Magnetic Inductive Flow Meter Field Settling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magneto-inductive flowmeters face challenges in maintaining a constant magnetic field strength during measurements, leading to errors in flow rate determination due to fluctuations, and current methods require a commutation interval that is too long to accurately measure short-term flow fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves dividing the commutation interval into two sub-intervals with distinct current profiles, where the first interval has a differential current profile to rapidly increase the magnetic field strength, and the second interval maintains a constant current to achieve a stable magnetic field, allowing for shorter settling times and improved measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a constant target current is specified for the current controller to generate a constant magnetic field strength, then the magnetic field stability is improved, but the settling time increases and the commutation interval becomes too long to measure short-term flow fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strength stabilityVSAvoidsettling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The commutation interval is divided into two distinct sub-intervals: a first sub-interval for rapidly changing the magnetic field strength to a target value, and a second sub-interval for maintaining constant magnetic field strength during measurement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both fast settling and stable measurement conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamic control by using different current controller settings for different phases of the commutation interval. During the first sub-interval, the current controller is configured for rapid response to change magnetic field strength quickly. During the second sub-interval, the controller maintains constant current for stable field strength. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fast settling and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If the commutation interval is shortened to measure short-term flow fluctuations, then the measurement precision for fluctuating flows is improved, but the magnetic field strength cannot stabilize leading to measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate measurement precisionVSAvoidmagnetic field strength constancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the commutation interval into two functional sub-intervals, the patent enables the total interval to be shortened while ensuring adequate time for both field establishment and stable measurement. The first sub-interval handles rapid field changes, and the second sub-interval ensures stable measurement conditions, together achieving both speed and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first sub-interval performs preliminary action by rapidly establishing the magnetic field strength to its target value before the measurement phase begins. This preliminary field establishment ensures that when the second sub-interval starts, the magnetic field is already stable and ready for accurate flow measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a single constant target current is used throughout the commutation interval, then the control simplicity is maintained, but the ability to achieve both fast settling and stable measurement is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol system simplicityVSAvoidmeasurement speed and accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the target current profile based on the phase of the commutation interval. During the first sub-interval, the target current is set to enable rapid field establishment. During the second sub-interval, the target current is set to maintain constant field strength. This dynamic control strategy improves productivity while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 significantly shortens the settling time, enabling more precise flow rate measurements, especially for media with short-term fluctuations, by ensuring a constant magnetic field strength is established quickly.

Implementation Method 1

the electromagnet has a current regulator and a coil arrangement, the current regulator generates a coil current and the coil current generated brings about the magnetic field in the coil arrangement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic field it generates at least partially penetrates the medium located in the measuring tube and a flow of the medium in the measuring tube induces an induction voltage in the medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3150974B1Method for adjusting a constant magnetic field strength of a magnetic field in a magnetic inductive flow meter and related magnetic-inductive flow meter
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 KROHNE MESSTECHNICK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3150974B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3150974B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2d

AI summary

Described and illustrated is a method for setting a constant magnetic field strength of a magnetic field (4) within a commutative interval in a magnetic-inductive flowmeter (1) with a current controller (6). The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for setting the constant magnetic field strength in which the settling time is shortened compared to the prior art.The problem is solved by arranging a first interval with a start time and an end time and a second interval with a start time and an end time within the commutation interval, by determining a first target current profile for the first interval, wherein the first target current profile deviates from the constant target current by a differential current profile such that the differential current profile causes a higher rate of change of the magnetic field strength towards the constant magnetic field strength compared to the constant target current, by determining a second target current profile for the second interval by assigning the constant target current to the second target current profile, and by specifying the first target current profile to the current controller (6) in the first interval and the second target current profile in the second interval.