Balanced Reference Member Vibrating Flow Meter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single conduit vibrating flow meters face challenges in maintaining balance and preventing undesirable vibrations, leading to inaccurate measurements due to changes in fluid density and external vibrations, as existing balancing methods are inadequate over a wide fluid density range.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter design that includes a conduit, a driver, and a reference member with a balancing element sized and located to provide momentum substantially opposite and equal to the active portion of the reference member, minimizing vibrations and maintaining balance across varying fluid densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single conduit system is used to avoid pressure drops and clogging, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to undesirable vibrations affecting the pick-off signals
Solution Approach 1:
A balancing element is coupled to the reference member to provide a counterbalancing force that opposes the undesirable vibrations of the single conduit. This counterweight mechanism cancels out the vibration-induced motion of the reference member, thereby maintaining measurement precision while allowing the use of a single conduit system for ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the reference member is designed to vibrate in opposition to the flow conduit to balance the system, then stability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when fluid density changes because the reference member cannot effectively counter the vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing element is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to changing fluid densities. By coupling the balancing element to the reference member, the system can dynamically adjust the counterbalancing force to match the varying vibration characteristics of the conduit under different operating conditions, thereby maintaining both stability and measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If dummy tube mounting structure with brace bars is used to balance the system, then measurement precision is improved in certain situations, but adaptability deteriorates because it is difficult to balance the system over a wide fluid density range
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing element coupled to the reference member provides a universal balancing mechanism that functions effectively across a wide range of fluid densities. This design replaces the application-specific dummy tube mounting structure with a more versatile system that can adapt to various operating conditions and fluid types, thereby improving both measurement precision and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces undesirable vibrations and maintains measurement accuracy across a wide fluid density range by counteracting the momentum of the reference member with a balancing element, enhancing the stability and precision of single conduit flow meters.
Implementation Method 1
The balancing element is sized and located such that a momentum of the balancing element is substantially opposite and equal to or greater than a momentum of the active portion of the reference member about bending axis (W-W)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vibrating flow meter (210) and a method of providing a vibrating flow meter (210). The vibrating flow meter (210) includes a conduit (103A) and a driver (104) configured to vibrate the conduit (103A). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a first pick-off (105). The first pick-off (105) includes a first pick-off component (105a) and a second pick-off component (105b). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a reference member (150). The first pick-off component (105a) is coupled to the reference member (150) while the second pick-off component (105b) is coupled to the conduit (103A) proximate the first pick-off component (105a). The vibrating flow meter (210) also includes a balancing element (253) coupled to the reference member (150).