Four-Tube Coriolis Sensor for High Mass Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibration-type measuring sensors face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and low pressure loss at high mass flow rates exceeding 2200 t/h, particularly with large nominal diameters over 250 mm, due to increased empty mass, installation length, and lateral expansion, making them impractical for applications in the petrochemical industry and other high-flow scenarios.
Innovation Solution
The use of four straight measuring tubes instead of two, optimizing space and reducing pressure loss, with a design that maintains high sensitivity and compactness, allowing for manageable geometric dimensions and reduced empty mass, while using established materials and production processes to keep production costs comparable to conventional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional vibration-type measuring sensors are used for high mass flow rates exceeding 2200 t/h with large nominal diameters over 250 mm, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the empty mass, installation length, and lateral expansion increase significantly making them impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by using four separate measuring tubes instead of a single large-bore tube assembly. Each tube has its own vibration system, allowing the overall structure to be divided into independent functional units that can be optimized individually, reducing the total empty mass while maintaining measurement capability for high mass flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-plane vibration approach to a three-dimensional vibration system where four tubes vibrate in multiple planes simultaneously. This dimensional change allows the sensor to handle large nominal diameters and high mass flow rates without proportionally increasing empty mass, installation length, or lateral expansion
2Measurement precision
If conventional vibration-type measuring sensors are used for high mass flow rates exceeding 2200 t/h with large nominal diameters over 250 mm, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the installation length and lateral expansion increase making them impractical
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the measurement function across four separate tubes rather than requiring a single long installation space, the patent reduces the overall installation length. Each tube can be compactly arranged and coupled to the pipeline, allowing the sensor to measure high mass flow rates in a more compact installation footprint
Solution Approach 2:
The four measuring tubes are arranged in a nested or closely coupled configuration within the sensor housing, allowing them to occupy shared space efficiently. This nesting approach reduces the lateral expansion and installation length compared to conventional sensors that require more distributed space for equivalent measurement capability
3Loss of energy
If four straight measuring tubes are used instead of two, then space is optimized and pressure loss is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of four measuring tubes into a single integrated sensor assembly with shared coupling mechanisms to the pipeline. By combining the support structures, coupling elements, and housing into a unified design, the increased complexity of having four tubes is offset by shared components, reducing the net device complexity while achieving lower pressure loss through optimized flow distribution
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 configuration enhances the sensitivity and vibration quality of the measuring sensor, achieving a pressure loss of less than 1 bar even at high mass flow rates, with a compact design suitable for calibers over 150 mm, particularly beneficial for petrochemical applications, and allows for economically viable production.
Implementation Method 1
The measuring tubes are allowed to vibrate during operation to generate the above-mentioned reaction forces, driven by an exciter arrangement serving to generate or maintain mechanical vibrations, especially bending vibrations, of the measuring tubes in the so-called drive or useful mode
Implementation Method 2
in the case of medium flowing through the measuring tubes as a result of Coriolis forces induced therein by additional vibrations of the same frequency superimposed in the so-called Coriolis mode
Implementation Method 3
the sensor arrangement is formed by means of a permanent magnet mounted on the first measuring tube and a cylindrical coil through which its magnetic field flows and mounted on the second measuring tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a vibration sensor and an in-line measuring device comprising said sensor. The sensor serves to detect at least one physical measurable variable of a flowable medium guided in a tube conduit and/or for producing Coriolis forces which serve to detect the mass flow rate of a flowable medium guided in a tube conduit. The sensor comprises a sensor housing (71), a housing end on the inlet side being defined by a splitter (201) on the inlet side which has exactly four respective interspaced flow openings (201A, 201B, 201C, 201D) and a housing end on the outlet side being defined by a splitter (202) on the outlet side which has exactly four respective interspaced flow openings (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D), and exactly four straight measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184) for guiding the flowing medium which tubes are connected to the splitters (201, 202) to give fluidically parallel flow paths. The respective measuring tube end on the inlet side of each of the four measuring tubes leads to one of the flow openings (201A, 201B, 201C, 201D) of the splitter (201) on the inlet side and the respective measuring tube end on the outlet side leads to one of the flow openings (202A, 202B, 202C, 202D) of the splitter (202) on the outlet side. The sensor further comprises an electro-mechanical exciter arrangement (5) for producing and/or maintaining mechanical vibrations of the four measuring tubes (181, 182, 183, 184), the exciter arrangement being designed such that it can be used to excite the paired measuring tubes to perform respective counter-phase flexural vibrations in a respective common imaginary plane of vibration (XZ1, XZ2). The sensor according to the invention is especially suitable for measuring a density and/or a mass flow rate of a medium which flows at least temporarily inside a tube conduit at a mass flow rate of more than 2200 t/h.