Multifunctional ultrasonic flowmeter and working method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a multifunctional ultrasonic flowmeter which comprises an ultrasonic probe assembly and a cloud processing module. The at least two groups of ultrasonic probe assemblies are correspondingly arranged at different axial positions of the fluid conveying pipeline, and the ultrasonic probe assemblies can emit first-frequency-band ultrasonic waves adaptive to a flow detection function and second-frequency-band ultrasonic waves adaptive to a pipeline wall thickness detection function; when the ultrasonic probe assembly emits the first frequency band ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe assembly is used for collecting a downstream state characteristic signal and a countercurrent state characteristic signal of fluid in the fluid conveying pipeline and uploading the two types of state characteristic signals to the cloud processing module; through organic combination of ultrasonic flow measurement and ultrasonic thickness measurement principles, the same ultrasonic transmitting probe can complete flow measurement and real-time online monitoring of the pipe network wall thickness by changing different frequency wavebands, and meanwhile, the equipment cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasonic flow meter technology, and in particular to a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter and its working method. Background Technology

[0002] An ultrasonic flow meter has ultrasonic probes installed upstream and downstream of the fluid. The probes emit ultrasonic pulses, and the propagation time is measured downstream and upstream, respectively. Since the fluid velocity affects the propagation speed of the ultrasonic waves, the downstream propagation time is shorter than the upstream propagation time. By measuring the difference between these two propagation times, the fluid velocity can be calculated.

[0003] Ultrasonic thickness gauges measure thickness based on the principle of ultrasonic pulse reflection. When an ultrasonic pulse emitted by the probe passes through the object being measured and reaches the material interface, the pulse is reflected back to the probe. The thickness of the material being measured is determined by accurately measuring the time it takes for the ultrasonic wave to travel through the material.

[0004] Ultrasonic flow meters for heating pipe networks are expensive, and ultrasonic probes have limited applications and high costs, making them unsuitable for real-time monitoring of pipe wall thinning caused by erosion and corrosion. This invention aims to organically combine these two technologies, using the same ultrasonic transmitter probe to perform flow measurement and real-time online monitoring of pipe wall thickness by changing different frequency bands, while simultaneously reducing equipment costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is that the ultrasonic probe has a limited range of uses and is relatively expensive.

[0006] The above-mentioned technical problems are solved by the following technical solution: The present invention proposes a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter, which includes an ultrasonic probe assembly and a cloud processing module;

[0007] The ultrasonic probe assembly consists of at least two sets, which are correspondingly arranged at different axial positions of the fluid delivery pipeline. The ultrasonic probe assembly is capable of emitting a first frequency band ultrasonic wave adapted to the flow detection function and a second frequency band ultrasonic wave adapted to the pipeline wall thickness detection function.

[0008] When the ultrasonic probe assembly emits ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, it is used to collect the downstream and upstream flow characteristic signals of the fluid in the fluid delivery pipeline, and upload the two types of characteristic signals to the cloud processing module.

[0009] When the ultrasonic probe assembly emits ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band, the ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band can penetrate the wall of the fluid delivery pipeline and form a reflected signal at the interface between the pipe wall and the fluid inside the pipe. The ultrasonic probe assembly collects the reflected signal and uploads it to the cloud processing module.

[0010] The cloud processing module is used to receive downstream and upstream flow characteristic signals, calculate the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and then derive the fluid flow parameters.

[0011] The cloud processing module is also used to receive the reflected signal, calculate the wall thickness data of the fluid transport pipeline based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signal, and store the wall thickness data according to a preset period to generate a pipeline corrosion monitoring curve.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the ultrasonic probe assembly includes an upper ultrasonic transducer, a lower ultrasonic transducer, and upper and lower ultrasonic probes.

[0013] The upper ultrasonic transducer and the lower ultrasonic transducer are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid conveying pipeline to collect fluid flow and counterflow status signals.

[0014] The upper and lower ultrasonic probes are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid transport pipeline to collect the reflected signals at the interface between the pipe wall and the fluid.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the first frequency band is a low-frequency ultrasonic wave adapted to fluid velocity signal acquisition, which can effectively capture the characteristic signals of co-current / countercurrent states under different fluid viscosities and flow velocities.

[0016] The second frequency band is a mid-to-high frequency ultrasonic wave adapted to the acquisition of penetration and reflection signals from the pipe wall, which can achieve stable propagation of ultrasonic waves within the pipe wall material and accurate identification of interface reflection signals.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the preset cycle set by the cloud processing module can be adjusted according to the operation and maintenance needs of the fluid delivery pipeline.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: it further includes a remote control module, which is connected to the ultrasonic probe assembly and is used to remotely trigger the ultrasonic probe assembly to switch to flow detection mode or wall thickness detection mode.

