Flow Meter Electronics Stiffness Parameter Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coriolis mass flow meters face accuracy issues due to changes in the stiffness characteristics of the flow meter assembly over time, caused by factors like erosion or corrosion, which affect the Flow Calibration Factor and subsequently the accuracy of mass flow rate measurements.

Innovation Solution

The development of meter electronics that can determine and track the stiffness parameter (K) of the flow meter by processing vibrational responses, including measuring decay characteristics and drive currents, allowing for real-time detection of stiffness changes without the need for calibration tests or special equipment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the flow meter operates for extended periods, then productivity is maintained, but stiffness characteristics change due to erosion or corrosion affecting measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidmass flow rate measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the vibrational response of the flow tube and compares it against expected characteristics to detect stiffness changes. When changes are detected, the system provides feedback to alert operators or adjust measurements, enabling continuous operation while maintaining measurement accuracy through real-time detection of degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of stiffness changes before they significantly impact measurement accuracy. By monitoring vibrational characteristics and detecting deviations from baseline, the system can identify degradation trends early, allowing for maintenance scheduling that prevents accuracy deterioration while maintaining continuous productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If traditional calibration methods are used, then measurement accuracy is established, but device complexity and operational costs increase due to required calibration tests and special equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow calibration factor accuracyVSAvoidcalibration equipment and procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow meter performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own vibrational response characteristics. The system uses built-in sensors and processing capabilities to detect stiffness changes without requiring external calibration equipment or special test procedures. This self-service approach maintains measurement accuracy while eliminating the complexity of traditional calibration operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces mechanical calibration procedures with electronic/vibrational analysis. Instead of using physical calibration standards and manual testing equipment, the system uses electronic sensors to measure vibrational characteristics and processes this data to detect stiffness changes, thereby reducing device complexity and operational costs while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution enables continuous monitoring and maintenance of flow meter accuracy by detecting stiffness changes, ensuring precise mass flow rate measurements without requiring factory calibration or special fluids, thus reducing operational costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

A flow tube is forced to vibrate at a resonant frequency, where the resonant frequency of the tube is proportional to the density of the fluid in the flow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 2

During flow, the vibrating tube and the flowing mass couple together due to Coriolis forces, causing a phase shift in the vibration between the ends of the tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoriolis force: Coriolis Force

Implementation Method 3

Vibrating conduit sensors, such as Coriolis mass flow meters or vibrating tube densitometers, typically operate by detecting motion of a vibrating conduit that contains a flowing material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS7865318B2Meter electronics and methods for verification diagnostics for a flow meter

Publication Date: 2011.01.04 MICRO MOTION INC

AI summary

Meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The vibrational response is a response to a vibration of the flow meter (5) at a substantially resonant frequency. The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), determine a frequency (ω0) of the vibrational response, determine a response voltage (V) and a drive current (I) of the vibrational response, measure a decay characteristic (ζ) of the flow meter (5), and determine the stiffness parameter (K) from the frequency (ω0), the response voltage (V), the drive current (I), and the decay characteristic (ζ).