Method of making a multivariable vortex flowmeter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10274351-B2
Application number	US-201615079822-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 24, 2016
Priority date	May 12, 2014
Publication date	Apr 30, 2019
Grant date	Apr 30, 2019

Abstract

A method of making a sensor assembly for a vortex flowmeter includes securing a vortex sensor to a vortex sensor housing. The vortex sensor housing is secured to a sensor body that is configured to seal a process penetration opening to limit flow of process fluid out of the flowmeter through the process penetration opening. A pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms is secured to the vortex sensor housing such that the pressure-responsive diaphragms face outwardly from opposite sides of the housing and such that the vortex sensor is positioned to detect motion of at least one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms. A mounting hole is made in the sensor body spaced apart from the vortex sensor housing. A temperature sensor housing is secured to the sensor body through the mounting hole. A temperature sensor is inserted in the temperature sensor housing for sensing a temperature of the process fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a sensor assembly for a vortex flowmeter of the type having a flowtube having a flowtube wall defining a passage for flow of a process fluid through the flowtube, a bluff body in the flowtube for generating vortices, and a sensor for detecting vortices formed by the bluff body, the sensor assembly being configured to extend into contact with the process fluid through a process penetration opening, the method comprising:
securing a vortex sensor to a vortex sensor housing, the vortex sensor housing being secured to a sensor body configured to seal the process penetration opening to limit flow of process fluid from the passage out of the flowmeter through the process penetration opening;
securing a pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms, each having a process fluid-contact surface, to the vortex sensor housing such that the pressure-responsive diaphragms are on opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing and the process fluid-contact surfaces face away from one another and such that the vortex sensor is positioned to detect motion of at least one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms to detect vortices formed in the process fluid;
making a mounting hole in the sensor body spaced apart from the vortex sensor housing;
securing a temperature sensor housing to the sensor body through the mounting hole so that the temperature sensor housing is spaced apart from the vortex sensor housing; and
inserting a temperature sensor in the temperature sensor housing for sensing a temperature of the process fluid;
wherein the process-fluid contact surfaces are configured to be directly exposed to process fluid flowing through the flowtube when the sensor assembly is installed in the flowtube.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising casting the sensor body and the vortex sensor housing as one piece.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor housing is configured to fit in the mounting hole as a press fit connection.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein said bonding comprises laser welding the temperature sensor housing to the sensor body.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 , wherein said bonding comprises laser welding the temperature sensor housing to the sensor body.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the process penetration opening is formed in the flowtube at only a single location about the perimeter of the flowtube.

Assignees

• Invensys Sys Inc
• Schneider Electric Systems Usa Inc

Inventors

• Brosnihan Paul F
• Lopera Javier
• Talutis Stephen B

Classifications

• Y10T29/49968

  Metal fusion joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• Y10T29/49945

  by driven force fit · CPC title

• G01F15/024

  involving digital counting · CPC title

• G01F1/3254

  Physics · mapped topic