Ultrasonic Flow Meter Partition Plate for Diffraction Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic flow meters experience accuracy issues due to interference from diffracted wave signals along shortcut routes, particularly in environments where ultrasound has higher speeds and longer wavelengths, such as hydrogen, affecting the measurement of flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic flow meter incorporates a partition plate with cutaway or opening portions in regions corresponding to shortcut propagation routes, minimizing interference by reducing the impact of diffracted wave signals on normal received signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If partition plates are used to divide the passage into multiple layers, then the ultrasound can be reflected at the bottom plate and received by the ultrasonic transducer, but diffracted wave signals along shortcut routes interfere with normal received signals, decreasing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful shortcut propagation routes by forming cutaway portions or opening portions in the partition plates at regions corresponding to shortcut routes. This eliminates the diffracted wave signals that travel through shortcuts and interfere with normal received signals, thereby improving measurement accuracy without compromising the normal ultrasound propagation path
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plates are designed with different structures at different locations: they have cutaway portions or opening portions specifically at regions corresponding to shortcut routes, while maintaining their partitioning function elsewhere. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously block shortcut routes and maintain normal propagation paths, resolving the contradiction between signal reflection and interference reduction
2Speed
If the measurement fluid is hydrogen with higher sonic speeds and longer wavelengths, then ultrasound propagation speed increases, but diffraction occurs more readily, increasing interference and decreasing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring cutaway portions or opening portions in the partition plates at locations where shortcut routes would form. This preventive measure counteracts the diffraction effect that would otherwise occur more readily in hydrogen environments with longer wavelengths, thereby maintaining measurement accuracy despite the higher propagation speeds and increased diffraction tendency
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 enhances measurement accuracy by reducing the amplitude of diffracted wave signals and stabilizing fluid flow, ensuring precise flow rate measurements even in hydrogen environments.
Implementation Method 1
measures a propagation time of ultrasound from one of the ultrasonic transducers to the other of the ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 2
measuring a propagation time of ultrasound... flow velocity or flow rate of the measurement fluid
Implementation Method 3
the ultrasound transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 116, to be reflected at the bottom plate 107 of the passage 105, and to be received by the ultrasonic transducer 117
Implementation Method 4
diffracted wave signals passing the shortcut route R could interfere with and affect the normal received signals traveling through the normal propagation routes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter includes a cylindrical passage having a rectangular cross section through which a measurement fluid flows; a pair of ultrasonic transducers respectively located in an upstream portion and in a downstream portion of the cylindrical passage; a measuring unit, an arithmetic circuit, and a partition plate. The measuring unit measures a propagation time of ultrasound from one of the ultrasonic transducers to the other of the ultrasonic transducers. The arithmetic unit operates, based on the propagation time measured by the measuring unit, flow velocity or flow rate of the measurement fluid. The partition plate is disposed in the cylindrical passage so as to be in parallel with a flow direction of the measurement fluid. The partition plate divides the cylindrical passage into a plurality of divided passages. The cylindrical passage includes a normal propagation route and a shortcut propagation route that makes a shortcut for the normal propagation route through which ultrasound propagates from one of the ultrasonic transducers to the other of the ultrasonic transducers. The partition plate is formed, at a region corresponding to the shortcut propagation route, with a cutaway or opening portion through which the divided passages communicate with each other.