Coriolis Flowmeter Maintenance Expert System for Explosion-Proof Data Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance systems for Coriolis flowmeters lack the ability to assist field engineers in diagnosing issues during troubleshooting, leading to non-reproducible and potentially incorrect identification of problems, and pose challenges in maintaining devices in explosive gas environments due to the difficulty in implementing explosion-proof structures with backup batteries.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance expert system that logs operational data and provides assistance to field engineers by recording and analyzing the flowmeter's state, including power abnormalities and internal temperature, using an elapsed-time and real-time timestamp mode, without the need for a backup battery, thus enabling remote monitoring and reducing maintenance time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a backup battery is installed in the flowmeter to maintain operation state information during power failures, then the reliability of data retention is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of implementing explosion-proof structures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the backup battery function from the flowmeter by implementing an external portable terminal device that stores operation state information. The flowmeter transmits data to the external device, eliminating the need for an internal backup battery while maintaining data retention reliability during power failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary portable terminal device that acts as a mediator between the flowmeter and the data storage system. This intermediary handles the backup and retrieval of operation state information, allowing the flowmeter to maintain simplicity and explosion-proof integrity while achieving reliable data retention through external storage.
2Ease of operation
If field engineers perform troubleshooting by checking components one by one based on experience, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the measurement precision and accuracy of problem diagnosis deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by automatically recording operation state information (power abnormalities, internal temperature, elapsed time) before problems occur. This pre-recorded data provides accurate diagnostic information to field engineers, eliminating the need for imprecise experience-based component checking while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by providing recorded operation state information back to field engineers during troubleshooting. This feedback loop delivers objective, measured data about the flowmeter's historical state, enabling precise problem diagnosis without requiring complex troubleshooting procedures or sacrificing operational ease.
3Measurement precision
If the flowmeter records detailed operation state information including power abnormalities and internal temperature, then the measurement precision of maintenance diagnosis is improved, but the loss of time for data collection and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by continuously and automatically recording operation state information (power abnormalities, internal temperature, elapsed time) in real-time during normal operation. This pre-collected data is immediately available when problems occur, providing high-precision diagnostic information without requiring time-consuming data collection during maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flowmeter performs self-service by automatically monitoring and recording its own operation state information without external intervention. This self-collected data eliminates the need for manual data gathering during troubleshooting, providing precise maintenance diagnosis information instantly when field engineers need it.
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 system enhances diagnostic accuracy, reduces maintenance time, and allows for safe operation in explosive environments by eliminating the need for backup batteries, providing a more reliable and efficient maintenance process.
Implementation Method 1
utilizes a fact that a mass flow rate is proportional to a Coriolis force acting on the flow tube
Implementation Method 2
when oscillation is generated in a direction perpendicular to a flow direction of the flow tube
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a measuring instrument for measuring an object to be measured, including: a CPU (9) including a plurality of internal timer counters and having a function of calculating a measured value of the object to be measured based on detection values of various sensors; a power supply circuit (3) for supplying power to the CPU (9) ; a detector (4) for detecting a state of the obj ect to be measured; a display unit (5) for displaying detection input data input from the various sensors and the state of the object to be measured, which is obtained through a calculation; a real-time clock IC (RTC) (11) for measuring an elapsed time; an EEPROM (12) for storing data input to the CPU (9); and an FeRAM (13) for storing input values from the various sensors, and storing a calculation result obtained through a calculation performed by the CPU (9) based on the input values from the various sensors.