Magnetic Flowmeter Adaptive Dead Time Noise Filtering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic flowmeters in noisy environments suffer from measurement errors due to signal noise, leading to inaccurate flow outputs and potential control system misreactions, while conventional noise reduction techniques compromise responsiveness.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive Dead Time parameter is implemented in the magnetic flowmeter, using interquartile mean and median absolute deviation to dynamically adjust the Dead Time threshold based on process noise, enhancing noise rejection and responsiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional fixed dead time filtering is used to reduce noise, then measurement stability improves, but responsiveness to actual flow changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidresponsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The dead time parameter is transformed from a fixed value to a dynamic variable that adapts to changing process conditions. The processor continuously monitors process noise levels and adjusts the dead time parameter accordingly, allowing the system to maintain optimal performance across varying operating conditions without sacrificing either stability or responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the dead time parameter based on detected process noise levels. By monitoring noise characteristics and dynamically adjusting the dead time parameter, the system optimizes the balance between noise filtering and signal responsiveness, resolving the contradiction between measurement stability and speed of response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If longer dead time is used to filter noise, then measurement accuracy improves, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dead time parameter dynamically adapts to process conditions, being longer during high-noise periods to improve accuracy and shorter during low-noise periods to maintain precision. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing both accuracy and precision to be optimized at different times based on actual process conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from process noise monitoring to continuously adjust the dead time parameter. By measuring process noise levels and using this information to modify the dead time setting, the system maintains both measurement accuracy and precision, as the parameter adapts to preserve both qualities under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If adaptive dead time adjustment is implemented, then noise rejection improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise rejectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic flowmeter monitors its own process conditions and automatically adjusts its dead time parameter without external intervention. The processor detects process noise levels and self-adjusts the dead time parameter, eliminating the need for external complex control systems while achieving adaptive noise rejection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The processor performs multiple functions: it processes the flow measurement signal, monitors process noise levels, and adjusts the dead time parameter. By making the processor multi-functional, the system achieves adaptive noise rejection without adding separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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 adaptive Dead Time mechanism improves measurement accuracy and responsiveness by reducing false positives and maintaining stable flow output in noisy conditions, ensuring precise process control.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic flowmeter energizes one or more coils by passing an excitation current through field windings which generate a magnetic field across an electrically isolated, conductive process fluid flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Magnetic flowmeters (or magmeters) measure flow by application of Faraday's Law, an electromagnetic effect. An electromotive force (EMF) is generated by the flowing process fluid crossing through the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFaraday's Law: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4028728B1Magnetic flowmeter with noise adaptive dead time
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 MICRO MOTION INC
  • EP4028728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4028728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4028728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetic flowmeter (102) includes at least one coil (122) configured to generate a magnetic field within a process fluid flow. A pair of electrodes (124) is configured to detect an electromotive force within the process fluid flow in response to the magnetic field. Measurement circuitry (132, 142) is operably coupled to the pair of electrodes (124) and configured to provide an indication of the detected electromotive force. A processor (148) is coupled to the measurement circuitry (132, 142) and is configured to receive the indication of the detected electromotive force and an indication of process noise. The processor (148) is configured to change a dead time parameter based on the indication of process noise and provide a process fluid flow output based on the indication of detected electromotive force and the dead time parameter.