Coriolis Flowmeter Driver Fixing Device with Axisymmetric Arcs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sheet metal manufactured supports for Coriolis mass flowmeters are weak in strength and stiffness, leading to deformation and adverse impacts on zero-point stability due to vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with two axisymmetric connecting arcs on each fixing support, made of a rectangular tube, which ensures symmetrical connection stiffness and is mass-symmetric through balancing blocks, preventing undesirable deformation during vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If sheet metal punching is used to manufacture the support, then the manufacturing process is simple and easy to implement, but the support has poor strength and stiffness, leading to deformation and adverse impact on zero-point stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the manufacturing method from sheet metal punching to rectangular tube structure with axisymmetric connecting arcs. This parameter change in structural geometry fundamentally improves strength and stiffness while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized tube components and symmetric design that simplifies assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structural approach by combining rectangular tube material with axisymmetric arc connections. This composite design integrates the high strength-to-weight ratio of tubular structures with the stress-distributing benefits of curved geometry, achieving superior mechanical performance compared to plain sheet metal construction.
2Ease of manufacture
If sheet metal manufactured support is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the asymmetry and weak stiffness cause vibration and adverse impact on zero-point stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately introduces asymmetry through balancing blocks attached to the rectangular tube support. This controlled asymmetry counteracts the inherent asymmetries in sheet metal manufacturing, achieving mass symmetry that eliminates vibration and improves zero-point stability while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing blocks function as counterweights that compensate for manufacturing tolerances and material inconsistencies. By strategically positioning these blocks, the patent creates a mass-balanced support structure that resists vibration and maintains stability without requiring expensive precision manufacturing processes.
3Device complexity
If sheet metal support with weak stiffness is used, then the device complexity is low, but the support deforms under vibration and affects measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates axisymmetric connecting arcs with curved geometry that connect the rectangular tube support to the flow tube. This curvature distributes stress more effectively than sharp angles, reduces stress concentration, and maintains structural integrity under vibration, thereby preserving measurement precision without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the support is fixed with flow tube using sheet metal construction, then the assembly process is simple, but deformation occurs leading to adverse impact on flowmeter performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support into distinct functional components: the rectangular tube main body, the axisymmetric connecting arcs for flow tube attachment, and separate balancing blocks. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining simple assembly through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing blocks are pre-positioned on the rectangular tube support to counteract potential deformation forces before the flowtube is installed. This preliminary anti-action prevents vibration-induced deformation from affecting the flowmeter's zero-point stability and overall performance during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A fixing device for a flowmeter component is provided. It includes two fixing supports respectively fixed on two sides of the flowmeter component. Each fixing support is formed with a connecting arc, and the connecting arc is axisymmetric about a vertical direction. When the flowmeter component is a driver on a Coriolis mass flowmeter, the two fixing supports are fixed to two sides of the driver respectively, and the driver is fixed to flow tubes of the Coriolis mass flowmeter through the connecting arcs on the two fixing supports, to complete installation and fixation of the driver. This structure can make the connection stiffness of each the fixing support and the flow tube be symmetrical about middle plane of the flow tube, thereby avoid undesirable deformation caused by vibration in a working process of the flow tube, and improve zero-point stability and overall performance of the Coriolis mass flowmeter.