WO2018210483A1 - A flowrate sensor - Google Patents

A flowrate sensor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018210483A1
WO2018210483A1 PCT/EP2018/058848 EP2018058848W WO2018210483A1 WO 2018210483 A1 WO2018210483 A1 WO 2018210483A1 EP 2018058848 W EP2018058848 W EP 2018058848W WO 2018210483 A1 WO2018210483 A1 WO 2018210483A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
impeller
flowrate
sensor
duct
sensor according
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2018/058848
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher COWLES
Derrick Ernest Hilton
Original Assignee
Linde Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Linde Ag filed Critical Linde Ag
Publication of WO2018210483A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018210483A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/05—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
    • G01F1/10—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects using rotating vanes with axial admission
    • G01F1/115—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects using rotating vanes with axial admission with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F1/00—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow
    • G01F1/05—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects
    • G01F1/06—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects using rotating vanes with tangential admission
    • G01F1/075—Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by using mechanical effects using rotating vanes with tangential admission with magnetic or electromagnetic coupling to the indicating device

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a flowrate sensor for sensing gas flowrate in a duct.
  • the present invention is directed to addressing this problem.
  • the present invention allows for the extraction of a small amount of power from the rotating impeller as well as allowing its speed of rotation to be monitored without a wired connection to the impeller. This greatly simplifies the construction as no gas tight sealing is required in relation to any wired connection across a rotating interface.
  • the sensor to detect rotational speed of the impeller may be connected to the coil to measure the frequency of the current induced in the coil. However, it is preferably a separate sensor such as a Hall Effect sensor.
  • the impeller preferably has an outer ring extending around the outer periphery of the impeller. This provides a convenient space for mounting the magnet or magnets as well as providing a bearing surface between the ring and inner wall of the duct.
  • the impeller may be rotatably supported by an axle extending through its axis of rotation. However, it is preferably supported towards its outer periphery.
  • the duct may be configured such that the direction of flow is coincident with the axis of rotation of the impeller. Alternatively, the flow direction may be transverse to the axis of rotation.
  • the flowrate sensor is particularly designed for a relatively small device such as a valve for a freestanding gas cylinder or a regulator for such a cylinder.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation showing the flow rate sensor incorporated into a cylinder valve
  • Fig.2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the sensor incorporated into a cylinder valve with an integrated pressure regulator
  • Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation showing a flow sensor incorporated into a regulator
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a first example of a flowrate sensor
  • FIG. 5 is a cross-section through the same sensory
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a second sensor
  • FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the second sensor.
  • a pressurised gas cylinder 1 is provided with a shut off valve 2 in a cylinder valve housing 3 which is well known in the art.
  • the flow sensor 4 is incorporated into the cylinder valve housing in the high pressure line immediately downstream of the shut off valve 2.
  • Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 , this time showing a valve with an integrated pressure regulator (VIPR). This incorporates a regulator 5 between the shut off valve 2 and the flow sensor 4 which now senses the flow rate of the low pressure gas from the regulator 5.
  • VIP integrated pressure regulator
  • Fig. 3 shows the incorporation of the flow sensor 4 into a regulator housing 6 which comprises a regulator 5 as in claim 2. This effectively operates in the same manner as the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 except that the regulator housing 6 is separate from the cylinder valve.
  • FIG. 4 shows the housing 3, 6 which can be the housing 3 of a valve, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Alternatively, it may be the regulator housing 6 as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the housing defines a gas flow passage 12 through which pressurised gas will flow, in use, once an outlet valve is opened to allow the flow.
  • An impeller 13 is rotatably mounted within the gas passage 12.
  • the impeller comprises a plurality of vanes 14 which are angled so as to cause rotation of the impeller as the gas flows in the direction of the arrows 15.
  • a ring 16 makes up the outer periphery of the impeller. This supports the vanes 14 as well as centralising the impeller 13 within the gas passage 12.
  • the ring 16 also provides space for the mounting of a pair of diametrically opposed permanent magnets 17. In the broadest sense, only one such magnet is required.
  • the impeller 13 may be supported by a number of inwardly depending lugs 18 which prevent axial movement of the impeller 13 and ensure that it remains rotatably mounted.
  • a support (not shown) may extend from an inner wall of the gas passage 12 and engage with and extend through a hole at the axis of the impeller to rotatably mount it about a central axis.
  • a coil 19 is mounted in the wall of the housing 3, 6. There may be more than one such coil positioned around the impeller.
  • the coil 19 may be, for example, attached to a battery to store electrical energy to power other devices within the assembly, such a screen.
  • a Hall Effect sensor 20 is also provided in the wall of the housing 3, 6. Again, there may be more than one such sensor. This is configured to pick up the magnetic field of the magnetic as it rotates past it. The frequency with which the magnets 17 pass the sensor 20 can be calibrated to correspond to the flowrate.
  • the present invention is able to measure the flowrate and also generate a small amount of power for local use without requiring any wired interface between the housing 3, 6 and the impeller 13.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 An alternative design is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the same numbering system has been used for the various components.
  • the main difference with this example is that the impeller 13 rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the overall gas flowrate in that the gas flow enters into the part of the housing 3, 6 which contains the impeller 13 by a tangential inlet 21 and exits by a tangential outlet 22.
  • the shape of the vanes 14 is therefore designed to be optimised for such a flow.
  • the housing 3, 6 can be configured to retain the impeller 13 in place simply by virtue of the shape of the housing.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a flowrate sensor for sensing flowrate in a duct, the sensor comprising an impeller rotatably mounted within the duct, such that it will rotate at a speed proportional to the flowrate in the duct. A permanent magnet mounted on the impeller away from the axis of rotation. A coil is mounted in the wall of the duct in unwired electromagnetic communication with the impeller such that a current is induced in the coil by rotation of the magnet in the impeller. A sensor is mounted in the wall of the duct to detect rotational speed of the impeller based on the frequency of the detection of the magnet.

