Stiffness Measurement Compensation for Fluid Property Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid property measurement technologies, such as vibratory meters, face challenges in accurately measuring mass flow rate and density due to factors like flange loading and temperature changes, which affect the stiffness of the sensor assembly, leading to inconsistencies in measurements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a processing system within the meter electronics to determine and utilize a stiffness measurement to correct fluid property values, correlating current stiffness values with empirical analysis or computer models to adjust for errors caused by changes in stiffness, thereby improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature and pressure sensors are used to correct fluid property measurements, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the stiffness measurement capability from the existing sensor assembly by analyzing the relationship between flange loading and sensor assembly stiffness. Instead of adding temperature and pressure sensors, the invention uses the existing sensor assembly's stiffness characteristics (measured through resonance frequency analysis) to compensate for measurement errors, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy while avoiding additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces stiffness measurement as an intermediary parameter that mediates between flange loading conditions and fluid property measurements. By measuring the stiffness of the sensor assembly (which changes with flange loading) and using this as a correction factor, the system indirectly compensates for measurement errors without requiring direct temperature and pressure measurements.
2Strength
If flange loading is increased to secure the sensor assembly, then mechanical stability is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to stiffness changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the stiffness of the sensor assembly (affected by flange loading) is continuously measured through resonance frequency analysis. This stiffness information is fed back to correct the fluid property measurements in real-time, compensating for the stiffness-induced measurement errors while maintaining the beneficial mechanical stability from flange loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from direct fluid property measurement to stiffness-based correction. By measuring the resonance frequency of the sensor assembly (which reflects stiffness) and using this parameter to correct the fluid property measurements, the system accounts for flange loading effects without compromising mechanical stability.
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 approach enhances the accuracy of mass flow rate and density measurements by compensating for stiffness-related errors, reducing the need for additional sensors like temperature and pressure sensors, and providing a more stable and efficient measurement process.
Implementation Method 1
As material begins to flow through the vibratory meter, Coriolis forces cause each point along the measuring conduit(s) to have a different phase.
Implementation Method 2
a driving force applied to the measuring conduit(s) causes all points along the measuring conduit(s) to oscillate
Data Source
AI summary
A meter electronics (20) for using a stiffness measurement to compensate a fluid property measurement is provided. The meter electronics (20) comprises an interface (601) configured to communicatively couple to a sensor assembly (10) and receive sensor signals from the sensor assembly (10), and a processing system (602) communicatively coupled to the interface (601). The processing system (602) is configured to determine a fluid property value based on the sensor signals and correct the fluid property value with a fluid property correction value, the fluid property correction value being correlated with a current stiffness value of the sensor assembly.