Vibrating Meter Transducer Assembly to Prevent Coil-Keeper Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional transducer assemblies in vibrating fluid meters, such as Coriolis flow meters, are prone to damage due to misalignment and contact between coil and keeper assemblies, caused by factors like manufacturing variations, fluid slugs, and temperature differentials, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A transducer assembly design featuring a keeper plate and magnet portion with a coil bobbin, where the keeper plate is prevented from contacting the coil bobbin, utilizing a flux ring and pole piece to stabilize the magnetic circuit, allowing for fixed alignment and preventing misalignment-induced damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transducer assemblies are used with coil and keeper assemblies, then the vibrating meter can operate, but misalignment and contact between components occur due to manufacturing variations, fluid slugs, and temperature differentials, leading to damage and operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
A non-magnetic spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the coil assembly and keeper assembly. This spacer acts as a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the coil and keeper, eliminating the damage caused by misalignment and contact while maintaining the magnetic circuit functionality through the non-magnetic material property
2Measurement precision
If tight tolerances are used for coil and keeper alignment, then measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic spacer is designed with predetermined dimensions and material properties that compensate for expected manufacturing variations and thermal expansion. By pre-building this cushioning layer, the system achieves consistent measurement accuracy without requiring tight manufacturing tolerances on the coil and keeper assemblies
3Device complexity
If the coil and keeper assemblies are allowed to contact during operation, then the magnetic circuit is simplified, but damage occurs from misalignment caused by fluid slugs and temperature differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The non-magnetic spacer serves as a mediator that maintains the magnetic circuit integrity while preventing mechanical contact. The spacer material is selected to be non-magnetic so it does not interfere with the magnetic field, yet provides sufficient mechanical separation to prevent damage from fluid slugs and thermal expansion
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 new design enhances operational reliability by preventing coil/keeper contact, maintaining accurate measurements, and reducing damage from misalignment, thus ensuring consistent performance.
Implementation Method 1
An alternating current is passed to the drive coil for vibrating the conduit(s) at a desired flow tube amplitude and frequency
Implementation Method 2
the pick-off sensors can use the motion provided by the driver to induce a voltage. The voltage is proportional to conduit displacement
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer assembly (300) for a vibrating meter having meter electronics (20) is provided. The transducer assembly (300) comprises a keeper portion (401) comprising a keeper plate (402). A magnet portion (301) comprises a coil bobbin (305) and a coil (309) wound around the coil bobbin (305). A magnet (313) is coupled to the coil bobbin (305). The keeper plate (402) is prevented from contacting the coil bobbin (305).