Ultrasonic Flow Meter Signal Processing Circuit for Precision Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters face challenges in accuracy compared to other types of flow meters, necessitating improvements in signal processing to enhance measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing circuit and chip configuration that includes transducers and receivers, coupled with a control unit to obtain and utilize parameters related to temperature and acoustic speed, enabling accurate calculation of flow velocity by accounting for delay times and distance between transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ultrasonic flow meter signal processing is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the measurement precision and accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The signal processing is divided into distinct stages: initializing stage for parameter calibration and normal stage for flow velocity calculation. The control unit separately handles temperature-dependent parameter storage and real-time flow measurement, allowing complex processing to be organized in manageable segments that improve accuracy without overwhelming system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
During the initializing stage, the control unit pre-obtains and stores temperature-dependent parameters (first parameters related to acoustic speed and distance, second parameters related to delay times) before actual flow measurement begins. This preliminary calibration enables the normal stage to focus solely on accurate flow velocity calculation using pre-characterized parameters, improving measurement precision while maintaining clear operational separation
2Measurement precision
If temperature variations are not compensated, then the device operation remains simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to acoustic speed changes
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit stores multiple sets of first parameters (acoustic speed and distance relationships) and second parameters (delay times) corresponding to different temperatures. During operation, the system selects and applies the appropriate parameter set based on current temperature conditions, enabling dynamic compensation for thermal effects on acoustic speed without requiring complex real-time calculations or additional hardware
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature-dependent parameters serve as intermediaries between the physical temperature condition and the flow velocity measurement. The control unit uses these stored parameters to mediate the effect of temperature variations, translating thermal conditions into corrected measurement values without requiring direct real-time temperature sensing and calculation during normal operation
3Measurement precision
If transducer delay times are not accounted for, then the processing remains simple, but the measurement precision is reduced due to timing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-obtains and stores second parameters that characterize the delay times of transmitters, receivers, and transducers during the initializing stage. These pre-measured delay characteristics are then applied during normal operation to correct timing measurements, eliminating the need for complex real-time delay analysis while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex real-time mechanical timing analysis with pre-characterized delay parameter lookup and application. Instead of performing sophisticated delay measurements during each flow velocity calculation, the control unit uses stored delay parameters to directly compensate timing errors, simplifying the measurement process while maintaining accuracy
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 solution improves the accuracy of flow meter readings by effectively processing signals to determine flow velocity, reducing errors associated with temperature variations and transducer delays.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic flow meters are common flow meters
Implementation Method 2
at least two first parameters corresponding to at least two temperatures, at least two second parameters corresponding to the at least two temperatures and the distance; wherein the at least two first parameters are related to the distance and a current acoustic speed corresponding to a current temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a signal processing circuit (100), coupled to a first transducer (102) and a second transducer (104), wherein there is a distance greater than zero between the first transducer and the second transducer, and a fluid having a flow velocity flows sequentially through the first transducer and the second transducer; the signal processing circuit includes: a first transmitter (106), coupled to the first transducer; a first receiver (108), coupled to the first transducer; a second transmitter (110), coupled to the second transducer; a second receiver (112), coupled to the second transducer; and a control unit (114), coupled to the first transmitter, the first receiver, the second transmitter and the second receiver. The present application further provides a related chip, a flow meter and a method.