HK1232283B - Flowmeter manifold with indexing boss - Google Patents

Description

Flow meter manifold with indexing bosses

Technical Field

The embodiments described below relate to vibrating meters, and more particularly to an improved inlet and outlet manifold having indexing bosses to aid in accurate assembly of a flow meter.

Background Art

Vibrating flow meters or conduit sensors, such as Coriolis mass flow meters and vibrating densitometers, typically operate by detecting the motion of a vibrating conduit containing a flowing material. Properties associated with the material in the conduit, such as mass flow rate and density, can be determined by processing measurement signals received from a motion transducer associated with the conduit. The vibration modes of a vibrating material-filled system are generally influenced by the combined mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics of the conduit and the material contained therein.

It is widely known to use vibrating meters to measure mass flow and other properties of materials flowing through pipelines. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,491,025, issued to J. E. Smith et al. on January 1, 1985, and Re. 31,450, issued to J. E. Smith on November 29, 1983, disclose vibrating Coriolis flow meters. These vibrating meters have one or more fluid tubes. Each fluid tube in a Coriolis mass flow meter has a set of natural vibration modes, which can be simple bending, torsional, radial, lateral, or joint types. Each fluid tube is driven to oscillate at resonance in one of these natural modes. The vibration mode is generally affected by the combined mass, stiffness, and damping characteristics of the fluid tube and the material contained therein, and thus the mass, stiffness, and damping are typically determined during the initial calibration of the vibrating meter using well-known techniques.

The material flows from the connecting line on the inlet side of the vibrating meter into the flow meter.The material is then directed through a fluid pipe or pipes and out of the flow meter to a line connected on the outlet side.

A driver, such as a voice coil driver, applies a force to the one or more fluid tubes. This force causes the one or more fluid tubes to oscillate. When no material is flowing through the flow meter, all locations along the fluid tubes oscillate with the same phase. As material begins to flow through the fluid tubes, Coriolis acceleration causes each location along the fluid tubes to have a different phase relative to other locations along the fluid tubes. The phase on the inlet side of the fluid tube lags behind the driver, while the phase on the outlet side leads the driver. Sensors are placed at two different locations on the fluid tube to generate sinusoidal signals representing the motion of the fluid tube at these two locations. The phase difference between the two signals received from the sensors is measured in time units.

The phase difference between the two sensor signals is proportional to the mass flow rate of the material flowing through the fluid pipe or pipes. The mass flow rate of the material is determined by multiplying the phase difference by a flow calibration factor. The flow calibration factor depends on the material properties and cross-sectional properties of the fluid pipe. A key characteristic of the fluid pipe that influences the flow calibration factor is its stiffness. Before installing the flow meter in the pipeline, the flow calibration factor is determined through a calibration process. During the calibration process, fluid is passed through the fluid pipe at a given flow rate, and the ratio between the phase difference and the flow rate is calculated. The stiffness and damping characteristics of the fluid pipe are also determined during the calibration process, which is generally known in the art.

One advantage of the Coriolis flowmeter is that the accuracy of the measured mass flow rate is unaffected by wear of the flowmeter's moving components, as there are no moving parts in a vibrating fluid tube. The flow rate is determined by multiplying the phase difference between two locations on the fluid tube by a flow calibration factor. The only input is a sinusoidal signal from a sensor, representing the oscillations of the two locations on the fluid tube. The phase difference is calculated from the sinusoidal signal. Because the flow calibration factor is proportional to the material and cross-sectional properties of the fluid tube, the phase difference measurement and the flow calibration factor are unaffected by wear of the flowmeter's moving components.

A typical Coriolis mass flow meter includes one or more transducers (or pickoff sensors) that typically measure the vibration response of a flow conduit or conduits and are typically located upstream and downstream of an actuator. The pickoff sensors are connected to electronic instrumentation. The instrumentation receives signals from the two pickoff sensors and processes the signals to derive, among other things, a mass flow rate measurement.

