Vortex Generators for Use in Meters and Related Systems and Meters

• US 20200132094A1
• Filed: 10/24/2018
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sokol, Benjamin John
• Granted Patent: US 10,837,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/0035 in the form of riblets
• CPC Class Codes: F15D 1/06 by influencing the boundary layer
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/662 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/00 Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus

Abstract

A vortex generator for use in a flowtube of a meter is provided. The vortex generator includes a plurality of raised elements on an inner surface of a flowtube. The plurality of raised elements are positioned on the inner surface of the flowtube upstream of a widening of the flowtube. The presence of the plurality of raised elements improves boundary layer adherence. Related systems and meters are provided.

Claims

1. A vortex generator for use in a flowtube of a meter, the vortex generator comprising a plurality of raised elements on an inner surface of the flowtube, the plurality of raised elements being positioned on the inner surface of the flowtube upstream of a widening of the flowtube, wherein presence of the plurality of raised elements improves boundary layer adherence.

2. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised elements on the inner surface of the flowtube promote a turbulent flow in the flowtube.

3. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes molded into a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

4. The vortex generator of claim 3, wherein the plurality of shapes comprise a plurality of V shapes.

5. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes positioned and affixed on a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

6. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the meter comprises a gas meter.

7. A system for improving boundary adherence in a flowtube of a meter, the system comprising:

a flowtube configured to have an increased cross-section at an end thereof, the increased cross-section providing an increased area of flow to decelerate a flow in the flowtube; and

a vortex generator comprising a plurality of raised elements on an inner surface of the flowtube upstream of the increased cross-section, presence of the plurality of raised elements improving boundary layer adherence in the flowtube.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of raised elements on the inner surface of the flowtube promote a turbulent flow in the flowtube.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes molded into a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of shapes comprise a plurality of V shapes.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes positioned and affixed on a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the meter comprises a gas meter.

13. A meter comprising:

a flowtube configured to have an increased cross-section at an end thereof, the increased cross-section providing an increased area of flow to decelerate a flow in the flowtube; and

a vortex generator comprising a plurality of raised elements on an inner surface of the flowtube upstream of the increased cross-section, presence of the plurality of raised elements improving boundary layer adherence in the flowtube.

14. The meter of claim 13, wherein the plurality of raised elements on the inner surface of the flowtube promote a turbulent flow in the flowtube.

15. The meter of claim 13, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes molded into a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

16. The meter of claim 15, wherein the plurality of shapes comprise a plurality of V shapes.

17. The meter of claim 13, wherein the plurality of raised elements comprise a plurality of shapes positioned and affixed on a plastic inner surface of the flowtube.

18. The meter of claim 13, wherein the meter comprises a gas meter.