Non-Invasive Conduit Material Measurement via Percussive Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-invasive methods for measuring physical properties of materials in conduits, such as density, viscosity, and flow rates, face limitations including accuracy issues, applicability to heterogeneous materials, and operational complexities, particularly with radiation-based, gravitational, and ultrasound-based systems.
Innovation Solution
A percussion-based apparatus and method that initiates vibrations on a conduit wall, using sensors to detect and analyze spherical compression longitudinal waves to determine material velocity, viscosity, and flow rates, allowing for simultaneous non-invasive measurement of physical properties like density, kinematic viscosity, and mass flow rates without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If radiation-based methods are used to measure density, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates for light powder materials (20-150 g/L range)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiation-based measurement systems with a mechanical vibration-based system. The striker generates mechanical vibrations that propagate through the conduit wall and material, and sensors detect these vibrations to determine physical properties including density. This mechanical substitution eliminates the precision problems associated with radiation methods for light powder materials while maintaining non-invasive measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameter from radiation attenuation to vibration response characteristics. By measuring the frequency, amplitude, and decay of mechanical vibrations transmitted through the material, the system can accurately determine density across a wide range including light powders, without the limitations of radiation-based approaches.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasound-based methods are used to measure physical properties, then ability to discriminate between physical properties is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensitivity to temperature and flow variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mechanical vibration generated by a striker to probe the material properties. The vibration source excites the conduit wall and material, and sensors measure the resulting vibrational response. This approach provides reliable measurements because the mechanical vibration frequency and characteristics are less sensitive to temperature and flow variations compared to ultrasound methods, while still enabling discrimination between different physical properties through spectral analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit wall acts as an intermediary medium between the striker and the material. The mechanical vibrations are transmitted through the wall into the material, and the wall also serves as a mounting surface for sensors. This intermediary structure provides a stable reference frame that reduces sensitivity to environmental disturbances while enabling measurement of material properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple devices are used to measure different physical properties, then measurement comprehensiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal measurement system where a single apparatus can determine multiple physical properties including density, viscosity, flow rate, and particle size distribution. The striker-sensor configuration measures the vibrational response of the material, and through signal processing and analysis of different aspects of the vibration spectrum, all these properties are derived from the same measurement platform, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple measurement functions into one integrated system. The mechanical vibration measurement simultaneously provides information about density (from overall response), viscosity (from damping characteristics), flow rate (from Doppler shift or phase velocity), and particle size (from frequency spectrum). This consolidation reduces device complexity while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
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
The system provides accurate, simultaneous measurement of multiple physical properties across various materials and conduit geometries, reducing the need for multiple devices, being applicable to both homogeneous and heterogeneous materials, and offering a compact, cost-effective solution for continuous monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a striker configured to initiate a vibration on a wall of the conduit
Implementation Method 2
a first sensor configured to capture a response to the vibration... a second sensor configured to capture a response to the vibration
Implementation Method 3
The propagation of ultrasound waves through a material may also be used to measure one or more physical properties of materials
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for non-invasive determination of one or more physical properties of a material in a conduit are presented. In one example, the method comprises initiating a vibration on a wall of the conduit at a first location, capturing a response to the vibration at the first location, capturing a response to the vibration at a second location, and determining at least one physical property of the material based on at least one of the captured responses at the first location and the second location.