A typical Coriolis flow meter measures flow and/or density by using a coil and magnet as a sensing element sensor to measure the meter's vibrating flow tube(s). The mass flow rate through the meter is determined by the phase difference between the signals of multiple sensing elements located near the inlet and outlet of the meter's flow tubes. However, it is possible to use strain gauges instead of coil/magnet sensors to measure flow. The basic difference between the two sensor types is that coil/magnet sensors measure the velocity of the flow tube, while strain gauges measure the strain of the flow tube.

A typical manifold provides inlet and outlet paths for material to enter and exit through the flow tubes, and these are typically coupled to flanges attached to external conduits. The manifold is coupled to the flow tubes and also to the housing portion. Furthermore, spacers are often present between these items. Besides adding cost and weight, assembly of these components is cumbersome and prone to errors and misalignments.

The embodiments described below address these and other issues and provide an advancement in the art. The embodiments described below provide a manifold for a flow meter having an indexing boss. Also contemplated is an integral flange. By incorporating the flange into the manifold, weight and complexity are reduced, and assembly is simplified. The integral indexing boss ensures alignment of the manifold with the flow tubes and other internal flow meter structures, thereby ensuring efficient and accurate assembly. Additionally, the increased surface area provided by the boss strengthens the housing and indexes (or guides) the housing to the manifold.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect, a manifold for a flow meter includes a body having a first face and an opposing second face. A first aperture is defined by the body and extends from the first face into the body. A second aperture is also defined by the body and extends from the second face into the body. The first and second apertures intersect to define a fluid passage through the body. The second aperture is configured to be fluidically connected to at least one flow tube of the flow meter. At least one boss extends from the second face.

According to one aspect, a manifold for a flow meter includes a cylindrical body having a first face and an opposing second face. The first face includes a flange having a diameter greater than the diameter of the cylindrical body. A first aperture is defined by the body and extends from the first face into the body, and a first aperture is defined by the body and extends from the second face into the body. A second aperture is defined by the body and extends from the second face into the body. The first aperture and the second aperture converge into the first aperture, thereby defining a fluid passage through the cylindrical body. At least one boss extends from the second face, wherein an outer surface of the boss is arcuate.

According to one aspect, a flow meter includes one or more flow tubes. A driver is coupled to the one or more flow tubes and oriented to induce drive-mode vibrations in the one or more flow tubes. A sensor is coupled to the one or more flow tubes and configured to detect the drive-mode vibrations. A manifold has a body, wherein the body defines a first side and an opposing second side of the manifold. A first aperture is defined by the body and extends into the body from the first side, and a second aperture is defined by the body and extends into the body from the second side. The first and second apertures intersect to define a fluid passage through the body. The one or more flow tubes are in fluid communication with the fluid passage. At least one boss extends from the second side.

aspect

According to one aspect, a manifold for a flow meter includes: a body having a first face and an opposing second face; a first bore defined by the body, wherein the first bore extends into the body from the first face; a second bore defined by the body, wherein the second bore extends into the body from the second face, and wherein the first and second bores intersect to define a fluid passage through the body, and wherein the second bore is configured to be fluidly connected to at least one flow tube of the flow meter; and at least one boss extending from the second face.

Preferably, the body is generally cylindrical.

Preferably, the first face defines a flange.

Preferably, the flange comprises an outer diameter that is greater than the outer diameter defined by the second face.

Preferably, the manifold comprises metal.

Preferably, the metal is at least one of stainless steel and titanium.

Preferably, the second hole branches into a first small hole and a second small hole, wherein the first small hole and the second small hole are both adapted to be fluidically connected to the first and second flow tubes of the at least one flow tube, respectively.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially perpendicular to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially parallel to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss extends from the first face a distance that is between about 7% and about 15% of the length of the outer diameter defined by the second face.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises an arcuate outer surface; and a flat inner surface that is substantially a chord of the outer diameter defined by the second face.

Preferably, the arcuate outer surface comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises: a first boss comprising an arcuate outer surface and a flat inner surface, the flat inner surface being substantially a chord of the outer diameter defined by the second face; and a second boss comprising an arcuate outer surface and a flat inner surface, the flat inner surface being substantially a chord of the outer diameter defined by the second face, wherein the second boss is positioned opposite the first boss.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises a crescent shape such that the boss comprises an arcuate outer surface and an arcuate inner surface.

