Abstrict Improved turbine comprising plural turbine blades supported by
a turbine rotor of a flow meter, each turbine blade having a rounded
leading edge, a feathered trailing edge, a concave top blade surface
and a convex bottom blade surface, the turbine blade tapered from
the leading edge to the trailing edge to form a hydrofoil shaped
defined by empirical profile data.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. An improved turbine rotatingly supported in a fluid opening
of a meter housing of a flow meter, the flow meter mounted in a
fluid delivery line for dispensing fluids, the turbine comprising:
a turbine rotor; and
a plurality of turbine blades extending from the turbine rotor,
each such turbine blade comprising:
a first end attached to the turbine rotor with the turbine blade
extending outwardly therefrom and a second end;
a ferrous slug supported at the second end of the turbine blade;
a rounded leading edge;
a feathered trailing edge;
a first blade surface concave in shape along the length of the
blade, the concave first blade surface disposed to receive fluid
flow thereagainst to rotate the turbine; and
an opposed convex second blade surface tapered from the rounded
leading edge into the feathered trailing edge so that the blade
has a hydrofoil shape.
2. The turbine of claim 1 wherein the shape of each turbine blade
is defined by the empirical data of Table I, such data incorporated
by reference herein.
3. In a flow meter mounted in a fluid delivery line for dispensing
fluids, the flow meter having a turbine with a turbine rotor having
plural turbine blades extending therefrom and rotatably supported
in a fluid opening of the flow meter, each turbine blade having
a first end attached to the turbine rotor, the turbine blade extending
outwardly therefrom and having an opposed second end, the improvement
wherein each turbine blade comprises:
a leading edge with a rounded nose, the front of the nose extending
downwardly from the end to end centerline of the turbine rotor;
a feathered trailing edge;
a first blade surface, the first blade surface concave in shape
along the length of the blade, the concave first blade surface receiving
the force of fluid flow thereagainst and driving the turbine; and
a convex shaped opposed second blade surface such that the turbine
blade is tapered from the rounded leading edge into the feathered
trailing edge and the profile of the turbine blade has a hydrofoil
shape defined by the empirical data of Table I, such data incorporated
by reference herein.
4. The turbine blades of claim 3 wherein each turbine blade is
made of a ferrous containing material.
5. The turbine blades of claim 3 wherein each turbine blade has
a ferrous slug disposed at the second end thereof.
6. An improved turbine rotatingly supported in a fluid opening
of a meter housing of a flow meter, the flow meter mounted in a
fluid delivery line for dispensing fluids, the turbine comprising:
a turbine rotor; and
a plurality of turbine blades extending from the turbine rotor,
each such turbine blade comprising:
a first end attached to the turbine rotor with the turbine blade
extending outwardly therefrom and a second end;
a ferrous slug supported at the second end of the turbine blade;
a rounded leading edge;
a feathered trailing edge;
a first blade surface concave in shape along the length of the
blade, the concave first blade surface disposed to receive fluid
flow thereagainst to rotate the turbine; and
an opposed convex second blade surface tapered from the rounded
leading edge into the feathered trailing edge so that the turbine
blade has a hydrofoil shape defined by the empirical data of Table
I, such data incorporated by reference herein.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fluid flow measurement,
and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to turbine
blade improvements for a flow meter.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
The size and complexity of fluid flow meters in the past have precluded
the use of a flow meter which is disposed at the point of delivery
where a fluid is dispensed. Further, flow meters with normal turbine
blades used a flat blade profile of machined metal, which is expensive.
Also, the high cost of existing self-contained battery powered equipment
limited this type of equipment for use by an average consumer.
In the past there have been various types of flow meters with different
types of read-out counters and blade designs. These types of flow
meters are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: Quesinberry
U.S. Pat. No. 3329021; Belle U.S. Pat. No. 3370465; Gass et
al U.S. Pat. No. 3774448; Kalotay, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3823310;
Onoda U.S. Pat. No. 4265127; Van Anden U.S. Pat. No. 128338;
Waugh U.S. Pat. No. 3084545; Potter U.S. Pat. No. 3238776; Clinton
U.S. Pat. No. 3757578; Lauter, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3452593; Boyd
U.S. Pat. No. 3534602; Lui et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3945253; and
Ikeda et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4253341.
Boyd U.S. Pat. No. 3623835 teaches a magnetic flow meter which
has a nonmagnetic housing with a passageway in which is positioned
a turbine rotor. The turbine rotor has a pair of oppositely disposed
vanes made of a nonmagnetic metal with magnetic plugs near the vane
tips for inducing a signal in a detection coil.
