Strain Sensor Array Orientation for Vibration-Resistant Flow Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Strain-based sensors used to measure fluid flow parameters in pipes are sensitive to structural vibrations, which can impair the accuracy of measurements by introducing noise and error, as most sensors do not account for pipe wall stress associated with vibrations and are not oriented symmetrically to the elastic axis.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using vibrational sensors to determine the predominant elastic axis of a conduit and securing a strain sensor array in a symmetric orientation to minimize sensitivity to structural vibrations, using a clamp device that is either symmetric or asymmetrically positioned to match the elastic axis, thereby reducing noise from bending vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain sensors are used to measure fluid flow parameters in pipes, then fluid flow measurement capability is provided, but structural vibrations introduce noise and error that impair measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately orienting the strain sensor array asymmetrically with respect to the pipe circumference, specifically positioning it at an angle that minimizes sensitivity to bending vibrations while maintaining measurement capability. This asymmetric positioning exploits the fact that bending vibrations produce maximum strain at specific angular positions, and by avoiding these positions, the sensor becomes less sensitive to vibrational noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making the strain sensor array circumferentially selective - it measures strain in specific angular directions while being less sensitive in other directions. This is achieved through the asymmetric positioning and orientation of the sensor array, which creates different measurement sensitivities in different angular regions around the pipe, allowing the sensor to locally filter out vibrational components.
2Reliability
If a clamping mechanism is used to secure strain sensors to the pipe, then sensor attachment is achieved, but the clamping mechanism may make the strain sensors non-axisymmetric and increase sensitivity to structural vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by deliberately designing the clamping mechanism to be asymmetric and positioning it at a specific angular location that does not create maximum vibrational sensitivity. The asymmetric clamping configuration, when positioned at the optimized angle, actually helps achieve the desired asymmetric sensor orientation while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the optimal angular position for the clamping mechanism and strain sensor array before installation. By calculating and setting the correct angular position in advance, the system ensures that the clamping mechanism secures the sensors in the vibration-minimizing orientation, thereby achieving both reliable attachment and reduced vibrational sensitivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If strain sensors are positioned at standard locations on the pipe, then installation is simplified, but the sensors may not be oriented symmetrically to the elastic axis, increasing measurement error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a method to pre-determine the optimal angular position of the strain sensor array relative to the pipe's elastic axis before installation. This preliminary determination of the correct angular position allows installers to accurately position the sensors to minimize vibrational sensitivity while maintaining installation practicality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the angular position parameter of the strain sensor array. By changing the angular position from standard/ arbitrary locations to specifically calculated optimal positions, the system achieves reduced vibrational sensitivity and improved measurement accuracy while maintaining ease of installation through a systematic positioning method.
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 significantly reduces the sensitivity of strain measurements to structural vibrations, enhancing the accuracy of fluid flow parameter determination by ensuring the strain sensor array is orthogonal to bending vibrations, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio and providing more reliable fluid flow data.
Implementation Method 1
using at least one vibrational sensor to sense a conduit to determine vibrational characteristics of the conduit
Implementation Method 2
An array of strain sensors can be used to measure the speed at which coherent disturbances convect within the fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
determining a predominant elastic axis using the measured vibrational characteristics; and securing a strain sensor array to an outer surface of the conduit at a position so that the strain sensor array is oriented substantially symmetric to the determined predominant elastic axis
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method of decreasing vibrational sensitivity of strain based measurements of fluid flow parameters for a fluid flow in a conduit is provided. The method includes using at least one vibrational sensor to sense a conduit to determine vibrational characteristics of the conduit, determining a predominant elastic axis using the measured vibrational characteristics, and securing a strain sensor array to an outer surface of the conduit, the strain sensor array having a plurality of strain sensors disposed at different axial positions of the conduit, the strain sensor array secured to the outer surface of the conduit at a position so that the strain sensor array is oriented substantially symmetric to the determined predominant elastic axis.