Shielding and filtering dual-protection anti-interference ultrasonic flowmeter

Abstract

The invention provides an anti-interference ultrasonic flowmeter with double protection of shielding and filtering, and relates to the technical field of ultrasonic measurement. The anti-interference ultrasonic flowmeter with double protection of shielding and filtering comprises a meter body, the top of the meter body is fixedly connected with an adapter column, the top of the adapter column is provided with a host, the two sides of the meter body are fixedly connected with flanges, and the inner wall of one side of the flange is provided with a front protection assembly. Gas-solid separation is realized through three-stage gradient filtration (a first through hole, a second through hole and a third through hole of the sand prevention device) of the front protection assembly, and preliminary gas-liquid separation is completed by matching with the liquid accumulation assembly, so that interference of sand grains and accumulated liquid on the transducer is avoided from the source; the air spring shock absorber can effectively absorb vibration energy of a wellhead, and the stable sound wave propagation path of the transducer is guaranteed; metal shell shielding and a host filtering module form dual protection, electromagnetic interference is blocked, multiple structures cooperate to reduce time difference measurement errors, and the flow metering precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasonic measurement technology, specifically to an anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering. Background Technology

[0002] Ultrasonic flow meters measure flow rate by utilizing the principle that the time difference between upstream and downstream propagation of ultrasonic waves in a fluid is proportional to the fluid velocity. In modern industrial environments, they often face strong electromagnetic interference and mechanical vibration from frequency converters, motors, high-voltage equipment, etc., leading to decreased measurement accuracy, data fluctuations, and even signal loss.

[0003] Ultrasonic flow meters typically consist of two or more ultrasonic transducers installed at different locations in a pipeline to send and receive ultrasonic signals. By measuring the propagation time of ultrasonic waves in the medium along and against the flow direction, the fluid velocity can be calculated, and thus the flow rate can be obtained. However, ultrasonic flow meters are affected by various factors in practical applications, especially by interference from the external environment. For example, in aquatic environments, they are susceptible to interference from water noise and external electromagnetic noise, resulting in poor ultrasonic signal quality, errors in the ultrasonic signal transit time, and low measurement accuracy.

[0004] Currently, the liquid-containing (water, condensate oil) and sand-containing fluids produced by gas wells scatter and absorb ultrasonic signals, resulting in a decrease in signal strength and an increase in measurement error. Embedded probes cannot be easily disassembled and cleaned. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides an anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering, solving the problems of signal strength degradation and measurement error expansion.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering, comprising a meter body, a converter column fixedly connected to the top of the meter body, a main unit disposed on the top of the converter column, flanges fixedly connected to both sides of the meter body, a front protection component disposed on the inner wall of one side of the flange, evenly distributed mounting blocks penetrating and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the meter body, a liquid accumulation component penetrating and disposed at the bottom of the mounting blocks, a sealing cover plate disposed at one end of the mounting blocks, a purge pipe penetrating and fixedly connected between the mounting blocks at the same end, an explosion-proof connector penetrating and fixedly connected to one end of the purge pipe, a sealing plug threadedly connected to the outer wall of the explosion-proof connector, and a first connecting pipe penetrating and fixedly connected to the top of the sealing cover plate.

[0007] Preferably, the front protection component includes a sand filter, which is slidably connected to the inner wall of the flange. A first partition is provided in the middle of the inner wall of the sand filter, and a second partition is provided on one side of the inner wall of the sand filter.

[0008] Preferably, the sand filter has a first through hole that is evenly distributed on the other side, a second through hole that is evenly distributed on one side of the first partition, and a third through hole that is evenly distributed on one side of the second partition.

[0009] Preferably, the liquid accumulation assembly includes a plurality of second connecting pipes, the second connecting pipes penetrating and being fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting block, the bottom of the second connecting pipes penetrating and being fixedly connected to a sedimentation box, and one end of the sedimentation box penetrating and being fixedly connected to a connector.

[0010] Preferably, one end of the sealing cover is threaded with evenly distributed bolts, and the bolts are threaded to the mounting block.

[0011] Preferably, air spring dampers are provided at the top and bottom of the other side of the sealing cover, and transducers are provided at the top and bottom of the inner wall of the mounting block, with the transducers in contact with the air spring dampers.

[0012] Preferably, a main unit is provided at the top of the adapter post, a top cover is provided at the top of the main unit, and a transmitter is provided at one end of the main unit.

[0013] Working Principle: During operation, natural gas first enters the pre-protection component through a flange on one side. The first to third through-holes in the sand filter form a three-stage gradient filtration with decreasing pore size, intercepting sand particles of different sizes. After filtration, the gas enters the meter body. Entrained liquids such as condensate oil and free water flow into the sedimentation box through the second connecting pipe under gravity, achieving initial gas-liquid separation. The deposited liquid can be periodically discharged through the connector. The transducer inside the meter body is fixed by an air spring shock absorber. The shock absorber uses the elastic deformation of compressed air to absorb wellhead vibrations, ensuring stable ultrasonic transmission and reception angles. Paired transducers calculate gas velocity and flow rate by detecting the time difference between forward and reverse ultrasonic wave propagation, combined with pipeline parameters. When scale or sand particles adhere to the transducer end face, high-pressure nitrogen can be introduced into the purge pipe penetrating the mounting block through an explosion-proof connector for synchronous purging without disassembly. The signal processing module inside the main unit is protected by a metal shell shield and a filter module to eliminate electromagnetic interference. The flow data is output to the external control system through the transmitter. The sealed structure of the entire equipment and the sulfur-resistant material ensure sealing and corrosion resistance under high pressure and high sulfur content conditions, so as to achieve stable metering.