The vanes of U.S. Pat. No. 3623835 are typically shaped with
little regard to the flow dynamics of the vane profile. Adamtchik,
U.S. Pat. No. 2524870 does teach a curved blade or vane on a
screw wheel or the like. The Adamtchik rotor blade, termed an "aerofoil",
has a profile which increases continuously from hub to tip for the
purpose of reducing stress. And while others have considered flow
efficiency of turbine blades, such as Riollet U.S. Pat. No. 3529631
such thought has largely been for the purpose of drag efficiency
and not to measurement accuracy. Other prior art turbine blade designs
are presented by Back, U.S. Pat. No. 1719415; Bristol et al.,
U.S. Pat. No. 3332500; Sparling, U.S. Pat. No. 2770131; Lahaye,
U.S. Pat. No. 3686948; and Stapler, U.S. Pat. No. 4114440. Even
the marine propeller of Kress, U.S. Pat. No. 4073601 when considered
in the teachings of the other patents mentioned, does not provide
any adequate teaching as to the desired blade profile for a flow
meter which has a high measurement accuracy over a wide range of
fluid flow and viscosity changes.
None of the patents mentioned hereinabove specifically discloses
the unique structure and advantages of the improved turbine blade
of the present invention used in a turbine flow meter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved turbine having turbine
blades mounted on a turbine rotor in spaced relationship to each
other, the turbine rotatingly supported in a fluid opening of a
flow meter housing mounted in a fluid delivery line for dispensing
fluids. Each turbine blade has a flattened end, and in one embodiment,
has an aperture in the flattened end in which is disposed a ferrous
metal slug. Each turbine blade has a rounded leading edge and a
feathered trailing edge with a concave top blade surface for receiving
fluid flow thereagainst to rotate the turbine. The bottom surface
of each turbine blade is convex in shape, and each blade is tapered
from the rounded leading edge into the feathered trailing edge so
as to form a hydrofoil shape.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved turbine
having turbine blades, the profile of each turbine blade insuring
greater fluid measurement accuracy of fluid delivered through a
flow meter, the design of the turbine blades empirically derived
to determine a straight line constant "K" factor, over
a wide range of flow rates.
Another object of the present invention is to eliminate the need
for machining flat profile turbine blades, the turbine blades being
moldable from a plastic material with the flat profile of the blades
modified to provide for the mounting of ferrous metal slugs in the
ends thereof.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention
will become clear from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the drawings
and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flow meter with a turbine and
stationary shaft supports positioned for assembly in the meter.
FIG. 2 illustrates a partially cutaway side view of the turbine
of FIG. 1 mounted on the stationary shaft supports.
FIG. 3 is a front view of the turbine of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a plot of a "K" factor (pulses per unit measure)
and flow rate (i.e. gpm).
FIG. 5 is an enlarged end view of the profile of the turbine blades
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the blade profile of FIG. 5 plotted
on a "X" and "Y" axis using computer aided design
for obtaining an optimum profile for a near constant "K"
factor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a partially assembled flow meter designated by general
reference numeral 10. The flow meter 10 includes a meter housing
12 having a display cavity 14 for receiving a liquid crystal display
16 with a digital counter incorporated therein. The counter is not
shown in the drawing. The cavity 14 is also used for receiving electronic
counter controls therein. The meter housing 12 further includes
a fluid opening 18 therethrough with opposite ends 20 and 22 threaded
for coupling a delivery line. The direction of fluid flow is indicated
by arrows 24.
A turbine 26 is disposed inside the opening 18. The turbine 26
includes a turbine rotor 28 with a plurality of turbine blades 30
equally spaced around the turbine rotor 28 and extending outwardly
therefrom. The turbine 26 is shown with four blades 30 attached
to the rotor 28 at right angles to each other. Mounted in the ends
of the blades 30 are ferrous metal slugs 32. The turbine 26 further
includes a turbine shaft 34 extending therethrough and mounted on
support bearings 36.
The support bearings 36 are received in a pair of support bases
38 which are a part of a pair of shaft supports 40. Each of the
two shaft supports 40 includes a plurality of support arms 42 extending
outwardly from the support base 38 the ends of the support arms
42 secured to the sides of the fluid opening 18 and held therein
by split rings 44 received in opposite ends 20 22 of the opening
18 in the meter housing 12.
In FIG. 2 the turbine 26 and shaft supports 40 are shown in a side
view removed from the meter housing 12. The support bases 38 are
partially cutaway to expose fluid ports 45 therethrough. The fluid
ports 45 receive fluid, flowing in the direction of arrows 24 for
acting as a washing and cooling agent around and beside the turbine
shaft 34 and shaft bearings 36. An end profile of one of the turbine
blades 30 with ferrous metal slug 32 is shown in FIG. 2. The unique
profile features of the turbine blade 30 are discussed hereinbelow
in greater detail.
As the turbine blades 30 of the turbine 26 rotate in the opening
18 the ferrous slugs 32 move adjacent the outer periphery of the
opening 18 and past a pickup coil having a magnet mounted in the
end thereof. The pickup coil and magnet are not shown in the drawings.
