U.S. patent application number 15/088402 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-28 for viscometer.
The applicant listed for this patent is Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG. Invention is credited to Wolfgang DRAHM, Alfred RIEDER.
Application Number | 20160216189 15/088402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27224220 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160216189 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DRAHM; Wolfgang ; et
al. |
July 28, 2016 |
VISCOMETER
Abstract
The viscometer provides a viscosity value (X.sub..eta.) which
represents the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe connected
thereto. It comprises a vibratory transducer with at least one flow
tube for conducting the fluid, which communicates with the pipe.
Driven by an excitation assembly, the flow tube is vibrated so that
friction forces are produced in the fluid. The viscometer further
includes meter electronics which feed an excitation current
(i.sub.exc) into the excitation assembly. By means of the meter
electronics, a first internal intermediate value (X.sub.1) is
formed, which corresponds with the excitation current (i.sub.exc)
and thus represents the friction forces acting in the fluid.
According to the invention, a second internal intermediate value
(X.sub.2), representing inhomogeneities in the fluid, is generated
in the meter electronics, which then determine the viscosity value
(X.sub..eta.) using the two intermediate values (X.sub.1, X.sub.2).
The first internal intermediate value (X.sub.1) is preferably
normalized by means of an amplitude control signal (y.sub.AM) for
the excitation current (i.sub.exc), the amplitude control signal
corresponding with the vibrations of the flow tube. As a result,
the viscosity value (X.sub..eta.) provided by the viscometer is
highly accurate and robust, particularly independently of the
position of installation of the flow tube.
Inventors: |
DRAHM; Wolfgang; (Erding,
DE) ; RIEDER; Alfred; (Landshut, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG |
Reinach |
|
CH |
|
|
Family ID: |
27224220 |
Appl. No.: |
15/088402 |
Filed: |
April 1, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14522364 |
Oct 23, 2014 |
9322691 |
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15088402 |
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13116157 |
May 26, 2011 |
8887555 |
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14522364 |
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12382489 |
Mar 17, 2009 |
7966863 |
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13116157 |
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11605260 |
Nov 29, 2006 |
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12382489 |
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11178431 |
Jul 12, 2005 |
7162915 |
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11605260 |
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10835471 |
Apr 30, 2004 |
7036355 |
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11178431 |
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10226242 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
6910366 |
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10835471 |
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60322743 |
Sep 18, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F 1/8427 20130101;
G01F 1/849 20130101; G01N 11/16 20130101; G01N 2009/006 20130101;
G01N 11/167 20130101; G01F 1/8413 20130101; G01N 11/162 20130101;
G01F 1/8418 20130101; G01F 1/8468 20130101; G01F 1/8431 20130101;
G01F 1/8422 20130101; G01N 9/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 11/16 20060101
G01N011/16; G01F 1/84 20060101 G01F001/84; G01N 9/00 20060101
G01N009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 24, 2001 |
EP |
011 20 343.7 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A digital flowmeter, comprising: a vibratable conduit with a
mixture of a liquid and a gas flowing therethrough; a driver
connected to the conduit and operable to impart motion to the
conduit; a sensor connected to the conduit and operable to sense
the motion of the conduit; and a digital transmitter connected to
the conduit, said digital transmitter having a void fraction
determination system configured to determine a gas void fraction of
the mixture, and a viscosity determination system configured to
determine a viscosity of the liquid in the mixture; and a flow
parameter correction system operable to determine a flow parameter
associated with the flowing mixture, based on the gas void fraction
and the viscosity.
14. The digital flowmeter of claim 13, wherein: said viscosity
determination system comprises an in-line viscometer.
15. The digital flowmeter of claim 13, wherein: said viscosity
determination system is operable to determine a viscosity
correction factor for use by said flow parameter correction system
in determining the flow parameter.
16. The digital flowmeter of claim 13, wherein: said digital
transmitter comprises a self-contained modular unit.
17. The digital flowmeter of claim 13, wherein: said digital
transmitter is operable to communicate with external devices and
systems.
18. The digital flowmeter of claim 17, wherein: said digital
transmitter is operable to communicate with a central control
system.
19. A digital transmitter, comprising: a transceiver configured to
send signals to, and receive signals from, sensors monitoring a
vibrating flowtube and a liquid-gas mixture flowing therein; an
apparent flow parameter determination system to generate apparent
flow parameter values of the mixture from the signals; and a flow
parameter correction system operable to correct the apparent flow
parameter values, based on a viscosity of the liquid within the
liquid-gas mixture.
20. The transmitter of claim 19, further comprising: a viscosity
determination system that is operable to determine the viscosity,
and further operable to determine a viscosity correction factor
based on the viscosity for use by the flow parameter correction
system.
21. The transmitter of claim 19 further comprising: a void fraction
determination system that is operable to determine a void fraction
of the gas within the liquid-gas flow, wherein: said flow parameter
correction system is operable to correct the apparent flow
parameter values, based on the void fraction.
22. A method, comprising the steps of: determining an apparent flow
parameter of a gas-liquid mixture flowing through a vibrating
flowtube; determining a viscosity of the liquid; determining a
viscosity correction factor; and determining an error in the
apparent flow parameter, based upon the viscosity correction
factor; and correcting the error in the apparent flow
parameter.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein: determining the apparent flow
parameter comprises determining an apparent density or mass
flowrate of the mixture by observing a deflection of the vibrating
flowtube.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein: determining the viscosity of
the liquid comprises exposing an in-line viscometer to the
liquid.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein: determining the viscosity of
the liquid comprises providing a sample of the liquid to a
viscometer.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein: determining a viscosity
correction factor comprises calculating a correction factor using a
bubble model that assumes that the gas within the liquid-gas
mixture is contained as bubbled within the mixture.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/522,364, filed on Oct. 23, 2014, now allowed; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 12/382,489, filed on Mar. 17, 2009, now
allowed; which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/605,260 filed on Nov. 29, 2006, now abandoned; which is a
divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/178,431 filed on Jul.
12, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,915; which is a divisional of
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/835,471 filed on Apr. 30, 2004, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,355; which is a continuation of Ser. No.
10/226,242 filed on Aug. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,366 and
which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/322,743,
filed on Sep. 18, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to a viscometer for a fluid flowing
in a pipe and to a method of determining the viscosity of the
fluid.
[0004] In measurement and automation technology, the viscosity of a
fluid flowing in a pipe, particularly of a liquid, is frequently
determined by means of meters which, using a vibratory transducer
and meter electronics connected thereto, induce internal friction
forces in the fluid and derive therefrom a measurement signal
representative of the respective viscosity.
[0005] Such viscometers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,524,610 or in published International Application WO-A
95/16897 and comprise: [0006] a vibratory transducer with an
essentially straight flow tube for conducting the fluid, [0007]
said flow tube communicating with the pipe and vibrating in
operation, [0008] an excitation assembly for vibrating the flow
tube; [0009] a central axis of the vibrating flow tube being
essentially left in its shape and spatial position, so that the
flow tube practically does not leave a static rest position
assigned to it, [0010] a sensor arrangement for sensing vibrations
of the flow tube and for generating at least one sensor signal
representing the vibrations of the flow tube; and [0011] meter
electronics which deliver an excitation current for the excitation
assembly and at least one measured value representing the
instantaneous viscosity of the fluid, [0012] the meter electronics
adjusting the excitation current by means of the at least one
sensor signal and [0013] generating by means of the excitation
current an internal intermediate value representing instantaneous
frictions in the fluid, and [0014] the meter electronics
determining the viscosity value using the internal intermediate
value.
[0015] It has turned out, however, that in spite of viscosity and
density being maintained virtually constant, particularly under
laboratory conditions, the viscosity value determined by means of
the excitation current may exhibit considerable inaccuracies, which
may amount to as much as one hundred times the actual viscosity of
the fluid.
DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0016] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,610, a possible cause of this problem
is indicated, namely the fact that gas bubbles in the fluid may be
trapped at the wall of the flow tube. To avoid this problem, it is
proposed to install the transducer so that the straight flow tube
is in an essentially vertical position, so that the trapping of
bubbles is prevented. This, however, is a very specific solution
which is only conditionally realizable, particularly in industrial
process measurement technology. On the one hand, the pipe into
which the transducer is to be inserted would have to be adapted to
the latter and not vice versa, which probably cannot be conveyed to
the user. On the other hand, the flow tubes may also have a curved
shape, so that the problem cannot be solved by adapting the
position of installation. It has also turned out that the
aforementioned inaccuracies of the measured viscosity value cannot
be appreciably reduced even if a vertically installed, straight
flow tube is used. Variations in the measured viscosity value of a
moving fluid cannot be prevented in this manner, either.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a
viscometer for fluids which, particularly when the fluid is
flowing, provides a highly accurate and robust viscosity value
essentially independently of, on the one hand, the position of
installation of the flow tube and, on the other hand, the
vibrations of the flow tube, particularly of their amplitude.
[0018] To attain the object, a first variant of the invention
provides a viscometer for a fluid flowing in a pipe, said
viscometer comprising: [0019] a vibratory transducer; [0020] at
least one flow tube for conducting the fluid and for generating
friction forces acting in the fluid, the at least one flow tube
communicating with the pipe and vibrating in operation, [0021] an
excitation assembly for vibrating the at least one flow tube; and
[0022] meter electronics which deliver [0023] an excitation current
for the excitation assembly and [0024] a viscosity value
representing the instantaneous viscosity of the fluid, [0025] the
meter electronics generating [0026] a first internal intermediate
value, corresponding with the excitation current and representing
the friction forces acting in the fluid, and [0027] a second
internal intermediate value, representing inhomogeneities in the
fluid, and [0028] the meter electronics determining the viscosity
value using the first and second internal intermediate values.
[0029] A second variant of the invention provides a viscometer for
a fluid flowing in a pipe, said viscometer comprising: [0030] a
transducer, particularly a flexural mode transducer, [0031] at
least one flow tube for conducting the fluid and for producing
friction forces acting in the fluid, the at least one flow tube
communicating with the pipe and vibrating in operation, [0032] an
excitation assembly for vibrating the at least one flow tube, and
[0033] a sensor arrangement for sensing vibrations of the flow tube
and for generating at least a first sensor signal representing said
vibrations; and [0034] meter electronics which deliver [0035] an
excitation current for the excitation assembly and [0036] a
viscosity value representing the instantaneous viscosity of the
fluid, [0037] the meter electronics [0038] deriving from the at
least first sensor signal an amplitude control signal serving to
adjust the excitation current, and [0039] determining the viscosity
value by means of the at least first sensor signal and the
amplitude control signal.
[0040] Furthermore, the invention provides a method of determining
the viscosity of a fluid flowing in a pipe, said method comprising
the steps of: [0041] feeding an excitation current into an
excitation assembly mechanically coupled to a flow tube conducting
the fluid, for causing mechanical vibrations, particularly flexural
vibrations, of the flow tube; [0042] vibrating the flow tube for
producing internal friction forces in the fluid; [0043] sensing
vibrations of the flow tube for generating a first internal
intermediate value, representing friction forces acting in the
fluid; [0044] producing a sampling of first internal intermediate
values; [0045] using the sampling to determine a second internal
intermediate value, representing inhomogeneities in the fluid; and
[0046] generating a measured viscosity value by means of the two
internal intermediate values.
[0047] In a first preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, the meter electronics determine the second internal
intermediate value by means of the excitation current.
[0048] In a second preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, the flow tube for producing friction forces acting in
the fluid vibrates at least in part in a flexural mode.
[0049] In a third preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, to generate the measured viscosity value, the meter
electronics determine by means of the at least first sensor signal
a velocity value which represents motions causing the friction
forces in the fluid.
