Clampable ultrasonic flow sensor

Abstract

Clampable ultrasonic flow sensor (1) measuring the flow rate of fluid flowing in a pipe (2), the clampable ultrasonic flow sensor (1) comprising: a first ultrasonic element (3) configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave via a first incident / emissive surface (5); a first elastic coupling device (7) having a first pipe contact section in contact with the pipe (2) and configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave emitted by the first ultrasonic element (3) to the pipe (2) via the first pipe contact section; a second ultrasonic element (4) configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave via a second incident / emissive surface (6) to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave between the second ultrasonic element (4) and the first ultrasonic element (3) via the pipe (2); a second elastic coupling device (8).comprising a second pipe contact section in contact with the pipe (2) and configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave emitted by the second ultrasonic element (4) to the pipe (2) via the second pipe contact section, a damping material (10) arranged to dampen the ultrasonic wave and to enclose the first pipe contact section of the first elastic coupling device (7) and the second pipe contact section of the second elastic coupling device (8), thereby enclosing the pipe (2), and a flow calculation unit (20) configured to calculate a flow rate of the fluid flowing in the pipe (2) based on the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received between the first ultrasonic element (3) and the second ultrasonic element (4), wherein a first clamping device (11) and a second clamping device (12) are coupled together,to receive the tube (2) in an intermediate state in which the first clamping device (11) and the second clamping device (12) press the damping material (10) onto the tube (2), characterized in that the first clamping device (11) and the second clamping device (12) are trough-shaped with two curved ends (13) and two side edges (14), together incompletely enclosing the tube (2) and the side edges (14) are provided with elongated stiffeners (15), wherein the stiffeners (15) can be clamped against each other by means of clamping elements (16) and thereby the pressure of the clamping devices (11, 12) on the damping material (10) and on the tube (2) is adjustable, and that the first ultrasonic element (3) and the second ultrasonic element (4) are held by at least one support (17) which is firmly connected to the stiffeners (15) and is held in position by them.