Ultrasonic Flowmeter Transit-Time Reliability Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow measurement systems face challenges in accurately compensating for temperature-sensitive interference signals, which cause significant measurement errors due to their high fluctuation with small temperature changes, making it difficult to verify the reliability of measurement data.
Innovation Solution
A method using an ultrasonic flow meter with at least two transducers that records interference signals before receiving useful signals, calculates a quality criterion based on the transit time difference, and determines the measurement uncertainty by comparing these signals, allowing for verification of measurement reliability through a quality criterion proportional to the transit time difference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic flow measurement is performed using the transit time method, then flow rate can be determined, but measurement reliability cannot be verified due to temperature-sensitive interference signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent records interference signals in time windows before the useful ultrasonic signals arrive at the transducers. This preliminary recording allows the system to capture and analyze interference patterns (such as tube waves) before they contaminate the measurement signals, enabling verification of measurement reliability without adding complex post-processing equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a quality criterion as an intermediary parameter that quantifies the influence of interference signals on measurement reliability. This quality criterion serves as a mediator between the raw ultrasonic signals and the final flow rate determination, allowing the system to assess and verify measurement reliability through a simple computational parameter rather than complex additional hardware.
2Reliability
If interference signals are recorded and analyzed, then measurement reliability can be verified, but the complexity of the evaluation process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the complex problem of interference signal analysis into a simple quality criterion parameter. By calculating the ratio between the energy of interference signals (recorded in pre-windows) and useful signals, the system converts complex wave pattern analysis into a single numerical parameter that directly indicates measurement reliability, significantly simplifying the evaluation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or hardware-based interference filtering systems with a computational approach. Instead of using additional physical filters or complex signal processing hardware, the system uses software-based analysis of the quality criterion parameter to verify measurement reliability, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If the quality criterion is calculated using mean squared difference, then error estimation improves, but computational effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mean squared difference calculation only to the interference signal portions recorded in the pre-time windows, rather than processing the entire ultrasonic signal spectrum. This partial application of the computational method provides sufficient error estimation accuracy for reliability verification while minimizing unnecessary computational energy consumption on already-processed or irrelevant signal portions.
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 approach effectively reduces measurement errors by identifying and quantifying the impact of temperature-sensitive interference signals, enabling the evaluation unit to assess and display the reliability of individual measured values, thereby improving the accuracy of flow rate measurements.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic signals are emitted and received by an ultrasonic flow meter with at least two ultrasonic transducers obliquely in or against a flow direction
Implementation Method 2
determining a quality criterion for evaluating the measurement uncertainty of a measured value, which is proportional to the transit time difference determined from the first and second useful ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic transducers obliquely in or against a flow direction of a measuring medium
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Method for verifying the reliability of ascertained measurement data from an ultrasonic flow measurement according to the transit-time difference method, wherein an ultrasonic flow meter having at least two ultrasonic transducers is used to emit and receive ultrasound signals transversely in a flow direction or counter to a flow direction of a measurement medium, wherein within a first time window prior to receipt of a first useful ultrasound signal, which propagates substantially through the measurement medium between the transducers, a first ultrasound interference signal is recorded, wherein the first ultrasound interference signal propagates at least partially in the measurement medium between the ultrasound transducers, wherein within a second time window prior to receipt of a second useful ultrasound signal, which propagates substantially through the measurement medium between the transducers, a second ultrasound interference signal is recorded, wherein the second ultrasound interference signal propagates at least partially in the measurement medium between the ultrasonic transducers; wherein the first and the second useful ultrasound signals are assigned in each case to two ultrasound signals which are transmitted in opposite directions through the medium, and wherein a quality criterion for evaluating the measurement uncertainty of a measurement value is ascertained, which is proportional to the transit-time difference ascertained from the first and second useful ultrasound signals, the ascertainment of which comprises a difference formation between the first and the second interference signal.