[0050] In a fourth preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, the meter electronics determine the first internal
intermediate value, which corresponds with the excitation current
and represents the friction forces acting in the fluid, by means of
the amplitude control signal.
[0051] In a fifth preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, to generate the viscosity value, the meter electronics
normalize the first internal intermediate value to the velocity
value.
[0052] In a sixth preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, the meter electronics comprise a volatile data memory
holding a sampling of first internal intermediate values, and
generate the second internal intermediate value by means of the
sampling.
[0053] In a seventh preferred embodiment of the viscometer of the
invention, the second internal intermediate value is generated
using a standard deviation of the first internal intermediate
value, which is estimated by means of the sampling.
[0054] In a first preferred embodiment of the method of the
invention, at least one sensor signal representing the vibrations
of the flow tube is generated, and the excitation current is
adjusted using the at least one sensor signal.
[0055] In a second preferred embodiment of the method of the
invention, a velocity value which represents a velocity of a motion
causing the friction forces acting in the fluid is determined using
the sensor signal, and the first internal intermediate value is
normalized to the velocity value.
[0056] The invention is predicated on recognition that the
excitation power fed into the transducer to maintain the vibrations
of the flow tube, and thus the viscosity value derived therefrom,
may be affected in a disproportionately great measure by
inhomogeneities in the fluid, such as gas bubbles or entrained
particles of solid matter. The invention is also predicated on
recognition that the excitation power can also be determined very
precisely in a very simple manner by means of adjustment signals or
adjustment values generated within the meter electronics, and that
both the adjustment signals for the excitation power and the
actually injected excitation power, particularly in the case of
flow-tube vibrations with an amplitude regulated at constant value,
are too inaccurate by themselves for robust viscosity
measurement.
[0057] A fundamental idea of the invention is to derive from the
excitation power an internal measured value, particularly
independently of the type of fluid involved, which represents the
inhomogeneities in the fluid relevant to the viscosity measurement
and which is a measure of their effect on the measured viscosity
value.
[0058] Another fundamental idea of the invention is to determine
the viscosity value by means of adjustment signals or adjustment
values for the excitation power that are generated within the meter
electronics, and by means of vibrations of the flow tube that are
maintained by the actually injected excitation power. This indirect
determination of the excitation power has the advantage of
eliminating the need for an additional measurement of the injected
excitation power for the purpose of determining the viscosity
value.
[0059] A further advantage of the invention therefore consists in
the fact that it can also be implemented in commercially available
Coriolis mass flowmeter-densimeters, for example, and virtually
independently of the concrete shape and number of flow tubes used
in the respective transducer, i.e., without any basic change in the
mechanical design of the transducer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] The invention and further advantages will become more
apparent from the following description of embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are
designated by like reference characters throughout the various
figures; reference characters that have already been allotted are
omitted in subsequent figures if this contributes to clarity. In
the drawings:
[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a viscometer for generating
a viscosity value;
[0062] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of meter
electronics suitable for the viscometer of FIG. 1;
[0063] FIG. 3 is a part-sectional, first perspective view of an
embodiment of a vibratory transducer suitable for the viscometer of
FIG. 1;
[0064] FIG. 4 is a second perspective view of the transducer of
FIG. 3;
[0065] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of an electromechanical
excitation assembly for the transducer of FIG. 3; and
[0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram symbolizing steps implemented in the
meter electronics for the determination of the viscosity value.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0067] FIGS. 1 and 2 show schematically a viscometer with a
vibratory transducer 10, preferably housed in a transducer case
100, and with meter electronics 50, housed in an electronics case
200 and, as shown in FIG. 2, electrically connected to transducer
10. The viscometer serves in particular to sense a viscosity,
.eta., of a fluid flowing in a pipe (not shown) and to map this
viscosity into a measured viscosity value X.sub..eta. representing
this viscosity .eta.. By means of transducer 10, which is driven by
meter electronics 50, friction forces are generated in the fluid
passing therethrough which are dependent on the viscosity .eta. and
react on transducer 10 in a measurable manner, i.e., which can be
detected using sensor technology and converted into useful input
signals for subsequent evaluation electronics.
[0068] In the preferred case where the viscometer is designed to be
coupled to a field bus, the, preferably programmable, meter
electronics 50 will include a suitable communication interface for
data communication, e.g., for the transmission of the measurement
data to a higher-level stored program control or a higher-level
process control system.
[0069] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an embodiment of a transducer 10 in the
form of a physical-to-electrical vibratory transducer assembly. The
construction of such a transducer assembly is described in detail
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,609, for example. Such transducers are
already used in commercially available Coriolis mass
flowmeter-densimeters as are offered by the applicant with its
"PROMASS I" series, for example.
[0070] To conduct the fluid to be measured, transducer 10 comprises
at least one flow tube 13 of a predeterminable, elastically
deformable lumen 13A and a predeterminable nominal diameter, which
has an inlet end 11 and an outlet end 12. "Elastic deformation" of
lumen 13A as used herein means that in order to produce reaction
forces in the fluid, i.e., forces describing the fluid, namely
shearing or friction forces, but also Coriolis forces and/or mass
inertial forces, in operation, a three-dimensional shape and/or a
spatial position of lumen 13A are changed in a predeterminable
cyclic manner, particularly periodically, within an elasticity
range of flow tube 13; see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,897,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,648,616, U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,011, and/or U.S. Pat.
No. 6,006,609.
[0071] At this point it should be noted that instead of a
transducer according to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, virtually
any transducer known to the person skilled in the art for Coriolis
flowmeter-densimeters, particularly a flexural mode transducer with
a bent or straight flow tube vibrating exclusively or at least in
part in a flexural mode, can be used for implementing the
invention. Further suitable implementations of transducer
assemblies that can be used for transducer 10 are described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,557, 5,357,811, 5,557,973,
5,602,345, 5,648,616, or 5,796,011, which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0072] Materials especially suited for flow tube 13, here an
essentially straight tube, are titanium alloys, for example.
