Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Flow controlling apparatus with two diaphragms used to control hydrostatic bearing film thickness
Categories for this Invention
Technology: Flow controlling apparatus
Industry & Applications: Oil & Gas Industries, Chemical Industries, Gas & liquid transmission;
Market: The global fluid control market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.7%Â during the forecast period (2024-2030)
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Problem Statement
- The conventional restrictor is not active compensation mechanism that resulted in very less stiffness and low precision.
- The variable flow controlling apparatuses are active compensation meant to be higher bearing stiffness, but flow controller membrane required of highly sensitive to the slight change in load.
- This will be achieved by using complex size capillary or orifice to create fixed resistance and mechanism to pre bending of membrane.
- This is causing fatigue load on membrane to distort.
- Hence, the present subject matter addresses above issues in efficient manner.
Technology
- Present invention describes a flow controlling apparatus for a hydrostatic bearing system.
- Said flow controlling apparatus comprises:
- The fixed resistance part is provided by the capillary. The 2nd diaphragm is arranged parallel to the 1st diaphragm. The 2nd variable resistance part is connected in series with the 1st variable resistance part.
- The capillary builds pressure on a top portion of 1st diaphragm & a top portion of the 2nd diaphragm to form a bending gap in the annular land clearance part for controlling a fluid flow rate in the flow controlling apparatus.
Key Features / Value Proposition
Technical Perspective:
Important Features:
- The flow controlling apparatus is designed such that a minimum diameter of the capillary avoids a clogging issues in flow controlling apparatus and further enhances sensitivity of 1st diaphragm, a 2nd diaphragm to control a flow rate changed upon recess pressure in an effective manner.
- The hydrostatic bearing system includes a hydraulic power pack, the flow controlling apparatus, & a bearing pocket.(Refer Fig.2)
- The flow controlling apparatus is detachably connected between the hydraulic power pack & the bearing pocket.
- Provides a plug-play flow controlling device & is externally attachable with the hydrostatic bearing system.
- The configuration is helped in increasing stiffness & minimizing the dynamics error of linear & rotary bearing.
- The fixed resistance is designed in such a way that creating 1st variable resistance part & the 2nd variable resistance part in causes the desired flow rate to be sent to the bearing pocket.
 Improved Performance:
- Facilitates effective flow control & determines the overall flow rate to maintain same film thickness.
Industrial Perspective:
- Universally applicable in the oil & gas industries.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. RAMESH BABU N
Prof. SATHYAN SUBBIAH
Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Intellectual Property
IITM IDF Ref. 2047
IN Patent No. 521780 (Granted)
Technology Readiness Level
TRL-3/4
Proof of Concept ready, tested & validated in Laboratory