Magnetoinductive Flowmeter Low Conductivity Signal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Magnetic-inductive flow meters struggle to accurately measure media with low conductivity due to decreased signal quality, requiring alternative measurement principles.

Innovation Solution

A magneto-inductive flow meter design featuring a coil system with a field return having air-separated plates to enhance magnetic flux density and an electronic circuit that increases the frequency of magnetic field state changes, combined with pipeline constrictions to flatten the flow profile and improve signal-to-noise ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the medium's conductivity is low, then the flowmeter can measure a broader range of media, but the impedance increases and the signal quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to measure low-conductivity mediaVSAvoidsignal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frequency parameter of the magnetic field from conventional low frequencies (0.1-10 Hz) to high frequencies (100-1000 Hz). This parameter change causes the magnetic field to change rapidly, inducing higher voltage signals in the medium even when conductivity is low, thereby improving signal quality while maintaining versatility across different media types

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic magnetic field oscillations at high frequencies to continuously induce voltage signals in the conducting medium. This periodic action at elevated frequencies ensures that sufficient voltage is generated even from low-conductivity media, enabling reliable measurement while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Measurement precision

If the magnetic field frequency is increased, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the magnetic field changes faster requiring faster adjustment of induced voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidfield feedback system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback system is segmented into discrete feedback plates positioned at specific locations around the measuring tube. These segmented plates work with the high-frequency magnetic field to create localized feedback zones that rapidly adjust the induced voltage, enabling the system to handle high frequencies without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback plates act as intermediaries between the high-frequency magnetic field and the induced voltage measurement system. They facilitate the rapid adjustment of voltage by providing a controlled feedback mechanism that matches the high frequency of the magnetic field, thereby enabling high signal-to-noise ratio measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the air gap between feedback plates is increased, then the adjustment speed of induced voltage improves, but the magnetic flux density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment speed of induced voltageVSAvoidmagnetic flux density
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback plates are strategically positioned at specific locations around the measuring tube where local magnetic flux density is highest. This local quality approach ensures that even with the air gap present, sufficient magnetic flux density is maintained in the critical measurement region while still allowing rapid voltage adjustment through the feedback mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables reliable and accurate measurement of low-conductivity media by improving signal quality through increased magnetic flux density and frequency of state changes, and by generating flow vortices that enhance signal detection.

Implementation Method 1

The principle of magnetic-inductive flow measurement is based on the induction of a flow-dependent electrical voltage in a conductive medium flowing through a pipeline by a magnetic field oriented perpendicular to the flow direction. The magnetic field is typically generated by a coil system with one or more coils.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the magnetic system comprises at least one field feedback system configured to guide the magnetic field at least partially outside the measuring tube between the side of the measuring tube opposite the first coil system and the first coil system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field guidance: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the first coil core is configured to guide the magnetic field at least partially between the measuring tube and the field feedback system and to increase the magnetic flux density in the coil system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic flux concentration: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

at least two measuring electrodes arranged in the measuring tube, coupled to the medium and configured to detect a flow-dependent voltage induced in the medium by the magnetic field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3485232B1Magnetoinductive flowmeter
Publication Date: 2021.09.15 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP3485232B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3485232B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3485232B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for measuring the flow velocity or the volumetric flow of a medium by means of a magnetoinductive flowmeter (120) and to an arrangement (100) having a magnetoinductive flowmeter and to a filling plant having an arrangement (100), wherein the medium has low conductivity. A high degree of measurement accuracy is achieved by means of a first constriction (111) of a media-conducting pipeline (110) and/or a second constriction (112) of a media-conducting measuring tube (10), which pipeline (110) conducts the medium to the measuring tube (10) of the flowmeter (120).