Instead of titanium alloys, other materials commonly used for such
flow tubes, particularly for bent tubes, such as stainless steel or
zirconium, may be employed.
[0073] Flow tube 13, which communicates at the inlet and outlet
ends with the fluid-conducting pipe in the usual manner, is clamped
in a rigid support frame 14, particularly in a flexurally and
torsionally stiff frame, so as to be capable of vibratory motion,
the support frame being preferably enclosed by a transducer case
100.
[0074] Support frame 14 is fixed to flow tube 13 by means of an
inlet plate 223 at the inlet end and by means of an outlet plate
213 at the outlet end, the two plates being penetrated by
respective corresponding extension pieces of flow tube 13. Support
frame 14 has a first side plate 24 and a second side plate 34,
which are fixed to inlet plate 213 and outlet plate 223 in such a
way as to extend essentially parallel to and in spaced relationship
from flow tube 13; see FIG. 3. Thus, facing side surfaces of the
two side plates 24, 34 are also parallel to each other.
[0075] Advantageously, a longitudinal bar 25 serving as a balancing
mass for absorbing vibrations of flow tube 13 is secured to side
plates 24, 34 in spaced relationship from flow tube 13. As shown in
FIG. 4, longitudinal bar 25 extends essentially parallel to the
entire oscillable length of flow tube 13; this, however is not
mandatory; if necessary, longitudinal bar 25 may also be shorter,
of course.
[0076] Thus, support frame 14 with the two side plates 24, 34,
inlet plate 213, outlet plate 223, and the optional longitudinal
bar 25 has a longitudinal axis of gravity which is essentially
parallel to a central flow tube axis 13B, which joins inlet end 11
and outlet end 12.
[0077] In FIGS. 3 and 4, it is indicated by the heads of the screws
shown that the aforementioned fixing of side plates 24, 34 to inlet
plate 213, to outlet plate 223 and to longitudinal bar 25 may be
done by screwing; it is also possible to use other suitable forms
of fastening familiar to those skilled in the art.
[0078] If transducer 10 is to be nonpermanently connected with the
pipe, flow tube 13 preferably has an inlet-side first flange 19 and
an outlet-side second flange 20 formed thereon, see FIG. 1; instead
of flanges 19, 20, so-called Triclamp connections, for example, may
be used to provide the nonpermanent connection with the pipe, as
indicated in FIG. 3.
[0079] If necessary, however, flow tube 13 may also be connected
with the pipe directly, e.g., by welding or brazing.
[0080] To produce the above-mentioned friction forces, during
operation of transducer 10, flow tube 13, driven by an
electromechanical excitation assembly 16 coupled to the flow tube,
is caused to vibrate in the so-called useful mode at a
predeterminable frequency, particularly at a natural resonance
frequency which is also dependent on a density, p, of the fluid,
whereby the flow tube is elastically deformed in a predeterminable
manner.
[0081] In the embodiment shown, the vibrating flow tube 13, as is
usual with such flexural mode transducer assemblies, is spatially,
particularly laterally, deflected from a static rest position; the
same applies to transducer assemblies in which one or more bent
flow tubes perform cantilever vibrations about a corresponding
longitudinal axis joining the respective inlet and outlet ends, or
to those in which one or more straight flow tubes perform only
planar flexural vibrations about their longitudinal axis. In the
other case where transducer 10 is a radial mode transducer assembly
and the vibrating flow tube is symmetrically deformed in the usual
manner as is described, for example, in WO-A 95/16897, the flow
tube is essentially left in its static rest position.
[0082] Excitation assembly 16 serves to produce an excitation force
F.sub.exc acting on flow tube 13 by converting an electric
excitation power P.sub.exc supplied from meter electronics 50. The
excitation power P.sub.exc serves virtually only to compensate the
power component lost in the vibrating system because of mechanical
and fluid friction. To achieve as high an efficiency as possible,
the excitation power P.sub.exc is preferably precisely adjusted so
that essentially the vibrations of flow tube 13 in the useful mode,
e.g., those at a lowest resonance frequency, are maintained.
[0083] For the purpose of transmitting the excitation force
F.sub.exc to flow tube 13, excitation assembly 16, as shown in FIG.
5, has a rigid, electromagnetically and/or electrodynamically
driven lever arrangement 15 with a cantilever 154 and a yoke 163,
the cantilever 154 being rigidly fixed to flow tube 13. Yoke 163 is
rigidly fixed to an end of cantilever 154 remote from flow tube 13,
such that it lies above and extends transversely of flow tube 13.
Cantilever 154 may be a metallic disk, for example, which receives
flow tube 13 in a bore. For further suitable implementations of
lever arrangement 15, reference is made to the above-mentioned U.S.
Pat. No. 6,006,609. As is readily apparent from FIGS. 3 and 5,
lever arrangement 15, here a T-shaped arrangement, is preferably
arranged to act on flow tube 13 approximately midway between inlet
end 11 and outlet end 12, so that in operation, flow tube 13 will
exhibit its maximum lateral deflection in the middle.
[0084] To drive the lever arrangement 15, excitation assembly 16,
as shown in FIG. 5, comprises a first excitation coil 26 and an
associated first armature 27 of permanent-magnet material as well
as a second excitation coil 36 and an associated second armature 37
of permanent-magnet material. The two excitation coils 26 and 36,
which are preferably electrically connected in series, are fixed to
support frame 14 on both sides of flow tube 13 below yoke 163,
particularly nonpermanently, so as to interact in operation with
their associated armatures 27 and 37, respectively. If necessary,
the two excitation coils 26, 36 may, of course, be connected in
parallel.
[0085] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the two armatures 27, 37 are
fixed to yoke 163 at such a distance from each other that during
operation of transducer 10, armature 27 will be penetrated
essentially by a magnetic field of excitation coil 26, while
armature 37 will be penetrated essentially by a magnetic field of
excitation coil 36, so that the two armatures will be moved by the
action of corresponding electrodynamic and/or electromagnetic
forces.
