Multivariable vortex flowmeter

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9322683-B2
Application number	US-201414275665-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 12, 2014
Priority date	May 12, 2014
Publication date	Apr 26, 2016
Grant date	Apr 26, 2016

Abstract

A sensor assembly for a vortex flowmeter having a flowtube, a bluff body in the flowtube, and a sensor that detects vortices. The sensor assembly extends into contact with the process fluid through a process penetration opening. A sensor body seals the process penetration opening to limit flow of process fluid out of the flowmeter through the process penetration opening. A vortex sensor housing is secured to the sensor body. The vortex sensor housing has a pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms facing outwardly from opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing. A vortex sensor is positioned to detect motion of at least one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms to detect vortices formed in the process fluid. A temperature sensor senses a temperature of the process fluid.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. 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 sensor assembly comprising:
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;
a vortex sensor housing secured to the sensor body, the vortex sensor housing having a pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms facing outwardly from opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing;
a vortex sensor positioned to detect motion of at least one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms to detect vortices formed in the process fluid;
a temperature sensor housing secured to the sensor body and spaced from the vortex sensor housing; and
a temperature sensor in the temperature sensor housing for sensing a temperature of the process fluid.

2. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms is positioned so it faces the temperature sensor housing.

3. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vortex sensor housing is secured to a central portion of the sensor body and wherein the sensor housing is secured to the sensor body at a location offset to one side of the sensor body.

4. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising electrical conductors for conveying signals from the vortex sensor and temperature sensor, the electrical conductors extending through the sensor body so the electrical conductors for the vortex sensor and temperature sensor extend through a single process penetration opening.

5. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor housing comprises an elongate tube extending from the sensor body, the tube comprising a wall having a wall thickness that is greater at a base of the temperature sensor housing where it is secured to the sensor body than at an end opposite the base.

6. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the temperature sensor housing and vortex sensor housing are positioned so they each contact the process fluid when the sensor body is positioned to seal the process penetration opening.

7. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vortex sensor housing is configured so the pressure-responsive diaphragms are positioned on generally parallel opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing and the temperature sensor housing has an elongate shape having a long axis that is generally parallel with said sides of the vortex sensor housing.

8. A sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the vortex sensor is operably connected to each of the pressure-responsive diaphragms of the pair and wherein the vortex sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a differential pressure acting on the pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms.

9. The sensor assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a fluid path fluidly connecting the vortex sensor to one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms.

10. The sensor assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the fluid path is vented to atmosphere.

11. The sensor assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the fluid path is filled with a fill fluid and fluidly sealed from atmosphere.

12. A vortex flowmeter comprising:
a flowtube having a flowtube wall defining a passage for flow of a process fluid through the flowtube;
a bluff body positioned to generate vortices in the process fluid as the process fluid flows through the passage;
a sensor assembly extending into contact with the process fluid through a process penetration opening, the sensor assembly comprising:
a sensor body positioned to seal the process penetration opening to limit flow of process fluid from the passage out of the flowmeter through the process penetration opening;
a vortex sensor housing secured to the sensor body, the vortex sensor housing having a pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms facing outwardly from opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing;
a vortex sensor positioned to detect motion of at least one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms to detect vortices formed in the process fluid;
a temperature sensor housing secured to the sensor body and spaced from the vortex sensor housing; and
a temperature sensor in the temperature sensor housing for sensing a temperature of the process fluid.

13. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein one of the pressure-responsive diaphragms is positioned so it faces the temperature sensor housing.

14. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the vortex sensor housing is secured to a central portion of the sensor body.

15. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 14 wherein the sensor housing is secured to the sensor body at a location offset to one side of the sensor body.

16. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 further comprising electrical conductors for conveying signals from the vortex sensor and temperature sensor, the electrical conductors extending through the sensor body so the electrical conductors for the vortex sensor and temperature sensor extend through a single process penetration opening.

17. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the temperature sensor housing comprises an elongate tube extending from the sensor body, the tube comprising a wall having a wall thickness and wherein the wall thickness is greater at a base of the temperature sensor housing where it is secured to the sensor body than at an end opposite the base.

18. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the temperature sensor housing and vortex sensor housing are positioned so they each contact the process fluid when the sensor body is positioned to seal the process penetration opening.

19. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the vortex sensor housing is configured so the pressure-responsive diaphragms are positioned on generally parallel opposite sides of the vortex sensor housing and the temperature sensor housing has an elongate shape having a long axis that is generally parallel with said sides of the vortex sensor housing.

20. A vortex flowmeter as set forth in claim 12 wherein the vortex sensor is operably connected to each of the pressure-responsive diaphragms of the pair and wherein the vortex sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a differential pressure acting on the pair of pressure-responsive diaphragms.

Assignees

• Invensys Sys Inc
• Invensys Sys Inc

Inventors

• Brosnihan Paul F
• Lopera Javier
• Talutis Stephen B

Classifications

• G01F1/3209 Primary

  using Karman vortices · CPC title

• G01F1/68

  by using thermal effects · CPC title

• G01F1/34

  by measuring pressure or differential pressure · CPC title

• G01F25/10

  of flowmeters · CPC title

• Y10T29/49966

  with supplemental joining · CPC title