[0014] This invention provides an anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering. It has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention achieves gas-solid separation through the three-stage gradient filtration of the pre-protection component (the first to third through holes of the sand filter), and completes preliminary gas-liquid separation in conjunction with the liquid accumulation component, thus preventing sand particles and liquid accumulation from interfering with the transducer at the source; the air spring shock absorber can effectively absorb wellhead vibration energy, ensuring the stability of the transducer's sound wave propagation path; the metal shell shield and the main unit filter module form a double protection to block electromagnetic interference, and the multiple structures work together to reduce time difference measurement errors and improve flow metering accuracy.

[0015] 2. This invention, through the non-disassembly purging design of the purging pipe and explosion-proof connector, can remove impurities from the transducer end face without interrupting measurement, reducing maintenance difficulty; the sulfur-resistant material and the fully sealed structure of the equipment (flange gaskets, bolt fixing, etc.) are suitable for the high-pressure, high-sulfur environment of gas wells, reducing leakage risk and corrosion loss; the sedimentation box can periodically discharge accumulated liquid through the connector, further extending the service life of the equipment and reducing operation and maintenance costs. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a front view of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a top view of the present invention; Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the sand filter of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transducer of the present invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the purge tube of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the air spring shock absorber of the present invention.

[0017] The components are as follows: 1. Meter body; 2. First connecting pipe; 3. Mounting block; 4. Sealing cover plate; 5. Bolt; 6. Main unit; 7. Sand filter; 8. Flange; 9. Adapter column; 10. Sediment box; 11. Connector; 12. Transmitter; 13. Top cover; 14. First through hole; 15. First partition plate; 16. Second through hole; 17. Second partition plate; 18. Third through hole; 19. Air spring shock absorber; 20. Transducer; 21. Second connecting pipe; 22. Purge pipe; 23. Explosion-proof connector; 24. Sealing plug. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] Example: like Figure 1-7 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides an anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering, including a meter body 1. A transition column 9 is fixedly connected to the top of the meter body 1, and a main unit 6 is provided on the top of the transition column 9. Flanges 8 are fixedly connected to both sides of the meter body 1. A front protection component is provided on the inner wall of one side of one flange 8. Evenly distributed mounting blocks 3 are connected through and fixedly connected to the outer wall of the meter body 1. A liquid accumulation component is provided through and connected to the bottom of the mounting blocks 3. A sealing cover plate 4 is provided at one end of the mounting blocks 3. A purge pipe 22 is connected through and fixedly connected between the mounting blocks 3 at the same end. An explosion-proof connector 23 is connected through and fixedly connected to one end of the purge pipe 22. A sealing plug 24 is threadedly connected to the outer wall of the explosion-proof connector 23. A first connecting pipe 2 is connected through and fixedly connected to the top of the sealing cover plate 4. Evenly distributed bolts 5 are threadedly connected to one end of the sealing cover plate 4, and the bolts 5 are threadedly connected to the mounting blocks 3. When slight scaling or sand particles adhere to the end face of transducer 20, the sealing plug 24 can be unscrewed, and high-pressure nitrogen (0.5-1MPa) can be introduced into the purge pipe 22 through the explosion-proof connector 23. The purge pipe 22 passes through each mounting block 3, allowing for synchronous purging of all transducer 20 end faces to remove impurities and restore signal transmission efficiency (maintenance-free design, uninterrupted measurement). The main unit 6 is sealed and protected by the top cover 13. The internal signal processing module displays the calculated flow data in real time (if equipped with a display screen) and outputs it to the external control system through the transmitter 12, realizing real-time flow monitoring and data traceability. The sealed design of the entire equipment (sealing gasket of flange 8, bolts 5 fixing of sealing cover plate 4, sealing plug 24, etc.) ensures no gas leakage under high-pressure conditions. At the same time, it is combined with sulfur-resistant materials (such as sand filter and corrosion-resistant design of sedimentation box) to adapt to the harsh environment of high sulfur content and high pressure in gas wells, extending the service life of the equipment.