Preferably, the arcuate outer surface comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body.

According to one aspect, a manifold for a flow meter includes: a cylindrical body defining a first face and an opposing second face, wherein the first face includes a flange having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cylindrical body; a first hole defined by the body, wherein the first hole extends into the body from the first face; a first aperture defined by the body, wherein the first aperture extends into the body from the second face; a second aperture defined by the body, wherein the second aperture extends into the body from the second face, and wherein the first aperture and the second aperture converge into the first aperture to define a fluid passage through the cylindrical body; and at least one boss extending from the second face, wherein an outer surface of the boss is arcuate.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially perpendicular to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially parallel to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss extends from the second face a distance that is between about 7% and about 15% of the length of the outer diameter defined by the second face.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises a flat inner surface extending perpendicularly from the second face, wherein the flat inner surface is a chord of the cylindrical body.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises a crescent shape such that the boss comprises an arcuate inner surface.

According to one aspect, a flow meter includes: one or more flow tubes; a driver coupled to the one or more flow tubes and oriented to induce drive-mode vibrations in the one or more flow tubes; a sensor coupled to the one or more flow tubes and configured to detect the drive-mode vibrations; a manifold having a body, wherein the body defines a first side and an opposing second side of the manifold; a first bore defined by the body, the first bore extending into the body from the first side; a second bore defined by the body, the second bore extending into the body from the second side, wherein the first and second bores intersect to define a fluid passage through the body, and wherein the one or more flow tubes are in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and at least one boss extending from the second side.

Preferably, the flow meter further comprises a brace bar coupled to the one or more flow tubes, wherein the at least one boss is sized and dimensioned to engage the brace bar.

Preferably, the flow meter further comprises a housing portion sized and dimensioned to enclose the flow tube, wherein the housing portion is coupled to the manifold, and wherein the housing portion is configured to index to the at least one boss.

Preferably, the one or more flow tubes lead to the at least one boss.

Preferably, the body is generally cylindrical.

Preferably, the first face defines a flange.

Preferably, the second hole branches into a first small hole and a second small hole, wherein the first small hole and the second small hole are both adapted to be fluidically connected to first and second flow tubes of the one or more flow tubes, respectively.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially perpendicular to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss is oriented such that the long axis of the boss is substantially parallel to an axis bisecting both the first aperture and the second aperture.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises an arcuate outer surface and a flat inner surface that is substantially a chord of an outer diameter defined by the second face.

Preferably, the arcuate outer surface comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises: a first boss comprising an arcuate outer surface and a flat inner surface, the flat inner surface being substantially a chord of the outer diameter defined by the second face; and a second boss comprising an arcuate outer surface and a flat inner surface, the flat inner surface being substantially a chord of the outer diameter defined by the second face, wherein the second boss is positioned opposite the first boss.

Preferably, the at least one boss comprises a crescent shape such that the boss comprises an arcuate outer surface and an arcuate inner surface.

Preferably, the arcuate outer surface comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG1 shows a flow meter of the prior art;

FIG2 shows one embodiment of a flow meter manifold;

FIG3A shows a side view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment;

FIG3B shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment;

FIG3C shows a front view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a cross-sectional shape of a circular segment;

FIG4A shows a side view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent cross-sectional shape;

FIG4B shows an isometric view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape;

FIG4C shows a front view of one embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape;

FIG5A shows a side view of another embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape;

FIG5B shows an isometric view of another embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape;

FIG5C shows a front view of another embodiment of a flow meter manifold having a boss having a crescent cross-sectional shape; and

FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of a flow meter having a manifold with bosses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 through 6 and the following description depict specific examples to teach those skilled in the art how to best make and use embodiments of flow meters and related methods. For the purpose of teaching the principles of the present invention, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations from these examples fall within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form numerous variations of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific examples described below, but only to the claims and their equivalents.

