Coriolis Flowmeter Inertial Force Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flowmeters, particularly turbine flowmeters, lack the accuracy required for aerospace applications due to high-force conditions, leading to significant measurement errors and inefficiencies in fuel management, which can affect flight performance and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A Coriolis mass flow meter designed for dynamic applications, incorporating a sensor assembly with conduits, pickoffs, a driver, and a gyroscopic sensor, along with actuators and gimbals to stabilize the flowmeter and compensate for inertial forces, allowing for precise measurement of fluid flow under acceleration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If turbine flowmeters are used in high-force conditions, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical turbine flowmeter system with a Coriolis flowmeter that uses vibrational mechanics. Instead of relying on turbine rotation under high-force conditions, the system uses a driven conduit that oscillates at a preferred mode, with pickoffs detecting phase differences. This substitution of mechanical principle enables accurate measurement under acceleration by using Coriolis forces inherent to the vibrational system rather than resisting them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using multiple preferred modes of vibration (bending, torsional, or coupled types) at specific frequencies. The system can operate at different vibrational modes depending on the application, allowing optimization for high-force conditions. The driver adjusts the vibration amplitude and frequency to maintain accurate measurement despite external accelerations.
2Measurement precision
If Coriolis flowmeter is used at or near earth's surface, then measurement precision is improved, but adaptability to high-force conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the flowmeter dynamic by introducing vibrational motion to the conduit. The system is no longer static but operates in a controlled vibrational state, allowing it to differentiate between Coriolis forces from fluid flow and external inertial forces from acceleration. The vibrational system can adapt to high-force conditions by maintaining its oscillation and using phase differential measurement, which remains valid even under acceleration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback through the pickoff signals that continuously monitor the phase relationship between driven and free-running conduits. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect and measure Coriolis-induced phase shifts even when external accelerations are present. The meter electronics process these signals to determine mass flow rate, maintaining measurement precision through active feedback control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If turbine flowmeters are used for high-force applications, then adaptability to acceleration is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the turbine mechanical system with a Coriolis vibrational system that is inherently more suitable for acceleration environments. The vibrational conduits with pickoffs detect phase differences caused by Coriolis forces, a method that remains accurate under acceleration because it measures the direct effect of mass flow on the vibrational system rather than relying on turbine rotation that is disrupted by external forces.
4Measurement precision
If flow calibration factor is used with time delay measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple calibration constants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the flowmeter to self-calibrate by using the relationship between the driven conduit and free-running conduit. The system automatically determines the flow calibration factor through the phase differential measurement without requiring external calibration equipment or complex manual calibration procedures. The dual-conduit design allows the system to self-reference and maintain accuracy.
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 Coriolis flowmeter provides improved accuracy and reduced errors in fluid measurement, eliminating the need for redundancy and in-line conditioning, thus enhancing flight economics and reducing environmental impact by accurately measuring fluid flow in high-force conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired flow tube amplitude and frequency
Implementation Method 2
the pickoffs can use the motion provided by the driver to induce a voltage
Implementation Method 3
As material begins to flow through the flowmeter, Coriolis forces cause each point along the conduit(s) to have a different phase
Implementation Method 4
A gyroscopic sensor is in communication with the meter electronics
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid measurement system (3) is provided having a Coriolis flowmeter (5) with a meter electronics (20) comprising a processing system (303) and a storage system (304). The Coriolis flowmeter (5) has a sensor assembly (10) comprising conduits (103A, 103B), wherein the sensor assembly (10) is in communication with meter electronics (20). The Coriolis flowmeter (5) has a plurality of pickoffs (105, 105') affixed to the conduits (103 A, 103B), that are in communication with the meter electronics (20). The Coriolis flowmeter (5) has a driver (104) affixed to the conduits (103A, 103B) that is in communication with the meter electronics (20). A gyroscopic sensor is in communication with the meter electronics (20). At least one actuator (406X, 406 Y, 406Z, 412) is coupled to the Coriolis flowmeter (5). The meter electronics (20) is configured to measure a fluid flow of a process fluid under acceleration through the sensor assembly (10).