The present invention relates to a vibronic measurement sensor comprising at least two temperature sensors for determining at least one physical parameter of a flowable medium, wherein the physical parameter can especially include the temperature, the density, the mass flow rate, and the viscosity of the medium. In most instances, the measurement sensors in question are designed as Coriolis mass flow meters which, in addition to the mass flow rate, can also detect the temperature, the density, or the viscosity of a medium. Insofar as, on the one hand, the density, the mass flow, and the viscosity of a medium are temperature-dependent and, on the other hand, the elastic properties of a vibronic measurement sensor are temperature-dependent, a measurement of the media temperature is customary given generic measurement sensors.
The disclosure document DE 10 2017 106 209 A1 discloses, for example, a measurement sensor with a first temperature sensor at a first measuring tube and a second temperature sensor at a second measuring tube, wherein the two temperature sensors are offset relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the measuring tubes. The temperature sensors are especially arranged on the outer sides of the measuring tubes running parallel to each other, said outer sides facing away from one another.
Tests in connection with the present invention have yielded that, given low Reynolds numbers, for example Re<300 and a temperature gradient between the medium and the surroundings of the measurement sensor, a temperature distribution that is inhomogeneous over the measuring tube cross-sections is formed in the measuring tubes, depending on the installation position of the measurement sensor. There is thus the risk that measured temperature values will be influenced depending on the installation position of the measurement sensor and the position of the temperature sensors, with corresponding effects on the correction of temperature influences in the determination of the physical parameters.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a vibronic measurement sensor which has improved measuring accuracy given inhomogeneous temperature distributions. The object is achieved according to the invention by the vibronic measurement sensor according to independent claim 1.
The vibronic measurement sensor according to the invention for determining the at least one physical parameter of a flowable medium comprises: at least one oscillator having a first measuring tube that is curved in the rest position and used for conducting the medium, and a second measuring tube that is curved in the rest position and used for conducting the medium, and at least one first coupler and a second coupler, wherein the measuring tubes are connected to one another by means of the first coupler and the second coupler, wherein a respective portion of the measuring tubes that is capable of oscillation extends between the couplers;
at least one exciter for exciting at least one useful flexural vibration mode of the oscillator, in which the oscillatable portions of the measuring tubes oscillate counter to one another;
at least one vibration sensor for detecting vibrations of the oscillator, at least in the useful flexural vibration mode, and for outputting vibration-dependent signals;
a first temperature sensor that is arranged at the first measuring tube to output a first temperature measurement signal that depends on a temperature at a first surface portion of the first measuring tube, said first surface portion being contacted by the first temperature sensor;
a second temperature sensor that is arranged at the second measuring tube to output a second temperature measurement signal that depends on a temperature at a second surface portion of the second measuring tube, said second portion being contacted by the second temperature sensor; and an operation and evaluation circuit for driving the exciter, for receiving the vibration-dependent signals of the vibration sensor as well as the first and second temperature measurement signals, as well as for determining an oscillation frequency of at least one useful flexural vibration mode of the oscillator based on the vibration-dependent signals of the vibration sensor, and for determining the at least one physical parameter of the medium depending on a vibration characteristic of the oscillator that is characteristic of the parameter and on the first and second temperature measurement signals;
wherein the measurement sensor has a longitudinal plane of symmetry (Syz) running between the two measuring tubes, in relation to which the two measuring tubes run symmetrically with respect to one another, at least between the first coupler and the second coupler, wherein the measurement sensor has a transverse plane of symmetry (Sxy) running perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry (Syz), in relation to which the two measuring tubes respectively have a mirror-symmetrical course at least between the first coupler and the second coupler;
wherein a first centroid of the first surface portion and a second centroid of the second surface portion are rotationally symmetrical with respect to one another, with regard to an intersection line (y) between the longitudinal plane of symmetry (Syz) and the transverse plane of symmetry (Sxy);
wherein the temperature sensors are arranged at a distance from the transverse plane of symmetry;
wherein the first centroid lies in a first section plane running perpendicular to a measuring tube center line of the first measuring tube; wherein in the first section plane an angular coordinate a is defined in relation to the intersection point of the measuring tube center line with the first section plane; wherein a vector pointing in the direction θ=0°, starting from the intersection point of the measuring tube center line with the first section plane, points in the direction of the longitudinal plane of symmetry (Syz) and runs perpendicular thereto; wherein a vector pointing in direction θ=90°, starting from the intersection point of the measuring tube center line, is directed away from the transverse plane of symmetry (Sxy);
wherein, according to the invention, the first centroid is arranged in the range of θ=310°+/−30° in relation to the intersection point of the measuring tube center line.
In an embodiment of the invention, the first centroid in relation to the intersection point of the measuring tube center line is arranged in the direction of an angle in the range of θ=310°+/−20°, especially θ=310°+/−10°.
The temperature sensors can be arranged at the oscillatable portions, or also outside of the oscillatable portions.
