Ultrasonic Flow Meter Groove Perforation Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic meters face challenges in maintaining precise flow rate measurements, especially under dynamic conditions, due to internal and external interference, which can lead to sudden changes in flow that are difficult to stabilize and compensate for.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic meter features a measuring tube with a side wall having grooves that increase in depth in the direction of flow, including openings or steps to create a depression area, which stabilizes the flow guidance and reduces pressure drop, while maintaining a low pressure loss and preventing particle settlement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the groove depth is increased to stabilize the flow profile, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the pressure drop across the measuring tube increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing perforations exclusively within the grooves rather than uniformly across the entire measuring tube. This localized modification allows the groove depth to be effectively increased in specific regions to stabilize the flow profile and improve measurement accuracy, while maintaining the original tube structure in other areas to minimize overall pressure drop. The perforations are strategically positioned to achieve flow stabilization without the need to increase the groove depth across the entire circumference.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the groove width is reduced to improve flow guidance, then the flow profile stabilization is enhanced, but suspended particles may become trapped and cause contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous-like structure by introducing perforations within the grooves. These perforations create a controlled porous effect that allows the groove to maintain its flow-guiding function while providing escape routes for suspended particles. The perforated design prevents particle accumulation by allowing particles to pass through or be flushed out, thus avoiding contamination while still achieving effective flow profile stabilization through the groove structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If steps or openings are provided in the measurement areas to increase groove depth, then the flow stabilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the measuring tube structure into distinct functional zones: grooves with perforations for flow stabilization, and smooth measurement areas for accurate ultrasonic measurement. This segmentation allows the complex flow stabilization features to be confined to specific regions, while the majority of the measuring tube maintains a simpler structure suitable for precise measurement. The perforated grooves are segmented from the main measurement path, reducing overall device complexity while achieving flow stabilization.
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 design enhances measurement accuracy and robustness by stabilizing the flow profile, reducing sudden changes, and minimizing congestion around reflection elements, thereby improving the overall reliability of flow rate detection.
Implementation Method 1
One way to reduce or prevent sudden flow changes is to create turbulence in the flow before it enters a measuring tube
Implementation Method 2
The inner wall of a side wall defining a flow cross-section of the measuring tube has at least one groove extending in the flow direction
Implementation Method 3
Ultrasonic flow meters for measuring the flow rates of fluids, such as liquids or gases
Implementation Method 4
The flow rate measurement must be particularly robust against internal and external disturbances
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Ultrasonic flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid, comprising a fluid inlet (2), a fluid outlet (3), and a flow channel (4) connecting the fluid inlet (2) to the fluid outlet (3), wherein the flow channel (4) has a measuring tube (5, 28, 29, 31) extending in a straight line in a flow direction, wherein an inner wall of a side wall (12) defining a flow cross-section of the measuring tube (5, 28, 29, 31) has at least one groove (14) extending in the flow direction, which increases the flow cross-section, wherein the side wall (12) has a perforation (15, 24, 25, 26, 30) and/or a step (34) in the flow direction exclusively within the groove (14) between a normal area (33) and a depression area (32), wherein the groove depth in the depression area (32) is (14) is greater than in the normal range (33).