Vibratory Density Meter Elastic Couplers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vibration-type measuring sensors for density and mass flow rate measurement face challenges due to rigid coupling between measuring tubes, leading to mechanical stresses and reduced accuracy, and bulky designs resulting from identical tube arrangements.

Innovation Solution

A vibration-type transducer with two oscillators, each comprising two mirror-symmetrically bent measuring tubes coupled with elastic vibration couplers, where the couplers have distinct spring constants and natural frequencies to minimize mechanical stress and optimize tube alignment, allowing for precise phase control and reduced bulkiness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If measuring tubes are coupled rigidly over short distances to form oscillators, then the structural stability is improved, but large constraint forces and mechanical stresses occur between the coupled measuring tubes, impairing measuring accuracy and sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmeasuring accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid coupling with flexible elastic vibration couplers that have a spring constant. These couplers allow relative movement between measuring tubes while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating large constraint forces and mechanical stresses that would otherwise impair measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the spring constant of the elastic vibration coupler as a key parameter. By carefully selecting this parameter, the system achieves both structural stability for oscillator formation and minimal mechanical stress for accurate measurement, resolving the contradiction between stability and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If identical measuring tubes are arranged in the same arc orientation to form multiple oscillators, then the manufacturing consistency is improved, but the device becomes rather bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing consistencyVSAvoiddevice bulkiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs measuring tubes with different arc orientations (different longitudinal planes) for the first and second oscillators. This asymmetric arrangement allows compact spatial configuration while maintaining manufacturing consistency through standardized tube components, reducing device bulkiness without sacrificing manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If measuring tubes are bent in the same direction to simplify alignment, then the assembly ease is improved, but mirror-symmetric oscillation modes cannot be achieved, reducing measurement sensitivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidmeasurement sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent deliberately creates asymmetric bending directions for measuring tubes in different oscillators (first oscillator tubes bent in one direction, second oscillator tubes bent in opposite direction). This asymmetric design enables mirror-symmetric oscillation modes that are essential for sensitive differential measurement, while the overall assembly process remains simplified through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 solution enhances measuring accuracy and sensitivity by minimizing mechanical stress and reducing device bulkiness, while maintaining precise phase control and frequency separation between oscillation modes, thus improving the overall performance of the sensor.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first elastic vibration coupler, which couples the first measuring tube and the second measuring tube to each other to form the first oscillator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic vibration: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the exciter is configured to excite the oscillator oscillations of the two oscillators against each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical vibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

at least two vibration sensors

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration detection: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP3559607B1Vibratory type meter for measuring the density and/or flow rate of a flowing medium
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 ENDRESS HAUSER FLOWTEC AG
  • EP3559607B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3559607B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3559607B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a measurement sensor of the vibrational type for measuring the density and/or the mass flow of a medium, comprising two oscillators (O1, O2); an exciter for stimulating oscillator vibrations; and two vibration sensors; wherein the first oscillator (O1) comprises a first and a second measuring tube (101, 102) bending in the same direction, for vibration in a first bending vibration mode in mirror symmetry relative to a measuring tube transverse plane (Sxy); and at least one first resilient vibration coupler (212), for coupling the two measuring tubes (101, 102) to the first oscillator (O1); wherein the second oscillator (O2) comprises at least a third and a fourth measuring tube (103, 104), for vibration in a first bending vibration mode in mirror symmetry relative to the measuring tube transverse plane (Sxy); and at least one second resilient vibration coupler (212), for coupling the two measuring tubes (103, 104) to the second oscillator (O2); wherein perpendicularly to the measuring tube transverse plane (Sxy) a measurement sensor longitudinal plane (Syz-0) extends between the third and the fourth measuring tube, wherein the first and third measuring tube (101, 103) relative to the measurement sensor longitudinal plane (Syz-0) are in mirror symmetry relative to one another, wherein the second and fourth measuring tube (102, 104) relative to the measurement sensor longitudinal plane (Syz-0) are in mirror symmetry relative to one another.