NON-CONTACT CONDUCTIVE FLUID FLOW METER

Abstract

A method comprising a conductive fluid flowing through a conduit made of a non-magnetic material, a flow meter located on or near the conduit, and a magnetic field source spaced from the conduit that produces a first magnetic field interacting at least partially with the conductive fluid flowing through the conduit, includes generating sensor data representative of the strength of a second magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the flow meter. The second magnetic field is produced by eddy currents induced in the conductive fluid by the first magnetic field. Based on processing the generated sensor data representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, the method includes determining a flow rate of the conductive fluid through the conduit.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The information provided in this section serves the purpose of presenting the context of the disclosure in general. Works of the inventors mentioned herein, insofar as they are described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise be considered prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor implicitly admitted as prior art in relation to this disclosure.

[0002] The present disclosure relates in general to systems and methods for measuring the flow rate of a conductive fluid through a pipe using a non-contact flow meter.

[0003] Many systems that carry conductive fluids, such as molten aluminum or alkali metals, through a conduit require accurate flow rate measurements of the conductive fluid. For example, a pouring trough system that delivers molten metal into a mold can use flow rate measurement to control the flow of molten metal to the mold. Some common flow meters for measuring the flow rate of a conductive fluid use a probe that extends at least partially into the conduit carrying the conductive fluid. Other typical examples include a channel connected inline to the conduit, in which electromagnetic coils create a magnetic field on the conduit, and electrodes in contact with the channel measure the voltage induced in the conductive fluid between the electrodes.In these examples, there is direct contact between the flow meter and the conductive fluid and / or the pipe carrying the conductive fluid. Therefore, the flow meter must be able to withstand the high temperatures of the conductive fluid. Furthermore, these examples involve a break in the pipe and / or disrupt the flow of the conductive fluid through the pipe. This can lead to leaks and other deficiencies in the system that carries the conductive fluid from the pipe and / or receives it. SUMMARY

[0004] One aspect of the disclosure provides a computer-implemented method that, when executed on data processing hardware, causes the data processing hardware to perform operations. With a conductive fluid flowing through a conduit formed from a non-magnetic material, and with a flow meter located on or near the conduit, and comprising a magnetic field source spaced from the conduit and generating a first magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the conductive fluid flowing through the conduit, the operations include generating sensor data representative of the strength of a second magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the flow meter. The second magnetic field is produced by eddy currents induced in the conductive fluid by the first magnetic field.Based on processing the generated sensor data, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, the processes include determining a flow rate of the conductive fluid through the pipe.

[0005] Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some embodiments, the magnetic field source further comprises a housing and a biasing element between the magnetic field source and the housing. The second magnetic field causes the magnetic field source to move in the direction of the biasing element and the housing. A linear displacement sensor generates the sensor data that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field based on the movement of the magnetic field source relative to the biasing element and the housing.

[0006] In some examples, an array of load sensors interacting with the magnetic field source generates sensor data representative of the strength of the second magnetic field. In some aspects, the magnetic field source includes a permanent magnet.

[0007] In some implementations, the magnetic field source comprises an electromagnet. In other implementations, the electromagnet comprises a first wire coil and a second wire coil. The first wire coil is electrically charged to produce the first magnetic field. The second magnetic field induces a current in the second wire coil. The sensor data are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, which is generated based on the current induced in the second wire coil. In some further implementations, the processes also include electrically charging the electromagnet to produce the first magnetic field. Electrically charging the electromagnet may involve using direct current (DC) and / or alternating current (AC).

[0008] In some examples, the processes further include determining a calibration profile based on processing the generated sensor data, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field and known flow rates of the conductive fluid through the conduit. In some aspects, the conductive fluid comprises molten aluminum. The conduit carries the conductive fluid to a mold for a vehicle component.

[0009] Another aspect of the disclosure provides a system. The system includes a flow meter positioned on or near a conduit made of a non-magnetic material. The flow meter includes a magnetic field source. The system includes data processing hardware and storage hardware communicating with the data processing hardware. The storage hardware stores instructions which, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations.With a conductive fluid flowing through a conduit, a flow meter located on or near the conduit, and a magnetic field source spaced from the conduit that produces a first magnetic field interacting at least partially with the conductive fluid flowing through the conduit, the operations include generating sensor data representative of the strength of a second magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the flow meter. The second magnetic field is produced by eddy currents induced in the conductive fluid by the first magnetic field. Based on processing the generated sensor data representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, the operations include determining a flow rate of the conductive fluid through the conduit. This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.

