Coriolis Flow Meter Blockage Detection via Tube Resonance Asymmetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coriolis flow measuring devices with multiple tubes face challenges in detecting blockages, especially when fluid is flowing, as existing methods rely on resonance frequency shifts which can be influenced by fluid density changes, making it difficult to distinguish blockages from other conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method involving at least two measuring tubes where one is excited to execute mechanical oscillations, and sensors register these oscillations to analyze deviations in resonance frequencies between tubes, indicating blockage through asymmetry in weight distribution and oscillatory behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resonance frequency shift method is used to detect blockage, then blockage detection capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates because fluid density changes can mimic blockage signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the flow into multiple separate measuring tubes (at least two tubes), allowing independent analysis of each tube's oscillation characteristics. This segmentation enables the system to compare resonance frequencies between tubes and identify blockages through asymmetry in the oscillation behavior of individual tubes versus the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits asymmetry in the oscillation characteristics of measuring tubes to detect blockages. When a tube is blocked, its resonance frequency and oscillation amplitude differ from unblocked tubes. The system analyzes these asymmetric deviations from expected symmetric behavior to reliably identify blockages, distinguishing them from uniform fluid density changes that would affect all tubes equally.
2Measurement precision
If multiple measuring tubes are used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases making blockage detection more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the tubes themselves as both the measurement element and the detection element. The oscillation characteristics of the tubes provide direct information about blockages without requiring separate detection sensors or systems. The tubes' own resonance frequency and amplitude variations serve as the detection signal, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining high measurement precision.
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
Enables reliable and early detection of blockages in Coriolis flow measuring devices, even during operation, by identifying distinct resonance frequencies associated with blockages, thus improving operational reliability and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
exciting by at least one exciter the at least two measuring tubes to execute mechanical oscillations
Implementation Method 2
analyzing at least one produced measurement signal for the occurrence of a deviation of a resonance frequency of one measuring tube relative to a resonance frequency of the at least one other measuring tube
Implementation Method 3
when in a system a rotating mass movement and a straight line mass movement extending, at least partially, perpendicularly to the rotational axis, superimpose, there then acts on the moved mass an additional force, which is referred to as the Coriolis force
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting blockage of a measuring tube of a Coriolis flow measuring device, which has at least two measuring tubes. For this, the at least two measuring tubes are excited by at least one exciter to execute mechanical oscillations, mechanical oscillations of the measuring tubes are registered by at least one sensor and at least one measurement signal representing the mechanical oscillations is produced. At least one produced measurement signal is analyzed for the occurrence of a deviation of a resonance frequency of one measuring tube relative to a resonance frequency of the at least one other measuring tube. In case such a deviation occurs, blockage of a measuring tube is established.