Repositionable Brace Bar for Vibratory Conduits
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Brazed joints in vibratory sensor assemblies are prone to failure due to high stresses and dynamic forces, and the brazing process introduces heat stress and permanence of component position, necessitating a solution for a repositionable and repairable sensor assembly.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable brace bar system with straps and fasteners that mechanically attach to vibratory conduits, eliminating the need for brazing and allowing for adjustable tension and repositioning, along with a strap-based attachment system for the driver and pickoff components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If brazed joints are used to attach brackets and brace bars to conduits, then strong mechanical attachment is achieved, but the joints are prone to failure due to high stresses and dynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into separate components: a brace bar with protrusions, a strap with aperture, and a fastener. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, distributing the mechanical stress across multiple elements rather than concentrating it in a single brazed joint, thereby improving reliability under dynamic loads
Solution Approach 2:
The strap and fastener system provides dynamic adjustability, allowing the attachment tension to be modified based on operating conditions. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to varying stress levels and dynamic forces during conduit vibration, preventing joint failure that would occur with rigid brazed connections
2Strength
If brazing is used to attach components to conduits, then permanent and secure attachment is achieved, but heat stress is introduced to sensitive components
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal brazing process is replaced with a purely mechanical attachment system consisting of straps and fasteners. This substitution eliminates the introduction of heat stress to temperature-sensitive components such as the conduit and electronic sensors, while maintaining secure attachment through mechanical tension applied by the fastener
3Strength
If brazed joints are used to attach components to conduits, then strong attachment is achieved, but the position of components becomes permanent and non-adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system incorporates dynamic elements through the removable strap and fastener mechanism, enabling components to be repositioned along the conduit as needed. This adaptability allows for optimization of sensor and driver positions during system setup or maintenance without requiring destruction of the original attachment, while maintaining strong mechanical attachment when installed
4Strength
If complex brazed bracket assemblies are used to attach sensors and drivers to conduits, then secure attachment is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into simple, separate components: a brace bar with protrusions, a strap with aperture, and a fastener. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex brazed bracket assemblies, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining secure attachment through the distributed mechanical connection
Solution Approach 2:
The strap and fastener system uses simpler, less expensive materials and manufacturing processes compared to brazed brackets. The components can be produced through standard machining or forming operations without requiring specialized brazing equipment or skilled labor, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
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 reduces heat stress, enables repair and tuning of the sensor assembly, and simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating the high-temperature brazing cycle, while maintaining secure attachment of components to the conduits.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired conduit amplitude and frequency
Implementation Method 2
Pickoffs on the conduit(s) produce sinusoidal signals representative of the motion of the conduit(s)
Implementation Method 3
As material begins to flow through the conduit(s), Coriolis forces cause each point along the conduit(s) to have a different phase
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A brace bar (140, 140', 140a, 140a') configured to be removably attachable to vibratory conduits (130a, 130b) of a flowmeter (5) is provided. The attachment comprises a mechanical attachment, wherein the brace bar (140, 140', 140a, 140a') is movable about the vibratory conduits (130a, 130b). A component (14, 14a, 16, 16', 16a, 16a') of the flowmeter (5) sensor assembly (10) that is removably attachable to vibratory conduits (130a, 130b) is also provided. The attachment comprises a mechanical attachment, comprising: a coil portion (164, 170) and a magnet portion (165, 171), wherein the component (14, 14a, 16, 16', 16a, 16a') is movable about the vibratory conduits (130a, 130b).