Coriolis Fuel Flowmeter Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coriolis flowmeters experience measurement errors due to temperature changes, especially in low flow rate regions, leading to unreliable fuel consumption measurements in internal combustion engines, as conventional temperature correction methods are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A fuel measurement system with a Coriolis flowmeter and a temperature control mechanism, including a heat exchanger and temperature sensor, to maintain a constant fuel temperature upstream of the flowmeter, reducing measurement errors and improving accuracy and reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a Coriolis flowmeter is used to measure fuel flow rate, then measurement is possible across various flow rates, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in low flow rate regions due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by controlling the fuel temperature to a constant value before it enters the Coriolis flowmeter. The temperature control mechanism (including heat exchanger and temperature sensor) pre-regulates the fuel temperature upstream of the flowmeter, preventing temperature-induced measurement errors before they occur during the measurement process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the fuel from a variable state to a constant controlled state. By maintaining constant fuel temperature through the temperature control mechanism, the elastic force of the pipe remains stable, thereby improving measurement reliability in low flow rate regions where temperature variations have significant impact.
2Measurement precision
If temperature correction using a temperature sensor is performed, then temperature effects are addressed, but correction accuracy is insufficient due to instrumental errors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of attempting to correct temperature effects through calculation (which introduces instrumental errors), the patent converts the harmful temperature variations into a beneficial controlled constant temperature condition. The temperature control mechanism actively maintains constant fuel temperature, transforming the problem of temperature sensitivity into a solution where temperature stability enhances measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If no temperature control is provided, then device complexity is low, but measurement error increases due to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control mechanism is positioned upstream of the Coriolis flowmeter to pre-control the fuel temperature before measurement. This preliminary temperature stabilization prevents temperature-induced measurement errors, achieving improved accuracy with a relatively simple additive component rather than complex post-measurement correction systems.
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 system effectively reduces measurement errors caused by temperature changes, enhancing the accuracy and reproducibility of fuel flow rate and consumption measurements across various flow rates without relying on temperature sensor corrections.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger performing a heat exchange between a cooling liquid flowing through a cooling liquid flow path provided with a flow rate regulating valve and the fuel flowing in the upstream side of the Coriolis flowmeter
Implementation Method 2
a Coriolis flowmeter provided on a fuel supply path for supplying a fuel to the internal combustion engine to measure a flow rate of the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel measurement system for measuring a fuel consumption amount of an engine, intended to reduce a measurement error of a Coriolis flowmeter to thereby improve measurement accuracy and reproducibility of a fuel consumption amount. The system includes: a Coriolis flowmeter provided on a fuel supply path for supplying a fuel to the engine to measure a flow rate of the fuel in the fuel supply path; and a temperature control mechanism provided in an upstream side of the Coriolis flowmeter on the fuel supply path to control a temperature of the fuel flowing into the Coriolis flowmeter.