Vibronic Sensor Coil State Monitoring via Phase Shift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibronic sensors face challenges in ensuring high safety standards, particularly in monitoring the state of coils used in determining process variables within containment systems, especially at varying temperatures, and require additional components for diagnostics which increase structural effort.
Innovation Solution
A method for state monitoring of a coil in a vibronic sensor that involves ascertaining a first phase shift between excitation and received signals at a specific frequency to determine a state indicator, allowing for qualitative and quantitative assessment of coil damage, and using additional phase shifts at different frequencies to determine temperature without additional sensors, thereby simplifying diagnostics and temperature compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional components are added to the vibronic sensor for diagnostics and temperature monitoring, then the measurement precision and reliability improve, but the device complexity and structural effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil serves multiple functions: it acts as both the excitation coil for generating mechanical oscillations and as a sensor coil for detecting temperature and coil state. By measuring the phase shift between excitation and received signals at different frequencies, the system obtains temperature information and coil integrity data without adding separate sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil monitors its own state by utilizing its dual role in the electromechanical transducer. The same coil that generates oscillations also detects changes in its own electrical characteristics (phase shift, impedance) that indicate temperature variations or damage, enabling self-diagnostics without external monitoring equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vibronic sensor operates at high temperatures, then the adaptability to harsh environments improves, but the reliability of coil operation deteriorates due to temperature-induced changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the phase shift between excitation and received signals, which varies with temperature and coil state. This feedback information is used to detect temperature changes and coil degradation, allowing the system to compensate for temperature effects or alert operators to potential failures before they compromise measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the fact that electrical parameters (phase shift, impedance) of the coil change predictably with temperature. By measuring these parameter changes at different frequencies, the system can distinguish between temperature-induced variations and actual coil damage, maintaining reliable operation across a wide temperature range.
3Measurement precision
If traditional separate temperature sensors are added to the vibronic sensor, then the temperature measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coil is designed to perform both its primary function of generating mechanical oscillations and the secondary function of temperature sensing. By analyzing the phase shift characteristics of the coil at different frequencies, the system extracts temperature information without requiring separate temperature sensor components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/thermal temperature sensing methods with an electrical measurement approach. Instead of using separate temperature sensors that would require thermal contact and additional signal processing, the system uses electrical phase shift measurements of the coil itself to infer temperature, simplifying the overall sensor architecture.
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 reliable operation and maintenance of vibronic sensors by providing a cost-effective and efficient means to detect coil defects and temperature, reducing the need for additional components and ensuring accurate measurement of process variables.
Implementation Method 1
The coil is supplied with an electrical excitation signal and an electrical, received signal is received from the coil
Implementation Method 2
the driving/receiving unit can receive the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit and transduce them into an electrical, received signal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for state monitoring of a coil that is part of a device for determining at least one process variable of a medium in a containment. The method includes supplying the coil with an electrical excitation signal and receiving an electrical, received signal from the coil, ascertaining a first frequency for the excitation signal, in the case of which a first phase shift between the excitation signal and received signal is less than a predeterminable limit value, and ascertaining a state indicator for the coil based on the first frequency. Further disclosed is a device embodied for performing a method of the invention.