Ultrasonic Flow Meter Coupler Assembly With Noise-Absorbing Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flow sensors for fluidic medicaments suffer from signal noise due to undesirable ultrasonic energy transmission through the flow tube, which affects the signal-to-noise ratio and requires separate assembly methods for couplers and flow tubes.
Innovation Solution
A flow sensor sub-assembly with absorber sleeves engaged with couplers and flow tubes, covering at least 10-25% of the tube length, made of thermoplastic polyurethane, and secured via press-fit or overmolding, eliminating direct adhesive connections to reduce ultrasonic energy transmission and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate assembly methods are used for couplers and flow tubes, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber sleeve is integrated to simultaneously join the coupler and flow tube in a single assembly operation. The sleeve engages with both components through press-fit or overmolding, eliminating the need for separate adhesive connections and reducing the number of assembly steps while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If adhesive connections are used to secure couplers to flow tubes, then structural integrity is achieved, but ultrasonic noise is transmitted through the flow tube
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the coupler and flow tube. It provides mechanical joining through press-fit or overmolding while simultaneously absorbing ultrasonic energy with its acoustic damping material, preventing noise transmission through the flow tube while maintaining structural connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorber sleeve is constructed from composite materials combining mechanical structural properties for joining with acoustic damping properties for noise absorption. This composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of structural integrity and ultrasonic noise reduction.
3Measurement precision
If absorber sleeves are used to reduce ultrasonic noise, then signal-to-noise ratio is improved, but additional components increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The absorber sleeve is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides ultrasonic noise absorption, mechanical joining of coupler and flow tube, and structural support. This integration reduces the total component count by combining functions that would otherwise require separate elements.
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
Enhances signal-to-noise ratio by reducing flow-tube noise and eliminating the need for separate assembly, while maintaining structural integrity and acoustic damping.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic energy traveling though the flow tube 6 is reduced by the absorber tube 9
Implementation Method 2
When a transducer 4 is excited by an electrical pulse, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the fluid and the flow tube 6
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3B
AI summary
A flow sensor sub-assembly for sensing flow of a fluidic medicament includes a flow tube having an inlet and an outlet, a first coupler secured to the inlet of the flow tube, a second coupler secured to the outlet of the flow tube, a first piezo element secured to the first coupler, a second piezo element secured to the second coupler to define a predetermined distance between the first piezo element and the second piezo element, and at least one absorber sleeve engaged with the first coupler, the flow tube, and the second coupler.