Integrated Circuit Oscillation Detection for Flow Meter Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing meter reading technologies face challenges in accurately detecting fluid flow and determining the position of movable elements in flow meters using mechanical circuit elements, leading to inefficiencies in data collection and processing.
Innovation Solution
An integrated circuit is developed that includes a pulse generator, comparator, counter, and discriminator circuit to detect oscillations in a resonant circuit, allowing for the determination of a movable element's position by counting pulses exceeding a damping threshold, and a state machine to interpret these signals for fluid flow measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical circuit elements are used for detecting fluid flow and determining position, then the system can perform basic measurement functions, but the data collection efficiency and measurement precision are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical circuit elements with electronic circuit components including a pulse generator, resonant circuit, comparator, counter, and discriminator. The pulse generator produces excitation pulses that drive the resonant circuit, and electronic signal processing replaces mechanical detection methods, thereby improving both data collection efficiency and position detection accuracy through faster signal processing and higher precision electronic measurement.
2Measurement precision
If electronic signal processing is implemented with pulse generator and comparator circuits, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a unified electronic measurement system where the pulse generator, resonant circuit, comparator, counter, and discriminator work together as a coordinated system. The pulse generator provides excitation, the resonant circuit amplifies the signal, the comparator detects oscillations against a threshold, the counter quantifies the oscillations, and the discriminator determines the final state. This merged electronic system achieves high measurement precision while managing complexity through functional integration.
3Measurement precision
If a resonant circuit is used to detect oscillations, then position determination accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic excitation pulses from the pulse generator to drive the resonant circuit at its resonant frequency. By using periodic action rather than continuous energy input, the system efficiently excites the resonant circuit only when needed for measurement, allowing the natural resonance to provide the measurement signal while minimizing overall energy consumption. The periodic pulses are synchronized with the measurement requirements.
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 solution enables accurate detection of fluid flow and position of movable elements in flow meters, enhancing data collection efficiency and precision by utilizing non-mechanical circuit elements like reed switches and resonant circuits.
Implementation Method 1
a resonant circuit positioned near a moveable element of a flow meter and including an input and an output. The resonant circuit is configured to produce a signal in response to an excitation pulse
Implementation Method 2
a comparator for receiving a signal in response to the excitation pulse and for comparing the signal to a threshold to produce a comparator output signal corresponding to oscillations in the signal
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated circuit includes a pulse generator to provide an excitation pulse to an output terminal and a comparator to receive a signal in response to the excitation pulse and for comparing the signal to a threshold to produce a comparator output signal corresponding to oscillations in the signal. The integrated circuit further includes a counter to count pulses in the comparator output signal and a discriminator circuit to compare a count value of the counter to a damping threshold and for providing an output signal having a first value when the count value is equal to or exceeds the damping threshold and otherwise having a second value.