[0010] In some embodiments, the magnetic field source further comprises a housing and a biasing element between the magnetic field source and the housing. The second magnetic field causes the magnetic field source to move in the direction of the biasing element and the housing. A linear displacement sensor generates the sensor data that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field based on the movement of the magnetic field source relative to the biasing element and the housing.

[0011] In some examples, an array of load sensors interacting with the magnetic field source generates sensor data representative of the strength of the second magnetic field. In some aspects, the magnetic field source includes a permanent magnet.

[0012] In some implementations, the magnetic field source comprises an electromagnet. In other implementations, the electromagnet comprises a first wire coil and a second wire coil. The first wire coil is electrically charged to produce the first magnetic field. The second magnetic field induces a current in the second wire coil. The sensor data are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, which is generated based on the current induced in the second wire coil. In some further implementations, the processes also include electrically charging the electromagnet to produce the first magnetic field. Electrically charging the electromagnet may involve using direct current (DC) and / or alternating current (AC).

[0013] In some examples, the processes further include determining a calibration profile based on processing the generated sensor data, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field and known flow rates of the conductive fluid through the conduit. In some aspects, the conductive fluid comprises molten aluminum. The conduit carries the conductive fluid to a mold for a vehicle component.

[0014] The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in the description below. Further aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The drawings described herein serve only to illustrate selected configurations and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle that has a component formed by a casting process. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a non-contact flow meter arranged on a line of a foundry system to determine a flow rate of a conductive fluid through the line. Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a sensor of the flow meter configured to detect the linear displacement of a magnetic field source of the flow meter. Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the horseshoe-shaped magnetic field source of the flow meter. Fig. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an electromagnet of the flow meter that circumscribes the pipe. Fig. Figure 6 is a flowchart of an exemplary procedure for determining the flow rate of the conductive fluid through the pipe based on sensor data acquired by the non-contact flow meter.

[0016] The corresponding reference symbols indicate the corresponding parts in all drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Exemplary configurations are now described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary configurations are provided to ensure that this disclosure is thorough and fully conveys its scope to those skilled in the art. Specific details, such as examples of particular components, devices, and processes, are presented to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the configurations of this disclosure. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be used, that exemplary configurations can be implemented in many different forms, and that the specific details and exemplary configurations should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0018] The terminology used herein serves only to describe certain exemplary configurations and is not to be understood as restrictive. The singular articles "a" and "the" used herein also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprehensive," "including / include," and "exhibits / exhibit" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, processes, numbers, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, processes, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.The procedures, processes, and processes described herein are not to be interpreted as necessarily requiring them to be carried out in the specific order explained or illustrated, unless they are expressly designated as the order of execution. Additional or alternative steps may be used.

[0019] When an element or layer is described as being "on" or "interacting with" another element or layer, or as being "connected" or "coupled" or "attached" to the same, it may be directly on or interacting with, connected with, coupled to, or attached to the other element or layer, or there may be intervening elements or layers. However, when an element is described as being "directly on" or "directly interacting with" another element or layer, or as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" or "attached" to the same, there must be no intervening elements or layers. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted similarly (e.g.,“Between” as opposed to “directly between”, “neighboring” or “adjacent” as opposed to “directly adjacent” or “directly bordering”, etc.). As used herein, the term “and / or” includes all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0020] The terms first, second, third, etc., may be used here to describe different elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers, and / or sections should not be restricted by these terms. These terms may only be used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms do not imply any sequence or order unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.Thus, a first element, a first component, a first area, a first layer or a first section discussed below could be referred to as a second element, second component, second area, second layer or second section, without deviating from the lessons of the exemplary configurations.

[0021] In this application, which includes the following definitions, the term "module" may be replaced by the term "circuit". The term "module" may refer to being part of, or comprising, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit, a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit, a combinational logic circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code, a memory (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by a processor, other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality, or a combination of some or all of the above components, such as in a system-on-a-chip.

