Indium Flow Member for Cryogenic Coriolis Flow Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Sensing the flow of cryogenic fluids is challenging due to materials becoming brittle at low temperatures, particularly at 20K, where liquid hydrogen is maintained, leading to issues with existing sensors.
Innovation Solution
A Coriolis flow sensor using a flow member composed of at least 50wt% indium, which remains ductile at low cryogenic temperatures, allowing it to vibrate and detect flow changes through Coriolis deflections without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional materials are used for the flow member, then the sensor structure can be manufactured with standard materials, but the materials become brittle at cryogenic temperatures and fail to function reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameter by using indium (at least 50wt%) instead of conventional materials. Indium maintains ductility at cryogenic temperatures down to 20K, fundamentally altering the material's mechanical properties to withstand low-temperature operation without becoming brittle, thus resolving the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow member is constructed as a composite material system with indium as the primary component (at least 50wt%). This composite approach combines indium's exceptional low-temperature ductility with potential alloying elements to achieve both manufacturability and cryogenic reliability, balancing ease of manufacture with operational reliability.
2Reliability
If the flow member is made from indium, then the sensor can operate reliably at low cryogenic temperatures, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to the specialized material requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By specifying indium content of at least 50wt%, the patent establishes a clear material parameter threshold that ensures cryogenic ductility while providing manufacturing guidance. This parameter-based specification simplifies the complexity by giving a quantitative target rather than requiring complex material science expertise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by requiring indium specifically in the flow member component where cryogenic ductility is critical for vibration and flow sensing. Other components of the sensor system can use different materials, concentrating the specialized material requirement only where needed, thus reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If a flow member with high indium content is used, then the Coriolis deflection sensing is improved, but the material purity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent sets a minimum indium content threshold of 50wt% rather than requiring near-pure indium. This parameter specification balances measurement precision needs with practical manufacturing capabilities, allowing for controlled impurity levels while ensuring sufficient indium content for accurate Coriolis deflection sensing and cryogenic ductility.
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 indium-based flow member effectively senses the presence, direction, and magnitude of cryogenic fluid flow, overcoming material brittleness issues and ensuring reliable operation at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a driver for vibrating the flow member
Implementation Method 2
one or more detectors configured to generate output signals corresponding to Coriolis deflections of the vibrating flow member with flow of cryogenic fluid therethrough
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A Coriolis flow sensor for sensing a flow of a cryogenic fluid is disclosed having a flow member for the passage of a flow of cryogenic fluid therethrough, a driver for vibrating the flow member, and one or more detectors configured to generate output signals corresponding to Coriolis deflections of the vibrating flow member with flow of cryogenic fluid therethrough. The flow member includes at least 50wt% indium.