Vibrating Meter Sensor Temperature Determination via Voltage-Current Ratio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating meters, such as Coriolis flow meters, require additional temperature-measuring devices like RTDs, which increase costs and are unnecessary in situations with stable temperature conditions, necessitating a method to determine conduit temperature without extra components.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a temperature determination signal to measure the voltage-to-current ratio of existing sensor components, like drive coils or pick-off sensors, to determine the temperature of the conduit, eliminating the need for separate temperature-measuring devices by correlating the ratio with temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional temperature-measuring devices like RTDs are used, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor components (drive coils or pick-off sensors) are made to serve dual functions: their primary function for flow measurement and a secondary function for temperature determination. By measuring the voltage-to-current ratio of these existing components, the system obtains temperature information without adding dedicated temperature sensors, thus eliminating the need for RTDs and associated wiring while maintaining temperature measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor components perform self-diagnosis by using their own electrical characteristics (voltage-to-current ratio) to determine temperature. The system leverages the inherent properties of the existing components rather than requiring external temperature-measuring devices, allowing the components to provide information about their own operating conditions
2Measurement precision
If additional temperature-measuring devices like RTDs are used, then temperature measurement accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor components (drive coils or pick-off sensors) are made to serve dual functions: their primary function for flow measurement and a secondary function for temperature determination. By measuring the voltage-to-current ratio of these existing components, the system obtains temperature information without adding dedicated temperature sensors, thus eliminating the need for RTDs and associated wiring while maintaining temperature measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the existing sensor components that are already part of the vibrating meter system rather than adding expensive RTDs. The voltage-to-current ratio measurement approach leverages components that are already present and functional, avoiding additional manufacturing costs for temperature sensing hardware
3Measurement precision
If additional temperature-measuring devices like RTDs are used, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but device wiring and installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing sensor components (drive coils or pick-off sensors) are made to serve dual functions: their primary function for flow measurement and a secondary function for temperature determination. By measuring the voltage-to-current ratio of these existing components, the system obtains temperature information without adding dedicated temperature sensors, thus eliminating the need for RTDs and associated wiring while maintaining temperature measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature measurement function is merged with the existing flow measurement components. The same drive coils or pick-off sensors that are already wired into the system for their primary function are also used for temperature determination, combining multiple functions into existing hardware and eliminating separate wiring requirements
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 allows for accurate temperature measurement of vibrating meter conduits using existing sensor components, reducing costs and complexity by eliminating the need for RTDs and associated wiring, while maintaining precision in temperature determination.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a resulting signal... determining a temperature of the sensor component based on the temperature determination signal and the resulting signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining a temperature of a vibrating sensor component (204A, 205A, 205'A) coupled to a conduit (203A, 203B) of a vibrating meter (200) is provided. The method comprises a step of supplying the vibrating sensor component (204A, 205A, 205'A) with a temperature determination signal (313). The method also comprises a step of measuring a resulting signal (314). The method further comprises a step of determining a temperature of the sensor component (204A, 205A, 205'A) based on the temperature determination signal (313) and the resulting signal (314).