Vibratory Meter Assembly for Real-Time Vapor Pressure Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining vapor pressure of fluids in meter assemblies are inefficient and unsafe, requiring laboratory analysis of samples, which introduces delays and risks, and lack real-time capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vibratory meter assembly with integrated meter electronics that determines vapor pressure based on static pressure, varying fluid conditions to detect phase changes and using sensor signals to calculate vapor pressure in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If vapor pressure is determined by capturing samples and removing them to a laboratory for testing, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but time delay and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vapor pressure measurement function from the laboratory setting and integrates it directly into the meter assembly. The meter assembly now contains all necessary components (pressure sensor, temperature sensor, and processing electronics) to perform vapor pressure determination in-line, eliminating the need to transport samples to a laboratory while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system within the meter assembly that receives raw sensor data (pressure and temperature), applies vapor pressure correlation algorithms, and outputs determined vapor pressure values. This intermediary processing enables real-time vapor pressure measurement without sample transport, resolving the time delay issue while preserving measurement precision through computational methods.
2Measurement precision
If vapor pressure is determined by capturing samples and removing them to a laboratory for testing, then measurement accuracy can be maintained, but safety risks and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the hazardous sample handling and transport processes from the measurement system. By integrating the measurement function directly into the meter assembly, the system eliminates safety risks associated with capturing, transporting, and handling volatile fluid samples in a laboratory setting, while maintaining measurement accuracy through in-line sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter assembly performs vapor pressure determination autonomously using its own integrated sensors and processing capabilities. The system serves itself by measuring vapor pressure directly in the process line without requiring external laboratory intervention, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with sample handling while maintaining measurement precision.
3Productivity
If in-line vapor pressure measurement is implemented, then real-time measurement capability is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional meter assembly that performs vapor pressure determination in addition to its primary measurement functions. The integrated system uses existing pressure and temperature sensors combined with vapor pressure correlation algorithms to achieve real-time vapor pressure measurement, thereby increasing productivity without requiring completely separate dedicated equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the vapor pressure measurement function with the existing meter assembly structure. By combining pressure sensing, temperature sensing, and vapor pressure calculation capabilities into a single integrated unit, the system achieves real-time measurement capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate standalone equipment.
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
Enables continuous, on-site measurement of vapor pressure, improving safety and reducing delays by eliminating the need for sample collection and laboratory analysis, while ensuring accurate and immediate detection of fluid phase changes.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet and an opposing drive coil have received great success in the flowmeter industry. 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 pickoffs can use the motion provided by the driver to induce a voltage
Implementation Method 3
As material begins to flow through the flowmeter, Coriolis forces cause each point along the conduit(s) to have a different phase
Data Source
AI summary
A vibratory meter (5) for determining a vapor pressure of a fluid is provided. The vibratory meter (5) includes a meter assembly (10) having a fluid, and a meter electronics (20) communicatively coupled to the meter assembly (10). The vibratory meter (5) is configured to determine a vapor pressure of the fluid in the meter assembly (10) based on a static pressure of the fluid in the meter assembly (10).