Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2022 - MD-4

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Figure 3. A simulation for fluid-induced movement of the disc.
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principle: Magnets of the same polarity
repel each other.
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In the third meter design, an object,
typically a ball or a disc, is arranged
inside the pipe in such a way that the
magnetic force causes it to float. The
object gets lifted with the flow of gas in
the pipe, and the gas flow is measured
by the height to which a magnetic plate
rises. This kind of meter is highly sensitive
and can measure even a small
pressure drop. The researchers studied
the magnetic properties and device performance
using the AC/DC Module
and CFD Module and arrived at an optimized
design (Figure 3).
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In this case, the team was able to
propose a highly sensitive device that
performs well, even for slight variations
in gas flow rates.
The final design is also based on the
rotation of a turbine, but a different
turbine design is used. Here, the turbine
assembly with fixed guide vanes and runner
vanes is placed in the main channel
as an obstructing element (Figure 4).
The energy captured by the rotating
turbine is used to energize the thermal
sensors, hence making this device a
self-energizing system.
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Figure 4. The design validation study performed in COMSOL Multiphysics®
The Raychem team used the CFD
Module and Multibody Dynamics Module
to model the turbulent gas flow
(Figure 2) as well as the stresses and
torque developed in the turbine.
It is important to note that the
Möbius band turbine gas meter per4
The
guide vanes act as a nozzle, channeling
the gas flow toward the runner
vanes, which rotate the shaft and bevel
gear pair. Gas flow is measured based
on the rotation of the bevel gear pair or
by measuring the drop in temperature
using thermal sensors.
Future Outlook and Application
The simulation studies enabled the
Raychem team to design a smart energy
gas meter with only a U-shaped
tube and a sensor in the housing, making
it very compact and easy to install.
Validated simulation results are at the
core of Raychem's four new gas meter
designs.
The Raychem team is confident in
.
forms well when the gas flow rate is
high. Since the gas volume is determined
by its flow, the efficacy of the
device is limited while measuring flow
with a low pressure drop. To circumvent
this issue, the team designed another
flowmeter based on a well-known
the performance of these flowmeters to
suit the requirements of domestic and
industrial applications. These designs
have been shortlisted for production
and should soon be available to urban
consumers across India, to be installed
directly inside the gas meters fitted in
their homes.
This article was written by Aditi
Karandikar, Marketing Manager at
COMSOL Inc. For more information, visit
http://info.hotims.com/82318-281.
Motion Design, February 2022
MD Motion Control Feature 0222_1.indd 4
Cov
ToC
1/17/22 5:05 PM
http://info.hotims.com/82318-281 http://info.hotims.com/82318-800
Tech Briefs Magazine - February 2022

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