Coriolis Flowmeter Multiple Flow Tubes Vibration Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Coriolis flowmeters with single or twin flow tubes face challenges in measuring large flows without increasing the overall size and weight of the sensor, which affects measurement sensitivity and requires high site requirements and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A Coriolis flowmeter design featuring multiple flow tubes with symmetrical flanges and node plates, where each flow tube group includes at least two fixedly connected flow tubes, forming flow tube pairs with equal or similar stiffness, allowing for optimal vibration coupling and reduced external vibration isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the cross-sectional area of the flow tube is increased to measure large flow, then the flow measurement capability is improved, but the size and weight of the sensor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement function is segmented into multiple flow tubes (at least two) that operate in parallel. Each flow tube handles a portion of the total flow, allowing the sensor to measure large flows without requiring a single large-diameter tube that would increase size and weight. The segmentation is achieved through the flow distributor that divides the incoming fluid into separate flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing flow capacity in one dimension (enlarging the cross-sectional area of a single tube), the solution transitions to another dimension by adding multiple tubes in parallel. This dimensional shift allows the system to handle larger flows while maintaining the compact size and weight characteristics of individual smaller tubes.
2Measurement precision
If the length of the flow tube is increased to maintain measurement sensitivity, then the sensitivity is preserved, but the overall size of the sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement function is segmented across multiple flow tubes, each with optimized length. Instead of requiring one long flow tube to achieve sufficient sensitivity, the system uses multiple shorter tubes that collectively provide the required measurement capability. This segmentation allows maintaining sensitivity while reducing the overall length of individual flow tube components.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement capabilities of multiple flow tubes are merged through the vibration coupling mechanism. The flow tubes are fixedly connected and vibrate together as a coupled system, combining their individual measurement contributions to achieve the required sensitivity without needing any single tube to be excessively long.
3Productivity
If multiple flow tubes are used to measure large flow, then the flow measurement capability is improved, but the coupling effect between flow tubes is reduced due to length differences
Solution Approach 1:
The flow tubes are designed with locally optimized characteristics, including equal or similar lengths and matched stiffness properties in the measurement area. This local quality control ensures that each tube contributes equally to the vibration coupling effect, maintaining reliable measurement performance even with multiple tubes handling large flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The design parameters of the flow tubes (length, diameter, wall thickness) are optimized and standardized to ensure equal or similar stiffness characteristics. By controlling these parameters, the system achieves effective vibration coupling between multiple flow tubes, ensuring reliable operation when measuring large flows through parallel tube configurations.
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 design achieves improved coupling of flow tubes within groups, enhanced vibration isolation, and maintains measurement sensitivity, enabling effective measurement of large flows without increasing the sensor's size or weight.
Implementation Method 1
an electric signal applied by the driver makes the measurement area in continuous tiny vibration
Implementation Method 2
the detector is used to detect the vibration
Implementation Method 3
Coriolis flowmeter is a mass flow measurement device based on Coriolis principle
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, the disclosure provide a Coriolis flowmeter with multiple flow tubes, including a flow sensor and a flow transmitter is provided. The flow sensor includes a sensor housing, a sleeve, and two symmetrical flanges. A sensor assembly is arranged in the sensor housing, and the sensor assembly includes at least two flow tube groups, each flow tube group includes at least two flow tubes. Two flow tubes with the same size and geometry in different groups form a flow tube pair. At least two flow tube pairs are provided by at least two flow tube groups, each flow tube pair is fixedly connected together by at least one pair of node plates, a measurement area of the flow tubes is between an innermost pair of node plates, and each flow tube group is connected to a driver and a detector.