[0022] The term "code," as used above, may include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, and / or objects. The term "shared processor" includes a single processor that executes code from multiple modules, either sectionally or as a whole. The term "group processor" includes a processor that, in combination with additional processors, executes code from one or more modules, either sectionally or as a whole. The term "shared memory" includes a single memory that stores code from multiple modules, either sectionally or as a whole. The term "group memory" includes memory that, in combination with additional memory, stores code from one or more modules, either sectionally or as a whole. The term "memory" may be a subset of the term "computer-readable medium."The term "computer-readable medium" excludes transitory electrical and electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium and can therefore be considered tangible, non-transient storage. Non-restrictive examples of non-transient storage include tangible, computer-readable media, including non-volatile memory, magnetic storage, and optical storage.

[0023] The devices and methods described in this application can be implemented in part or in their entirety by one or more computer programs executed by one or more processors. The computer programs comprise processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transient, concrete, computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or be based on stored data.

[0024] A software application (i.e., a software resource) can refer to computer software that causes a computer device to perform a task. In some examples, a software application may be called an "application," "app," or "program." Examples of applications include, but are not limited to, system diagnostic applications, system administration applications, system maintenance applications, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, messaging applications, media streaming applications, social networking applications, and gaming applications.

[0025] Non-transient memory can be physical devices used for the temporary or permanent storage of programs (e.g., sequences of instructions) or data (e.g., program status information) for use by a computer device. Non-transient memory can be volatile and / or non-volatile addressable semiconductor memory. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, flash memory and read-only memory (ROM) / programmable read-only memory (PROM) / erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) / electronically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) (e.g., typically used for firmware, such as boot programs).Examples of volatile storage include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), phase change memory (PCM), and floppy disks or tapes.

[0026] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications, or code) comprise machine instructions for a programmable processor and may be implemented in a procedural and / or object-oriented high-level language and / or in assembly / machine language. The terms "machine-readable medium" and "computer-readable medium" as used herein refer to any computer program product, non-transient computer-readable medium, device, and / or apparatus (e.g., magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, programmable logic devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and / or data to a programmable processor.

[0027] Various implementations of the systems and techniques described herein may be realized in digital electronic and / or optical circuits, integrated circuits, specially designed ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware, software, and / or combinations thereof. These various implementations may include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and / or interpretable on a programmable system comprising at least one programmable processor, which can be used for special or general purposes and is coupled such that it receives data and instructions from and transmits data and instructions to a storage system, and at least one input device and at least one output device.

[0028] The processes and logic flows described in this specification can be executed by one or more programmable processors, also known as data processing hardware, which run one or more computer programs to perform functions by responding to input data and producing outputs. The processes and logic flows can also be executed by specialized logic circuits, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Processors suitable for executing a computer program include, for example, both general-purpose and specialized microprocessors, as well as one or more processors of any type of digital computer. Generally, a processor receives instructions and data from read-only memory, random-access memory, or both.The essential elements of a computer are a processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Generally, a computer also includes one or more mass storage devices for storing data, such as magnetic, magneto-optical, or optical disks, or is operationally coupled to them to receive data from or transmit data to them, or both. However, a computer does not necessarily have to have such devices. Computer-readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media, and storage devices, such as semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices), magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks), magneto-optical disks, and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.The processor and memory can be supplemented by special logic circuits or integrated into them.

[0029] To enable interaction with a user, one or more aspects of the revelation can be implemented on a computer that has a display device, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube), LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, or touchscreen, for showing information to the user, and optionally a keyboard and pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball, with which the user can input information into the computer. Other types of devices can also be used to enable interaction with the user; for example, the user can receive any form of sensory feedback, such as visual, auditory, or tactile feedback, and user input can be received in any form, including acoustic, verbal, or tactile input.Additionally, a computer can interact with a user by sending and receiving documents to and from a device used by the user, for example, by sending web pages to a web browser on a user's client device in response to requests received from the web browser.