The pickup coil converts the magnetic pulses received by the magnet
to a readable electrical count which is sent to a microprocessor.
The microprocessor is part of the liquid crystal display 16. The
above-mentioned electrical controls are powered by batteries (not
shown) disposed in the display cavity 14. The operation of the pickup
coil, magnet and electrical controls of the flow meter 10 are discussed
more fully in U.S. application Ser. No. 826297 by the present inventor.
This structure, while very important, is not part of the invention
described herein.
Referring now to FIG. 3 which is a front view of the turbine 26
with turbine blades 30 and to FIG. 5 which is an enlarged end
view of one of the turbine blades 30 it will be noted that each
turbine blade 30 has a leading edge 46 with a rounded nose 48 tapering
upwardly into a feathered trailing edge 50. Each blade 30 includes
a first end 52 which is secured to the sides of the turbine rotor
26 and equally spaced therearound.
While four turbine blades 30 are shown in FIGS. 1 2 and 3 it
will be appreciated that any number of turbine blades 30 can be
used consistent with the critical demands required in the accurate
measurement of fluid flow through the flow meter 10. A second end
54 of each turbine blade 30 is flattened with an aperture or bore
56 therein for receiving the metal slug 32. The end of the slug
32 is flush with an outer edge or side 58 of the second end 54
and the side 58 is rounded as shown in FIG. 3 to correspond with
the circumference of the fluid opening 18.
A centerline 60 is shown through the center of the fluid opening
18 and through the center of the turbine rotor 28. The centerline
60 is shown as a point in FIG. 3 and as the "X" axis in
FIG. 6. A review of FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 will be reveal that the rounded
nose 48 of the leading edge 46 is below the centerline 60 with the
top of the nose 48 merging into a concave top blade surface 62.
The concave top blade surface 62 flows upwardly into the feathered
trailing edge 50. The bottom of the nose 48 flows slightly downward
and then upwardly into a convex bottom blade surface 64. The concave
top blade surface 62 is disposed above the centerline 60 and receives
the force of fluid flowing in direction 24 to rotate the turbine
26. By positioning the rounded nose 48 below the centerline 60 the
angle of attack of the turbine blade 30 in fluid engagement is improved.
When viewing the turbine blade 30 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 it will be
noted that it has a hydrofoil type shape with the concave top blade
surface 62 and the convex bottom blade surface 64 tapered upwardly
at an angle in the range of 40.degree. a shown.
FIG. 4 illustrates how the unique shape and design of the turbine
blades 30 influence the performance and accuracy of the amount of
fluid delivered by the flow meter 10. It has been found that the
shape of the turbine blades 30 directly influences the "K"
factor (pulses per unit measure) over a certain flow range. The
vertical ordinate in FIG. 4 depicts flow rate from 0 to 40 gallons
per minute. Ideally the "K" factor should be a vertical
line when plotting the "K" factor vs. flow rate. But on
a practical basis, the "K" factor curve shown as line
66 is not a vertical line and has some slope to it; also, at the
low end the line 66 has a "knee" shape.
From FIG. 4 it will be appreciated that once the flow meter 10
has started delivering fluid, and at a volume greater than 2 gallons
per minute, the pulses per unit measured are plus and minus 1.5%
accurate. In this example the pulses number approximately 770 per
unit delivered. The straight line constant of the "K"
factor helps insure accuracy in the amount of fluid delivered to
a storage tank, through a pipeline and similar applications.
To obtain as near as possible a straight line constant for the
"K" factor, the shape of turbine blade 30 was empirically
derived through trial and error. Once bench testing was complete,
computer aided design was used to determine the shape of the turbine
blade 30. The result of such design is reflected in FIG. 6 with
the centerline 60 being the "X" axis and a vertical line
68 being the "Y" axis. The "Y" axis is through
the center of the metal slug 32 and the aperture 56. The intersection
of the lines 60 and 68 act as the X=0 and Y=0 starting point.
The following table provides the profile data as shown in FIG.
6 for plotting the points about the cross-sectional envelope in
the X and Y quadrants of the blade 30.