[0086] The motions of armatures 27, 37 produced by the magnetic
fields of excitation coils 26, 36 are transmitted by yoke 163 and
cantilever 154 to flow tube 13. These motions of armatures 27, 37
are such that yoke 163 is displaced from its rest position
alternately in the direction of side plate 24 and in the direction
of side plate 34. A corresponding axis of rotation of lever
arrangement 15, which is parallel to the above-mentioned central
axis 13B of flow tube 13, may pass through cantilever 154, for
example.
[0087] Particularly in order to hold excitation coils 26, 36 and
individual components of a magnetic brake assembly 217, which is
described below, support frame 14 further comprises a holder 29 for
electromechanical excitation assembly 16. Holder 29 is connected,
preferably nonpermanently, with side plates 24, 34.
[0088] In the transducer 10 of the embodiment, the lateral
deflections of the vibrating flow tube 13, which is firmly clamped
at inlet end 11 and outlet end 12, simultaneously cause an elastic
deformation of its lumen 13A; this elastic deformation extends
virtually over the entire length of flow tube 13.
[0089] Furthermore, due to a torque acting on flow tube 13 via
lever arrangement 15, torsion is induced in flow tube 13 about
central axis 13B simultaneously with the lateral deflections, at
least in sections of the tube, so that the latter vibrates in a
mixed flexural and torsional mode serving as a useful mode. The
torsion of flow tube 13 may be such that the direction of a lateral
displacement of the end of cantilever 154 remote from flow tube 13
is either the same as or opposite to that of the lateral deflection
of flow tube 13. In other words, flow tube 13 can perform torsional
vibrations in a first flexural and torsional mode, corresponding to
the former case, or in a second flexural and torsional mode,
corresponding to the latter case. In the transducer 10 according to
the embodiment, the natural resonance frequency of the second
flexural and torsional mode, e.g., 900 Hz, is approximately twice
as high as that of the first flexural and torsional mode.
[0090] In the preferred case where flow tube 13 is to perform
vibrations only in the second flexural and torsional mode,
excitation assembly advantageously incorporates a magnetic brake
assembly 217 based on the eddy-current principle, which serves to
stabilize the position of the axis of rotation. By means of
magnetic brake assembly 217 it can thus be ensured that flow tube
13 always vibrates in the second flexural and torsional mode, so
that any external interfering effects on flow tube 13 will not
result in a spontaneous change to another flexural and torsional
mode, particularly to the first. Details of such a magnetic brake
assembly are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,609, for
example; furthermore, the use of such magnetic brake assemblies is
known from transducers of the aforementioned "PROMASS I"
series.
[0091] At this point it should be mentioned that in the flow tube
13 deflected in this manner according to the second flexural and
torsional mode, the central axis 13B is slightly deformed, so that
during the vibrations, this axis spreads a slightly curved surface
rather than a plane. Furthermore, a path curve lying in this
surface and described by the midpoint of the central axis of the
flow tube has the smallest curvature of all path curves described
by this central axis.
[0092] To detect the deformations of flow tube 13, transducer 10
comprises a sensor arrangement 60 with at least a first sensor 17,
which provides a first, preferably analog, sensor signal s.sub.1 in
response to vibrations of flow tube 13. As is usual with such
transducers, sensor 17 may be formed, for example, by an armature
of permanent-magnet material fixed to flow tube 13 and interacting
with a sensor coil held by support frame 14.
[0093] Sensor types especially suited for sensor 17 are those which
sense the velocity of the deflections of the flow tube based on the
electrodynamic principle. It is also possible to use
acceleration-measuring electrodynamic or displacement-measuring
resistive or optical sensors, or other sensors familiar to those
skilled in the art which are suitable for detecting such
vibrations.
[0094] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, sensor
arrangement 60 further comprises a second sensor 18, particularly a
sensor identical to the first sensor 17, which second sensor 18
provides a second sensor signal s.sub.2 representing vibrations of
the flow tube. In this embodiment, the two sensors 17, 18 are
positioned at a given distance from each other along flow tube 13,
particularly at the same distance from the middle of flow tube 13,
such that sensor arrangement 60 detects both inlet-side and
outlet-side vibrations of flow tube 13 and provides corresponding
sensor signals s.sub.1 and s.sub.2, respectively. The first sensor
signal s.sub.1 and, if present, the second sensor signal s.sub.2,
which usually each have a frequency corresponding to the
instantaneous vibration frequency of flow tube 13, are fed to meter
electronics 50, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0095] To vibrate the flow tube 13, excitation assembly 16 is
supplied from meter electronics 50 with a likewise oscillating,
unipolar or bipolar excitation current i.sub.exc of adjustable
amplitude and adjustable frequency f.sub.exc, such that in
operation, excitation coils 26, 36 are traversed by this current to
produce the magnetic field necessary to move armatures 27, 37.
Thus, the excitation force F.sub.exc required to vibrate flow tube
13 can be monitored and adjusted in amplitude, e.g., by means of a
current- and/or voltage-regulator circuit, and in frequency, e.g.,
by means of a phase-locked loop, in the manner familiar to those
skilled in the art. The excitation current i.sub.exc delivered by
meter electronics 50 is preferably a sinusoidal current, but it may
also be a pulsating, triangular, or square-wave alternating
current, for example.
[0096] As is usual in viscometers of the kind being described, the
frequency f.sub.exc of the excitation current i.sub.exc is equal to
the predetermined vibration frequency of flow tube 13, and is
therefore preferably set at an instantaneous natural resonance
frequency of the fluid-carrying flow tube 13. As indicated above,
the invention proposes for the transducer 10 according to the
embodiment that the excitation current i.sub.exc should be caused
to flow through the two excitation coils 26, 36 and that its
frequency f.sub.exc should be chosen so that the laterally
oscillating flow tube 13 is, if possible, twisted exclusively
according to the second flexural and torsional mode.