Description

A Flowrate Sensor
The present invention relates to a flowrate sensor for sensing gas flowrate in a duct.
There have been attempts in the past to use turbines to generate power in a gas duct or to use them to measure flowrate of the gas stream. However, in small components such a cylinder valve or regulator body it is difficult to get the power out of the rotating shaft or to measure the speed at which the shaft is rotating.
The present invention is directed to addressing this problem.
According to the present invention, there is provided a flowrate sensor according to claim 1 .
By mounting the coil and the sensor in the wall of the duct and providing an unwired electromagnetic connection to a rotating magnet on the impeller with within the duct, the present invention allows for the extraction of a small amount of power from the rotating impeller as well as allowing its speed of rotation to be monitored without a wired connection to the impeller. This greatly simplifies the construction as no gas tight sealing is required in relation to any wired connection across a rotating interface.
The sensor to detect rotational speed of the impeller may be connected to the coil to measure the frequency of the current induced in the coil. However, it is preferably a separate sensor such as a Hall Effect sensor.
There may be a single magnet. However, in order to balance the device, there are preferably a pair of opposed magnets mounted on opposite sides of an axis of rotation.
The impeller preferably has an outer ring extending around the outer periphery of the impeller. This provides a convenient space for mounting the magnet or magnets as well as providing a bearing surface between the ring and inner wall of the duct.
The impeller may be rotatably supported by an axle extending through its axis of rotation. However, it is preferably supported towards its outer periphery. The duct may be configured such that the direction of flow is coincident with the axis of rotation of the impeller. Alternatively, the flow direction may be transverse to the axis of rotation.
The flowrate sensor is particularly designed for a relatively small device such as a valve for a freestanding gas cylinder or a regulator for such a cylinder.
An example of a flowrate sensor according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation showing the flow rate sensor incorporated into a cylinder valve; Fig.2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the sensor incorporated into a cylinder valve with an integrated pressure regulator;
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation showing a flow sensor incorporated into a regulator;
FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a first example of a flowrate sensor; FIG. 5 is a cross-section through the same sensory; FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a second sensor; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-section through the second sensor.
Before describing the details of the flow sensor, reference is made to Figs. 1 to 3 which show incorporation of the flow sensor in various different ways.
As shown in Fig.1 , a pressurised gas cylinder 1 is provided with a shut off valve 2 in a cylinder valve housing 3 which is well known in the art. The flow sensor 4 is incorporated into the cylinder valve housing in the high pressure line immediately downstream of the shut off valve 2.
Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1 , this time showing a valve with an integrated pressure regulator (VIPR). This incorporates a regulator 5 between the shut off valve 2 and the flow sensor 4 which now senses the flow rate of the low pressure gas from the regulator 5.
Fig. 3 shows the incorporation of the flow sensor 4 into a regulator housing 6 which comprises a regulator 5 as in claim 2. This effectively operates in the same manner as the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 except that the regulator housing 6 is separate from the cylinder valve.
FIG. 4 shows the housing 3, 6 which can be the housing 3 of a valve, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Alternatively, it may be the regulator housing 6 as shown in Fig. 3. One of the benefits of the present invention is that it can readily be accommodated in an existing housing. The housing defines a gas flow passage 12 through which pressurised gas will flow, in use, once an outlet valve is opened to allow the flow.
An impeller 13 is rotatably mounted within the gas passage 12. The impeller comprises a plurality of vanes 14 which are angled so as to cause rotation of the impeller as the gas flows in the direction of the arrows 15. A ring 16 makes up the outer periphery of the impeller. This supports the vanes 14 as well as centralising the impeller 13 within the gas passage 12. The ring 16 also provides space for the mounting of a pair of diametrically opposed permanent magnets 17. In the broadest sense, only one such magnet is required.
As shown in FIG. 5, the impeller 13 may be supported by a number of inwardly depending lugs 18 which prevent axial movement of the impeller 13 and ensure that it remains rotatably mounted. Alternatively, a support (not shown) may extend from an inner wall of the gas passage 12 and engage with and extend through a hole at the axis of the impeller to rotatably mount it about a central axis.
A coil 19 is mounted in the wall of the housing 3, 6. There may be more than one such coil positioned around the impeller. The coil 19 may be, for example, attached to a battery to store electrical energy to power other devices within the assembly, such a screen. A Hall Effect sensor 20 is also provided in the wall of the housing 3, 6. Again, there may be more than one such sensor. This is configured to pick up the magnetic field of the magnetic as it rotates past it. The frequency with which the magnets 17 pass the sensor 20 can be calibrated to correspond to the flowrate.
Thus, with a simple design, the present invention is able to measure the flowrate and also generate a small amount of power for local use without requiring any wired interface between the housing 3, 6 and the impeller 13.
An alternative design is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the same numbering system has been used for the various components.
The main difference with this example is that the impeller 13 rotates about an axis which is perpendicular to the overall gas flowrate in that the gas flow enters into the part of the housing 3, 6 which contains the impeller 13 by a tangential inlet 21 and exits by a tangential outlet 22. The shape of the vanes 14 is therefore designed to be optimised for such a flow. In this case, the housing 3, 6 can be configured to retain the impeller 13 in place simply by virtue of the shape of the housing.
Otherwise, the power generation and flow detection are as described above.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1 . A flowrate sensor for sensing flowrate in a duct, the sensor comprising:
an impeller rotatably mounted within the duct, such that it will rotate at a speed proportional to the flowrate in the duct;
a permanent magnet mounted on the impeller away from the axis of rotation; a coil mounted in the wall of the duct in unwired electromagnetic communication with the impeller such that a current is induced in the coil by rotation of the magnet in the impeller;
a sensor mounted in the wall of the duct to detect rotational speed of the impeller based on the frequency of the detection of the magnet.
2. A flowrate sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a Hall Effect sensor
3. A flowrate sensor according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein there are a pair of opposed magnets mounted on opposite sides of an axis of rotation.
4. A flowrate sensor according to any preceding claim, wherein the impeller has an outer ring extending around the outer periphery of the impeller.
5. A flowrate sensor according to any preceding claim, wherein the impeller is supported towards its outer periphery.
6. A valve assembly for a gas cylinder comprising a flowrate sensor according to any preceding claim.
7. A regulator assembly for a gas cylinder comprising a flow rate sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
PCT/EP2018/058848 2017-05-18 2018-04-06 A flowrate sensor WO2018210483A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1707994.8 2017-05-18
GB1707994.8A GB2562525A (en) 2017-05-18 2017-05-18 A flowrate sensor