FIG1 shows a prior art flow meter 5. Flow meter 5 includes a flow meter assembly 10 and meter electronics 20. Meter assembly 10 is responsive to the mass flow rate and density of the process material. Meter electronics 20 is connected to meter assembly 10 via leads 100 to provide density, mass flow rate, and temperature information along path 26, as well as other information not relevant to the present invention. Meter assembly 10 includes a pair of manifolds 150 and 150', flanges 103 and 103' having flanged necks 110 and 110', a pair of parallel flow tubes 130 (a first flow tube) and 130' (a second flow tube), an actuator mechanism 180, such as a voice coil, a temperature sensor 190, and a pair of pickoffs 170L and 170R, such as magnet/coil velocity sensors, strain gauges, optical sensors, or any other type of pickoff known in the art. Flow tubes 130 and 130' each have an inlet leg 131 and 131' and an outlet leg 134 and 134' that converge toward flow tube mounting blocks 120 and 120'. Flow tubes 130 and 130' have at least one symmetrically positioned bend along their lengths and are substantially parallel throughout their lengths. Struts 140 and 140' serve to define axes W and W' about which each flow tube oscillates.

The side legs 131, 131' and 134, 134' of the flow tubes 130 and 130' are fixedly attached to the flow tube mounting blocks 120 and 120', and these blocks are in turn fixedly attached to the manifolds 150 and 150'. This provides a continuous closed material path through the Coriolis meter assembly 10.

When flanges 103 and 103' having holes 102 and 102' are connected to a process line (not shown) carrying the process material being measured via first face 104 and second face 104', the material passes through first face 104 of the meter via holes 101 in flange 103 and is directed through manifold 150 to flow tube mounting block 120 having surface 121. Within manifold 150, the material is separated and conveyed via flow tubes 130 and 130'. Upon exiting flow tubes 130 and 130', the process material recombines into a single stream within manifold 150' and is subsequently conveyed through second face 104' connected to the process line (not shown) by flange 103' having bolt holes 102'.

Flow tubes 130 and 130' are selected and appropriately mounted to flow tube mounting blocks 120 and 120' to have substantially identical mass distributions, moments of inertia, and Young's moduli about bending axes W--W and W'--W', respectively. These bending axes pass through brace rods 140 and 140'. Because the Young's modulus of a flow tube varies with temperature, and this variation affects flow and density calculations, a resistance temperature detector (RTD) (not shown) is mounted to flow tube 130' to continuously measure the flow tube's temperature. The flow tube's temperature, and therefore the voltage appearing across the RTD for a given current passing therethrough, is governed by the temperature of the material passing through the flow tube. The temperature-dependent voltage appearing across the RTD is used by meter electronics 20, in a well-known manner, to compensate for changes in the elastic modulus of flow tubes 130 and 130' caused by any changes in flow tube temperature. The RTD is connected to meter electronics 20 via leads 195.

Both flow tubes 130 and 130' are driven by a driver 180 in opposite directions about their respective bending axes W and W' in what is referred to as the first out-of-phase bending mode of the flow meter. Such a driver 180 may include any of a number of well-known arrangements, such as a magnet mounted to flow tube 130' and an opposing coil mounted to flow tube 130, through which an alternating current is transmitted for vibrating both flow tubes 130, 130'. A suitable drive signal is applied to the driver 180 by the meter electronics 20 via leads.

Meter electronics 20 receives the RTD temperature signal on leads (not shown), as well as the left and right velocity signals via the leads. Meter electronics 20 generates a drive signal that appears on leads 185 to driver 180 and causes tubes 130 and 130' to vibrate. Meter electronics 20 processes left and right velocity signals 165L, 165R and the RTD signal to calculate the mass flow rate and density of the material passing through meter assembly 10. This information, along with other information, is applied by meter electronics 20 to path 26 to the utility device.

Typically, Coriolis flowmeters have simple manifolds that are often multi-piece assemblies. Multi-piece assemblies add weight and cost to the flowmeter and also fail to prevent assembly errors and/or assembly inaccuracies. The flowmeter manifold disclosed herein provides at least one additional feature—a boss—that provides guidance for accurate assembly and also strengthens the housing portion, which is often desirable given the extreme environments in which flowmeters are often required.