TABLE I ______________________________________ Point X Y Point
X Y ______________________________________ 1 .0005 .0863 49 .2759
.1192 2 .0114 .0878 50 .2521 .0908 3 .0206 .0893 51 .234 .0717 4
.0276 .0898 52 .2176 .055 5 .0341 .0909 53 .1965 .0329 6 .0418 .0926
54 .1721 .0115 7 .0512 .094 55 .153 -.0031 8 .0667 .0969 56 .136
-.0155 9 .0787 .0994 57 .1227 -.0258 10 .0981 .1051 58 .1052 -.038
11 .1121 .1097 59 .0857 -.0515 12 .1262 .1148 60 .0707 -.0611 13
.1394 .1199 61 .0613 -.0669 14 .1567 .1287 62 .0546 -.0703 15 .1714
.1361 63 .0466 -.074 16 .1885 .146 64 .0419 -.0759 17 .2036 .1549
65 .0359 -.078 18 .2162 .1631 66 .0284 -.0799 19 .2272 .1711 67
.0176 -.0819 20 .2358 .1775 68 .0059 -.0843 21 .2505 .1879 69 -.0074
-.0849 22 .2634 .1992 70 -.0238 -.0846 23 .2776 .2105 71 -.0462
-.0823 24 .2848 .218 72 -.0649 -.0789 25 .2937 .2271 73 -.0795 -.0767
26 .3042 .2378 74 -.0942 -.0738 27 .3116 .2455 75 -.114 -.0702 28
.3193 .254 76 -.131 -.0652 29 .326 .2629 77 -.1457 -.0594 30 .3316
.2708 78 -.1543 -.0535 31 .336 .2774 79 -.1592 -.0469 32 .3392 .2828
80 -.1594 -.039 33 .3443 .2889 81 -.1564 -.0306 34 .3511 .2938 82
-.1462 -.0174 35 .3567 .2958 83 -.1369 -.0054 36 .3609 .2947 84
-.1293 .0038 37 .3636 .2892 85 -.1185 .0152 38 .3647 .2851 86 -.1078
.027 39 .3643 .2762 87 -.0998 .0353 40 .3627 .2665 88 -.0926 .0412
41 .3604 .2596 89 -.086 .0479 42 .3584 .2525 90 -.0747 .0581 43
.3534 .2411 91 -.0624 .0659 44 .3479 .2291 92 -.0525 .0704 45 .3386
.2105 93 -.0418 .0751 46 .3258 .1886 94 -.0328 .0781 47 .3071 .1589
95 -.0214 .0815 48 .2904 .137 96 -.0121 .0839 ______________________________________
In the upper right quadrant of FIG. 6 Points 1 10 20 30 35
38 45 and 50 are designated, respectively, outlining the upper
concave top blade surface 62 and the convex bottom blade surface
64 tapered into the feathered trailing edge 50. The lower right
quadrant designates points 55 and 60 making up a portion of the
convex bottom blade surface 64 below the centerline 60. The lower
left quadrant designates points 69 75 and 79 making up a lower
portion of the convex bottom blade surface 64 and the rounded hose
48 of the leading edge 46. The upper left quadrant designates points
84 90 and 96 which help make up a line which is the round nose
48 merging into the concave top blade surface 62.
The turbine blade design can be described using typical aircraft
wing terminology. The turbine blade 30 when viewed as shown in FIG.
5 is a thick subsonic, highly cambered airfoil with a relatively
small leading edge radius. As mentioned above, the blade angle is
in a range of 40.degree. from the horizontal. The blade or airfoil
also has a trailing edge radius as opposed to a sharp or pointed
trailing edge. The concave top blade surface 62 acts as a positive-pressure
area while the convex bottom blade surface 64 acts as a suction-negative
pressure area. The camber line of the turbine blade 30 is displaced
below the cord line and toward the convex bottom blade surface 64.
When viewing the turbine blades 30 along the axis 60 as shown in
FIG. 3 the blades 30 provide a high solidity ratio which is typical
in the handling of fluids at subsonic speed.
As mentioned above, extensive testing of various blade designs
was conducted with fluids of different viscosities. The unique profile
of the blade 30 provided superior performance for a turbine used
in a flow meter to accurately and consistently deliver and measure
a desired fluid quantity.
The turbine 26 has been described hereinabove as having a plurality
of turbine blades 30 which support ferrous metal slugs 32 disposed
in the outer turbine blade ends. As mentioned, the purpose of the
ferrous metal slugs 30 is to create magnetic pulses in a magnetic
field which are sensed by a pickup coil. With the provision of the
turbine blades 30 it will be appreciated that the turbine 26 including
the turbine blades 30 can be constructed of any desirable material,
such as a polymeric or plastic material that affords ease of molding.
On the other hand, if the turbine 26 is made from a ferrous metal
material, or a ferrous metal impregnated material, having sufficient
magnetic field interaction, the slugs 32 can be omitted.
In most cases it will probably be desirable to use the slugs 32
as the source for field pulsing the magnetic field. The reason for
this is the expense of machining the turbine 26 from an acceptable
metal. Also, many applications requiring noncorrosive service will
decree nonmetallic material selection. It is believed, however,
there will be applications which will best be served by turbines
constructed in whole or in part of a ferrous containing metal such
that the turbine blades 30 will not be required to practice the
present invention.
It is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry
out the objects and to attain the ends and advantages mentioned
herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently
preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for the
purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes may be made which
will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and
which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention disclosed
and as defined in the appended claims. |