Dual Counter Ultrasonic Flow Meter Power Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow meter devices face increasing demands for lower electric power consumption and higher accuracy as they incorporate multiple functions and long-term battery operation without maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A flow meter device with a pair of ultrasonic transmitters/receivers, a transmission/reception switching section, and a time measuring section using dual counters to measure propagation time, where the second counter operates at a higher speed and stops shortly after the first counter completes its count, allowing for accurate flow calculation using averaged propagation times derived from multiple zero cross points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single high-speed counter is used to measure propagation time with high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The time measurement function is segmented into two parts: a first counter that operates at low speed for the majority of the measurement period, and a second counter that operates at high speed only for the critical final portion of the measurement. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement precision only when necessary, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter operating speed is made dynamic rather than static. The system transitions from a low-speed counting mode to a high-speed counting mode based on the measurement progress. Specifically, the second counter activates at high speed only during the final counting period when precision is critical, and remains inactive or operates at low speed during other periods, optimizing the balance between accuracy and power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are added to the flow meter device (communication, gas leakage alarm), then adaptability is improved, but electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the counter based on measurement requirements. By adjusting the counting speed dynamically (low speed for most of the time, high speed only when needed), the system can support multiple measurement functions while optimizing power consumption for each operational mode.
3Measurement precision
If the second counter operates continuously at high speed, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The high-speed operation of the second counter is applied periodically rather than continuously. The second counter operates at high speed only during specific critical periods (when the first counter is nearing completion of its count), and remains inactive or in low-power mode during other periods. This periodic high-speed operation maintains measurement accuracy while significantly reducing average power consumption.
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 configuration achieves lower electric power consumption and higher accuracy in flow measurement by optimizing counter operations and minimizing active periods, while ensuring efficient activation and improved measurement precision.
Implementation Method 1
a transmission section for actuating the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver at a transmission side to transmit an ultrasonic wave
Implementation Method 2
a reception section for detecting the ultrasonic wave received in the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver at a reception side
Implementation Method 3
a time measuring section for measuring a propagation time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted and received between the pair of ultrasonic transmitters/receivers
Data Source
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AI summary
In a flow meter device of the present invention, a time measuring section of the flow meter device includes a first counter which starts counting at a starting point of measurement of propagation time; and a second counter which starts counting at an end point of the measurement of the propagation time, and performs counting at a higher speed than the first counter. A propagation time TO is finally obtained by subtracting time Δt which is measured by the second counter and passes from the end point until the first counter counts up, from time T which is measured by the first counter and passes from a starting point until the first counter counts up after the end point. A flow calculating section calculates a flow with high accuracy using the propagation time TO. Thus, lower electric power consumption can be achieved, and accuracy of measurement of flow can be improved.