[0030] With reference to the figures and the illustrated configurations shown therein, a vehicle 10 comprises one or more components that are manufactured by a metallic casting process ( Fig. 1) The vehicle 10, for example, includes an engine block 12 formed from cast aluminum. That is, the engine block 12 (or one or more other components of the vehicle 10) is formed by dispensing molten aluminum 4 into a mold using conventional casting techniques. Aspects of the casting process can be based on real-time flow measurements of the molten aluminum 14 through one or more lines 102, such as when the molten aluminum is drawn from a reservoir 104 and directed through the lines 102 of a foundry system 100 into the mold 106 ( Fig. 2) As described below, a non-contact or contactless flow meter 200 is configured to reliably determine the flow rate of the molten aluminum 14 through the line 102 without coming into direct contact with the molten aluminum 14 and / or the line 102 and without interrupting or dividing the line 102 between the reservoir 104 and the mold 106. Although described herein as determining the flow rate of molten aluminum 14 through the line 102 of the foundry system 100, it should be understood that the flow meter 200 can be configured to determine the flow rates of any suitable conductive fluid, such as alkali metals or charged chemical solutions, through lines of different systems.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the flow meter 200 comprises a housing 202 that accommodates a magnetic field source 204 and one or more sensors 206. The illustrated example represents an array of sensors 206 arranged within the housing 202. The housing 202 includes an opening, channel, or passage through the flow meter 200, and the conduit 102 passes through the opening. Likewise, the magnetic field source 204 generally conforms to the shape of the housing 202 and extends within the housing 202 to enclose or substantially circumscribe the conduit 102. Although the housing 202 and the magnetic field source 204 are shown as a continuous ring or disk surrounding the conduit 102, they may comprise two or more separate or separable sections or sides that work together to enclose the conduit 102.Optionally, a heat shield 208, comprising a layer of heat-insulating material, can be arranged between the line 102 and the housing 202 and / or the magnetic field source 204 of the flow meter 200 to reduce or prevent heat transfer between the line 102 and the flow meter 200.

[0032] The conduit 102 is made of a non-magnetic material, such as a non-ferrous material, a magnetically impermeable metal like tungsten or tungsten-coated stainless steel (e.g., SAE 304 or SAE 306), or a non-metallic ceramic material. Thus, when the molten aluminum 14 flows through the conduit 102 and the flow meter 200 is positioned on or near the conduit 102, a first magnetic field 210 generated by the magnetic field source 204 can penetrate at least partially through the conduit 102 to interact with the flowing molten aluminum 14.

[0033] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, magnetic flux lines representing the magnetic field 210 cross the inner channel of the conduit 102, such that the magnetic field 210 at least partially crosses and interacts with the molten aluminum 14. In some examples, the magnetic field 210 can be oriented essentially perpendicular to a flow direction of the molten aluminum 14 through the conduit 102 (e.g., parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conduit 102). Fig. 2) Optionally, the magnetic field 210 can be aligned essentially parallel to the flow direction of the molten aluminum 14 through the conduit 102 ( Fig. 5) When the molten aluminum 14 passes through the magnetic field 210, the magnetic field 210 induces eddy currents in the conductive molten aluminum 14. These eddy currents produce a reaction force via a second magnetic field 212, which is opposite to the first magnetic field 210 ( Fig. 3) As explained below, the flow meter generates 200 sensor data 222 that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212 when the second magnetic field 212 interacts with the magnetic field source 204, and a flow rate F 14 The amount of molten aluminum 14 passing through the line 102 can be determined based on the detected strength of the second magnetic field 212.

[0034] The flow meter 200 can include or communicate with a control module 216, which includes data processing hardware 218 and storage hardware 220 in communication with the data processing hardware 218. The storage hardware 220 stores commands which, when executed on the data processing hardware 218, cause the data processing hardware 218 to perform operations. For example, the control module 216 stores instructions for operating the flow meter 200 to measure the flow rate F. 14of the molten aluminium 14 based on the strength of the second magnetic field 212, as for example according to method 600 of Fig. 6, which is explained further below.

[0035] In the illustrated example of Fig. 2. The magnetic field source 204 comprises a permanent magnet, more precisely a ring-shaped or annular magnet 204, 204a, which circumscribes the conduit 102. To produce the magnetic field 210 generally perpendicular to the flow direction of the molten aluminum 14 through the conduit 102, the poles of the annular magnet 204a can be radially oriented. That is, one pole of the magnet 204a can be arranged radially inside the other pole of the magnet 204a to produce the magnetic field 210, which extends through the conduit 102 and interacts at least partially with the molten aluminum 14 in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the flow of the molten aluminum 14. To produce the magnetic field 210 generally parallel to the flow direction of the molten aluminum 14 through the conduit 102, the poles of the annular magnet 204a can be axially oriented.This means that one pole of the magnet 204a can be arranged adjacent to the other pole of the magnet 204a in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the conductor 102 in order to produce the magnetic field 210, which extends through the conductor 102 and interacts at least partially with the molten aluminum 14 in a direction that is generally parallel to the flow of the molten aluminum 14. This induces eddy currents in the molten aluminum 14, which produce the second magnetic field 212.

