Magnetic-Inductive Flowmeter Flat-Surface Pole Shoe Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magneto-inductive flow meters face challenges with mechanical stability and measurement accuracy due to high tolerance demands and potential deviations caused by vibrations, especially when the pole shoe rests on a cylindrical surface, leading to instability and additional measurement errors.

Innovation Solution

A magneto-inductive flow meter design featuring a measuring tube with a flat surface and a magnet system that includes a pole shoe, coil, and field return, where the magnet system is prestressed against the flat surface using a mounting clip and screw connection, ensuring a predetermined force and alignment, and the pole shoe encloses the tube at a circular arc angle, enhancing stability and reducing measurement deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the pole shoe rests on a cylindrical surface of the measuring tube, then the assembly is simple, but mechanical stability deteriorates and measurement accuracy worsens due to vibrations and tolerance variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pole shoe is divided into two separate pole shoes instead of one large pole shoe resting on the cylindrical surface. This segmentation allows each pole shoe to be independently positioned and secured, improving mechanical stability while maintaining assembly simplicity. The two pole shoes can be firmly attached to the flat surface without the complexity of a single large mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of resting the pole shoe on the cylindrical surface of the measuring tube, the invention inverts the approach by providing a flat surface on the measuring tube and resting the pole shoes on this flat surface. This inversion fundamentally improves mechanical stability and measurement accuracy by eliminating the problems associated with cylindrical surface contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the pole shoe rests on a cylindrical surface, then assembly is straightforward, but measurement precision deteriorates due to contact point variations from tube geometry deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly straightforwardnessVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the mounting approach by providing a flat surface on the measuring tube instead of using the cylindrical surface. This flat surface ensures that the pole shoes rest on a stable, geometrically precise surface, eliminating contact point variations caused by tube roundness deviations and maintaining high measurement precision while keeping assembly straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

A flat surface is provided locally on the measuring tube at the specific location where the pole shoes need to rest. This local modification creates a high-precision reference surface exactly where needed, ensuring accurate and stable pole shoe positioning without affecting the overall cylindrical geometry of the measuring tube.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple bolts are used to hold the magnetic cores together, then mechanical stability improves, but device complexity increases and measurement precision may deteriorate due to asymmetrical tightening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidnumber of fastening components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting function is merged into a single integrated screw connection that simultaneously secures both pole shoes to the flat surface. This unified fastening mechanism eliminates the need for multiple separate bolts and reduces device complexity while maintaining mechanical stability. The single screw connection provides symmetrical and consistent fastening force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The flat surface serves multiple functions: it provides a stable resting surface for the pole shoes, a precise reference surface for positioning, and a mounting surface for the single screw connection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components while maintaining mechanical stability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

The design improves mechanical stability and measurement accuracy by maintaining consistent force and alignment, reducing the impact of vibrations and tolerances, while allowing for easy assembly and cost-effective production with modular components.

Implementation Method 1

Electromagnetic flowmeters use the principle of electrodynamic induction for volumetric flow measurement... Charge carriers in the medium moving perpendicularly to a magnetic field induce a measuring voltage in measuring electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the magnet system is prestressed against the flat surface using a mounting clip and screw connection, ensuring a predetermined force and alignment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP2734817B1Magnetic-inductive flowmeter
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP2734817B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2734817B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2734817B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a magnetic-inductive flow meter having a measuring tube (1) and at least one magnetic system (2) arranged on the measuring tube, said magnet system (2) comprising a pole shoe (5), wherein the measuring tube (1) has at least one level surface (9) and an otherwise cylindrical lateral surface, which delimit the measuring tube from the environment, wherein the pole shoe (5) is shaped to the measuring tube (1) so that it contacts the level surface (9) of the measuring tube (1) and has a specified minimum distance to the otherwise cylindrical lateral surface of the measurement tube (1), wherein it encloses the measurement tube (1) in a circular arc of at least 10°.