FIG2 shows one embodiment of a manifold 250 for flow meter 5. Manifold 250 is primarily defined by a body 252 having a first face 104, which is opposed to a second face 256. First face 104 defines a first aperture 101. First aperture 101 is a passageway through body 252. Similarly, a second aperture 260 is defined by second face 256 and also passes through body 252, joining first aperture 101 and thereby defining a flow path for process material to pass through manifold 250. Body 252 is preferably cylindrical, or at least includes a cylindrical portion, although non-cylindrical shapes are also contemplated.

6 , in an embodiment of a dual tube flow meter 5, such as a vibrating flow meter, the flow tubes 130, 130′ are connected to a manifold 250 such that the inlet legs 131, 131′ are fluidly connected to both the first and second orifices 260A, 260B, while the outlet legs 134, 134′ are connected to the other manifold 250 via their first and second orifices 260A, 260B. Thus, process material flowing from a conduit (not shown) into the flow meter 5 enters the flow meter 5 at the inlet side of the flow meter 5 via the first orifice 101; enters the flow tubes 130, 130′ via the first and second orifices 260A, 260B; travels through the flow tubes 130, 130′ to enter the manifold 250 positioned at the outlet side of the flow meter 5 via the first and second orifices 260A, 260B; and then exits the flow meter 5 via the first orifice 101.

Returning to FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, first face 104 defines flange 103. Preferably, flange 103 has an outer diameter that is greater than the diameter of body 252 or flange neck 110. Flange 103 may have holes 102 radially disposed proximate the perimeter of flange 103 for receiving fasteners to couple the flange to a conduit (not shown). Holes 102 may be threaded to receive, for example, but not limited to, threaded fasteners. In one embodiment, flange 103 is constructed from the same piece of material as body 252, for example, by machining or casting. In a related embodiment, flange 103 is attached to body 252, for example, by welding. In embodiments where manifold 250 is constructed from a single body, the size and dimensions of flange neck 110 are determined by the process in which manifold 250 is machined, cast, etc. In embodiments where flange 103 is attached to manifold 250, flange neck 110 may be attached between manifold 250 and flange 103 and will have a size and dimensions appropriate for the application. The preferred material for making the manifold 250 is metal, but ceramics, plastics, composite materials, and any other materials known in the art are also contemplated. Preferred metals are stainless steel and titanium.

At least one boss 270 extends outwardly from the second face 256. The boss 270 is a protrusion that provides a surface upon which the flow tube 130, 130', the strut 140, 140', the housing portion 280, or even the sensing element 170R, 170L can be indexed or attached.

Figures 3A-3C illustrate an embodiment in which bosses 270 protrude distally from second face 256. In this embodiment, each boss 270 has an arcuate portion defining an outer surface 272 of boss 270. An inner surface 274 of the boss defines a chord having an endpoint intersecting the arch of outer surface 272, thereby defining a boss having a cross-sectional shape that is a circular segment or approximately a circular segment. As shown, bosses 270 are oriented such that the major axis of each boss is parallel to an axis passing through both the diameter of first aperture 260A and the diameter of second aperture 260B. This orientation defines a semi-rectangular area 276. This semi-rectangular area 276 provides space for flow tubes 130, 130' and/or brace rods 140, 140' to abut and guide against, ensuring proper alignment during assembly of flow meter 5. The housing portion 280, flow tubes 130, 130', and brace rods 140, 140' may also contact the inner surface 274 or outer surface 272 of the boss 270, and the manifold body 252 for indexing and attachment purposes.

In one embodiment, second orifice 260 branches to define first orifice 260A and second orifice 260B. In this case, process material flowing into manifold 250 via first orifice 101 flows through the flow path and exits manifold 250 via both first orifice 260A and second orifice 260B. This would be the orientation of a manifold positioned on the inlet side of flow meter 5, for example. Alternatively, process material flowing from within the flow meter to outside the flow meter would first pass through both first orifice 260A and second orifice 260B to converge into first orifice 101 before exiting manifold 250.

