High temperature Coriolis mass flow rate meter

• US 4,738,143 A
• Filed: 08/29/1985
• Issued: 04/19/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micro Motion Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Micro Motion Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Zolock, Michael J., Cage, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Application Number:
  US06/770,573
• Time in Patent Office: 964 Days
• Field of Search: 73/861.37, 73/861.38, 339/9 E, 174/86
• US Class Current: 73/861.355
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8409 constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8413 means for influencing the flowmeter's motional or vibrational behaviour, e.g., conduit support or fixing means, or conduit attachments
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8427 detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/8477 with multiple measuring conduits
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/024 involving digital counting

Abstract

A Coriolis mass flow meter apparatus, suitable for high temperature applications, wherein a preferred embodiment of the apparatus is comprised of two cantilever-mounted U-shaped flow tubes sinusoidally driven as the tines of a tuning fork by a drive mechanism mounted on standoff means attached to the flow conduits, with flow rates measured by velocity sensors mounted on suspension bars attached to the flow conduits. The flow conduits are encased in an inner thermal isolation partition wall structure containing apertures through which the suspension bars and standoff means protrude. A vented outer casing encloses the flow tube and partition wall structure, with insulation provided between the outer casing and the partition wall. Thermal control means are provided inside the space enclosed by the partition wall means. Gas cooling means are provided for the velocity sensors and drive mechanism. Flexible double wire structure means are provided to transmit the velocity sensor signals.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring the mass flow rate of a high temperature fluid comprising an outer case in which is contained at least one flow conduit through which the fluid to be measured is flowed, said flow conduit solidly mounted to support means in a manner that enables at least a substantial portion of the length of said flow conduit to be oscillated, said apparatus further comprising within said case:

(A) sensor means for detecting Coriolis force induced distortions of said flow conduit which occur during oscillation, said sensor means being mounted adjacent to but spaced apart from said flow conduit;

(B) partition wall means for providing thermal insulation mounted adjacent said flow conduit and substantially about its outer periphery, but not in contact with that portion of said flow conduit which is oscillated;

(C) sensor mounting means for attaching said sensor means to said flow conduit with the sensor means positioned between said partition wall means and said outer case; and

(D) wire structure means including wires for transmitting signals from the sensor means, said wires attached at a first end of said wire structure means to said sensor means and attached at a second end of said wire structure means to said partition wall, so that the wires of said wire structure means are suspended in non-rectilinear configuration between said first and second ends of said wire structure means.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which a gas conducting means are positioned for providing a flow of gas about said sensor means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which thermal control means are positioned adjacent said flow conduit.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 in which said thermal control means includes a fluid conducting pipe through which steam is passed.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which insulating means are positioned between said partition wall means and said outer case.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which drive means are attached to standoff means, with said standoff means attached to said flow conduit at a first end and drive means to oscillate said flow conduit attached at a second end of said standoff means so as to position said drive means between said partition wall means and said outer case.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which a gas conducting means are positioned for providing a flow of gas about said sensor means and said drive means.