Ultrasonic Flow Meter Damping Tines Attenuate Ring-Around Signals
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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 that interfere with fluid flow measurements due to the propagation of ultrasonic waves through the pipe walls, making it difficult to extract accurate fluid flow characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A damping device with a base and tines or a laminate panel of alternating tines and viscoelastic material is mounted on the exterior of the pipe, with tine spacing optimized to less than the wavelength of secondary ultrasonic signals, to dissipate and attenuate structural-borne signals, thereby reducing interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the pipe wall to measure fluid flow, then fluid flow measurement capability is enabled, but structural-borne ring-around signals are generated that interfere with measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies damping material to the pipe wall at strategic locations to convert the harmful structural-borne ring-around signals into beneficial attenuation. The damping material absorbs the shear wave energy that would otherwise circulate and interfere with fluid flow measurements, effectively transforming the harmful structural signal into a dampened, non-interfering state while preserving the useful fluid-borne ultrasonic signals
2Reliability
If damping material is applied to the pipe wall to reduce structural-borne signals, then signal interference is reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The damping device is segmented into modular components that can be independently manufactured and installed. The damping material is applied in discrete sections or panels at specific locations on the pipe wall, allowing for easier manufacturing, handling, and installation compared to a continuous damping coating. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining the effectiveness of structural-borne signal attenuation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling medium or adhesive layer as an intermediary between the pipe wall and the damping material. This intermediary facilitates easier installation by providing a bonding interface that simplifies the attachment process, while also ensuring effective transmission of damping effects to the structural-borne signals without requiring direct complex bonding to the pipe surface
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 reduces the impact of structural-borne signals, enhancing the robustness of ultrasonic flow meters by minimizing ring-around signal interference and improving the clarity of fluid-borne signal components for accurate flow measurement.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency
Implementation Method 2
A damping device with a base and tines or a laminate panel of alternating tines and viscoelastic material is mounted on the exterior of the pipe, with tine spacing optimized to less than the wavelength of secondary ultrasonic signals, to dissipate and attenuate structural-borne signals
Implementation Method 3
a laminate panel of alternating tines and viscoelastic material is mounted on the exterior of the pipe
Implementation Method 4
viscoelastic material bonded to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A damping device for a fluid flow meter mountable on the exterior of a pipe to meter fluid flow traveling within the pipe is provided. The flow meter has at least one ultrasonic sensor operable to transmit ultrasonic signals through a pipe wall in a direction normal to the pipe wall and into a fluid flow disposed within the pipe, which signals create secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially traveling within the pipe wall at a frequency. The damping device includes a base and a plurality of tines. The base is conformable to an exterior surface of the pipe wall, and has a pipe-side surface and a tine-side surface. The plurality of tines is attached to the base and extends outwardly from the tine-side surface. Each tine is spaced apart from an adjacent tine by a tine-to-tine distance that is less than the wavelength of the secondary ultrasonic signals circumferentially propagating within the pipe wall.