Dynamic counterbalance for Coriolis mass flowmeters

A counterbalance apparatus for a Coriolis-type mass flowmeter having a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow, the flowtube including first and second ends, the counterbalance apparatus comprising:

• a counterbalance beam which is coupled to the flowtube proximate the first and second ends;
• means for vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance beam in opposition to one another;
• at least one pair of inertial masses, each of which is movably coupled to the counterbalance beam;
• and
• means for selectively positioning the inertial masses longitudinally along the counterbalance beam;
• wherein the frequency response of the counterbalance beam can be selectively altered by appropriately positioning the inertial masses along the counterbalance beam to thereby achieve a desired condition of balance between the counterbalance beam and the flowtube.

A method for balancing a Coriolis-type mass flowmeter having a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow, the flowtube including first and second ends, the method comprising:

• coupling a counterbalance beam to the flowtube proximate the first and second ends;
• vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance beam in opposition to one another;
• providing at least one pair of inertial masses, each of which is movably coupled to the counterbalance beam;
• and
• selectively positioning the inertial masses longitudinally along the counterbalance beam to achieve a desired condition of balance between the counterbalance beam and the flowtube.