Ultrasonic Flow Meter Transducer Inserts for Bubble Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters face accuracy issues due to air bubbles attaching to transducers, requiring complex mechanisms or orientations that compromise display visibility and manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design features transducer inserts formed monolithically with the housing, positioned perpendicular to the flow direction, with coupling surfaces inside the flow passage to prevent air bubbles from adhering, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and installation in any orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow meter is rotated to move transducers away from the highest point, then air bubble interference is reduced, but display visibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension by tilting the transducers at an angle relative to the pipe wall rather than keeping them parallel. This angular arrangement allows the transducer faces to point away from the highest point of the pipe while maintaining proper signal transmission geometry, thus preventing air bubble interference without compromising display visibility.
2Reliability
If transducers are inserted into the central area of flowing fluid, then air bubble attachment is prevented, but fabrication and mounting difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flow tube into functional segments: a main body and separate transducer inserts. The transducer inserts are pre-assembled units that can be manufactured independently and then mounted into the flow tube, simplifying the overall fabrication process while achieving the goal of positioning transducers in the central flow area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces transducer inserts as intermediary components that facilitate the connection between the transducers and the flow tube. These inserts serve as mediators that simplify mounting by providing a standardized interface, making the overall assembly process easier while maintaining the desired transducer positioning.
3Reliability
If transducers are mounted outside a bending flow tube, then air bubble interference is avoided, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the specific region where transducers are mounted, rather than changing the entire flow tube geometry. The transducer inserts are positioned at locations that naturally direct flow away from air bubble accumulation zones, achieving the desired effect without requiring a complex bent flow tube design.
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 solution ensures accurate flow measurement without air bubble interference, maintaining optimal display orientation and manufacturing efficiency, even at low or zero flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic transducers emit ultrasonic signals into a flowing medium in order to measure the flow rate
Implementation Method 2
air bubbles by virtue of gravitation seek the top most part of the flowing fluid
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6B
AI summary
The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter arranged to measure a flow rate of a liquid, the flow meter comprises a flow tube 2, optionally a measurement insert, and two or more ultrasonic transducers 8 which are arranged in transducer inserts 20 to be inserted into the flow tube through openings in the flow tube. The transducer inserts are formed monolithically with the housing as a part of the bottom of the housing. The transducer inserts are in a mount position inserted through the openings in the flow tube to extend into the flow passage so that the surface 15 of the transducer inserts protrude into the flow passage. In this manner, gas bubbles, such as air bubbles, released from the flowing liquid will not rest in front of the transducer insert irrespectively of the orientation of the flow meter in the pipe installation.