Non-intrusive process fluid pressure measurement system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11209296-B2
Application number	US-201816146134-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 28, 2018
Priority date	Sep 28, 2018
Publication date	Dec 28, 2021
Grant date	Dec 28, 2021

Abstract

A system for non-intrusively measuring process fluid pressure within a process fluid conduit is provided. The system includes a measurement bracket configured to couple to an external surface of the process fluid conduit. The measurement bracket generates a variable gap based on deformation of the process fluid conduit in response to process fluid pressure therein. A gap measurement system is coupled to the measurement bracket and provides an electrical signal based on a measurement of the variable gap. A controller is coupled to the gap measurement system and is configured to calculate and provide a process fluid pressure output based on the electrical signal and information relative to the process fluid conduit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for non-intrusively measuring process fluid pressure within a process fluid conduit, the system comprising:
a measurement bracket configured to couple to an external surface of the process fluid conduit, the measurement bracket generating a variable gap based on deformation of the process fluid conduit in response to process fluid pressure therein;
a gap measurement system coupled to the measurement bracket and configured to provide an electrical signal based on a measurement of the variable gap;
a controller coupled to the gap measurement system and configured to calculate and provide a process fluid pressure based on the electrical signal and information relative to the process fluid conduit; and
wherein the information relative to the process fluid conduit includes a wall thickness of the process fluid conduit.

2. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the information relative to the process fluid conduit includes an indication of material type of the process fluid conduit.

3. The pressure measuring system of claim 2 , wherein the information relative to the process fluid conduit includes a Young's Modulus for material of the process fluid conduit.

4. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a mirrored structure that detects an arc, or portion of a circumference of the fluid conduit.

5. The pressure measuring system of claim 4 , wherein the bracket includes an electrode disposed on each half of the mirrored structure, the electrodes forming a variable parallel plate capacitor having a capacitance that varies with the gap.

6. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is formed of the same material as the process fluid conduit.

7. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket is welded to the process fluid conduit.

8. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a clamp that is configured to mount to the process fluid conduit.

9. The pressure measuring system of claim 8 , wherein the clamp is configured to releasably mount to the process fluid conduit.

10. The pressure measuring system of claim 9 , wherein the clamp includes a pair of attachment points configured to contact the external surface of the process fluid conduit.

11. The pressure measuring system of claim 10 , wherein the pair of attachments points are configured to be located diametrically opposite from one another on the process fluid conduit.

12. The pressure measuring system of claim 11 , and further comprising at least one gap sensor disposed proximate the external surface of the process fluid conduit and configured to provide an indication of distance to the external surface of the process fluid conduit.

13. The pressure measuring system of claim 12 , wherein at least one gap sensor includes a pair of gap sensors disposed diametrically opposite from one another.

14. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are disposed 90 degrees from the pair of attachment points.

15. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are capacitance sensors.

16. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are optical sensors.

17. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are eddy current proximity detection sensors.

18. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are acoustic echo location sensors.

19. The pressure measuring system of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of gap sensors are strain gauges.

20. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , and further comprising a temperature sensor operably coupled to the bracket to provide an indication of a temperature of the process fluid conduit.

21. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , and further comprising a second bracket configured to be mounted to the process fluid conduit and spaced from the first bracket along the process fluid conduit wherein an obstruction within the process fluid conduit between the first and second brackets generates a pressure differential related to process fluid flow.

22. The pressure measuring system of claim 1 , wherein the system further comprises a process fluid pressure transmitter which communicates the calculated process fluid pressure to a remote location.

23. The pressure measuring system of claim 22 , wherein the process fluid pressure transmitter is secured to the process fluid conduit at a location spaced away from the measurement bracket.

24. A system for non-intrusively measuring process fluid pressure within a process fluid conduit, the system comprising:
a measurement bracket configured to couple to an external surface of the process fluid conduit, the measurement bracket having a band configured to encircle the process fluid conduit and at least one arm extending transverse to the band;
a gap measurement system coupled to the at least one arm of the measurement bracket and being configured to provide an electrical signal based on a variable gap between the gap measurement system and the process fluid conduit;
a controller coupled to the gap measurement system and configured to calculate and provide a process fluid pressure based on the electrical signal and information relative to the process fluid conduit; and
wherein the band is a rigid clamp that is configured to not deflect in response to pressure changes within the process fluid conduit.

25. The system of claim 24 , wherein the at least one arm comprises a plurality of arms extending in opposite directions, each arm having a gap measurement system coupled thereto.

26. The system of claim 24 , wherein the gap measurement system includes a capacitive displacement sensor configured to sense a capacitance with the process fluid conduit, the sensed capacitance being indicative of a gap between the gap measurement system and the process fluid conduit.

27. The system of claim 24 , wherein the gap measurement system includes an eddy current proximity detector.

Assignees

• Rosemount Inc

Inventors

• Willcox Charles R

Classifications

• G01L9/0029

  using variations in inductance · CPC title

• G01L9/0027

  using variations in ohmic resistance · CPC title

• G01L7/026

  with optical transmitting or indicating means (G01L7/045, G01L7/065, G01L7/086, G01L7/106, G01L7/187 take precedence) · CPC title

• G01L7/02

  in the form of elastically-deformable gauges · CPC title

• G01L9/003

  using variations in capacitance · CPC title