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018210483A1 true WO2018210483A1 (en) 2018-11-22

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
MX2019005704A (en) * 2019-05-16 2020-11-17 Neri Bryan Ernesto Ruis Device for real-time measurement of the amount of air extracted by industrial ventilation systems.

Citations (4)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3898883A (en) * 1972-01-17 1975-08-12 Kozak Zdenek Stator assembly for flowmeters and the like
US4275291A (en) * 1978-08-21 1981-06-23 Wilgood Corporation Rotation sensor
US5782263A (en) * 1995-08-04 1998-07-21 Gary A. Isaacson, Jr. Flood control device
EP0896207A1 (en) * 1997-07-11 1999-02-10 Bernina Electronic AG Rotation detector for a flowmeter and a flowmeter with a rotation detector

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DE2608953C3 (en) * 1976-03-01 1981-08-06 Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München Volumetric meter
SE401278B (en) * 1976-09-29 1978-04-24 Tour & Andersson Ab WITH METIN INSTRUMENT FITTED VALVE FOR FLOWING MEDIUM
JPS5923220A (en) * 1982-07-29 1984-02-06 Toshiba Corp Internal pump flow rate measuring device
US5398721A (en) * 1994-06-09 1995-03-21 The Esab Group, Inc. Compressed gas integral regulator and flowmeter
AU6703798A (en) * 1997-03-19 1998-10-12 Autotrol Corporation Elbow mounted turbine flowmeter
US5877429A (en) * 1997-07-28 1999-03-02 William H. Gauley Flow meter
US6487919B1 (en) * 2001-11-06 2002-12-03 Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. Turbine flow monitoring device
MX337763B (en) * 2012-06-08 2016-03-14 Mueller Int Llc Systems and methods for generating power through the flow of water.
EP3109602B1 (en) * 2015-06-25 2021-08-04 Honeywell Technologies Sarl Fluid flow measuring device and armature comprising a fluid flow measuring device
EP3153824B1 (en) * 2015-10-05 2018-08-01 Honeywell Technologies Sarl Water treatment armature

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3898883A (en) * 1972-01-17 1975-08-12 Kozak Zdenek Stator assembly for flowmeters and the like
US4275291A (en) * 1978-08-21 1981-06-23 Wilgood Corporation Rotation sensor
US5782263A (en) * 1995-08-04 1998-07-21 Gary A. Isaacson, Jr. Flood control device
EP0896207A1 (en) * 1997-07-11 1999-02-10 Bernina Electronic AG Rotation detector for a flowmeter and a flowmeter with a rotation detector

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GB2562525A (en) 2018-11-21
GB201707994D0 (en) 2017-07-05

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