[0036] Through the interaction between the second magnetic field 212 and the magnetic field source 204, the reaction force is applied to the magnetic field source 204, which is then detected by the arrangement of sensors 206, which are arranged between the magnetic field source 204 and the housing 202. Fig. 2. The sensors 206 comprise an array of load sensors 206, 206a configured to detect the force applied to the magnetic field source 204. The array of load sensors 206a can uniformly transmit the force acting on the magnetic field source 204 to the housing 202. In response to the detection of the force at the sensors 206, the sensor data 222 acquired by the sensors 206, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212, are transmitted to the control module 216 for processing. As explained below, the control module 216 can be calibrated to control the flow rate F. 14 to determine the molten aluminium 14 based on the measured force of the acquired sensor data 222.

[0037] With reference to Fig. 3 is a preload element 224, such as a helical or wave spring, arranged between the magnetic field source 204 and the housing 202, and the sensors 206 comprise one or more linear displacement sensors 206, 206b or electronic precision displacement measuring devices or linear variable differential transformers (LVDTs) configured to detect the movement of the magnetic field source 204 relative to the housing 202. In other words, when the second magnetic field 212 interacts with the magnetic field source 204, the magnetic field source 204 can move against the preload force of the preload element 224 toward the inner surface of the housing 202, and the linear displacement sensors 206b generate sensor data 222 that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212 based on the magnitude of the linear movement of the magnetic field source 204. The control module 216 can be calibrated to adjust the flow rate F14 to determine the molten aluminium 14 based on the measured linear displacement of the acquired sensor data 222.

[0038] Thus, the flow meter 200 is configured to measure the flow rate F 14 of the molten aluminum 14 is determined based on the strength of the reaction magnetic field 212, which is produced by eddy currents induced in the molten aluminum 14 by the primary magnetic field 210 produced by the magnetic field source 204. Fig. 2, the magnetic field source 204 comprises a ring-shaped permanent magnet 204a. Other suitable permanent magnets can be used to produce the magnetic field 210, which interacts at least partially with the molten aluminum 14. For example, Fig. Figure 4 represents a horseshoe- or U-shaped magnet 204, 204b, the poles of which are arranged along one side of the tube 102 and axially spaced apart. The sensor 206 thus acquires sensor data 222 that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212 (e.g., based on the force experienced at the magnetic field source 204 or based on the displacement of the magnetic field source 204), and the sensor data 222 are processed to determine the flow rate F 14 to determine.

[0039] In some examples and with reference to Fig. 5. The magnetic field source 204 can comprise an electromagnet 204, 204c with one or more wire coils that circumscribe (and are optionally spaced apart from) the line 102. In the illustrated example, the electromagnet 204c comprises a first wire coil 226, which has a plurality of turns circumscribing the line 102 and is electrically connected to a power source 228. A second wire coil 230, which has a plurality of turns circumscribing the line 102, can be electrically connected to the control module 216.

[0040] When the electromagnet 204c is operated to measure the flow of molten aluminum 14 through the line 102, the power source 228 electrically charges the first wire coil 226 to produce the magnetic field 210. As shown, the magnetic field 210 can generally run parallel to the flow direction of the molten aluminum 14. The eddy currents induced in the molten aluminum 14 generate the second magnetic field 212, and the second magnetic field 212 induces current in the second wire coil 230. The voltage measured at the control module 216 across the second wire coil 230 can be an indicator of the flow rate F. 14 of the molten aluminum 14. In other words, the generated sensor data 222 can be representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212 and be based on the voltage at the second wire coil 230.

[0041] The power source 228 can charge the first wire coil 226 with DC direct current to mimic a permanent magnet. That is, the DC-powered electromagnet 204c can produce a uniform or substantially constant magnetic field 210. Optionally, the power source 228 can charge the first wire coil 226 with AC alternating current to increase the penetration depth of the eddy currents into the molten aluminum 14. That is, the first wire coil 226 can be operated with AC alternating current at a sufficiently low frequency so that the eddy currents penetrate deep enough into the flow of the molten aluminum 14. The turns ratio between the first and second coils can be used to amplify the induced voltage.