Figures 4A-4C also illustrate an embodiment in which bosses 270 protrude distally from second face 256. However, this embodiment has a crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape. Each boss 270 has an arcuate portion defining an outer surface 272 of boss 270. The inner surface 274 of boss 270 also follows an arcuate path with an endpoint intersecting the arch of outer surface 272, thereby defining boss 270 having a crescent-shaped or approximately crescent-shaped cross-sectional shape. As shown, bosses 270 are oriented such that the long axis of each boss 270 is parallel to an axis passing through the diameter of first aperture 260A and the diameter of second aperture 260B. Bosses 270 also define space for flow tubes 130, 130' and/or brace rods 140, 140' to abut and guide against, ensuring proper alignment during assembly of flow meter 5. The housing portion 280, flow tubes 130, 130', and brace rods 140, 140' may also contact the inner surface 274 or outer surface 272 of the boss 270, and the manifold body 252 for indexing and attachment purposes.

In a similar embodiment, as shown in Figures 5A-5C, bosses 270 project distally from second face 256 and have a crescent-like or approximately crescent-like cross-sectional shape, as in the above-described embodiment. However, as shown, bosses 270 are oriented such that the long axis of each boss 270 is perpendicular to an axis passing through the diameter of first aperture 260A and the diameter of second aperture 260B. As described above, bosses 270 define space for flow tubes 130, 130' and/or brace rods 140, 140' to abut against and index, ensuring proper alignment during assembly of flow meter 5. Housing portion 280, flow tubes 130, 130', and brace rods 140, 140' may also contact inner surface 274 or outer surface 272 of bosses 270, as well as manifold body 252, for indexing and attachment purposes.

The detailed description of the above embodiments is not an exhaustive description of all embodiments contemplated by the inventors to fall within the scope of the present invention. Indeed, those skilled in the art will recognize that certain elements of the above embodiments may be variously combined or removed to create additional embodiments, and such additional embodiments fall within the scope and teachings of the present invention. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments may be combined in whole or in part to create additional embodiments within the scope and teachings of the present invention.