In an embodiment of the invention, the measuring tube center line of the first measuring tube between the first coupler and the second coupler has a length l, wherein the first section plane has a distance a from the first coupler for which a/l≤0.25, for example a/l≤0.15, especially a/l≤0.08.
In an embodiment of the invention, the measuring tube center line of the first measuring tube between the first coupler and the second coupler has a length l, wherein the first section plane has a distance a from the first coupler for which a/l≥0.01, for example a/l≥0.02, especially a/l≤0.04.
In an embodiment of the invention, the length of the arcuate portion is not less than 30%, especially not less than 35% and preferably not less than 40%, of the length l.
In an embodiment of the invention, the oscillatable portions of the two measuring tubes each have two straight portions and an arcuate portion lying between them, wherein the first section plane intersects the measuring tube center line in a straight portion.
In an embodiment of the invention, the measuring tubes respectively have an internal diameter of not less than 10 mm, especially not less than 12 mm, and preferably not less than 15 mm.
In an embodiment of the invention, the vibronic measurement sensor further comprises a carrier body, and at least a third temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the carrier body and for outputting a third temperature measurement signal representing the temperature of the carrier body; wherein the measuring tubes are rigidly connected to the carrier body at the inlet end and outlet end; wherein the operation and evaluation circuit is configured to receive the third temperature measurement signal and to take it into account when determining the at least one physical parameter of the medium.
In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one physical parameter includes a density ρ of the medium, wherein the vibration characteristic of the oscillator that is characteristic of the parameter is an oscillation frequency fi of the oscillator at the resonance of a flexural vibration mode.
The density ρ of the medium can especially be calculated according to:
ρ=C0i+C1ifi−2+C2iTmfi−2+C3iT3fi−2,
wherein the Cji are mode-specific coefficients, Tm denotes an average medium temperature based on the first and second temperature measurement signals, and T3 denotes a temperature of the carrier body based on at least the third temperature measurement signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one physical parameter includes a mass flow rate of the medium, wherein the vibration characteristic of the oscillator that is characteristic of the parameter includes a phase difference or time difference Δt between the signals of an inlet-end vibration sensor and an outlet-end vibration sensor.
The mass flow rate in of the medium can especially be calculated according to:
wherein Cal and Zer are calibration factors, km and k3 are temperature-correction coefficients, Tm denotes an average medium temperature based on the first and second temperature measurement signals, and T3 denotes a temperature of the carrier body based on at least the third temperature measurement signal.
In an embodiment of the invention, the at least one physical parameter includes a viscosity η of the medium, wherein the vibration characteristic that is characteristic of the parameter includes an attenuation D and an oscillation frequency fi of oscillation given the resonance of a flexural vibration mode. The attenuation D can be determined in various ways, for example:
The viscosity η of the medium can especially be calculated according to:
wherein the Ai are calibration factors, dm and d3 are temperature-correction coefficients, Tm denotes an average medium temperature based on the first and second temperature measurement signals, and T3 denotes a temperature of the carrier body based on at least the third temperature measurement signal.
With the temperature sensors arranged according to the invention, the measurement accuracy achieved in the determination of the cited physical parameters is largely independent of the installation position, even if inhomogeneous temperature distributions are formed over the measuring tube cross-sections at low Reynolds numbers and given the presence of a temperature gradient between medium and surroundings. Inasmuch, the invention also includes the use of the vibronic measurement sensor according to the invention for determining the physical parameter given low Reynolds numbers Re, such as a Reynolds number Re<500, for example Re<200, especially Re<100.
The invention is now explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. The following are shown:
The exemplary embodiment shown in
The collectors 120 respectively have at the ends a flange 122 by means of which the Coriolis mass flow measurement sensor or density measurement device is to be installed in a pipe. A mass flow of a medium is to be conducted through the pipes 110 via central openings 123 in the flanges 122 to measure the mass flow or its density.
Before the detailed structure and the mode of operation of the measurement sensor 100 according to the invention are further explained, a few symmetry properties should be briefly presented with reference to
The measuring tube axes 112a, 112b preferably run in planes which run parallel to the first mirror plane.
There is no symmetry of the measuring tubes with regard to a third plane Pzx which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry and to the transverse plane of symmetry and in which the measuring tube axes 112a, 112b run within the collectors.
The intersection line between the longitudinal plane of symmetry Syz and the transverse plane of symmetry defines a Y-axis of a coordinate system of the measuring sensor. The intersection line between the transverse plane of symmetry Sxy and the third plane Szx defines an X-axis of the coordinate system, and the intersection line between the longitudinal plane of symmetry Syz and the second plane Pzx defines the Z-axis of the coordinate system. With the coordinates defined in this way, we turn again to
The measuring tubes 110 form in pairs an oscillator which is to be excited especially in a useful flexural vibration mode in which the measuring tubes oscillate in opposite phase with one another in the X direction.
