Vibrating Wire Gauge Continuous Frequency Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vibrating wire gauges require a time delay between measurement cycles due to the need for the wire to stop vibrating before being excited again, which is undesirable for successive measurements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows the wire to be excited while it is vibrating, with an excitation signal matching its frequency and phase, to increase the amplitude and maintain continual vibration, enabling more frequent measurements without altering the resonant frequency or phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the wire is excited using a wide spectrum of frequencies and allowed to stop vibrating before the next measurement, then the resonant frequency can be accurately measured, but the time delay between measurements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by exciting the wire with a narrow-band signal at its resonant frequency during the measurement period, allowing the wire to maintain continuous vibration. This eliminates the need to stop the wire between measurements, enabling successive measurements to be taken without time delays while maintaining measurement accuracy through phase-locked detection of the continuous vibration signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic action by applying a excitation signal at the resonant frequency that is synchronized with the wire's natural vibration period. The signal is applied periodically at the correct phase to maintain continuous vibration, allowing measurements to be taken at regular intervals without requiring the wire to come to rest between measurements.
2Productivity
If the wire is excited continuously to maintain vibration for rapid successive measurements, then measurement frequency increases, but the wire may not be excited at the correct resonant frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring the wire's vibration response and using phase-locked loop (PLL) technology to detect the resonant frequency. The system measures the phase difference between the excitation signal and the wire's response, automatically adjusting the excitation frequency to match the resonant frequency. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate resonant frequency identification while maintaining continuous vibration for rapid successive measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by implementing a dynamic frequency adjustment mechanism where the excitation frequency is continuously adapted based on the measured resonant frequency. The system transitions from a static fixed-frequency excitation approach to a dynamic system that automatically tracks and adjusts to the wire's resonant frequency, ensuring accurate measurements even as environmental conditions change.
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 more accurate and rapid successive measurements of physical characteristics like strain, stress, and pressure by maintaining continuous vibration of the wire, reducing the time needed between measurements.
Implementation Method 1
An electromagnetic coil may be used to pluck or excite the wire and measure the frequency of vibration
Implementation Method 2
The vibrating wire gauge generally operates on the vibrating wire principle which states that a wire vibrates at its resonant frequency when plucked
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for measuring a frequency of a wire in a vibrating wire gauge. The system may include a signal generator for generating a signal at a frequency that matches a frequency of the wire vibration and an excitation unit for exciting the wire to increase an amplitude of the wire vibration. The excitation unit may excite the wire using the signal. The system may further include a signal gate for controlling when the signal is sent to the excitation unit.