[0097] To generate and adjust the excitation current i.sub.exc,
meter electronics 50 comprise a driver circuit 53 which is
controlled by a frequency control signal y.sub.FM, representing the
excitation frequency to be adjusted, f.sub.exc, and by an amplitude
control signal y.sub.AM, representing the amplitude of excitation
current i.sub.exc to be adjusted. The driver circuit may be
implemented with a voltage-controlled oscillator followed by a
voltage-to-current converter, for example; instead of an analog
oscillator, a numerically controlled digital oscillator, for
example, may be used to adjust the excitation current
i.sub.exc.
[0098] The amplitude control signal y.sub.AM may be generated with
an amplitude control circuit 51 incorporated in meter electronics
50, which updates at least one of the two sensor signals s.sub.1,
s.sub.2 and the amplitude control signal y.sub.AM based on the
instantaneous amplitude and on a constant or variable amplitude
reference value W.sub.1, respectively; in addition, an
instantaneous amplitude of the excitation current i.sub.exc may be
used to generate the amplitude control signal y.sub.AM. Such
amplitude control circuits are familiar to those skilled in the
art. As an example of such an amplitude control circuit, reference
is again made to Coriolis mass flowmeters of the "PROMASS I"
series. Their amplitude control circuit is preferably designed so
that the lateral vibrations of flow tube 13 are maintained at a
constant amplitude, i.e., at an amplitude which is also independent
of the density .rho..
[0099] The frequency control signal y.sub.FM may be provided by a
suitable frequency control circuit 52 which updates this signal
based, for example, on at least the sensor signal si and on a DC
voltage that is representative of the frequency to be adjusted and
serves as a frequency reference value W.sub.2.
[0100] Preferably, frequency control circuit 52 and driver circuit
53 are interconnected to form a phase-locked loop which is used in
the manner familiar to those skilled in the art to keep the
frequency control signal y.sub.FM in phase with an instantaneous
resonance frequency of flow tube 13 based on a phase difference
measured between at least one of the sensor signals s.sub.1,
s.sub.2 and the excitation current to be adjusted or the measured
excitation current, i.sub.exc. The configuration and use of such
phase-locked loops for driving flow tubes at one of their
mechanical resonance frequencies are described in detail U.S. Pat.
No. 4,801,897, for example. Of course, it is also possible to use
other frequency control loops familiar to those skilled in the art,
such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,524,610 or 4,801,897,
for example. Furthermore, regarding the use of such frequency
control loops for transducers of the kind being described,
reference is made to the aforementioned "PROMASS I" series.
[0101] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the
amplitude control circuit 51 and the frequency control circuit 52
are implemented by means of a digital signal processor DSP and by
means of program codes running therein. The program codes may, for
instance, be stored in a nonvolatile memory EEPROM of a
microcomputer 55 controlling and/or monitoring the signal processor
DSP, and be loaded upon start-up of signal processor DSP into a
volatile data memory RAM of meter electronics 50, which is
incorporated in signal processor DSP, for example. Signal
processors suitable for such applications are, for example, those
of the type TMS320VC33, which are marketed by Texas Instruments
Inc.
[0102] It goes without saying that for the processing in signal
processor DSP, the sensor signal si and, if present, the sensor
signal s.sub.2 have to be converted to corresponding digital
signals by means of suitable analog-to-digital converters A/D; see
particularly EP-A 866 319. If necessary, control signals provided
by the signal processor, such as the amplitude control signal
y.sub.AM or the frequency control signal y.sub.FM, have to be
converted from digital to analog form in a corresponding
manner.
[0103] Since, as repeatedly indicated, such vibratory transducer
assemblies, besides inducing fluid friction forces, also induce
mass-flow-rate-dependent Coriolis forces and
fluid-density-dependent mass inertial forces, for example,
according to a preferred development of the invention, the
viscometer serves to determine not only the viscosity, .eta., but
also a density, .rho., and a mass flow rate, m, of the fluid,
particularly simultaneously, and to provide a corresponding
measured density value X.sub..rho. and a measured mass flow rate
value X.sub.m. This may be done using the methods employed to
measure mass flow rate and/or density in conventional Coriolis mass
flowmeter-densimeters, particularly in those of the aforementioned
"PROMASS I" series, which methods are familiar to those skilled in
the art; cf. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,187,721, 4,876,879, 5,648,616,
5,687,100, 5,796,011, or 6,073,495.
[0104] To generate the measured viscosity value X.sub..eta., meter
electronics 50 derive from the excitation power P.sub.exc fed into
excitation assembly 16, which power serves in particular to
compensate the internal friction produced in the fluid in the
manner described above, a first intermediate value X.sub.1,
particularly a digital value, which represents the
vibration-damping friction forces in the fluid; in addition to or
instead of the actually injected excitation power P.sub.exc, an
excitation power predetermined by meter electronics 50 and
represented, for example, by the amplitude control signal y.sub.AM
and/or the frequency control signal y.sub.FM supplied to driver
circuit 53, may serve to determine the viscosity value X.sub..eta.
and particularly the intermediate value X.sub.1.
[0105] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate
value X.sub.1 is determined by means of the excitation current
predetermined by meter electronics 50 and/or by means of the
actually injected, measured excitation current i.sub.exc,
particularly by means of the amplitude or a moving average of this
excitation current. In that case, the excitation current i.sub.exc
serves as a measure of the entirety of the damping forces
counteracting the deflection motions of the vibrating flow tube 13.
When using the excitation current i.sub.exc to determine the
intermediate value X.sub.1, however, the fact that the
aforementioned damping forces are also dependent, on the one hand,
on the viscosity-dependent frictions within the fluid and, on the
other hand, on mechanical frictions in excitation assembly 16 and
in the vibrating flow tube, for example, has to be taken into
account.
