Detachable Ultrasonic Flow Meter Bypass Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Calibration and maintenance of ultrasonic flow meters, especially in systems with large pipe diameters, are complex and require significant effort, as the entire flow meter needs to be removed for calibration and potential replacement.
Innovation Solution
A detachable measuring unit is designed to connect externally to the pipe, allowing the total flow to be divided into a main flow and a secondary flow, which passes through a measuring channel. The measuring unit is calibrated separately, and the ultrasonic transducers determine the secondary flow, enabling the calculation of the total flow using a proportionality factor, thus minimizing the need for internal calibration and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measuring unit is integrated inside the pipe for direct flow measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but calibration and maintenance complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow measurement system is divided into two independent parts: a bypass measuring unit with ultrasonic transducers for precise measurement, and the main pipe flow path. The measuring unit can be detached and calibrated separately without affecting the main pipe, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and calibration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic measuring unit is extracted from the main pipe flow path and placed in a bypass configuration. This allows the measuring unit to be removed, calibrated, and maintained independently while the main pipe remains in service, reducing calibration and maintenance complexity while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If the entire flow meter is removed for calibration, then measurement accuracy can be verified, but loss of time and productivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meter is segmented into a removable measuring unit and a fixed pipe section. Only the small measuring unit needs to be detached for calibration, not the entire flow meter or main pipe, significantly reducing calibration time and minimizing disruption to fluid flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring unit is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be quickly removed from the bypass line for calibration. This extraction approach allows calibration to be performed on a small component rather than the entire system, reducing time loss and improving productivity.
3Ease of repair
If a bypass channel is used to separate measurement flow from main flow, then ease of calibration is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional flow splitting components
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass measuring unit serves multiple functions: it provides accurate flow measurement, enables easy calibration by detachment, and maintains the main flow path integrity. This multi-functionality justifies the additional components by delivering multiple benefits beyond just calibration ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass channel acts as an intermediary that extracts a small portion of the main flow for measurement purposes without significantly disrupting the main flow path. This intermediary structure enables easy calibration while maintaining overall system simplicity through minimal interference with the primary function.
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 simplifies calibration and maintenance by allowing the measuring unit to be calibrated independently, reducing the effort required and enabling quick replacement, while maintaining high measurement accuracy and dynamics.
Implementation Method 1
a first ultrasonic transducer for emitting an ultrasonic signal into the measuring channel and a second ultrasonic transducer for receiving the ultrasonic signal after passing through the measuring channel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a measuring unit (12) for determining the total flow rate (QG) of a fluid flowing through a pipe section (14), comprising: an inlet (18), an outlet (22), and a measuring channel (20) running between them; and a first ultrasonic transducer (26) for emitting an ultrasonic signal into the measuring channel and a second ultrasonic transducer (28) for receiving the ultrasonic signal after the fluid has passed through the measuring channel, characterized in that the inlet and outlet are designed for detachable connection to the pipe section such that the total flow is divided into a main flow (QH) in the pipe section and a secondary flow (QN) which is directed through the measuring channel and subsequently recombined with the main flow. The invention further relates to a corresponding pipe section, a flow meter (10) with measuring unit and pipe section, and a method for determining a total flow rate.