CORIOLIS MASS FLOW CONTROLLER

A Coriolis mass flow sensor includes a flow tube, a light source positioned adjacent a first side of the flow tube and a light detector positioned adjacent a second side of the flow tube. A drive device is operatively situated relative to the flow tube for vibrating the flow tube, such that the flow tube moves through a path defined between the light source and the light detector. In other aspects of the invention, a Coriolis mass flow sensor includes a flow tube and a frame having the flow tube mounted thereon. A drive device is operatively situated relative to the frame for vibrating the frame and at least one pick off sensor is situated relative to the flow tube so as to measure the twist in the flow tube due to Coriolis force. Other aspects of the invention concern a straight- tube Coriolis mass flow sensor. A flexible flow tube defines a generally linear flow path A drive device is positioned to actuate the flow tube, and first and second pick off sensors are positioned at the first and second ends of the flow tube, respectively. The first and second pick off sensors output a signal in response to movement of the flow tube, wherein a Coriolis force established by a flow of material through the flow tube causes a phase shift between the signals output by the first and second pick off sensors.