Extended Magnetic Pole Pieces for Flow Meter Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic inductive flow meters face challenges in achieving accurate measurements at low flow rates due to increased flow noise and reduced repeatability with higher magnetic field strengths, and existing designs with ferromagnetic materials fail to provide sufficient internal pressure resistance and magnetic field homogeneity.

Innovation Solution

The magnetic flow transducer incorporates extended magnetic pole pieces with tab portions that overlap diamagnetic electrodes, creating a more symmetric magnetic field and reducing fringe effects, thereby increasing measurement accuracy and reliability while maintaining structural integrity and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If higher magnetic field strength is used to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but flow noise increases and repeatability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidrepeatability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic pole pieces are designed with non-uniform cross-sectional areas along their length, creating different magnetic field strengths in different regions. The pole pieces have larger cross-sectional areas at certain sections to concentrate magnetic flux and create stronger fields where needed, while having smaller cross-sectional areas at other sections to reduce fringe effects and noise. This local variation in magnetic field strength allows optimization of both measurement precision and repeatability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If ferromagnetic materials are used to generate magnetic field, then magnetic field strength increases, but internal pressure resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidinternal pressure resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic pole pieces are constructed from composite materials that combine ferromagnetic properties for magnetic field generation with structural materials that provide internal pressure resistance. The pole pieces may have ferromagnetic cores surrounded by structurally strong materials, or use ferromagnetic alloys with enhanced mechanical properties, creating a composite structure that simultaneously achieves high magnetic field strength and sufficient pressure resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Measurement precision

If magnetic field strength is increased to improve measurement accuracy, then measurement precision improves, but fringe field interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidfringe field interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic pole pieces are designed with varying cross-sectional areas along their length, creating different magnetic field strengths in different regions. The pole pieces have larger cross-sectional areas at certain sections to concentrate magnetic flux and create stronger fields where needed, while having smaller cross-sectional areas at other sections to reduce fringe effects and noise. This local variation in magnetic field strength allows optimization of both measurement precision and repeatability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic pole pieces extend in the longitudinal dimension with varying cross-sectional areas, creating a three-dimensional magnetic field distribution. This dimensional variation allows the magnetic field to be concentrated in specific regions while reducing fringe effects in other regions, effectively managing both measurement precision and interference simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 extended magnetic pole pieces enhance measurement accuracy and repeatability, especially at low flow rates, by minimizing fringe field interference and maintaining the magnetic field strength, thus improving the overall performance of the magnetic inductive flow meter.

Implementation Method 1

Magnetic inductive flow meters use a measuring method that is based on Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday's law of electromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The charge carriers present in the conductive fluid, such as ions and other charged particles, are deflected by the magnetic field: the positive charge carriers to one side and the negative charge carriers to another side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3338063B1Inductive flow meter including extended magnetic pole pieces
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SENSUS SPECTRUM LLC
  • EP3338063B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3338063B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3338063B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetic flow meter includes a -magnetic flow transducer positioned to sense the flow of water through the flow meter. The magnetic flow transducer includes first and second electrodes positioned on opposite sides of a measuring channel. First and second magnetic pole pieces are positioned on opposite sides of the measuring channel and orthogonal to the first and second electrodes. The magnetic pole piece includes extending tab portions that are located adjacent to the first and second electrodes on opposite sides of the first and second electrodes. The extended tabs formed on each of the first and second magnetic pole pieces reduce the induced voltage within the electrodes to increase the accuracy of the measurement taken by the magnetic flow transducer.