Integrated Density and Mass Flow Meter Wiring Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow sensor systems require excessive wiring and signal paths between density/specific gravity meters and mass flow meters, necessitating complex reprogramming and unnecessary calculations for users seeking volume or energy flow measurements.
Innovation Solution
A combination flow rate sensor system where only one of the density/specific gravity meter or mass flow meter is in electrical communication with a remote processing system, allowing for simultaneous measurement and calculation of volume or energy flow, thereby reducing wiring and eliminating the need for duplicate signal paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a density meter and mass flow meter are both in electrical communication with a central processing system via separate electrical leads, then accurate volume flow rate measurement can be achieved, but the amount of wiring and signal paths increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the density meter and mass flow meter into a single integrated flow meter device with shared electronics and housing. The density sensor assembly and mass flow sensor assembly are integrated within the same device, eliminating the need for separate wiring to a central processing system. The integrated device processes both density and mass flow measurements internally to generate volume flow rate, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated flow meter serves multiple functions: it measures density, measures mass flow rate, and calculates volume flow rate internally. The single device replaces what would traditionally require two separate meters and a central processing system, providing universal functionality that reduces the overall system complexity and wiring requirements.
2Loss of information
If each meter communicates independently with the central processing system, then complete data is available for processing, but the number of signal paths becomes duplicative
Solution Approach 1:
The density meter and mass flow meter are merged into a single integrated device with unified electronics. Instead of two independent signal paths to a central processing system, the integrated device generates a single output signal containing the calculated volume flow rate. This consolidation eliminates duplicative signal paths while preserving all necessary measurement data through internal processing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the central processing system is located remotely from the meters, then system architecture is flexible, but the amount of wiring required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the density meter and mass flow meter into a single device with unified electronics, the patent reduces the wiring burden for remote installation. The integrated device requires only a single connection to the central processing system, maintaining architectural flexibility for remote deployment while significantly reducing the amount of wiring compared to two separate meters.
4Loss of information
If users receive separate density and mass flow rate signals, then raw measurement data is available, but users must perform independent volume flow rate calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated flow meter performs the volume flow rate calculation internally before outputting the result. Instead of providing raw density and mass flow rate signals that require external calculation, the device pre-processes the data and outputs the calculated volume flow rate directly. This preliminary action simplifies user operation while maintaining data integrity through internal processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow rate sensor system (200) is provided. The flow rate sensor system (200) includes a density or specific gravity meter (202) including a sensor assembly (204a) and a density or specific gravity meter electronics (204b) configured to generate a density or specific gravity measurement of a process fluid. The flow rate sensor system (200) further includes a mass flow meter (203) including a sensor assembly (205a) and a mass flow meter electronics (205b) configured to generate a mass flow rate of the process fluid and in electrical communication with the density or specific gravity meter electronics (204b). A remote processing system (207) is provided that is in electrical communication with only one of the density or specific gravity meter electronics (204b) or the mass flow meter electronics (205b). The remote processing system (207) is configured to receive a volume or energy flow measurement of the process fluid generated by the density or specific gravity meter electronics (204b) or the volumetric meter electronics (205b) based on the generated density or specific gravity measurement and the generated mass flow rate.