Vibration-Type Measuring Transducer Using Generative Manufacturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibration-type measuring transducers for flowable media in pipelines face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to external disturbances, such as vibrations and temperature fluctuations, which affect the measurement accuracy and are difficult to mitigate without increasing weight or complicating manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of generative manufacturing methods to create measuring transducers with components like measuring tubes and housing modules that can be designed for optimal stiffness and frequency spectrum matching, allowing for targeted stiffness adjustments and integration of vibration-damping features like hollow spaces and porous structures, enabling more complex geometries and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional manufacturing methods are used for measuring transducer components, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but measurement accuracy is reduced due to inability to optimize stiffness and frequency spectrum matching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies generative manufacturing methods to change the geometric parameters of measuring tube components, enabling optimized stiffness distribution and frequency spectrum matching that cannot be achieved with conventional manufacturing. This allows precise control of structural parameters to improve measurement accuracy while accounting for external disturbances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures in the measuring tube components, combining different materials with complementary properties to achieve optimal stiffness and damping characteristics. This composite approach enables improved measurement accuracy by selectively placing materials with different mechanical properties in specific regions of the component.
2Reliability
If traditional designs are used without generative manufacturing, then manufacturing processes remain simple, but complex vibration-damping features like hollow spaces and porous structures cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates porous structures into the measuring transducer components using generative manufacturing. These porous features serve as vibration-damping elements that reduce the impact of external disturbances on measurements, improving reliability and stability of the measurement system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates hollow spaces and segmented structures within the measuring tube components. These segmented features create multiple smaller vibration-isolating chambers that effectively dampen external vibrations while maintaining the overall structural integrity and functionality of the measuring device.
3Measurement precision
If weight increase is avoided, then existing vibration mitigation methods cannot be applied, but measurement accuracy suffers from external disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality optimization by positioning vibration-damping features and stiffening elements only in specific regions where they are most needed. This localized approach provides effective vibration mitigation and improved measurement accuracy without adding excessive weight to the entire transducer assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic vibration-damping features that are integrated into the measuring tube structure. These dynamic elements, such as tuned mass dampers and flexible connections, actively respond to external vibrations and reduce their impact on measurements without requiring heavy static counterweights or damping masses.
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 measurement accuracy by reducing disturbing influences and allowing for the manufacture of complex parts that were previously impossible, while maintaining stability and minimizing weight, especially in larger nominal diameters.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one measuring tube is excited to mechanical oscillations in the so-called drive- or wanted mode with the so-called wanted frequency, which is usually a frequency corresponding to an oscillatory mode of the at least one measuring tube, such that the at least one measuring tube executes resonant oscillations
Implementation Method 2
at least one electromechanical, especially electro-dynamic, exciter mechanism acting on the at least one measuring tube for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the at least one measuring tube
Implementation Method 3
at least one vibration sensor arrangement reacting to oscillations of the at least one measuring tube for detecting the oscillations of the at least one measuring tube and for producing at least one oscillatory measurement signal representing oscillations
Data Source
AI summary
A measuring transducer for registering and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a flowable medium guided in a pipeline, which at least includes: a housing module, which is mechanically coupled with the pipeline via an inlet end and an outlet end, and a sensor module having at least one measuring tube held oscillatably at least partially in the housing module and caused, at least at times, to oscillate. The at least one component of the housing module and/or of the sensor module is manufactured by means of a generative method and method for manufacturing at least one component of a measuring transducer, which method includes manufacturing the at least one component by means of a primary forming process, especially by means of a layered applying and/or melting-on of a powder, especially a metal powder, based on a digital data set, which gives at least the shape and/or the material and/or the structure of the at least one component.