Therefore, although specific embodiments of the present invention and examples thereof are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings provided herein are applicable to other devices and methods, not just to the embodiments described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. A manifold (250) for a flow meter (5), comprising: A body (252) having a first face (104) and an opposite second face (256); A first hole (101) defined by the body (252), wherein the first hole (101) extends from the first surface (104) into the body (252); A second hole (260) defined by the body (252), wherein the second hole (260) extends into the body (252) from the second surface (256), and wherein the first hole (101) and the second hole (260) intersect to define a fluid passage through the body (252), and wherein the second hole (260) is configured to be fluidly connected to at least one flow tube (130, 130') of the flow meter (5); and At least one boss (270) extending from the second face (256), wherein the at least one boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface being a chord of the outer diameter defined substantially by the second face (256). 2. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (252) is substantially cylindrical. 3. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, wherein the manifold (250) comprises metal. 4. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 3, wherein the metal is at least one of stainless steel and titanium. 5. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second hole (260) branches into a first small hole (260A) and a second small hole (260B), wherein the first small hole (260A) and the second small hole (260B) are both adapted to be fluidly connected to the first flow tube (130) and the second flow tube (130') of the at least one flow tube (130, 130'). 6. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one boss (270) extends from the second surface (256) by a distance between 7% and 15% of the length of the outer diameter defined by the second surface (256). 7. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the arcuate outer surface (272) includes a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body (252). 8. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one boss (270) comprises: A first boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface of the first boss being a chord of the outer diameter substantially defined by the second surface (256); and The second boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface of the second boss being a chord of the outer diameter defined substantially by the second face (256), wherein the second boss (270) is positioned opposite the first boss (270). 9. A manifold (250) for a flow meter (5), comprising: The body (252) is defined as having a first face (104) and an opposite second face (256); A first hole (101) defined by the body (252), wherein the first hole (101) extends from the first surface (104) into the body (252); A second hole (260) defined by the body (252), wherein the second hole (260) extends into the body (252) from the second surface (256), and wherein the first hole (101) and the second hole (260) intersect to define a fluid passage through the body (252), and wherein the second hole (260) is configured to be fluidly connected to at least one flow tube (130, 130') of the flow meter (5); and At least one boss (270) extending from the second surface (256), wherein the at least one boss (270) comprises a crescent shape, such that the at least one boss (270) comprises an arcuate outer surface (272) and an arcuate inner surface (274). 10. The manifold (250) of the flow meter (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one boss (270) extends from the second surface (256) by a distance between 7% and 15% of the length of the outer diameter defined by the second surface (256). 11. A flow meter (5), comprising: One or more flow tubes (130, 130'); A driver (180) is coupled to one or more flow tubes (130, 130') and oriented to induce drive mode vibrations in one or more flow tubes (130, 130'); Sensing elements (170L, 170R), said sensing elements being coupled to the one or more flow tubes (130, 130') and configured to detect the vibration of the drive mode; A manifold (250) having a body (252), wherein the body (252) defines a first surface (104) and an opposite second surface (256) of the manifold (250). A first hole (101) defined by the body (252) extends from the first surface (104) into the body (252); A second orifice (260) defined by the body (252), the second orifice (260) extending into the body (252) from the second surface (256), wherein the first orifice (101) and the second orifice (260) intersect to define a fluid passage through the body (252), and wherein the one or more flow tubes (130, 130') are in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and At least one boss (270) extending from the second face (256), wherein the at least one boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface being a chord of the outer diameter defined substantially by the second face (256). 12. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the flow meter further comprises: A strut (140, 140') is connected to one or more flow tubes (130, 130'), wherein at least one boss (270) has a size and dimension for engaging the strut (140, 140'). 13. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the flow meter further comprises: A housing portion (280) having the size and dimensions to surround the flow tube (130, 130'), wherein the housing portion (280) is coupled to the manifold, and wherein the housing portion (280) is configured to guide to the at least one boss (270). 14. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, wherein the one or more flow tubes (130, 130') lead to the at least one boss (270). 15. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, wherein the body (252) is substantially cylindrical. 16. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, wherein the first surface (104) defines a flange (103). 17. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second hole (260) branches into a first small hole (260A) and a second small hole (260B), wherein the first small hole (260A) and the second small hole (260B) are both adapted to be fluidly connected to the first flow tube and the second flow tube (130, 130') of the one or more flow tubes (130, 130'). 18. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, wherein the arcuate outer surface (272) comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body (252). 19. The flow meter (5) according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one boss (270) comprises: A first boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface of the first boss being a chord of the outer diameter substantially defined by the second surface (256); and The second boss (270) includes an arcuate outer surface (272) and a flat inner surface (274), the flat inner surface of the second boss being a chord of the outer diameter defined substantially by the second face (256), wherein the second boss (270) is positioned opposite the first boss (270). 20. A flow meter (5), comprising: One or more flow tubes (130, 130'); A driver (180) is coupled to one or more flow tubes (130, 130') and oriented to induce drive mode vibrations in one or more flow tubes (130, 130'); Sensing elements (170L, 170R), said sensing elements being coupled to the one or more flow tubes (130, 130') and configured to detect the vibration of the drive mode; A manifold (250) having a body (252), wherein the body (252) defines a first surface (104) and an opposing second surface (256) of the manifold (250). A first hole (101) defined by the body (252) extends from the first surface (104) into the body (252); A second orifice (260) defined by the body (252), the second orifice (260) extending into the body (252) from the second surface (256), wherein the first orifice (101) and the second orifice (260) intersect to define a fluid passage through the body (252), and wherein the one or more flow tubes (130, 130') are in fluid communication with the fluid passage; and At least one boss (270) extending from the second surface (256), wherein the at least one boss (270) comprises a crescent shape, such that the at least one boss (270) comprises an arcuate outer surface (272) and an arcuate inner surface (274). 21. The flow meter (5) according to claim 20, wherein the arcuate outer surface (272) comprises a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the body (252).