Integrated Mass Flow Meter Wiring Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass flow sensor systems that combine a density meter and a volumetric flow meter to calculate mass flow rates require excessive wiring and necessitate reprogramming of the central processing system upon meter replacement, and users are burdened with unnecessary density and volumetric flow rate calculations.
Innovation Solution
A mass flow rate sensor system where only one of the density meter or volumetric flow meter is in electrical communication with a remote processing system, allowing for reduced wiring and simplified calculations by directly outputting mass flow rates, with both meters generating measurements simultaneously and sharing data to calculate the mass flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a density meter and a volumetric flow meter are both in electrical communication with a central processing system to generate mass flow rate, then the mass flow rate can be calculated, but the amount of wiring is excessive and duplicative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the density meter and volumetric flow meter into a single integrated mass flow meter assembly where both sensors share a common housing and electrical communication path. The density sensor and volumetric flow sensor are positioned to measure the same fluid stream, and their signals are processed together in a single electronics package, eliminating the need for separate wiring to a central processing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mass flow meter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it measures density, volumetric flow rate, and mass flow rate in a single device. The electronics are designed to process multiple sensor inputs and provide multiple output measurements, making the device universally applicable for various flow measurement needs without requiring additional separate instruments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If each meter communicates independently with the central processing system, then individual density and volumetric flow rate measurements are available, but the central processing system must be reprogrammed when meters are replaced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the density meter and volumetric flow meter into a single integrated assembly with shared electronics, the system treats them as one replaceable unit. When the mass flow meter needs replacement, the entire integrated assembly is replaced as a single module, eliminating the need to reprogram the central processing system for individual sensor replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated mass flow meter contains all necessary processing electronics within the assembly itself, enabling it to perform self-diagnostics and self-configuration. The device automatically communicates its capabilities and measurement parameters to the central processing system upon installation, eliminating manual reprogramming requirements.
3Loss of information
If both density and volumetric flow rate are measured and communicated separately, then complete fluid characterization is achieved, but users receive more data than necessary and must perform additional calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated mass flow meter performs the mass flow rate calculation in advance within its electronics, combining the density and volumetric flow rate measurements before output. The device pre-processes the data to deliver the final mass flow rate measurement directly, eliminating the need for users to perform separate calculations while maintaining complete measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and delivers only the essential mass flow rate measurement to the user, separating this primary information from the intermediate density and volumetric flow rate data. The integrated electronics filter and prioritize the most relevant measurement output, providing users with exactly what they need without unnecessary additional data or calculation steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A mass flow rate sensor system (200) is provided. The mass flow rate sensor system (200) includes a density meter (202) including a sensor assembly (204a) and a density meter electronics (204b) configured to generate a density measurement of a process fluid. The mass flow rate sensor system (200) further includes a volumetric flow meter (203) including a sensor assembly (205a) and a volumetric meter electronics (205b) configured to generate a volumetric flow rate of the process fluid and in electrical communication with the density meter electronics (204b). A remote processing system (207) is provided that is in electrical communication with only one of the density meter electronics (204b) or the volumetric meter electronics (205b). The remote processing system (207) is configured to receive a mass flow rate measurement of the process fluid generated by the density meter electronics (204b) or the volumetric meter electronics (205b) based on the generated density measurement and the generated volumetric flow rate.