[0019] In the flow detection mode, the ultrasonic probe assembly emits ultrasonic waves at a first frequency band, and in the wall thickness detection mode, the ultrasonic probe assembly emits ultrasonic waves at a second frequency band.

[0020] The present invention also proposes a working method for a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter as described above, characterized in that it includes a flow detection process and a wall thickness detection process;

[0021] The traffic detection process includes:

[0022] The flow detection mode is activated via the remote control module, which controls the ultrasonic probe assembly to switch to emitting ultrasonic waves at the first frequency band.

[0023] The upper ultrasonic transducer on the upstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the lower ultrasonic transducer on the downstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid reverse flow state.

[0024] The lower ultrasonic transducer on the downstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the upper ultrasonic transducer on the upstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid flow state.

[0025] The cloud processing module receives the counter-current state characteristic signal and the downstream state characteristic signal, calculates the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and derives the flow parameters by combining the structural parameters of the fluid transport pipeline.

[0026] The wall thickness detection process includes:

[0027] The wall thickness detection mode is activated by remote control module, which controls the upper and lower ultrasonic probes of the ultrasonic probe assembly to switch to emitting ultrasonic waves at the second frequency band.

[0028] The upper and lower ultrasonic probes are controlled to emit ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band. After the ultrasonic waves penetrate the pipe wall of the fluid transport pipeline, a reflected signal is formed at the interface between the pipe wall and the fluid inside the pipe. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes collect the reflected signal.

[0029] The upper and lower ultrasonic probes upload the reflected signals to the cloud processing module, which calculates the pipe wall thickness data based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signals.

[0030] The cloud processing module stores wall thickness data according to a preset cycle and generates pipeline corrosion monitoring curves based on the stored wall thickness data.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment of the working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flowmeter of the present invention: the reverse flow state characteristic signal is the signal formed by the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band in the fluid when the fluid flows from the downstream side to the upstream side along the conveying pipe;

[0032] The downstream state characteristic signal is the signal formed by the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band in the fluid as the fluid flows from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying pipeline.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the cloud processing module calculates the wall thickness data based on the propagation velocity constant of the second frequency band ultrasonic wave in the pipe wall material, combined with the time difference between the ultrasonic wave emission and the received reflected signal.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the wall thickness detection process further includes a cloud processing module that compares the calculated wall thickness data with a preset pipeline safety wall thickness threshold, and automatically triggers an early warning signal when the wall thickness data is lower than the safety threshold.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention: the structural parameters of the fluid conveying pipeline include the inner diameter of the pipeline.

[0036] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By organically combining the principles of ultrasonic flow measurement and ultrasonic thickness measurement, this invention can complete flow measurement and real-time online monitoring of pipe network wall thickness by changing different frequency bands using the same ultrasonic transmitting probe, while reducing equipment costs. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Wherein:

[0038] Figure 1 The diagram shows the working state of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 2 A flowchart of the flow detection method of the present invention is shown;

[0040] Figure 3 A flowchart of the corrosion detection method of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0041] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0042] The terminology used in this invention is that which is currently widely used in the art in consideration of the function of the invention; however, these terms may vary according to the intent of those skilled in the art, precedent, or new technology in the art. Furthermore, specific terms may be chosen by the applicant, and in such cases, their detailed meanings will be described in the detailed description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this specification should not be construed as simple names, but rather based on their meanings and the overall description of the invention.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 This embodiment provides a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter for flow detection and pipe wall thickness detection in a fluid transport pipeline 2. It is characterized by including: an ultrasonic probe assembly 1 and a cloud processing module.

[0044] At least two sets of ultrasonic probe assemblies 1 are respectively set at different axial positions of the fluid transport pipeline 2. The ultrasonic probe assembly 1 can selectively emit ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band adapted to the flow detection function and ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band adapted to the pipeline wall thickness detection function.

[0045] When the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 emits ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, it is used to collect the downstream and upstream flow characteristic signals of the fluid in the fluid transport pipeline 2, and upload the two types of characteristic signals to the cloud processing module.

[0046] When the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 emits ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band, the ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band can penetrate the pipe wall 21 of the fluid transport pipe 2 and form a reflected signal at the interface between the pipe wall 21 and the fluid inside the pipe. The ultrasonic probe assembly 1 collects the reflected signal and uploads it to the cloud processing module.

[0047] The cloud processing module is used to receive downstream and upstream flow characteristic signals, calculate the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and then derive the fluid flow parameters.

[0048] The cloud processing module is also used to receive reflected signals, calculate the wall thickness data of the fluid transport pipeline 2 based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signals, and store the wall thickness data according to a preset cycle to generate pipeline corrosion monitoring curves.

[0049] As an optional embodiment, the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 includes an upper ultrasonic transducer 11, a lower ultrasonic transducer 11, and upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12.

