Method of Manufacturing a Coriolis Mass Flow Rate Sensor from a Polymeric Material
AssigneeMalema Engineering Corporation
InventorAlan M. Young
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a Coriolis mass flowmeter from a polymeric material is described, in which a dynamically responsive manifold is fabricated from the same material as the flow sensor's flow-sensitive elements. The flowmeter is free of mechanical joints and adhesives. The manifold and flow-sensitive elements therefore do not slip or change their location relative one another, nor are they subject to differing degrees of thermal expansion that would otherwise undermine integrity, reliability, and/or accuracy of the boundary condition at the ends of the vibrating flow-sensitive elements.
Claims12
A method for fabricating a Coriolis flowmeter from a single polymer material, the method comprising:
- fabricating a dynamically responsive manifold from a first polymer material, the dynamically responsive manifold comprising:
- a body;
- at least four tubular port extensions integral to the body, each tubular port extension including a weld surface;
- at least one isolation plate integral to the body and the at least four tubular port extensions;
- forming at least two flow-sensitive members by shaping to a predetermined shape at least two tubes of the first polymer material, each flow-sensitive member including two open ends;
- and
- welding each open end of the at least two flow-sensitive members to a corresponding weld surface of one of the at least four tubular port extensions.
An apparatus, comprising:
- a dynamically responsive manifold, comprising:
- a body of a first polymer material;
- at least four tubular port extensions of the first polymer material, the at least four tubular port extensions integral to the body;
- at least one isolation plate of the first polymer material, the at least one isolation plate integral to the body and the at least four tubular port extensions;
- at least two flow-sensitive members formed by shaping to a predetermined shape at least two tubes of the first polymer material, each of the at least two flow-sensitive members having a first end and a second end, each of the first ends and the second ends corresponding to one of the at least four tubular port extensions;
- and
- at least four polymer welds, each of the at least four polymer welds connecting one of the first ends or one of the second ends of the at least two flow-sensitive members to the corresponding one of the at least four tubular port extensions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.