Variable-Stiffness Coriolis Flow Tube for Higher Signal Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Coriolis flow sensors face challenges in achieving high signal-to-noise ratios and are susceptible to environmental disturbances, leading to inaccurate measurements, particularly when fluid density varies with temperature, pressure, or composition, and their design often requires additional space and modifies the fluid flow path.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a Coriolis flow sensor assembly with a flow tube featuring variable stiffness along its length, achieved through modifications such as varying wall thickness or material composition, and coupled with structural support components to enhance sensitivity and reduce noise contributions, allowing for straight or unlooped configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional separate mounting of flow sensor and mixer is used, then installation flexibility is maintained, but bacterial contamination risk increases and cleaning accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor assembly integrates the flow sensor, mixer, and cleaning port into a single unified structure. The mixer is positioned within the flow sensor housing, and the cleaning port provides direct access to the mixer area, eliminating the need for separate mounting of these components while maintaining contaminant-free operation through integrated design.
2Volume of moving object
If flow sensor housing is made compact, then device footprint is reduced, but mixer access for cleaning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mixer is nested within the flow sensor housing, with the cleaning port providing access through the housing wall directly to the mixer location. This nested arrangement allows the mixer to be positioned inside the compact housing while the cleaning port enables easy access for maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire sensor assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If separate mounting of flow sensor and mixer is used, then individual component replacement is easier, but contaminant introduction risk increases during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor and mixer are integrated into a single assembly that can be manufactured and sterilized as one unit, eliminating the risk of contaminant introduction during separate assembly operations. The integrated design maintains ease of manufacture through modular construction where the entire assembly can be replaced as a single unit if needed.
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 variable stiffness design increases the Coriolis phase shift, resulting in improved measurement sensitivity and robustness against environmental disturbances, while reducing space requirements and maintaining accurate fluid flow measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Coriolis flow sensor assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a Coriolis flow sensor assembly that includes a fluid flow assembly, including a flow tube, wherein the fluid flow assembly is configured to provide a flow path through the flow tube. The flow tube has at least one region of increased stiffness, which may be a result of a structural support component coupled to the flow tube. In another embodiment, the increased stiffness is caused by integral properties of the flow tube.