[0050] The upper ultrasonic transducer 11 and the lower ultrasonic transducer 11 are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid transport pipeline 2. The two work together to realize the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, so as to collect the characteristic signals of the fluid's downstream and upstream states.

[0051] The upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12 are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid transport pipeline 2. The two work together to realize the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band, so as to collect the reflected signal of the pipe wall 21 and the fluid interface.

[0052] As an optional embodiment, the first frequency band is a low-frequency ultrasonic wave adapted to fluid velocity signal acquisition, which can effectively capture the characteristic signals of co-current / countercurrent states under different fluid viscosities and flow velocities; the second frequency band is a mid-to-high frequency ultrasonic wave adapted to pipe wall penetration and reflection signal acquisition, which can achieve stable propagation of ultrasonic waves within the pipe wall material 21 and accurate identification of interface reflection signals.

[0053] As an optional embodiment, the "preset cycle" set by the cloud processing module can be flexibly adjusted according to the operation and maintenance needs of the fluid transport pipeline 2; the corrosion monitoring curve is generated based on the wall thickness data stored according to the preset cycle, which is used to intuitively present the trend of pipe wall thickness change over time and provide data support for the assessment of pipeline corrosion degree.

[0054] As an optional embodiment, it also includes a remote control module, which establishes a communication connection with the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 and is used to remotely trigger the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 to switch to "flow detection mode" or "wall thickness detection mode".

[0055] Among them, the "flow detection mode" is the working mode of the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 with the core function of emitting ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, and the "wall thickness detection mode" is the working mode of the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 with the core function of emitting ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band.

[0056] This invention also proposes a working method for a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter, including a flow detection process and a wall thickness detection process;

[0057] The traffic detection process includes:

[0058] S11: Start the flow detection mode via the remote control module and control the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 to switch to emit ultrasonic waves at the first frequency band;

[0059] S12: The upper ultrasonic transducer 11 on the upstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline 2 emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the lower ultrasonic transducer 11 on the downstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid reverse flow state.

[0060] S13: The lower ultrasonic transducer 11 on the downstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline 2 emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the upper ultrasonic transducer 11 on the upstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid flow state.

[0061] S14: The cloud processing module receives the counter-current state characteristic signal and the downstream state characteristic signal, calculates the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and derives the flow parameters by combining the structural parameters of the fluid transport pipeline 2.

[0062] The wall thickness testing process includes:

[0063] S21: Start the wall thickness detection mode through the remote control module and control the upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12 of the ultrasonic probe assembly 1 to switch to emitting ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band.

[0064] S22: Control the upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12 to emit ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band. After the ultrasonic waves penetrate the pipe wall 21 of the fluid transport pipe 2, a reflected signal is formed at the interface between the pipe wall 21 and the fluid inside the pipe. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12 collect the reflected signal.

[0065] S23: The upper and lower ultrasonic probes 12 upload the reflected signals to the cloud processing module, which calculates the pipe wall thickness data based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signals.

[0066] S24: The cloud processing module stores wall thickness data according to a preset cycle and generates pipeline corrosion monitoring curves based on the stored wall thickness data.

[0067] The “countercurrent state characteristic signal” in step S12 is the signal formed by the propagation of the first frequency band ultrasonic wave in the fluid when the fluid flows from the downstream side to the upstream side along the conveying pipe; the “co-current state characteristic signal” in step S13 is the signal formed by the propagation of the first frequency band ultrasonic wave in the fluid when the fluid flows from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying pipe.

[0068] In step S23, the core logic of the cloud processing module in calculating the wall thickness data is as follows: based on the propagation speed constant of the second frequency band ultrasonic wave in the pipe wall 21 material, combined with the time difference between the ultrasonic wave from emission to reception of the reflected signal, the wall thickness data is derived through the relationship "wall thickness data = propagation speed × time difference / 2", where the propagation speed constant matches the physical properties of the pipe wall 21 material.

[0069] The wall thickness detection process also includes S25: The cloud processing module compares the calculated wall thickness data with the preset pipeline safety wall thickness threshold. When the wall thickness data is lower than the safety threshold, an early warning signal is automatically triggered and output to the operation and maintenance terminal, indicating that there is a safety risk in the pipeline.

