Coriolis Flowmeter Holding Part Adjustable Slot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting parallel pipes in Coriolis mass flowmeters require precise spacing and soldering, which is costly due to tight mechanical tolerances, often resulting in gaps greater than 0.1 mm and high investment costs for equipment suitable for various pipe wall thicknesses and materials.
Innovation Solution
A holding part comprising two rings with radially oriented slots and a plastically deformable web that changes slot widths, allowing for adjustable diameters of the holding openings to securely clamp pipes at a defined spacing, enabling a gap-free soldering connection without requiring close tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tight mechanical tolerances are used to achieve gap-free connection between gusset plate and pipes, then connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding opening diameter is made dynamically adjustable through the slot mechanism. The slot allows the holding opening diameter to be changed during the soldering process, enabling the diameter to adapt to the actual pipe outer diameter. This dynamic adjustment ensures gap-free connection (improving reliability) while allowing standard tolerances to be used (reducing manufacturing cost).
Solution Approach 2:
The diameter of the holding opening is changed as a parameter during the soldering process. By actuating the slot width changing device, the holding opening diameter is reduced from an initial larger value to a final value that matches the pipe outer diameter, ensuring tight connection without requiring tight initial tolerances.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual adaptation of parts is performed to achieve circumferential gap less than 0.1 mm, then connection precision is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of individual adaptation during assembly, the invention uses a dynamic slot mechanism that allows the holding opening diameter to be adjusted during soldering. This eliminates time-consuming individual measurement and adaptation steps while achieving the required precision of circumferential gap less than 0.1 mm.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot mechanism enables the holding opening to self-adjust to the pipe outer diameter during the soldering process. The holding opening diameter automatically adapts to match the pipe dimensions, eliminating the need for manual individual adaptation and significantly reducing production time.
3Reliability
If very close tolerances are applied to holding opening and pipe diameter, then connection quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex tolerance control with a dynamic adjustment mechanism. The slot allows the holding opening diameter to be changed during soldering, transforming a static tolerance problem into a dynamic adjustment process. This simplifies the overall system by eliminating the need for complex tolerance stacking control while ensuring high connection quality.
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 solution simplifies and cost-reduces the connection of parallel pipes by allowing for a defined spacing and secure soldering, avoiding gaps greater than 0.1 mm, and is applicable across different pipe materials and thicknesses, reducing production costs and equipment complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a slot width changing device configured to be actuated to simultaneously change the first and second slot widths and thereby change respective diameters of the first and second holding openings simultaneously
Implementation Method 2
soldering the holding part to the first and the second measuring pipe along the soldering gaps
Data Source
AI summary
A holding part is provided for connecting two pipes running parallel to each other, such as the two parallel measuring pipes of a Coriolis mass flowmeter, at a defined spacing. The holding part includes a first holding ring with a first holding opening for a first pipe, a second holding ring with a second holding opening for a second pipe, and a holding web firmly connecting the two holding rings and defining the spacing between the two holding rings. The holding part also includes a first slot running radially and having a first slot width in the first holding ring, a second slot running radially and having a second slot width in the second holding ring, and a slot width changing device, by actuation of which the first and the second slot width and therefore the diameter of the first and second holding opening can be changed simultaneously.