In order to influence the vibration properties, the measurement tubes 110 are each connected to couplers 132, 134 at the inlet end and outlet end, wherein a free vibration length of an oscillator formed by the two measurement tubes 110 is determined by the position of the two inner couplers 132, that is, those which are each furthest away from the corresponding collector 120 at the inlet end or outlet end. This free vibration length has a great influence on the useful flexural vibration mode of the oscillator, especially on its natural frequency, with which the oscillator is preferably to be excited.
Outer couplers 134, which are respectively arranged between the inner node plates 132 and the collectors 120, serve especially to define further vibration nodes in order on the one hand to reduce the maximum mechanical stresses on the vibrating measuring tubes, and on the other hand to minimize the decoupling of vibration energy into a pipe in which the measurement sensor 100 is installed, or the coupling-in of interfering vibrations from the pipe.
To excite flexural vibrations of the measuring tubes in the X-direction—in relation to the longitudinal direction or the Z-axis in the middle of the measuring tubes 110 of the measurement sensor 100—an exciter arrangement 140 is provided between the two measuring tubes 110, for example an inductive exciter arrangement which comprises, for example, a plunger coil on a measuring tube and a plunger body on the oppositely situated measuring tube. The oscillator formed by the two measuring tubes is preferably to be excited with its current natural frequency. For detecting the vibrations of the measuring tubes, sensor arrangements 142 are provided in the longitudinal direction, symmetrically with respect to the exciter arrangements 140, and are respectively designed as an inductive arrangement with a plunger coil at one tube and a plunger body at the other tube. Details are known to the person skilled in the art and need not be explained here.
The measuring tubes 110 respectively have two first curved portions 114 which are symmetrical to one another in relation to the transverse plane of symmetry. Respectively adjoining the first curved portion 114 is a straight portion 116 to which a second curved portion 118 respectively in turn adjoins whose radius of curvature here is approximately two-thirds of the radius of curvature of the first curved portion 114.
The second curved portions 118 respectively pass through one of the openings 126 in the support tube 124 and open into one of the collectors 120.
The first curved portions 114 have annular reinforcement bodies 151, 152, 153, 154 with which the transverse sensitivity of the parameters of ‘mass flow rate’ and ‘density’ to pressure is reduced.
To determine the density or the mass flow rate, the temperature of the measuring tubes 110 or of the medium flowing in the measuring tubes is to be detected as accurately as possible. Although a plurality of temperature sensors at each of the measuring tubes would allow this in principle, this approach is on one hand too expensive, and on the other hand additional masses at the measuring tubes should be avoided as much as possible. Only one temperature sensor 200a, 200b is therefore arranged at each of the two measuring tubes 110, wherein the temperature sensors can be attached to the measuring tube by gluing, (spot) welding, or soldering, or are tensioned with a clamping device against a surface region of the external surface of the measuring tubes.
A third temperature sensor, not shown here, may be arranged at the carrier body to detect a representative temperature of the carrier tube.
As schematically illustrated in
A first degree of freedom in the positioning the first and second temperature sensors 100a, 100b is the position in the direction of the measuring tube center lines 112a, 112b. A position close to one of the couplers 132, 134 is problematic insofar as that the couplers can have a large thermal capacity and thus impair a rapid reaction of the temperature sensors to a changed media temperature; distanced from the couplers, the temperature sensors can firstly respectively be arranged between one of the inner couplers 132 and the adjacent, outer coupler 134, or secondly respectively be arranged between the inner coupler 132 and the transverse plane of symmetry. In the presently preferred second alternative, however, it should be noted that the contribution of the mass of the temperature sensor to the moment of inertia of the oscillator increases as the distance from the inner coupler 132 increases, and undesired damping effects increase as a result of increasing oscillation amplitudes. In the present exemplary embodiment, the range of positions considered for the temperature sensors 200a, 200b therefore remains restricted to the straight portions 116, wherein, for the temperature sensors 200a, 200b, a distance coordinate a of the inner couplers is defined that has a value of 0 directly at the inner couplers 132 and assumes the value 1 at the upper end of the straight portions.
A second degree of freedom is the position of the temperature sensors 200a, 200b along the circumference of the measuring tubes 110a, 110b. According to the invention, the temperature sensors should be arranged symmetrically to one another in relation to the longitudinal plane of symmetry Syz and the transverse plane of symmetry Sxy. This symmetry is taken into account in the coordinate system in
The question of the sensor position is considerable especially given low Reynolds numbers, since in this regime there can be pronounced inhomogeneous temperature distributions. In
ρ=C0i+C1ifi−2+C2iTmfi−2+C3iT3fi−2.
Insofar as vibronic measurement sensors are operated in different installation positions with respect to the gravitational acceleration g, there will be a corresponding variety of temperature distributions, which will make temperature measurement a lottery if the sensor position does not take this effect into account.
The maximum magnitude of the error contribution of this effect for the density measurement is shown in
In
In
After analysis of the data, as shown in
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10 2018 132 672.6 | Dec 2018 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2019/085514 | 12/17/2019 | WO | 00 |