Single path radial mode Coriolis mass flow rate meter

An apparatus for measuring a flow rate of a fluid, comprising:

• a flexible surface extending along only a portion of a cross-sectional perimeter of a flow conduit;
• means for inducing vibration in said flexible surface, said deformation substantially confined to said flexible surface, said vibration causing a deformation of said flexible surface;
• and
• means for measuring a change in said deformation.

A system for processing fluids, comprising:

• means for measuring a mass flow rate of a fluid in a flow conduit having a flexible surface, comprising:
• means for inducing first and second radial modes of vibration causing deformation in said flexible surface;
• means for measuring a change in said deformation;
• means for measuring a difference in frequency of vibration of said first and second vibrations;
• and
• means for measuring a ratio of a frequency of said first vibration to a frequency of said second vibration;
• said measuring means comprising a first motion detector located at a first location along a length of said flexible surface and a second motion detector located at a second location along said length of said flexible surface, said second location being separated from said first location;
• said measured change being determined by measuring a change in time difference between motion sensed by said first motion detector and motion sensed by said second motion detector;
• said measured change further being determined by measuring a change in amplitude of motion sensed by said first and second motion detectors;
• a pressure-tight case, integral with said conduit, defining a pressure-tight chamber about said conduit, said chamber containing a prescribed amount of pressure;
• an inlet manifold affixed to an end of said conduit and defining a first wall of said pressure-tight chamber;
• an outlet manifold affixed to an opposite end of said conduit and defining a second wall of said pressure-tight chamber;
• said pressure-tight case reducing axial stress on said conduit;
• a first temperature sensor in thermal communication with an interior of said conduit and a second temperature sensor in thermal communication with an exterior of said conduit;
• means for isolating vibration associated with said flexible surface to said flexible surface;
• and
• means for controlling said system in response to data produced by said mass flow rate measuring means.

A method of controlling a system for processing fluids, comprising the steps of:

• measuring a mass flow rate of a fluid in a flow conduit having a flexible surface, comprising the steps of:
• inducing first and second radial mode vibrations in said flexible surface, said vibrations causing deformation of said flexible surface;
• measuring a change in said deformation;
• measuring a difference in frequency of vibration of said first and second vibrations;
• measuring a ratio of a frequency of said first vibration to a frequency of said second vibration;
• detecting motion with a first motion detector located at a first location along a length of said conduit and a second motion detector located at a second location along said length of said conduit, said second motion detector location being separated from said first motion detector location;
• said change being determined by measuring a change in time difference between said motion sensed by said first motion detector and said motion sensed by said second motion detector;
• said change further being determined by measuring a change in amplitude of said motion sensed by said first and second motion detectors;
• sensing a first temperature of an interior of said conduit;
• sensing a second temperature of an exterior of said conduit;
• isolating vibration associated with said flexible surface to said flexible surface;
• applying a prescribed amount of pressure between a pressure-tight case surrounding said conduit and said conduit;
• and
• controlling said system in response to data produced by said measuring said mass flow rate.