Semiconductor Acoustic Measurement Device for Dynamic Flow Rate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow rate measurement techniques in dynamic fluid applications, such as water meters, face challenges in efficiently measuring changing flow rates while minimizing power consumption, especially when the propagation velocity of ultrasonic waves is affected by temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with a controller, detectors, and calculators measures flow rates by comparing the propagation times of ultrasonic waves in both downstream and upstream directions, allowing for precise calculations without constant power-intensive measurements, by determining if a second measurement is necessary based on threshold differences in detected values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow rates are frequently measured to accurately capture dynamically-changing flow rates, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic measurement action by determining whether to perform the second ultrasonic wave measurement based on comparison results. Instead of continuous measurement, the system periodically performs measurements only when necessary (when flow rate changes exceed a threshold), thereby capturing dynamic flow rate changes accurately while minimizing unnecessary measurements and reducing power consumption.
2Measurement precision
If the second ultrasonic measurement is always performed to ensure complete flow rate data, then measurement precision is maintained, but power consumption increases due to unnecessary measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback control by comparing the first measured value (from upstream ultrasonic wave) with a previously stored first measured value. Based on this feedback comparison, the system determines whether the flow rate has changed significantly enough to warrant performing the second measurement. This feedback mechanism ensures measurement precision is maintained when needed while avoiding unnecessary measurements that would waste energy.
3Loss of energy
If measurements are skipped to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter strategy by introducing a threshold-based decision criterion. Instead of fixed periodic measurement, the system monitors the magnitude of flow rate changes (parameter change) and adjusts measurement frequency accordingly. When changes are small (within threshold), measurements are skipped to save energy; when changes exceed the threshold, measurements are performed to maintain precision. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and measurement precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate and efficient measurement of dynamic fluid flow rates with reduced power consumption by skipping unnecessary measurements when propagation time differences are within a threshold, thus maintaining high precision while minimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
measure the propagation time of an ultrasonic wave in the downstream direction of the flow path and the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the upstream direction of the flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device according to the present embodiment is provided with a controller, a first detector, a second detector, and a determiner. In a first measurement, the first detector detects a first measured value correlated with the propagation time of the first acoustic wave in a first detection period from the transmission to the reception of the first acoustic wave. In a second measurement, the second detector detects a second measured value correlated with the propagation time of the second acoustic wave in a second detection period from the transmission to the reception of the second acoustic wave. The determiner determines the presence or absence of the second measurement on the basis of the result of comparison between the first measured value and another first measured value measured earlier than the first measured value.