Coriolis flow meter for measuring properties of a fluid and method therefor

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020116612-A1
Application number	US-201716471787-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 18, 2017
Priority date	Dec 20, 2016
Publication date	Apr 16, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A Coriolis flow meter for measuring one or more properties of a fluid is described herein which involves a modular configuration, and includes a fluid flow sub-system and a mechanical oscillator sub-system, both functionally separate, and are coupled in a closed loop arrangement, such that the flow conduit is not directly vibrated, and instead receives induced oscillations from the mechanical oscillator sub-system. The Coriolis flow meter is useful for high purity applications, as well as for the bioprocessing applications. Bioprocessing systems incorporating the Coriolis flow meter are also described herein. Method for measuring one or more properties of a fluid using the disclosed Coriolis flow meter are also described herein.

First claim

1 - 34 . (canceled)

35 . A Coriolis flow meter for measuring one or more properties of a fluid, the Coriolis flow meter comprising:
a disposable-part sub-system comprising:
a flow conduit configured to provide a flow path for the fluid,
one or more actuators configured for generating oscillations in the fluid through the flow conduit, and
one or more sensors configured for receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the flow conduit,
wherein at least one the flow conduit, the one or more actuators, or the one or more sensors is configured as a disposable part; and an electronics circuitry coupled to the disposable-part sub-system, and configured to trigger the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors, and configured to process the Coriolis response received from the one or more sensors to generate one or more measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid.

36 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 wherein the flow conduit is the disposable part.

37 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 wherein a combination of the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors is the disposable part.

38 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 wherein a combination of the flow conduit, the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors is the disposable part.

39 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , further comprising a frame to house at least one of a flow conduit, one or more actuators, and one or more sensors.

40 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 39 , further comprising one or more snap-in mechanical connectors for snap-in configuration.

41 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 39 , further comprising one or more electrical connectors in a mother-daughter pair.

42 . (canceled)

43 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the flow conduit is of a U-shape.

44 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the flow conduit is made of polymer.

45 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the flow conduit is made of silicone.

46 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the flow conduit is made of glass.

47 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the flow conduit is made of metal.

48 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the one or more measurements are used for monitoring a bioprocess.

49 . The Coriolis flow meter of claim 35 , wherein the one or more properties comprise at least one of mass flow rate, density, or temperature of the fluid.

50 . A bioprocessing system for monitoring one or more properties of a fluid used in a bioprocess unit, the bioprocessing system comprising:
an inlet tubing and an outlet tubing of the bioprocess unit, wherein the inlet tubing is connected to an inlet process connect, and the outlet tubing is connected to an outlet process connect; a Coriolis flow meter coupled to the inlet process connect and the outlet process connect, wherein the Coriolis flow meter comprises:
a disposable-part sub-system comprising:
a flow conduit configured to provide a flow path for the fluid,
one or more actuators configured for generating oscillations in the fluid through the flow conduit, and
one or more sensors configured for receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the flow conduit,
wherein at least one the flow conduit, the one or more actuators, or the one or more sensors is configured as a disposable part; and

an electronics circuitry coupled to the disposable-part sub-system, and configured to trigger the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors, and configured to process the Coriolis response received from the one or more sensors to generate one or more measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid; and
a monitoring unit configured for receiving the measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid, and configured to use the measurements to control the bioprocess.

51 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 wherein the flow conduit is the disposable part.

52 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 wherein a combination of the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors is the disposable part.

53 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 wherein a combination of the flow conduit, the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors is the disposable part.

54 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 further comprising a frame to house at least one of a flow conduit, one or more actuators, and one or more sensors.

55 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 wherein the flow conduit is made of at least one of polymer, glass, silicone, metal.

56 . The bioprocessing system of claim 50 wherein the one or more properties comprise at least one of mass flow rate, density, or temperature of the fluid.

57 . (canceled)

58 . A method for measuring one or more properties of a fluid using a Coriolis flow meter, the method comprising:
providing a disposable-part sub-system, and an electronics circuitry coupled to the disposable-part sub-system, wherein the disposable-part sub-system comprises:
a flow conduit configured to provide a flow path for the fluid,
one or more actuators configured for generating oscillations in the fluid through the flow conduit, and
one or more sensors configured for receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the flow conduit,
wherein at least one the flow conduit, the one or more actuators, or the one or more sensors is configured as a disposable part; transmitting an electrical signal to trigger oscillations in the fluid; receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid; and processing the Coriolis response to obtain one or more measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid.

59 . The method of claim 58 further comprising monitoring a bioprocess using the one or more measurements.

60 . The method of claim 58 wherein the one or more properties comprise at least one of mass flow rate, density, or temperature of the fluid.

61 . A method for monitoring one or more properties of a fluid in a bio-process of a bioprocessing system, the method comprising:
coupling an inlet tubing and an outlet tubing of a bioprocess with a Coriolis flow meter using process connects, wherein the Coriolis flow meter comprises:
a disposable-part sub-system comprising:
a flow conduit configured to provide a flow path for the fluid,
one or more actuators configured for generating oscillations in the fluid through the flow conduit, and
one or more sensors configured for receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid through the flow conduit,

wherein at least one the flow conduit, the one or more actuators, or the one or more sensors is configured as a disposable part; and
an electronics circuitry coupled to the disposable-part sub-system, and configured to trigger the one or more actuators and the one or more sensors, and configured to process the Coriolis response received from the one or more sensors to generate one or more measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid;

transmitting an electrical signal to trigger oscillations in the fluid; receiving a Coriolis response from the fluid; processing the Coriolis response to obtain one or more measurements representative of the one or more properties of the fluid; and monitoring the bio-process using the one or more measurements,

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Ruetten Jens
• Lang Philipp
• Seeley Charles Erklin

Classifications

• G01F1/8413

  means for influencing the flowmeter's motional or vibrational behaviour, e.g., conduit support or fixing means, or conduit attachments · CPC title

• G01F1/8472

  having curved measuring conduits, i.e. whereby the measuring conduits' curved center line lies within a plane (G01F1/8481 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G01K11/00

  Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 · CPC title

• G01N9/32 Primary

  by using flow properties of fluids, e.g. flow through tubes or apertures · CPC title

• G01N21/33

  using ultraviolet light (G01N21/39 takes precedence) · CPC title