Vortex Flow Meter Noise Reduction via Oscillating Buff Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vortex shedding flow meters face challenges in reducing noise interference, which affects the accuracy of flow rate measurements, as the shedding frequency can be buried in process noise.
Innovation Solution
A vortex flow meter design that includes an actuable buff body oscillated by a linkage or piezoelectric material, with a sensor and controller to detect and adjust vortex shedding frequency and amplitude, enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio by differentiating vortex shedding from background noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the buff body is kept stationary to maintain simple structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the vortex shedding frequency becomes buried in process noise, reducing measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The buff body is transformed from a stationary component to a dynamically oscillating one. The controller activates the buff body to oscillate at a predetermined frequency, creating a distinctive vortex shedding pattern that can be differentiated from process noise. This dynamic behavior enables the sensor to distinguish vortex signals from background noise, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The buff body is made to oscillate periodically at a predetermined frequency. This periodic motion generates a characteristic vortex shedding frequency that serves as a identifiable signal. The sensor detects this periodic vortex pattern, allowing the controller to differentiate it from random process noise and accurately determine fluid flow velocity, thus resolving the measurement precision issue.
2Measurement precision
If the buff body oscillation amplitude is increased to improve signal detection, then the signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but the device complexity and control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the oscillation parameters (amplitude and frequency) of the buff body to optimize signal detection. By adjusting these parameters, the vortex shedding signal amplitude is increased relative to process noise, improving the signal-to-noise ratio. The controller manages these parameter changes to achieve reliable measurement without requiring overly complex device modifications.
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 mechanical oscillation of the buff body increases the amplitude of measured vortices above process noise, significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio and ensuring accurate flow rate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes an electric motor or a piezoelectric material
Implementation Method 2
Vortex shedding flow meters use the phenomenon known as Von Karman vortices, which are alternating vortices that form behind a fixed buff body
Implementation Method 3
The sensor includes an acoustic sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A vortex flow meter is within a flow conduit. The vortex flow meter includes a housing defining a flow passage substantially in-line with the flow conduit. An actuable buff body is within the flow passage. A sensor is downstream of the actuable buff body and is attached to the housing. The sensor is configured to detect vortex shedding. A controller is configured to send a drive signal to an oscillator to oscillate the buff body. The controller is configured to receive a vortex stream from the sensor. The vortex stream is indicative of vortexes shed by the buff body within a fluid. The controller is configured to determine a flow velocity responsive to the received vortex stream.