Ultrasonic Flowmeter Integrally Formed Noise Attenuating Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flowmeters face challenges in accurately measuring fluid flow due to parasitic acoustic noise propagating through the conduit wall, which interferes with the ultrasonic signals, leading to errors in flow measurements. Current solutions, such as external attachments, require additional space and assembly, and introduce discontinuous boundary layers that reduce noise attenuating efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic flowmeter with a one-piece conduit featuring integrally formed acoustic noise attenuating features on its surface or within the conduit wall, designed to disrupt parasitic acoustic waves and improve signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by creating discontinuous boundaries that prevent wave propagation through the conduit wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If external attachments are used to reduce acoustic noise, then noise attenuation is achieved, but device complexity and assembly requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic noise attenuating features are merged with the conduit body to form a single integrated structure. The conduit body includes features such as annular grooves, ridges, or other geometric modifications that are formed as part of the conduit manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate attachment components while maintaining noise attenuation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides fluid transport and simultaneously incorporates acoustic noise attenuating features. The same structural elements that form the conduit also create the noise-reducing geometry, making the conduit a multi-functional component that addresses both fluid handling and acoustic interference reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external attachments are used to reduce acoustic noise, then noise attenuation is achieved, but additional space and assembly are required
Solution Approach 1:
The noise attenuating features are combined with the conduit body itself, utilizing the existing conduit volume and external surface area. Geometric features such as annular grooves and ridges are formed within the conduit's dimensional envelope, requiring no additional space beyond what is already allocated for the conduit.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external attachments are used to reduce acoustic noise, then noise attenuation is achieved, but discontinuous boundary layers reduce noise attenuating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The noise attenuating features are formed as an integral part of the conduit body, creating continuous boundaries between the fluid, the conduit wall, and the noise-reducing geometry. This integration eliminates discontinuous boundary layers that would otherwise form at interfaces between separate components, ensuring reliable and efficient noise attenuation.
4Loss of information
If parasitic acoustic waves propagate through conduit wall, then interference with ultrasonic signals occurs, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit body's geometric features, such as annular grooves and ridges, are designed to interact with parasitic acoustic waves in a beneficial manner. These features cause the harmful acoustic waves to reflect, scatter, or attenuate as they propagate through the conduit wall, converting what would be harmful interference into a beneficial noise-reduction effect that improves measurement precision.
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 integrally formed acoustic noise attenuating features effectively reduce parasitic noise, enhancing the SNR and improving the accuracy of fluid flow measurements by eliminating interference from conduit wall noise, without the drawbacks of external attachments.
Implementation Method 1
The one-piece conduit includes a plurality of acoustic noise attenuating features integrally formed with at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface and disposed between the first and second transducers, each of the features being configured and oriented to disturb a propagation direction of a parasitic acoustic wave that will propagate in the wall of the one-piece conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A flowmeter has a one-piece conduit with an outer surface and an inner surface that define a wall thickness therebetween, and first and second transducers, where each transducer is disposed external of or integral with the one-piece conduit, in signal communication with an interior volume of the one-piece conduit, and relative to each other such that each transducer can send and receive an acoustic signal to the other transducer. The one-piece conduit includes a plurality of acoustic noise attenuating features integrally formed with at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface and disposed between the first and second transducers, each of the features being configured and oriented to disturb a propagation direction of a parasitic acoustic wave that will propagate in the wall of the one-piece conduit in response to activation of at least one of the transducers.