[0106] To separate the information about the viscosity of the fluid
from the excitation current i.sub.exc, the latter is therefore
reduced in meter electronics 50 by the value of a no-load current
that is virtually independent of the fluid friction, this no-load
current being measured with flow tube 13 evacuated or at least not
filled with liquid. The usually long-term-stable no-load current
can be readily determined in advance during a calibration of the
viscometer, for example, and stored in meter electronics 50, e.g.,
in the nonvolatile memory EEPROM, in the form of a digital
value.
[0107] Preferably, the intermediate value X.sub.1 is also formed by
simply determining a numeric difference between one or more digital
excitation current values, representing, for example, the
instantaneous amplitude or an instantaneous average value of the
excitation current i.sub.exc, and the digital no-load current
value. If the excitation current value represents the amplitude or
the average value of the excitation current i.sub.exc, an amplitude
or a corresponding average value of the no-load current must, of
course, be subtracted therefrom to obtain the intermediate value
X.sub.1. The excitation current value can be obtained, for example,
by a simple current measurement at the output of driver circuit 53.
Preferably, however, the excitation current value, and thus the
intermediate value X.sub.1, is determined indirectly using the
amplitude control signal y.sub.AM provided by amplitude control
circuit 51, as shown schematically in FIG. 2. This has the
advantage of eliminating the need for additional current
measurement and particularly for measuring circuits necessary
therefor.
[0108] Taking into account the relationship
{square root over (.eta.)}.about.i.sub.exc (1)
[0109] which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,610 and according
to which the excitation current i.sub.exc, at least at a constant
density .rho., is very well correlated with the square root of the
viscosity, .eta., in order to determine of the viscosity value
X.sub..eta., first the square of the intermediate value X.sub.1
derived from the excitation current i.sub.exc is formed within
meter electronics 50.
[0110] It turned out that, if the viscosity value X.sub..eta. is
determined only by means of the intermediate value X.sub.1, it may
be much too inaccurate for many industrial applications in spite of
the viscosity and density remaining virtually constant.
[0111] Investigations of the phenomenon under laboratory
conditions, i.e., using fluids of known, particularly constant,
viscosity and density, have shown that the intermediate value
X.sub.1 is highly responsive not only to trapped gas bubbles but
above all to inhomogeneities in the moving fluid. Such
inhomogeneities may be air bubbles introduced into the fluid or
particles of solid matter entrained with the fluid. Even slight
disturbances of the homogeneity in the moving fluid may lead to
considerable errors in the measured viscosity value X.sub..eta.
which are of the order of up to one hundred times the actual
viscosity, .eta., of the fluid.
[0112] By evaluating a number of waveforms of the excitation
current i.sub.exc which were recorded during measurements performed
in different liquids that were disturbed in a predetermined manner,
the inventors found to their surprise that, on the one hand, the
excitation current i.sub.exc may vary considerably over time
despite essentially unchanged conditions, e.g., in the case of a
steadily flowing liquid of constant density and viscosity and with
an essentially constant content of entrained air bubbles. On the
other hand, however, it was ascertained that the excitation current
i.sub.exc, which varies in a virtually unpredeterminable manner,
particularly its amplitude, and thus the intermediate value
X.sub.1, exhibits an empiric standard deviation s.sub.iexc or an
empiric variance which is very closely correlated with the degree
of inhomogeneity.
[0113] According to the invention, meter electronics 50 derive from
this a second internal intermediate value X.sub.2, which, serving
to assess the influence of inhomogeneities in the fluid, which was
not taken into account in the formation of the intermediate value
X.sub.1, is used in the determination of the viscosity value
X.sub..eta. to weight the intermediate value X.sub.1.
[0114] The use of the intermediate value X.sub.2 is based on
recognition that, on the one hand, the intermediate value X.sub.1
alone can provide sufficiently accurate information about the
viscosity, .eta., of the fluid only if the fluid is largely
homogeneous, and that, on the other hand, as described above, the
instantaneous inhomogeneities in the fluid can be assessed very
accurately and largely independently of the fluid based on the
waveform of the injected excitation current i.sub.exc.
[0115] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, to
obtain the viscosity value X.sub..eta., the intermediate value
X.sub.1 is normalized to the intermediate value X.sub.2 by a simple
numerical division, so that the viscosity value X.sub..eta. is
X .eta. = K 1 X .rho. ( X 1 X 2 ) 2 ( 2 ) ##EQU00001##
[0116] where [0117] K.sub.1=a device constant, dependent in
particular on the geometry of flow tube 13.
[0118] The density value X.sub..rho. in the denominator of Eq. (2)
only takes account of the fact that actually the square of the
current provides the information about the product of density and
viscosity, see also U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,610.
[0119] Furthermore, it turned out to the inventors' surprise, that
in determining the viscosity value according to Eq. (2), the
internal intermediate value X.sub.2 can be easily determined
according to the linear relationship
X.sub.2=K.sub.2s.sub.iexc+K.sub.3 (3)
[0120] where [0121] K.sub.2, K.sub.3=constants determined by
calibration which, as is readily apparent, correspond to the slope
and offset, respectively, of a simple equation of a straight line,
cf. FIG. 6.
[0122] To determine the two constants K.sub.2, K.sub.3, during a
calibration for two calibration fluids of known and, if possible,
constant viscosity and of inhomogeneities which differ but remain
unchanged, both the instantaneous standard deviation is estimated
for the respective excitation current, particularly for its
amplitudes, and a ratio X.sub..eta./.eta. of the respective
measured viscosity value to the respective instantaneous viscosity
is formed. The first calibration fluid (subscript I) may be flowing
water with air bubbles introduced therein, for example, and for the
second calibration fluid (subscript II), water may be used which is
as homogeneous as possible.
