Ultrasonic Flow Meter Damping Device for Ring-Around Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters face challenges in distinguishing fluid-borne signals from structural-borne 'ring-around' signals, which create interference and hinder the extraction of useful fluid flow characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A damping device is attached to the pipe, featuring a shoe-like structure with tines that dissipate wave energy by radial displacement and viscoelastic materials, tuned to match the frequencies of structural-borne signals, thereby minimizing interference from ring-around signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If clamp-on ultrasonic flow meters are used to measure fluid flow characteristics, then flow measurement capability is provided, but structural-borne 'ring-around' signals create interference that deteriorates measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful structural-borne signals from the measurement system by using damping materials and signal processing techniques that specifically target and eliminate ring-around signals, allowing the fluid-borne signals to be measured without interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces damping materials as an intermediary between the pipe wall and the ultrasonic sensors. These materials selectively attenuate structural-borne signals while allowing fluid-borne signals to pass through, thereby mediating the interaction between the sensors and the pipe structure
2Productivity
If ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the pipe wall to measure fluid flow, then flow characteristics can be determined, but the structural component propagates through the pipe wall creating interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing damping materials specifically at locations where structural-borne signals are generated or propagated, such as at the pipe walls near the sensors. This localized treatment selectively reduces structural interference without affecting the overall fluid flow measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-processing the ultrasonic signals through damping materials before they reach the sensors. The damping materials are positioned to attenuate structural-borne signals in advance, preventing them from creating interference at the measurement point
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 damping device effectively attenuates structural-borne signals, enhancing the clarity of fluid-borne signals and improving the accuracy of fluid flow measurements by reducing interference.
Implementation Method 1
viscoelastic materials, tuned to match the frequencies of structural-borne signals
Implementation Method 2
tines that dissipate wave energy by radial displacement
Implementation Method 3
tuned to match the frequencies of structural-borne signals
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~5
Figure 3
AI summary
A damping device for a fluid flow meter is provided. The fluid flow meter is mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a wall in a direction substantially normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe. The transmitted signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at one or more frequencies. The damping device includes a tuned body attachable to the pipe wall at one or more contact points. The body has one or more resonant structural modes, each with a natural frequency, which natural frequencies are closely matched to the one or more frequencies of the secondary signals. The body is operable to dissipate energy upon excitation by the secondary signals.