Magnetic Flowmeter Humidity Sensing for Vapor Permeation Failure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic flowmeters fail due to moisture buildup from vapor permeation through non-conductive liners, causing shorts in the electronics, which is not detectable until failure occurs, leading to unexpected replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a vapor sensor within the magnetic flowmeter to detect changes in relative humidity, connected to transmitter circuitry that alerts users before failure, allowing for proactive replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional insertion-type flow sensors are used, then flow measurement can be achieved, but the sensors become clogged and provide inaccurate readings when exposed to slurries containing solid particles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical insertion-type flow sensors with a magnetic flow sensor that uses electromagnetic fields to measure flow velocity. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact between the sensor and slurry, preventing clogging while maintaining measurement accuracy through non-contact electromagnetic measurement of conductive fluid flow.
2Reliability
If magnetic flow sensors are used to avoid clogging, then reliability improves, but the sensors cannot accurately measure flow in pipes with non-conductive coatings or linings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vapor permeation sensor as an intermediary component that detects the presence and thickness of non-conductive coatings on pipe walls. This intermediary sensor provides feedback information that allows the magnetic flow sensor to compensate for coating interference, enabling accurate flow measurement even when coatings are present by distinguishing between coating effects and actual flow conditions.
3Measurement precision
If vapor permeation sensors are added to detect coating conditions, then measurement accuracy in coated pipes improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vapor permeation sensor and magnetic flow sensor into an integrated sensor assembly where both sensors share common structural elements and signal processing circuits. The vapor permeation sensor and magnetic flow sensor are positioned to detect different aspects of the same flow condition, and their signals are processed together to provide corrected flow measurements, reducing overall system complexity despite the addition of the vapor permeation detection capability.
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
Prevents unexpected failures by alerting users to impending moisture issues, enabling timely replacement and maintaining flowmeter functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a vapor permeation sensor to detect the presence of the non-conductive coating
Implementation Method 2
magnetic flow sensor to measure flow velocity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A magnetic flowmeter includes a pipe having a non-conductive liner, afield coil adjacent to the pipe and configured to generate a magnetic field across a fluid flowing through the pipe, a first electrode located in a first tunnel passing through the pipe and into the liner, and a second electrode located in a second tunnel passing through the pipe and into the liner. The electrodes are configured to sense a voltage induced by the magnetic field across the fluid flowing through the pipe. The flowmeter also includes a sealed compartment attached to the pipe and enclosing the field coil, the first electrode, or the second electrode. The flowmeter further includes a vapor sensor within the sealed compartment configured to sense relative humidity in the compartment, and an electronics compartment having transmitter circuitry connected to the field coil, the first electrode, the second electrode, and the vapor sensor.