relatively short tube, a float means having a magnetically responsive material associated within the tube, and a stop element disposed within the tube for shedding the float means as the fluid passes through said magnetic means and said stop element. A removable insert adapted for use within a device used for insertion into the conduit so as to contact a means for indicating movement of the float from the conduit.

10. The removable insert of tapered embodiment paragraph 9.

lita} conduit, 'b} a float element having a magnetically responsive material associated within the conduit and shaped to create a laminar flow of fluid between its surface and the interior of the conduit ~ 'c} said conduit; a stop element disposed within and limiting the movement of said float element in the downstream direction, 'd} means for maintaining a constant flow of fluid in the conduit, {e} upstream of the orifice of the conduit; magnetic means arranged in front of said stop element in a section [f}; means for increasing the magnetic force of said magnetic means to displace said float element from said stop element and correspond to the direction of said fluid flow; a) means for detecting movement of a float element from a stop element; and a) means for correlating the viscosity of the fluid to the required increase in magnetic force to move the float element from the stop element. A device for displaying the viscosity of

12 Embodiment 1, wherein the float element is an elongated multi-blade float
The device according to item 1.

13. The device according to embodiment 11, wherein a gap pump is used to maintain a constant flow rate of the fluid.

14. Embodiment 11, further comprising a monitored system for supplying fluid to said conduit and means for varying variables to said monitored system in response to a viscosity value of the fluid obtained by said apparatus. Apparatus described in section.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 shows a preferred flow rate adjustment system embodying the present invention. Figure 2 shows a typical float element in the form of a plastic, ceramic or glass sphere with zero iron. FIG. 3 is a logic diagram of a preferred method of controlling flow rate. FIG. 4 shows a float shaped to produce laminar flow and thus used as a means of determining the viscosity of the fluid. (10... conduit (flow)
tube), 11... float element, 12... stop element, 13, 14... electromagnet (magnet pole), 16... detector, 113... magnetic means)
. F no 6. 〆'ノG2 〆〆stage. 3〆/G. stomach

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 a float element having a conduit and a magnetically responsive material associated therewith, disposed within the conduit, a stop element disposed within the conduit and restricting movement of the float element in the downstream direction, and in front of the stop element; magnetic means disposed in an upstream portion of the conduit surround; means for increasing the magnetic force of the magnetic means to move the float element away from the stop element in the direction of fluid flow; and a stop of the float element; means for detecting separation motion from the element; and means for relating fluid flow to the degree of increase in magnetic force required to separate the float element from the stop element; Flow measurement and adjustment device for indicating the flow rate of a fluid, characterized in that the measurement is carried out by a movement detached from the stop element and drawn by the magnetic means.