Acoustic Flow Meter with Non-Planar Transducer Pairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters in custody transfer situations often produce differing readings even when functioning correctly, leading to measurement discrepancies due to sensitivity to cross-flow when transducer pairs are co-planar, which can result in incorrect fluid flow volume calculations and unnecessary diagnostic efforts.
Innovation Solution
The flow meter design incorporates multiple transducer pairs arranged in a non-planar configuration, with each measurement subsystem having transducers at varying elevations and angles, reducing the effect of cross-flow and allowing for independent verification of fluid flow measurements, ensuring accurate volume calculations even when one subsystem is inoperable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If transducer pairs are arranged in a co-planar configuration, then the device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to cross-flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional co-planar transducer arrangement to a three-dimensional non-planar configuration. Transducers are positioned at different elevations and angular orientations around the pipe, creating spatial diversity that eliminates cross-flow sensitivity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric transducer placement where transducers are positioned at different angular positions and elevations rather than symmetric co-planar arrangement. This asymmetric configuration ensures that no single measurement is disproportionately affected by cross-flow in any particular direction.
2Device complexity
If a single ultrasonic flow meter is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of redundancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement system into multiple independent measurement subsystems, each with its own transducer pairs. Each subsystem can independently measure fluid flow, providing redundancy and the ability to verify measurements through comparison of multiple independent readings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple independent measurement subsystems within a single meter body, integrating their capabilities to provide both redundancy and cross-validation. The merged system maintains the independence of individual measurements while benefiting from their collective reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If transducer pairs are positioned at the same elevation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision worsens due to cross-flow sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions transducers at different elevations within the pipe cross-section, moving from a single-elevation planar arrangement to a multi-elevation three-dimensional configuration. This vertical separation reduces the impact of horizontal cross-flow on any individual measurement path.
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 design minimizes the impact of cross-flow on measurement accuracy, allowing for reliable and redundant fluid flow measurement verification, reducing errors and diagnostic issues, and ensuring precise custody transfer calculations.
Implementation Method 1
determining a first value indicative of flow volume of fluid through a central passage of a meter body using a first plurality of ultrasonic transducer pairs
Implementation Method 2
The two meters enable redundancy in case one meter fails, and in situations where both flow meters are operational, the accuracy of recorded flow volumes may be verified by comparing the two independent measurements
Data Source
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AI summary
Acoustic flow meter with dual flow measurements. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, and meter electronics electrically coupled to the first and second plurality of transducer pairs (the meter electronics configured to determine a first value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the first value determined using only signals of the first plurality of transducer pairs). The meter electronics further configured to determine a second value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the second value determined using only signals of the second plurality of transducer pairs.