Ultrasonic Flow Meter Liquid Drainage System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic flow meters are limited in orientation and placement due to the need for horizontal installation to prevent liquid accumulation in transducer ports, which can lead to signal interference and component failure, restricting their installation flexibility in pipelines.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic flow meter with a liquid drainage system that includes a drain port and conduit for each transducer port, allowing liquid accumulation to drain under gravity or to a storage vessel, and an electronically controlled valve to manage drainage, enabling installation in various orientations while minimizing signal interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic flow meters are installed in horizontal piping with transducer ports oriented horizontally to allow liquid self-drainage, then liquid accumulation in transducer ports is minimized, but installation flexibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid drainage function from the gravitational self-drainage mechanism and implements it through an active electronic control system with solenoid valves. This allows the flow meter to maintain horizontal transducer port orientation (improving reliability) while being installable in various pipeline orientations (improving adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The flow meter system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring acoustic signal quality and automatically activates drainage when liquid accumulation is detected. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual intervention and enables the system to adapt to different installation orientations autonomously.
2Reliability
If liquid accumulates in transducer ports, then gravitational self-drainage may occur in horizontal installations, but signal interference and component failure occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors acoustic signal quality from transducer ports and uses this feedback to detect liquid accumulation. When signal degradation is detected, the system automatically activates solenoid valves to drain liquid from affected ports, restoring signal transmission quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary drainage actions before complete liquid accumulation occurs by continuously monitoring acoustic signal quality. This preventive approach maintains signal transmission reliability by removing liquid before it causes severe interference or component failure.
3Reliability
If transducer ports are oriented vertically or at angles to facilitate drainage, then liquid accumulation is reduced, but installation options in horizontal piping are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the drainage function from the mechanical orientation of transducer ports and implements it through an electronic control system with solenoid valves. This allows transducer ports to be oriented horizontally (enabling pipeline integration) while liquid drainage is achieved through active control (maintaining reliability).
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from fixed mechanical orientation to dynamic electronic control of drainage valves. This allows the flow meter to be installed in horizontal piping with various pipeline integration options while maintaining effective liquid drainage through electronically controlled valve activation.
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
Enables accurate fluid flow measurement in a wider range of pipeline orientations by reducing liquid accumulation and preventing signal interference, thus extending the flexibility of ultrasonic flow meter placement without compromising measurement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Each transducer assembly includes a piezoelectric element. When an alternating current is applied to the piezoelectric element of the first transducer assembly of the pair, the piezoelectric element responds by radiating an ultrasonic wave through the fluid flowing through the flow meter.
Implementation Method 2
When the wave is incident upon the piezoelectric element of the second transducer assembly of the pair, the second transducer assembly responds by generating an electric signal.
Implementation Method 3
The horizontal orientation of the transducer ports allows an liquid that has accumulated in the ports to self drain, under the force of gravity, back into the main flow bore of the meter body
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow of a fluid through a pipeline comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port. The transducer port extends along a central axis from an open end at the throughbore to a closed end distal the throughbore. In addition, the flow meter comprises an acoustic transducer disposed in the transducer port. The transducer includes a piezoelectric element. Further, the flow meter comprises a drain port in fluid communication with the transducer port. The drain port is axially positioned between the open end and the closed end of the transducer port. Still further, the flow meter comprises a drain conduit having an inlet end coupled to the drain port and an outlet end opposite the inlet end. The drain port is configured to drain a liquid from the transducer port into the inlet end of the drain conduit.