[0070] The structural parameters of the fluid transport pipeline 2 include the inner diameter of the pipeline. When the cloud processing module derives the flow parameters, it first calculates the average flow velocity of the fluid based on the difference in characteristic signals of the co-current / countercurrent state, and then calculates the flow parameters by combining the relationship of "flow parameters = average flow velocity × pipeline cross-sectional area". The pipeline cross-sectional area is derived based on the inner diameter parameter of the pipeline.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the methods and devices described in detail above are merely embodiments, and those skilled in the art can modify these embodiments in different ways as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter, characterized in that: include, Ultrasonic probe assembly (1) and cloud processing module; The ultrasonic probe assembly (1) consists of at least two sets, which are respectively set at different axial positions of the fluid transport pipeline (2). The ultrasonic probe assembly (1) is capable of emitting a first frequency band ultrasonic wave adapted to the flow detection function and a second frequency band ultrasonic wave adapted to the pipeline wall thickness detection function. When the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) emits ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, it is used to collect the downstream state characteristic signal and the upstream state characteristic signal of the fluid in the fluid transport pipe (2), and upload the two types of state characteristic signals to the cloud processing module. When the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) emits ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band, the ultrasonic waves of the second frequency band can penetrate the pipe wall (21) of the fluid delivery pipe (2) and form a reflected signal at the interface between the pipe wall (21) and the fluid inside the pipe. The ultrasonic probe assembly (1) collects the reflected signal and uploads it to the cloud processing module. The cloud processing module is used to receive downstream and upstream flow characteristic signals, calculate the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and then derive the fluid flow parameters. The cloud processing module is also used to receive the reflected signal, calculate the wall thickness data of the fluid transport pipeline (2) based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signal, and store the wall thickness data according to a preset period to generate a pipeline corrosion monitoring curve.

2. The multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe assembly (1) includes an upper ultrasonic transducer (11), a lower ultrasonic transducer (11), and upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12). The upper ultrasonic transducer (11) and the lower ultrasonic transducer (11) are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid transport pipeline (2) to collect fluid flow and counterflow state signals. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12) are respectively set on the upstream and downstream sides of the fluid transport pipe (2) to collect the reflected signals of the pipe wall (21) and the fluid interface.

3. The multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first frequency band is a low-frequency ultrasonic wave adapted for fluid velocity signal acquisition; The second frequency band is a mid-to-high frequency ultrasonic wave adapted to the acquisition of signals transmitted and reflected from the pipe wall.

4. The multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The preset cycle set by the cloud processing module can be adjusted according to the operation and maintenance needs of the fluid transport pipeline (2).

5. The multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a remote control module, which is connected to the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) and is used to remotely trigger the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) to switch to flow detection mode and wall thickness detection mode; The flow detection mode is that the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) emits ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band, and the wall thickness detection mode is that the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) emits ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band.

6. A method for operating a multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: This includes flow rate detection procedures and wall thickness detection procedures; The traffic detection process includes: The flow detection mode is activated by the remote control module, and the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) is switched to emit ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band. The upper ultrasonic transducer (11) on the upstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline (2) emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the lower ultrasonic transducer (11) on the downstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid reverse flow state. The lower ultrasonic transducer (11) on the downstream side of the control fluid transport pipeline (2) emits ultrasonic waves of the first frequency band, and the upper ultrasonic transducer (11) on the upstream side receives the ultrasonic waves, collects and uploads the characteristic signals of the corresponding fluid flow state. The cloud processing module receives the countercurrent state characteristic signal and the downstream state characteristic signal, calculates the time difference based on the difference between the two types of signals, and derives the flow parameters by combining the structural parameters of the fluid transport pipeline (2). The wall thickness detection process includes: The wall thickness detection mode is activated by the remote control module, and the upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12) of the ultrasonic probe assembly (1) are switched to emit ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12) are controlled to emit ultrasonic waves in the second frequency band. After the ultrasonic waves penetrate the pipe wall (21) of the fluid transport pipe (2), a reflected signal is formed at the interface between the pipe wall (21) and the fluid inside the pipe. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12) collect the reflected signal. The upper and lower ultrasonic probes (12) upload the reflected signals to the cloud processing module, which calculates the pipe wall thickness data based on the propagation time difference of the reflected signals. The cloud processing module stores wall thickness data according to a preset cycle and generates pipeline corrosion monitoring curves based on the stored wall thickness data.

7. The working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 6, characterized in that: The counter-current state characteristic signal is the signal formed by the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band in the fluid when the fluid flows from the downstream side to the upstream side along the conveying pipeline. The downstream state characteristic signal is the signal formed by the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the first frequency band in the fluid as the fluid flows from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying pipeline.

8. The working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cloud processing module calculates the wall thickness data based on the propagation speed constant of the second frequency band ultrasonic wave in the pipe wall (21) material, combined with the time difference between the ultrasonic wave emission and the received reflected signal.

9. The working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flow meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wall thickness detection process also includes a cloud processing module that compares the calculated wall thickness data with a preset pipeline safety wall thickness threshold. When the wall thickness data is lower than the safety threshold, an early warning signal is automatically triggered.

10. The working method of the multifunctional ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The structural parameters of the fluid transport pipeline (2) include the inner diameter of the pipeline.

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