Magnetization Device Hollow Profiles Magnetic Flow Meter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing magnetization devices for nuclear magnetic flowmeters require significant production and time expenditure due to the complex arrangement and shimming of numerous bar magnets to achieve a homogeneous magnetic field, which is essential for accurate measurement of multiphase fluids, especially in oil wells where crude oil content is low.

Innovation Solution

A magnetization device featuring a carrier with hollow profiles that allow easy alignment and fixation of permanent magnets, reducing the need for complex stacking and shimming, and incorporating rotatable receiving tubes to enhance magnetic field homogeneity, thereby simplifying the production process and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a large number of bar magnets are arranged in a Halbach array with disc magnets, then a strong magnetic field is generated, but the production time and cost increase significantly due to the complex introduction and shimming process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetization device is divided into multiple disc magnets, each containing a Halbach array of bar magnets. These disc magnets are stacked to form the complete magnetization device, allowing modular assembly and reducing the complexity of introducing individual magnets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bar magnets are pre-arranged in Halbach arrays within each disc magnet before stacking. This preliminary arrangement ensures the correct magnetic field configuration is achieved without requiring complex shimming operations during final assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Power

If a large number of bar magnets are closely arranged in disc magnets, then a strong magnetic field is generated, but the shimming process becomes complex and time-consuming to achieve sufficient field homogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field strengthVSAvoidmagnetic field homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Each disc magnet is designed with specific local magnetic properties through the Halbach array configuration, creating a controlled magnetic field distribution that contributes to overall field homogeneity when stacked

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The stacked disc magnets are designed to produce a homogeneous magnetic field in the central measurement region. The symmetrical arrangement and precise stacking of identical disc magnets ensure uniform field distribution without requiring complex shimming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Adaptability or versatility

If numerous bar magnets are introduced into magnet receptacles, then the magnetic field can be configured, but the production cost and time expenditure increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic field configurationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bar magnets are combined into disc magnet assemblies with integrated Halbach arrays. This merging reduces the total number of individual components that need to be handled and assembled, simplifying the manufacturing process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The disc magnets serve multiple functions: they generate the magnetic field, provide structural support, and ensure proper alignment through their standardized design. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components

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 solution significantly reduces production and time costs while maintaining sufficient magnetic field homogeneity, enabling reliable measurement of crude oil contents as low as 5% in multiphase fluids, making it feasible to exploit previously unviable oil wells.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of permanent magnets for generating the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

measuring and evaluating the voltage induced by the nuclear magnetic resonance of the multi-phase fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNuclear magnetic resonance:

Implementation Method 3

the shape of the magnet receptacles and the permanent magnets allow a movement for receiving the permanent magnets in the magnetic recordings only in one direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForm-fitting constraint:

Implementation Method 4

a carrier, that the carrier has a plurality of magnet receptacles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical support:

Data Source

PatentEP2604983B1Magnetizing device for a core magnetic flow meter
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 KROHNE AG
  • EP2604983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2604983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A magnetizing device for imparting a homogeneous magnetic field, at least in one plane, to a multiphase fluid flowing through a measuring tube of a nuclear magnetic flow meter is shown and described. The device includes a plurality of permanent magnets for generating the magnetic field and a carrier, wherein the carrier has at least one magnet receptacle, each magnet receptacle accommodates at least one of the permanent magnets, the shape of the magnet receptacles and the permanent magnets allows movement of the permanent magnets in only one direction within the magnet receptacles, and the permanent magnets accommodated by the magnet receptacles are arranged by the magnet receptacles with respect to the magnetic field. A magnetizing device with reduced production and time expenditure is realized by designing the magnet receptacles as hollow profiles.