Coriolis Flow Meter Modular Oscillator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Coriolis flow meters face limitations in material choice and manufacturing processes due to the integration of fluid flow and mechanical oscillator systems, which can lead to contamination issues in bioprocessing environments and restrict the measurement accuracy for fluid properties like mass flow rate and density.
Innovation Solution
A Coriolis flow meter design where the fluid flow sub-system is functionally separate from the mechanical oscillator sub-system, allowing for distinct optimization of materials and configurations, with the mechanical oscillator inducing and detecting oscillations in the fluid flow sub-system, and electronics circuitry processing the Coriolis response to generate accurate measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the fluid flow sub-system and mechanical oscillator sub-system are integrated in traditional Coriolis flow meters, then the device structure is simpler, but the measurement precision and material selection are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the Coriolis flow meter into two functionally separate sub-systems: a fluid flow sub-system that provides the flow path and a mechanical oscillator sub-system that induces and detects oscillations. This segmentation allows each sub-system to be independently optimized for its specific function, improving measurement precision while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical oscillator sub-system is extracted from the fluid flow sub-system, allowing the oscillator to be disposed in proximity to the flow path without being part of the fluid-containing structure. This extraction enables the use of materials optimized for oscillation detection without compromising fluid compatibility, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
2Reliability
If metal materials are used for the flow tube in traditional Coriolis flow meters, then the structural strength is sufficient, but contamination risks increase in bioprocessing environments
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical oscillator sub-system is extracted from the fluid flow path, allowing the flow tube to be constructed from non-metallic, contamination-resistant materials such as plastic or polymer while the oscillator components can use metal materials for structural strength. This separation enables the flow-contacting surfaces to be biocompatible without compromising the overall structural integrity of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs different materials for different sub-systems: non-metallic composite or polymer materials for the fluid flow sub-system to ensure contamination resistance, and metal materials for the mechanical oscillator sub-system where structural strength is critical. This material differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliability and strength.
3Measurement precision
If the flow tube design is optimized for specific fluid properties, then the measurement accuracy improves, but the adaptability to different fluids decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical oscillator sub-system serves as a universal component that can detect oscillations in various fluid types through the flow path. The oscillator's design allows it to function across different fluid properties (viscosity, density, temperature) without requiring reconfiguration, providing multi-functionality that enhances adaptability while maintaining measurement precision through its sensitive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows the measurement system to adapt to different fluids by detecting changes in oscillation parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) caused by different fluid properties. The electronics circuitry processes these parameter variations to accurately measure mass flow rate, density, and other properties across diverse fluid types, maintaining precision while enhancing versatility.
4Reliability
If the mechanical oscillator is directly integrated with the flow tube, then the device complexity is reduced, but contamination risks and measurement accuracy are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical oscillator sub-system is extracted from direct contact with the fluid flow path and disposed in proximity to it. This extraction eliminates contamination risks associated with metal oscillators contacting bioprocess fluids while maintaining the ability to detect Coriolis forces through the flow tube wall or coupling mechanism, thus improving reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow tube acts as an intermediary structure that transmits mechanical oscillations from the mechanical oscillator sub-system to the fluid and back. This intermediary arrangement allows the oscillator to remain separate from the fluid path while still enabling accurate measurement of fluid properties through the transmitted Coriolis response, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
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
This separation enhances measurement accuracy, reduces contamination risks, and allows for better material selection, enabling precise monitoring of fluid properties such as mass flow rate, density, and temperature, particularly in bioprocessing systems.
Implementation Method 1
As the material begins to flow, Coriolis accelerations cause each point along the flow tube to have a different phase with respect to other points along the flow tube
Implementation Method 2
Each material filled flow tube is driven to oscillate at resonance in one of these natural vibration modes
Data Source
AI summary
A Coriolis flow meter for measuring one or more properties of a fluid is described herein which involves a modular configuration, and includes a fluid flow sub-system and a mechanical oscillator sub-system, both functionally separate, and are coupled in a closed loop arrangement, such that the flow conduit is not directly vibrated, and instead receives induced oscillations from the mechanical oscillator sub-system. The Coriolis flow meter is useful for high purity applications, as well as for the bioprocessing applications. Bioprocessing systems incorporating the Coriolis flow meter are also described herein. Method for measuring one or more properties of a fluid using the disclosed Coriolis flow meter are also described herein.