Clamp-On Ultrasonic Flow Meter Counterweight Mounting Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters face issues with ultrasonic transducer attachment stability due to temperature fluctuations and vibrations, particularly when transducers are not aligned with the vertical axis of the pipeline cross-section, leading to loosening or slippage of attachment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A clamp-on ultrasonic flow meter design featuring ultrasonic transducers connected to counterweights via flexible, resilient connecting elements like straps or ropes, ensuring the transducers remain fixed during temperature and vibration-induced deformations by maintaining tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic transducers are attached using tension straps or magnets, then the transducers can be mounted on the pipeline, but the attachment becomes unstable under temperature fluctuations and vibrations, causing loosening or slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterweight element that balances the gravitational force on the ultrasonic transducer. The counterweight is connected via a flexible element to create a force equilibrium, preventing the transducer from slipping or loosening under temperature fluctuations and vibrations. This directly addresses the attachment stability problem by counteracting the destabilizing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is pre-tensioned during installation to create initial compressive forces that stabilize the transducer position. The flexible connecting element is designed to maintain constant tension, anticipating and counteracting future thermal expansion/contraction and vibration effects before they cause displacement.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic transducers are located away from the vertical axis of the pipeline, then measurement coverage is improved, but the attachment mechanism becomes more susceptible to loosening and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight is positioned to create a balancing moment that counteracts the gravitational torque on the transducer when mounted at non-vertical positions. This allows the transducer to maintain stable attachment even when located away from the vertical axis for optimal measurement geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses asymmetric positioning of the counterweight relative to the transducer to create a stabilizing moment arm. The counterweight is placed at a specific offset distance that generates sufficient counter-torque to prevent slippage at non-vertical mounting positions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connecting element is used between the ultrasonic transducer and counterweight, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to accommodate temperature-induced deformations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible connecting element (such as a spring, elastic band, or flexible rod) between the ultrasonic transducer and counterweight. This flexible element maintains structural stability and force transmission while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the pipeline, allowing the system to adapt to temperature-induced deformations without compromising attachment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connecting element's mechanical properties (such as spring constant or elasticity) are selected to change with temperature in a way that maintains optimal tension. The element can compress or extend to accommodate thermal deformations, dynamically adjusting its length or stiffness to maintain stable transducer positioning across varying temperature conditions.
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 design effectively stabilizes ultrasonic transducers, preventing displacement and ensuring accurate measurements by minimizing the impact of temperature and vibration-induced shifts.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic transducer and the associated counterweight are connected by a flexible, and in particular resilient, connecting element
Implementation Method 2
each ultrasonic transducer is assigned a counterweight... which connecting element, when the clamp-on flow meter is arranged on the pipeline or on the measuring tube, is in a tensioned state due to the ultrasonic transducer and the counterweight
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeter (1) comprising: - at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers (10) which are attached to the pipe (11) having an in particular round cross-section or to a measuring tube (12) of the flowmeter, which measuring tube is integrated in the pipe and has an in particular round cross-section, - an electronic measuring/operating circuit (20) for operating the ultrasonic transducers, analyzing measurement signals from the ultrasonic transducers, and providing measured values, wherein: the ultrasonic transducers of each pair are each attached separately to the measuring tube or the pipe; the pipe or the measuring tube has, in cross-section, a vertical diameter (13.1); in an associated cross-section, the ultrasonic transducers are mutually spaced peripherally in relation to the vertical diameter, characterized in that a counterweight (14), in particular precisely one counterweight (14), is assigned to each ultrasonic transducer and is at a distance from the ultrasonic transducer and opposite thereto in relation to the vertical diameter, wherein the ultrasonic transducer and the associated counterweight (14) are connected by a flexible, in particular resilient, connecting element (15), such as a belt, a cable, a chain or a spring, which connecting element (15) extends above, in particular exclusively above, the measuring tube or the pipe.