[0042] The control module 216 can be calibrated to adjust the flow rate F 14to determine the flow rate of the molten aluminum 14 based on sensor data 222 acquired during a calibration session. For example, the control module 216 can be calibrated based on a known temperature of the molten aluminum 14, the diameter of the conduit 102, an expected flow rate of the molten aluminum 14 from the reservoir 104, a current applied to the electromagnet 204c, and the like. Optionally, the flow meter 200 can include multiple magnetic field sources with different sensitivity levels to detect a range of flow rates.

[0043] Fig. Figure 6 presents a flowchart of an exemplary sequence of processes for a procedure 600 for determining the flow rate F. 14The conductive fluid 14 flows through line 102 using the non-contact flow meter 200. The procedure 600 can be executed by the control module 216, such as in the data processing hardware 218, based on operations stored in the memory hardware 220. In operation 602, the procedure 600 includes operating the magnetic field source 204 of the flow meter 200 to produce a first magnetic field 210 that interacts at least partially with the conductive fluid 14 flowing through line 102. The first magnetic field 210 induces eddy currents in the conductive fluid 14, resulting in a second magnetic field 212 at the magnetic field source 204.For example, the magnetic field source 204 can comprise a permanent magnet that is linearly displaced by the second magnetic field 212, or the magnetic field source 204 can comprise an electromagnet in which a current is induced in a winding of the electromagnet in response to the second magnetic field 212. In process 604, method 600 comprises generating sensor data 222 that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field 212. In process 606, method 600 comprises determining the flow rate F. 14 of the conductive fluid 14 based on the processing of the acquired sensor data 222. Optionally, the method 600 includes the calibration of the flow meter 200 based on physical properties and / or operating parameters of the line 102 and the foundry system 100.

[0044] Several implementations have been described. It is understood, however, that various modifications can be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments also fall within the scope of the following claims.

[0045] The foregoing description is provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes only. It makes no claim to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not restricted to that particular configuration but are optionally interchangeable and may be used in a selected configuration even if not specifically shown or described. They may also be modified in many ways. Such modifications are not to be considered a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] System, encompassing: a flow meter positioned on or near a conduit made of a non-magnetic material, wherein the flow meter has a magnetic field source; Data processing hardware; and Storage hardware communicating with data processing hardware, wherein the storage hardware stores instructions which, when executed on the data processing hardware, cause the data processing hardware to perform operations, comprising: with a conductive fluid flowing through the conduit and with the magnetic field source spaced apart from the conduit, and produces a first magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the conductive fluid flowing through the conduit, generating sensor data representative of the strength of a second magnetic field that interacts at least partially with the flow meter, wherein the second magnetic field is produced by eddy currents induced in the conductive fluid by the first magnetic field; and Based on processing the generated sensor data, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field, a flow rate of the conductive fluid through the pipe is determined. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source further comprises a housing and a biasing element between the magnetic field source and the housing, the second magnetic field causes a movement of the magnetic field source in the direction of the biasing element and the housing, and a linear displacement sensor generates the sensor data that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field based on the movement of the magnetic field source relative to the biasing element and the housing. [3] System according to claim 1, wherein an array of load sensors engaging the magnetic field source generates sensor data that are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field. [4] System according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source comprises a permanent magnet. [5] System according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field source comprises an electromagnet. [6] System according to claim 5, wherein the electromagnet comprises a first wire coil and a second wire coil, the first wire coil being electrically charged to produce the first magnetic field, and the second magnetic field inducing a current in the second wire coil, the sensor data being representative of the strength of the second magnetic field being generated based on the current induced in the second wire coil. [7] System according to claim 5, wherein the processes further include the electrical charging of the electromagnet to produce the first magnetic field. [8] System according to claim 7, wherein the electrical charging of the electromagnet comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: (i) Use of DC direct current and (ii) use of AC alternating current. [9] System according to claim 1, wherein the processes further include determining a calibration profile based on processing the generated sensor data, which are representative of the strength of the second magnetic field and known flow rates of the conductive fluid through the conduit. [10] System according to claim 1, wherein the conductive fluid comprises molten aluminium and the conduit carries the conductive fluid to a mold for a vehicle component.

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