Modular Coriolis Flowmeter With Protected Infrared Tube Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Coriolis flowmeters with replaceable measuring tube assemblies face issues in single-use applications due to damage risks from optical temperature sensors and unsuitability for biopharmaceutical applications, as well as the need for cleanable and durable temperature measurement solutions.
Innovation Solution
A modular Coriolis flowmeter design featuring a non-contact temperature sensor, such as an infrared sensor, positioned in the electronics chamber with protective glass, allowing contactless temperature measurement through an opening, ensuring durability and cleanliness for single-use and biopharmaceutical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an optical temperature sensor is used in a conventional Coriolis flowmeter, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor is vulnerable to damage during measuring tube module replacement and cannot be cleaned for biopharmaceutical applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the contact-based optical temperature sensor with a contactless infrared temperature sensor that measures temperature through thermal radiation. This substitution eliminates the mechanical contact between the sensor and measuring tube, preventing damage during module replacement while maintaining accurate temperature measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an opening in the carrier module wall that allows infrared radiation to pass from the measuring tube to the temperature sensor. This opening acts as an intermediary pathway that enables contactless thermal energy transfer while physically separating the sensor from the measuring tube, solving both durability and cleanability issues
2Measurement precision
If a contact-based temperature sensor is attached to the measuring tube, then temperature measurement is achieved, but the sensor must be discarded after each use in single-use applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based temperature sensing with contactless infrared temperature sensing. This allows the temperature sensor to remain permanently mounted in the carrier module while the measuring tube module is replaced, eliminating the need to discard the expensive sensor with each single-use application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the flowmeter into replaceable measuring tube modules and a permanent carrier module containing the electronics and temperature sensor. This segmentation allows the measuring tube to be disposable while the expensive sensor remains reusable, improving ease of manufacture for single-use applications
3Measurement precision
If the temperature sensor is located inside the housing facing the measuring tube, then temperature measurement is achieved, but inserting the measuring tube module can cause collision and damage to both components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the facing optical sensor configuration with a contactless infrared sensor that detects thermal radiation through an opening in the carrier module wall. This substitution eliminates the collision risk by removing the mechanical facing relationship between sensor and measuring tube while maintaining temperature measurement 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
The solution provides durable, contactless temperature measurement suitable for single-use applications and meets Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards, enabling cleanability and reliability in biopharmaceutical environments.
Implementation Method 1
a non-contact temperature sensor (12), in particular an infrared sensor, arranged in the electronics chamber (30) and oriented such that when the measuring tube module (4) is arranged in the carrier module (10), in particular in the receptacle (11), the temperature sensor (12) is directed towards a surface of the measuring tube module (4), in particular a measuring tube surface (34) of the at least one measuring tube (3a, 3b), and receives a light beam emitted from the surface of the measuring tube module (4), in particular the measuring tube surface (34) of the measuring tube (3a, 3b)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a modular Coriolis flowmeter (1) for determining a process variable of a flowable medium, comprising: a measuring tube module (4) having a measuring tube (3a, 3b) for guiding the medium, a primary exciter component (23) and a primary sensor component (24a, 24b) arranged on the measuring tube (3a, 3b); a support module (10) having a recess (11) in which the measuring tube module (4) can be arranged with a detachable connection; an electronics chamber (30) in which electronics components (4) for operating the modular Coriolis flowmeter (1) are arranged; a support module wall (31) bordering the electronics chamber (30) and the recess (11) and having a through-opening (32) which connects the recess (11) to the electronics chamber (30), wherein protective glass (33) is arranged in the opening (32); a contactless temperature sensor (12) which is arranged in the electronics chamber (30) and orientated in such a way that, when the measuring tube module (3) is arranged in the support module (10), the temperature sensor (12) is directed towards a measuring tube surface (34) of the at least one measuring tube (3) and receives a light beam emitted from the measuring tube surface (34) of the measuring tube (3) through the opening (32); a secondary exciter component (13) that is complementary to the primary exciter component (23); and a secondary sensor component (14) that is complementary to the primary sensor component (24).