[0020] like Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the front protection assembly includes a sand filter 7, which is slidably connected to the inner wall of the flange 8. A first partition 15 is provided in the middle of the inner wall of the sand filter 7, a second partition 17 is provided on one side of the inner wall of the sand filter 7, and a first through hole 14 with evenly distributed openings is provided on the other side of the sand filter 7. A second through hole 16 with evenly distributed openings is provided on one side of the first partition 15, and a third through hole 18 with evenly distributed openings is provided on one side of the second partition 17. Natural gas enters from flange 8 on one side and first flows through sand filter 7. The gas first passes through the third through hole 18 (coarse filter, intercepting large sand particles / impurities) on one side of sand filter 7, and then passes through the second through hole 16 (medium filter) of the first baffle 15 and the first through hole 14 (fine filter, filtering fine sand particles with a particle size ≤0.5mm) of sand filter 7 in sequence. The diameter of the three through holes decreases in sequence (e.g., the first through hole φ3mm, the second through hole φ1mm, and the third through hole φ0.5mm), forming a gradient filtration to avoid sand particles impacting and abrading the end face of transducer 20 or blocking the measurement channel.

[0021] like Figure 2 and 5 As shown, the liquid accumulation assembly includes multiple second connecting pipes 21. The second connecting pipes 21 penetrate and are fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting block 3. The bottom of the second connecting pipes 21 is penetrated and fixedly connected to a sedimentation box 10. One end of the sedimentation box 10 is penetrated and fixedly connected to a connector 11.

[0022] The filtered natural gas enters the interior of the meter body 1. The condensate oil, free water and other liquids carried in the gas flow downward along the inner wall of the meter body under the action of gravity, and flow into the sedimentation box 10 through the second connecting pipe 21 at the bottom of the mounting block 3, so as to achieve preliminary gas-liquid separation. The deposited liquid can be discharged periodically through the connector 11 (such as the discharge port with a ball valve) to avoid the accumulated liquid covering the measuring surface of the transducer 20 or causing ultrasonic signal scattering and attenuation.

[0023] like Figure 7 As shown, air spring dampers 19 are provided at the top and bottom of the middle of the other side of the sealing cover plate 4. Transducers 20 are provided at the top and bottom of the inner wall of the mounting block 3, and the transducers 20 are in contact with the air spring dampers 19. The main unit 6 is provided at the top of the adapter column 9. The top cover 13 is provided at the top of the main unit 6. A transmitter 12 is provided at one end of the main unit 6. The transducer 20 (the core component for ultrasonic transmission / reception) is fixed to the inner wall of the mounting block 3 by an air spring shock absorber 19. The air spring shock absorber uses the elastic deformation of the internal compressed air to absorb vibration energy (it can offset vibrations with a frequency of 5-100Hz and an amplitude of ≤0.5g), preventing vibration from being directly transmitted to the transducer 20 through the mounting block 3. The tight contact design between the shock absorber and the transducer 20 ensures that the transducer is installed stably (without displacement deviation) and isolates the sound wave path deviation caused by vibration, ensuring the angular accuracy of ultrasonic transmission and reception and reducing time difference measurement errors caused by vibration.

[0024] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering, comprising a meter body (1), characterized in that: The top of the meter body (1) is fixedly connected to a transition post (9), and the top of the transition post (9) is provided with a main unit (6). Both sides of the meter body (1) are fixedly connected to flanges (8). A front protection component is provided on the inner wall of one side of the flange (8). The outer wall of the meter body (1) is penetrated and fixedly connected to evenly distributed mounting blocks (3). The bottom of the mounting blocks (3) is penetrated and provided with a liquid accumulation component. One end of the mounting blocks (3) is provided with a sealing cover plate (4). The mounting blocks (3) at the same end are all penetrated and fixedly connected to purge pipes (22). One end of the purge pipe (22) is penetrated and fixedly connected to an explosion-proof connector (23). The outer wall of the explosion-proof connector (23) is threadedly connected to a sealing plug (24). The top of the sealing cover plate (4) is penetrated and fixedly connected to a first connecting pipe (2).

2. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front protection component includes a sand filter (7), which is slidably connected to the inner wall of the flange (8). A first partition (15) is provided in the middle of the inner wall of the sand filter (7), and a second partition (17) is provided on one side of the inner wall of the sand filter (7).

3. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sand filter (7) has a first through hole (14) with even distribution on the other side, a second through hole (16) with even distribution on one side of the first partition (15), and a third through hole (18) with even distribution on one side of the second partition (17).

4. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid accumulation assembly includes multiple second connecting pipes (21), the second connecting pipes (21) penetrate and are fixedly connected to the bottom of the mounting block (3), the bottom of the second connecting pipes (21) penetrates and is fixedly connected to a sedimentation box (10), and one end of the sedimentation box (10) penetrates and is fixedly connected to a connector (11).

5. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the sealing cover (4) is threaded with evenly distributed bolts (5), and the bolts (5) are threaded to the mounting block (3).

6. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 1, characterized in that: Air spring dampers (19) are provided at the top and bottom of the other side of the sealing cover plate (4), and transducers (20) are provided at the top and bottom of the inner wall of the mounting block (3), and the transducers (20) are in contact with the air spring dampers (19).

7. The anti-interference ultrasonic flow meter with dual protection of shielding and filtering according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the adapter post (9) is provided with a host (6), the top of the host (6) is provided with a top cover (13), and one end of the host (6) is provided with a transmitter (12).

Images