Dual Pick-off Vibratory Flowmeter for High-Pressure Sensitivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure flow meters face challenges in measuring mass flow rates due to their rigidity, which results in minimal vibrational response and low sensitivity, making it difficult to discriminate pick-off signals with a low signal-to-noise ratio.
Innovation Solution
A dual pick-off vibratory flowmeter design with two flowtubes configured to vibrate in opposition, featuring multiple pick-off sensors and drivers positioned to enhance vibrational amplitude and balance mass and damping forces, allowing for improved signal generation and measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the flow meter assembly is constructed to be heavy and strong for high-pressure conditions, then structural strength is improved, but vibrational response becomes minimal and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the measurement system into two separate flowtubes (first and second flowtubes) that vibrate in opposition. Each flowtube has its own pick-off sensor, creating segmented measurement paths. This segmentation allows the system to measure differential vibrations between the two tubes, enhancing sensitivity despite the rigidity of high-pressure construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The two flowtubes are configured to vibrate in opposition to each other, with one tube moving in the positive direction while the other moves in the negative direction. This counter-vibration approach creates a differential measurement system where the pick-off sensors detect the relative motion between tubes, effectively canceling out the effects of structural rigidity and enhancing sensitivity to fluid-induced vibrations.
2Strength
If the flow meter assembly is constructed to be heavy and strong for high-pressure conditions, then structural strength is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio becomes minimal
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system is segmented into two independent but coupled flowtubes with separate pick-off sensors. This segmentation allows the system to measure differential signals between the two tubes, effectively canceling common-mode noise and structural vibrations while preserving the fluid-induced Coriolis signals, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The pick-off sensors continuously monitor the vibrational state of both flowtubes and provide feedback signals to the measurement system. This feedback enables real-time differential processing of the vibration signals, allowing the system to dynamically compensate for noise and interference while maintaining accurate measurement of mass flow rate.
3Strength
If the flowtube vibrational frequency is not highly affected by fluid density due to high structural mass ratio, then structural strength is maintained, but meter sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses two flowtubes vibrating in opposition as counterbalancing measurement elements. The pick-off sensors measure the differential vibration between the two tubes, which enhances the detection of fluid-induced Coriolis forces. This counter-vibration approach effectively amplifies the sensitivity to fluid density changes despite the high structural mass ratio, maintaining meter sensitivity while preserving structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes controlled mechanical vibration of the flowtubes at their resonant frequencies to maximize the Coriolis effect. By exciting the flowtubes in opposition and measuring the differential response, the system enhances sensitivity to fluid properties including density, even when the structural mass dominates the overall mass ratio.
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 dual pick-off design increases signal amplitude and sensitivity, enabling accurate mass flow rate measurements even under high-pressure conditions by canceling out torsional movements and enhancing lateral vibrational detection.
Implementation Method 1
A first pick-off sensor having a first and second pick-off portions, each pick-off portion being affixed to one of the first and second flowtubes
Data Source
AI summary
A dual pick-off vibratory flowmeter (100) is provided according to the invention. The dual pick-off vibratory flowmeter (100) includes a first flowtube (102A) and a second flowtube (102B), with the first and second flowtubes (102A, 102B) configured to be vibrated substantially in opposition. The vibratory flowmeter (100) further includes a first pick-off sensor (108) including first and second pick-off portions (108A, 108B) affixed to the first and second flowtubes (102A, 102B), with the first pick-off sensor (108) being located at a first longitudinal location X along the first and second flowtubes (102A, 102B). The vibratory flowmeter (100) further includes a second pick-off sensor (109) including first and second pick-off portions (109A, 109B) affixed to the first and second flowtubes (102A, 102B), with the second pick-off sensor (109) being located substantially at the first longitudinal location X and substantially spaced-apart from the first pick-off sensor (108).