Flow Meter Coil Energy Buffering for Power Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Two-wire field devices, such as flow meters, face inefficiencies in managing available power due to unpredictable fluctuations, particularly in the coil arrangement that generates the magnetic field, leading to suboptimal operation and measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an energy buffer system to store and manage excess power, allowing for alternating operating states with varying pulse pauses and current intensities, enabling efficient use of excess energy to maintain continuous operation and increase current amplitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the coil arrangement is operated with continuous excitation current to maintain stable magnetic field, then measurement reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases beyond available power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic pulsed excitation of the coil arrangement instead of continuous excitation. The excitation current is applied in periodic pulses with controlled duty cycle, allowing the magnetic field to be regenerated periodically rather than maintained continuously. This reduces average power consumption while maintaining sufficient measurement reliability through adequate field strength during each pulse period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adapts the excitation parameters including pulse width, amplitude, and duty cycle based on available power conditions and measurement requirements. The system transitions from static continuous excitation to dynamic pulsed excitation with adjustable parameters, optimizing the balance between measurement quality and power consumption in real-time.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pulse pause is extended to reduce power consumption, then energy usage is optimized, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes multiple parameters simultaneously including pulse amplitude, pulse width, and duty cycle to maintain measurement precision while reducing energy usage. By adjusting the amplitude and width of the excitation pulses, the system compensates for the reduced duty cycle, ensuring sufficient signal strength for accurate measurements even with longer pulse pauses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies excessive action during the excitation pulse by using higher current amplitudes than would be required for continuous operation. This compensates for the reduced duty cycle and ensures that during the active excitation period, the magnetic field strength is sufficient for precise measurements, while the overall energy consumption is reduced by the extended pause periods.
3Measurement precision
If the excitation current amplitude is increased to improve signal strength, then measurement accuracy is improved, but power requirements exceed available power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed excitation where high current amplitudes are applied only during brief pulse intervals rather than continuously. This allows the system to achieve high signal strength during measurement periods while the average power consumption remains within available power limits due to the reduced duty cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies excessive current amplitude during the excitation pulses to ensure sufficient signal strength for accurate measurements. The high amplitude is applied only partially in time (during pulse intervals) rather than continuously, allowing peak power requirements to exceed average available power while maintaining measurement accuracy.
4Use of energy by moving object
If the system operates in intermittent mode to conserve energy, then power consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic control of the pulsed excitation regime. The system autonomously manages the pulse timing, amplitude, and duty cycle based on power availability and measurement requirements without requiring complex external control systems. The controller automatically adjusts parameters to optimize energy consumption while maintaining measurement functionality.
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 approach optimizes power usage, reduces the mark-to-space ratio, and enhances measurement accuracy by effectively utilizing excess energy, allowing for increased current intensity and more precise determination of flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
Magnetic-inductive flowmeters utilize the principle of electrodynamic induction for volumetric flow measurement
Implementation Method 2
A method for controlling the excitation energy in a coil arrangement of a flow meter with an energy buffer system for storing energy
Data Source
AI summary
A method for controlling the excitation energy in a coil arrangement of a flow meter with an energy buffer system for storing energy, which flow meter is formed as a two-wire field device, for generating a magnetic field B permeating a medium, in dependence upon the excitation energy, said flow meter having a plurality of operating states, between which it changes and which describe an excitation current pulsed in a time interval. In said method, at least one first operating state is operated at a first power level, in which operating state, in a first pulse, the coil arrangement excites an excitation current with a first maximum current strength, the pulse also having a first pulse pause, characterised by the following steps: A) storing a supplied surplus power level, which exceeds a minimum power level for operation of the device, in order to operate the coil arrangement during a pulse in dependence upon the supplied power level in the energy buffer system; wherein at least partial charging of the energy buffer system takes place in the first pulse pause and at least partial discharge of the energy buffer system takes place during excitation of the current strength; and B) changing to a second operating state, in which, in a second pulse, the coil arrangement excites an excitation current, the pulse having a second pulse pause which is shorter than the first pulse pause.