Coriolis Flow Sensor Resilient Balancing Mass Vibration Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coriolis flow sensors face issues with vibration interference between multiple instruments and sensitivity to their own vibrations, particularly when mounted on non-rigid surfaces, leading to inaccurate measurements.
Innovation Solution
The Coriolis flow sensor employs a balancing mass connected to a resilient suspension system that rotates about an axis parallel to the excitation axis of the tube, reducing vibration transfer and interference between instruments, and improving measurement accuracy by using torsion spring means for rotational flexibility and abutments to limit movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Coriolis flow sensor is mounted on a non-rigid surface or placed close to other vibrating instruments, then the sensor can be installed in various locations, but the sensor becomes sensitive to vibrations and experiences interference from adjacent instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces resilient suspension means as an intermediary element between the sensor assembly and the housing/mounting surface. This mediator absorbs and isolates vibrations, preventing them from reaching the sensitive Coriolis tube while still allowing the sensor to be mounted on various surfaces including non-rigid ones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting system by introducing resilient elements with specific damping characteristics. This transforms the rigid mounting connection into a vibration-isolating connection, altering how vibrations are transmitted to the sensor.
2Productivity
If multiple Coriolis flow sensors are placed close together, then space is utilized efficiently, but the sensors interfere with each other through vibration transfer via the housing and supporting surface
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient suspension means acts as a vibration-isolating intermediary that prevents vibration transfer between adjacent sensors. Each sensor's vibrations are absorbed by its own suspension system, preventing them from coupling through the housing to neighboring sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent effectively segments the vibration paths of each sensor by providing individual resilient suspension for each sensor assembly. This isolates the vibration of each sensor from the common housing structure, preventing cross-interference between multiple sensors mounted in close proximity.
3Strength
If the sensor housing is made rigid to provide stable support, then the sensor is well-supported, but the sensor becomes more sensitive to its own vibrations and vibrations from the mounting surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting system into two distinct parts: a rigid housing structure for overall stability and support, and a resilient suspension subsystem for vibration isolation. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient suspension means serves as an intermediary layer between the rigid housing and the sensor assembly. It maintains the sensor's stable support from the rigid housing while simultaneously isolating the sensor from vibrations originating from the housing or mounting surface.
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 significantly reduces the sensitivity to vibrations, enhancing the accuracy of standalone and adjacent Coriolis flow sensors by minimizing interference and maintaining measurement precision, especially in environments with multiple sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the total assembly of balancing mass and fixation means is resiliently suspended relative to the housing by resilient suspension means such that said assembly can rotate about a rotation axis
Implementation Method 2
the support plate is suspended relative to the housing by means of two torsion spring means in linear arrangement such that it can rotate about said rotation axis
Implementation Method 3
The tube vibration generated by the excitator takes place at a more or less fixed frequency which varies slightly only with the density of the medium flowing through the tube
Data Source
AI summary
A Coriolis flow sensor with a Coriolis tube that is fastened in a housing and that can be excited with a certain frequency, wherein a balancing mass (inertia) is arranged with rotational flexibility between the tube fastening and the housing. In particular, a spring steel plate is used for providing a connection rigidity between the balancing mass and the housing, which plate comprises a fixed portion and a movable portion cut out from the fixed portion, wherein the incisions are formed such that the fixed and movable portions are interconnected via resilient plate portions, which resilient plate portions are in particular elongate strips lying in one line and realizing a rotational flexibility (torsion), while abutments are provided which limit the amplitude of movements of the balancing mass.