Coriolis flowmeters using fibers and anisotropic material to control selected vibrational flowmeter characteristics

摘要

A Coriolis flowmeter whose flow tubes are made, at least part, of anisotrophic materials such as fiber reinforced composites. The composite material is formed by controllably orienting the fibers in one direction to increase the tensile strength of the material in that direction. Selected areas of the flow tubes are formed of this composite in order to increase the flowmeter sensitivity and to better separate the desired flowmeter vibrational frequencies from the undesired vibrational frequencies. Circumferentially oriented fibers increase the internal pressure containment capability of the flow tubes. A strain gauge affixed to the flow tube flexes with flow tube deformation to indicate the internal flow tube pressure.