Optical Emitter-Sensor Assembly for Vibratory Flow Tube Phase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibratory flow meters require multiple sensors to measure spatiotemporal relationships between positions, which can complicate the sensor assembly design and potentially introduce measurement errors, necessitating a simpler and more reliable method.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory flow meter employing an emitter-sensor assembly with a single emitter and sensor configuration, using electro-magnetic radiation to measure the spatiotemporal relationship between two positions on a vibratory flow tube, where the emitter emits radiation towards a reflective surface at a second position, and the sensor detects the reflected radiation on a two-axis position sensitive detector or array of photo-sensitive diodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple pickoff sensors are used to measure spatiotemporal relationships between positions, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single pickoff sensor by using optical coupling to the vibratory element. The single sensor can detect multiple parameters (position, velocity, acceleration) through different measurement modes, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pickoff sensor is designed with multi-functionality to perform various measurement tasks. By using optical coupling and signal processing techniques, the same sensor can measure different spatiotemporal relationships at different positions, making it a universal measurement device.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors are employed to determine spatiotemporal relationships, then measurement coverage is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single reliable sensor. By using optical coupling with the vibratory element, the single pickoff sensor provides consistent and reliable measurements without the variability and potential errors associated with multiple separate sensors.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor is used to measure spatiotemporal relationships, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement capability may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single pickoff sensor achieves multi-functionality through optical coupling techniques. The sensor can measure position, velocity, and acceleration by detecting different aspects of the optical signal from the vibratory element, thereby maintaining full measurement capability while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical multi-sensor arrangements with an optical measurement system. The optical coupling method allows a single sensor to extract multiple measurement parameters through signal processing, substituting mechanical complexity with optical and computational approaches.
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
This configuration simplifies the sensor assembly design, reduces noise, and provides more reliable measurements of spatiotemporal relationships, such as phase differences, between the positions on the vibratory flow tube, enhancing the accuracy of material properties determination.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor (120) configured to receive the electro-magnetic radiation (112) reflected from a reflective surface that is rigidly coupled to the second position (12b) of the vibratory flow tube (12)
Implementation Method 2
the sensor (120) is a position sensor detector configured to detect the position of the electro-magnetic radiation (112) on a sensing area (122) of a two-axis position sensitive detector or on an array of photo-sensitive diodes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An emitter-sensor assembly (100) for measuring a spatiotemporal relationship between two or more positions of a vibratory element (12) is provided. The emitter-sensor assembly (100) includes an emitter (110) substantially rigidly coupled to a first position (12a) of the vibratory element (12), the emitter (110) configured to emit electro-magnetic radiation (112) towards a second position (12b) of the vibratory element (12), and a sensor (120) substantially rigidly coupled to the first position (12a) of the vibratory element (12), the sensor (120) configured to receive the electro-magnetic radiation (112) reflected from the second position (12b) of the vibratory element (12).