Dual Meter Assembly Drive Control Under Current Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems with multiple meter assemblies in vibratory sensors face increased current draw issues, leading to potential power exceedance and complexity, necessitating a method to limit current consumption.
Innovation Solution
A dual vibratory sensor system with meter electronics that drives each assembly with specific drive signals, compares operating parameters to thresholds, and adjusts to prevent current exceeding limits, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple meter assemblies are coupled to a single meter electronics, then system complexity and cost are reduced, but current draw increases and may exceed thresholds
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the drive signal amplitude based on the number of active meter assemblies and their operating conditions. The meter electronics monitors the state of each meter assembly and modulates the drive signal strength accordingly, allowing the system to adapt current consumption to actual operational needs rather than operating at fixed maximum levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including drive signal frequency and amplitude based on the configuration of meter assemblies. By adjusting these parameters, the system optimizes current draw for the specific number and state of connected meter assemblies, preventing excessive current consumption while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Speed
If drive signal amplitude is increased to maintain vibration at higher frequencies, then measurement capability is improved, but current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic drive signals at resonant frequencies of the meter assemblies rather than continuous high-amplitude signals. By exciting the assemblies at their natural resonant frequencies, the system achieves sustained vibration with lower power input, as the resonant oscillation maintains amplitude efficiently without requiring continuous high-energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes mechanical resonance of the meter assembly components to achieve high-frequency vibration with minimal energy input. By tuning the drive signal to match the resonant frequency of the meter assembly structure, the system amplifies the mechanical response naturally, reducing the electrical power required to maintain the desired vibration amplitude and frequency.
3Reliability
If current threshold is set lower to ensure intrinsic safety, then safety is improved, but available power for operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The meter electronics continuously monitors the actual current draw of each meter assembly and provides feedback to adjust the drive signal amplitude. This closed-loop control ensures that the system operates within the intrinsic safety current threshold while maximizing power utilization. When the threshold is approached, the system automatically reduces drive signal strength, preventing unsafe conditions while extracting maximum operational capability from the available power budget.
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
Effectively limits current draw across multiple meter assemblies, preventing power exceedance and reducing system complexity and costs while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired conduit amplitude and frequency
Implementation Method 2
Pickoffs on the conduit(s) produce sinusoidal signals representative of the motion of the conduit(s)
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of limiting a current drawn by two or more meter assemblies (10a,10b) is provided. The method includes driving a first meter assembly (10a) with a first drive signal, comparing one or more operating parameters of the first meter assembly (10a) to an operating threshold, and driving a second meter assembly (10b) with a second drive signal based on the comparison to prevent a current drawn by the first meter assembly 10a) and the second meter assembly (10b) from exceeding a current threshold.