Fluid parameter sensor and meter

A vibrating element type meter to measure at least one parameter of a fluid, comprising:

• an outer conduit for conveying the fluid;
• a sensor element assembly disposed in the outer conduit and comprised of at least one substantially straight uniform sensor element having an interior configured to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly, and being separated from the outer conduit by a substantially uniform annular space configured to convey the fluid outside of the sensor element assembly;
• one or more mounting flexures fixedly attached to the at least one sensor element and to the outer conduit, the one or more mounting flexures being configured so that the at least one sensor element to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration;
• at least one vibration driver to cause the sensor element assembly to vibrate;
• at least one vibration sensor to sense the vibration of the sensor element assembly;
• and
• control electronics cooperating with the vibration sensor and the vibration driver to controllably vibrate the sensor element assembly in at least one prescribed mode of vibration, at a prescribed magnitude;
• wherein the control electronics being operable to produce at least one output signal from the control electronics proportionally related to the at least one parameter of a fluid.

A vibrating element type sensor for a meter to measure at least one parameter of a fluid, comprising:

• an outer conduit for conveying the fluid;
• a sensor element assembly disposed in the outer conduit and comprised of at least one straight uniform sensor element having an open interior configured to convey the fluid inside of the sensor element assembly, and being separated from the outer conduit by a substantially uniform annular space configured to convey the fluid outside of the sensor element assembly;
• one of more mounting flexures fixedly attached to the at least one sensor element and to the outer conduit , the one or more mounting flexures being configured so that the at least one sensor element to vibrate in a natural radial mode shape of vibration;
• at least one vibration driver to cause the sensor element assembly to vibrate;
• and
• at least one vibration sensor to sense the vibration of the sensor element assembly.