[0123] For the above-described case where the viscosity is to be
determined according to Eq. (2), the two constants K.sub.2, K.sub.3
can be calculated from
K 2 = X .eta. , I .eta. I - X .eta. , II .eta. II s iexc , I - s
iexc , II K 3 = X .eta. , I .eta. I - K 2 s iexc , I ( 4 )
##EQU00002##
[0124] The respective empiric standard deviation s.sub.iexc is
preferably calculated by means of a sampling AF of intermediate
values X.sub.1, stored in digital form in volatile data memory RAM,
for example, according to the known function
s iexc = ( 1 m - 1 j = 1 m ( X 1 , j - 1 m j = 1 m X 1 , j ) 2 ) (
5 ) ##EQU00003##
[0125] If necessary, the sampling AF serving to determine the
standard deviation may also be a correspondingly stored sampling
sequence of an amplitude characteristic of the excitation current
i.sub.exc, i.e., a section of a digitized envelope of the
excitation current i.sub.exc.
[0126] Investigations have shown that for a sufficiently accurate
estimate of the standard deviation s.sub.iexc, samplings of
relatively small size m, e.g., approximately 100 to 1000
intermediate values X.sub.1, are necessary, with the individual
intermediate values X.sub.1 having to be sampled only within a very
narrow window of about 1 to 2 seconds. Accordingly, a relatively
low sampling frequency on the order of few kilohertz, e.g., about 1
to 5 kHz, would be sufficient.
[0127] The intermediate value X.sub.2 can advantageously also be
used to signal the degree of inhomogeneity of the fluid, or
measured values derived therefrom, such as a percentage of air
contained in the fluid or a content by volume or mass of particles
of solid matter entrained with the fluid, e.g., on site or in a
remote control room in a visually perceptible manner.
[0128] The viscosity value X.sub..eta. determined according to Eq.
(2) represents a good estimate of a dynamic viscosity of the fluid,
which, as is well known, may also be obtained as the product of the
kinematic viscosity and the density .rho. of the fluid. If the
viscosity value X.sub..eta. is to serve as an estimate of the
kinematic viscosity, a suitable normalization to the density value
X.sub..rho. must be performed prior to its output, e.g., by a
simple numerical division. To that end, Eq. (2) may be modified as
follows:
X .eta. = K 1 ( X 1 X .rho. X 2 ) 2 ( 6 ) ##EQU00004##
[0129] It also turned out that for such viscometers with such a
flexural mode transducer, particularly if the vibration amplitude
is maintained at a constant value, a ratio i.sub.exc/.theta. of the
excitation current I.sub.exc to a velocity .theta. of a motion
causing the internal frictions and, thus, the friction forces in
the fluid, which velocity is not measurable directly, is a more
accurate estimate of the above-mentioned damping that counteracts
the deflections of flow tube 13. Therefore, in order to further
increase the accuracy of the viscosity value X.sub..eta.,
particularly to reduce its sensitivity to varying vibration
amplitudes of flow tube 13, in another preferred embodiment of the
invention, the intermediate value X.sub.1 is first normalized to a
velocity value X.sub..theta., which represents the above-mentioned
velocity .theta.. Put another way, a normalized intermediate value
X.sub.1* is formed according to the following rule:
X 1 * = X 1 X .theta. ( 7 ) ##EQU00005##
[0130] Based on recognition that, particularly if a flexural mode
transducer assembly is used for transducer 10, the motion causing
the internal friction in the fluid very closely correlates with the
motion of the vibrating flow tube 13, which is detected by means of
sensor 17 or by means of sensors 17 and 18, the velocity value
X.sub..theta. is preferably derived by means of meter electronics
50, e.g., by means of an internal amplitude-measuring circuit 56,
from the at least one sensor signal s.sub.1, which has already been
digitized if necessary. The use of the at least one sensor signal
s.sub.1 not only has the advantage that, as mentioned above,
practically no basic changes are necessary in the mechanical design
of the transducer assemblies of conventional Coriolis mass
flowmeters, but that it is also possible to use the respective
sensor arrangements of such transducer assemblies virtually
unchanged.
[0131] Using the normalized intermediate value X.sub.1*, the
viscosity value may then be determined from
X .eta. = K 1 K f X .rho. ( X 1 * X 2 ) 2 ( 8 ) ##EQU00006##
[0132] The correction factor K.sub.f introduced in Eq. (8) serves
to weight the density value X.sub..rho. with the instantaneous
vibration frequency of the vibrating flow tube 13.
[0133] At this point it should be pointed out once again that the
sensor signal s.sub.1 is preferably proportional to a velocity of
a, particularly lateral, deflection motion of the vibrating flow
tube 13; the sensor signal s.sub.1 may also be proportional to an
acceleration acting on the vibrating flow tube 13 or to a
displacement of the vibrating flow tube 13. If the sensor signal
s.sub.1 is proportional to a velocity in the above sense, the
correction factor K.sub.f will correspond to the vibration
frequency of the vibrating flow tube 13, while in the case of a
sensor signal s.sub.1 proportional to a displacement, the
correction factor K.sub.f will be equal to the cube of the
vibration frequency.
[0134] The aforementioned functions serving to generate the
viscosity value X.sub..eta., which are symbolized by Eqs. (1) to
(8), are implemented at least in part in an evaluation stage 54 of
meter electronics 50, which is advantageously realized by means of
signal processor DSP, as shown, or by means of microcomputer 55,
for example.
[0135] The creation and implementation of suitable algorithms
corresponding with the above-described functions or simulating the
operation of amplitude control circuit 51 or frequency control
circuit 52, and their translation into program codes executable in
such signal processors, is familiar to those skilled in the art
and, therefore, does not require detailed explanation. Of course,
the aforementioned equations may also be represented, in whole or
in part, by means of suitable analog and/or digital discrete
computing circuits in meter electronics 50.
[0136] The viscometer according to the invention has an added
advantage in that the viscosity value provided by it, X.sub..eta.,
because of its insensitivity to inhomogeneities in the fluid, also
exhibits low cross sensitivity to changes in mass flow rate or
density.
* * * * *