Vibratory Conduit Sensor Bracket With Tube Ring Stress Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor assemblies for vibratory conduits are complex and expensive to manufacture, with complex brackets that often fail due to high stresses and dynamic forces during operation, leading to unreliable affixation and potential brazing joint failures.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly comprising a symmetric sensor bracket and tube ring with complementary portions that interface via grooves, allowing for inexpensive and tightly controlled manufacturing, reducing stress in the brazing joint and enhancing reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex brackets with multiple pieces are used to affix sensor assemblies to vibratory conduits, then the sensor assembly can be affixed to the conduit, but the manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into two functional segments: a first portion that interfaces with the sensor assembly and a second portion that interfaces with the vibratory conduit. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The first portion and second portion of the bracket are merged into a single integrated component rather than separate pieces. This merging eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps and alignment jigs while maintaining the functional benefits of having distinct interface regions
2Ease of manufacture
If simple brackets are used to reduce manufacturing complexity, then manufacturing cost decreases, but the brackets are not reliably affixed to the vibratory conduit under stress
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket exhibits local quality by having different geometric characteristics in different regions: the first portion has features optimized for sensor assembly attachment while the second portion has features optimized for conduit attachment. This allows a simple overall design with locally optimized stress distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates curved or rounded transition regions between the first and second portions, as well as at attachment points. These curved features distribute stress more evenly compared to sharp corners, enhancing reliability without increasing manufacturing complexity
3Device complexity
If brackets contact the tube ring at a single point rather than along a line or multiple points, then the bracket design is simpler, but the brazed joint fails due to high stresses and dynamic forces
Solution Approach 1:
The contact interface between the bracket and tube ring is extended from a zero-dimensional point contact to a one-dimensional line contact or two-dimensional area contact. This dimensional expansion distributes the brazed joint stresses across a larger interface, significantly improving joint strength while maintaining design simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A sensor assembly (100, 300) for a vibratory conduit (130a, 330) is provided. The sensor assembly (100, 300) includes a sensor bracket (110, 310) having an outer surface (112, 312) substantially symmetric about an axis (S) and including a complementary portion (112c, 312c). The sensor assembly (100, 300) also includes a tube ring (120, 220, 320) having an outer surface (122, 222, 322) including a complementary portion (122c, 222c, 322c) affixed to the complementary portion (112c, 312c) of the sensor bracket (110, 310). The axis (S) of the sensor bracket (110, 310) is external of the vibratory conduit (130a, 330) when the tube ring (120, 220, 320) is affixed to the vibratory conduit (130a, 330).