Coriolis flow meter for measuring properties of a fluid and method therefor

A Coriolis flow meter for measuring one or more fluid properties of a fluid, the Coriolis flow meter comprising:

• a fluid flow sub-system configured to provide a flow path for the fluid;
• a mechanical oscillator sub-system disposed in proximity to the fluid flow sub-system, wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system is configured to induce oscillations in the fluid flow sub-system, and to detect a Coriolis response generated in the fluid, the mechanical oscillator sub-system comprising:
• an open profile interface linked to the fluid flow sub-system to provide a closed-loop arrangement for transmission of oscillations to the fluid flow sub-system and receipt of the Coriolis response from the fluid flow sub-system,
• one or more actuators for generating oscillations in the open profile interface, and
• a sensing sub-system configured to receive the Coriolis response from the fluid flow sub-system through the open profile interface;
• and
• an electronics circuitry coupled to the mechanical oscillator sub-system, and configured to trigger the one or more actuators and the sensing sub-system, and configured to process the Coriolis response received from the sensing sub-system to generate one or more measurements representative of one or more fluid properties of the fluid,
• wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system and the fluid flow sub-system are functionally separate.

A bioprocessing system for monitoring one or more fluid properties of a fluid used in a bioprocess unit, the bioprocessing system comprising:

• an inlet tubing and an outlet tubing of the bioprocess unit, wherein the inlet tubing is connected to an inlet process connect, and the outlet tubing is connected to an outlet process connect;
• a Coriolis flow meter coupled to the inlet process connect and the outlet process connect, wherein the Coriolis flow meter comprises:
• a fluid flow sub-system to receive and retain the fluid in a flow conduit,
• a mechanical oscillator sub-system comprising:
• a mechanical oscillator linked with the fluid flow sub-system in a closed-loop arrangement, one or more actuators, and a sensing sub-system, wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system and the fluid flow sub-system are functionally separate, and
• an electronics circuitry coupled to the mechanical oscillator sub-system, and configured for obtaining one or more measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid;
• and
• a monitoring unit configured for receiving the measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid, and configured to use the measurements to control the bioprocess.

A method for measuring one or more fluid properties of a fluid using a Coriolis flow meter, the method comprising:

• providing a fluid flow sub-system to retain a fluid in a flow conduit;
• providing a mechanical oscillator sub-system comprising:
• a mechanical oscillator linked with the fluid flow sub-system in a closed-loop arrangement, one or more actuators, and a sensing sub-system, wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system and the fluid flow sub-system are functionally separate;
• providing an electronics circuitry coupled to the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• transmitting an electrical signal to trigger oscillations in the fluid through the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• and
• processing the Coriolis response to obtain one or more measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid.

A method for monitoring one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a bioprocess of a bioprocessing system, the method comprising:

• coupling an inlet tubing and an outlet tubing of a bioprocess with a Coriolis flow meter using process connects, wherein the Coriolis flow meter comprises:
• a fluid flow sub-system to retain the fluid in a flow conduit,
• a mechanical oscillator sub-system comprising:
• a mechanical oscillator linked with the fluid flow sub-system in a closed-loop arrangement, one or more actuators, and a sensing sub-system, wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system and the fluid flow sub-system are functionally separate, and
• an electronics circuitry coupled to the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• transmitting an electrical signal to trigger oscillations in the fluid through the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the mechanical oscillator sub-system;
• processing the Coriolis response to obtain one or more measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid;
• and
• monitoring the bioprocess using the one or more measurements,
• wherein the one or more fluid properties comprise at least one of mass flow rate, density, or temperature of the fluid.

A bioprocessing system for monitoring one or more fluid properties of a fluid used in a bioprocess unit, the bioprocessing system comprising:

• a fluid flow sub-system to transfer a fluid using a flow conduit in a bioprocess of the bioprocess unit;
• a mechanical oscillator sub-system comprising:
• a mechanical oscillator linked with the fluid flow sub-system in a closed-loop arrangement, one or more actuators, and a sensing sub-system, wherein the mechanical oscillator sub-system and the fluid flow sub-system are functionally separate, and
• an electronics circuitry coupled to the mechanical oscillator sub-system, and configured for obtaining one or more measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid, and
• wherein the fluid flow sub-system, and the mechanical oscillator sub-system form a Coriolis flow meter;
• and
• a monitoring unit configured for receiving the measurements representative of the one or more fluid properties of the fluid, and configured to use the measurements to control the bioprocess.