Coriolis Flowmeter Online Degradation Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Coriolis mass flowmeters cannot conduct degradation diagnosis of measurement conduct lines online without adding a special measuring device, leading to increased costs and inability to diagnose anomalies in real-time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a ratio computation section and anomaly diagnosis section within the Coriolis mass flowmeter to compute and compare the ratio of signals from upstream and downstream sensors, generating an alarm when deviations exceed threshold values, allowing for online degradation diagnosis without additional devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a special measuring device is added for degradation diagnosis, then diagnostic capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedegradation diagnosis capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing Coriolis mass flowmeter perform multiple functions by adding a ratio computation section and anomaly diagnosis section. The flowmeter not only measures mass flow rate but also conducts degradation diagnosis of the measurement conduct line using the same sensor signals, eliminating the need for separate diagnostic devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement conduct line's own vibration signals are used to diagnose its degradation state. The upstream and downstream sensors detect vibrations that naturally occur during normal operation, and the ratio computation section analyzes these signals to detect anomalies, allowing the system to self-diagnose without external testing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If offline diagnosis is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and real-time monitoring capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidonline diagnosis capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The degradation diagnosis is performed continuously during normal mass flow measurement operations. The ratio computation section continuously analyzes the vibration signals from the upstream and downstream sensors, enabling real-time detection of measurement conduct line degradation without interrupting the flow measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The flowmeter performs dual functions simultaneously: mass flow measurement and degradation diagnosis. The same sensor signals used for flow measurement are also utilized for continuous monitoring of the measurement conduct line's health status, achieving online diagnosis without additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple sensors and processing sections are added for online diagnosis, then diagnostic precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanomaly detection sensitivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ratio computation section acts as an intermediary that processes the vibration signals from the existing upstream and downstream sensors. By computing the ratio of these signals and comparing it to a reference value, the system achieves sensitive anomaly detection using minimal additional processing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent monitors changes in the ratio parameter between upstream and downstream sensor signals to detect degradation. By focusing on this specific parameter change rather than analyzing all signal characteristics, the system achieves high diagnostic precision with simple processing logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables online degradation diagnosis of measurement conduct lines, reducing costs by eliminating the need for special diagnostic devices and improving anomaly detection sensitivity.

Implementation Method 1

A vibrator 14 for mechanically vibrating the measurement conduct line 11 up and down is installed in the proximity of the center the measurement conduct line 11

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the measurement conduct line 11 vibrates in the secondary mode as shown in M3 and M4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Implementation Method 3

An upstream sensor 15 and a downstream sensor 16 for detecting vibration of the measurement conduct line 11 are placed in the proximity fixed to the support members 12 and 13

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2410300B1Coriolis mass flowmeter
Publication Date: 2013.02.20 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2410300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2410300B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2410300B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A Coriolis mass flowmeter includes a vibrator configured to vibrate a measurement conduct line, an upstream sensor and a downstream sensor, which are placed at a certain distance in the measurement conduct line and are configured to detect the vibration of the measurement conduct line, a first effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the first signal, a second effective value reception section configured to receive an effective value of the second signal, a ratio computation section configured to receive the effective value of the first signal and the effective value of the second signal and to compute the ratio of both values, and an anomaly diagnosis section configured to make a comparison between the computed ratio and a certain value and to generate an alarm.