Samarium Cobalt Magnet Assembly for High-Temperature Flow Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-temperature Coriolis mass flow meter applications, the use of AlNiCo magnets is inefficient due to their high mass and low B-field strength, which is not suitable for newer designs with higher stiffness and lower vibrational amplitudes, where low mass driver and pickoff systems are required.
Innovation Solution
A magnet assembly using a samarium cobalt magnet with a nickel-plating layer affixed to a magnet keeper via brazing or a countersink region, providing a strong and effective magnetic field at high temperatures without increasing the magnet size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If AlNiCo magnets are used in high temperature applications, then magnetic field stability is maintained, but magnet mass increases and B-field strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from AlNiCo to samarium cobalt, which has different magnetic properties including higher B-field strength and lower mass while maintaining high temperature stability. This material substitution resolves the contradiction by finding a material with superior properties across all required parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining samarium cobalt magnet material with a nickel-plating layer. The nickel plating provides corrosion resistance and surface protection while the samarium cobalt core provides the required magnetic field strength and low mass, maintaining stability at high temperatures.
2Temperature
If AlNiCo magnets are used, then high temperature application is supported, but B-field strength is insufficient for high stiffness flow tube designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic material parameters by substituting AlNiCo with samarium cobalt, which provides significantly higher B-field strength while maintaining high temperature capability. This enables the magnet assembly to work effectively with high stiffness flow tube designs that require stronger magnetic fields.
3Force
If larger magnets are used to increase B-field strength, then magnetic field strength improves, but magnet assembly size increases beyond fixed spacing constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material density and magnetic moment parameters by using samarium cobalt instead of AlNiCo. This allows achieving higher B-field strength with a smaller magnet volume, fitting within the fixed spacing constraints of the flow meter design.
Solution Approach 2:
The nickel-plated samarium cobalt composite provides high magnetic field strength in a compact form factor, allowing the magnet assembly to fit within the constrained spacing while delivering the required B-field strength for high stiffness flow tube operation.
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 a high-temperature magnet assembly that maintains magnetic flux and stability, reducing mass while enhancing performance in vibratory flow meters, suitable for temperatures above 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Implementation Method 1
brazing that affixes the at least one magnet to the magnet receiving face of the magnet keeper
Implementation Method 2
A magnet assembly using a samarium cobalt magnet with a nickel-plating layer affixed to a magnet keeper via brazing or a countersink region, providing a strong and effective magnetic field at high temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
A magnet assembly (200) is provided according to the invention. The magnet assembly (200) includes at least one magnet (210), a magnet keeper (220) including a substantially planar magnet receiving face (222) for receiving the at least one magnet (210), and brazing (230) that affixes the at least one magnet (210) to the magnet receiving face (222) of the magnet keeper (220).