Acoustically Isolated Ultrasonic Transducer Housing for Flow Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters in oil and gas extraction face measurement accuracy issues due to ultrasonic noise transmitted through the flow meter bodies, which interferes with the transducers, affecting the accuracy of fluid characteristics measurement.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic transducers are acoustically isolated from the flow meter bodies using a sheath that maintains pressure balance with the fluid, reducing acoustic noise and improving signal-to-noise ratio by using materials with high acoustic wave attenuation, such as PEEK or ULTEM, and being positioned within a housing that is itself isolated from the flow meter body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If ultrasonic transducers are directly coupled to the flow meter body, then the device complexity is reduced, but acoustic noise is transmitted through the body to the transducers, degrading measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an acoustic isolation element (sheath or housing) as an intermediary component between the ultrasonic transducer and the flow meter body. This mediator blocks the transmission path of acoustic noise from the flow meter body to the transducer, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through a straightforward additive design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies acoustic isolation specifically at the local region where the transducer interfaces with the flow meter body, rather than isolating the entire flow meter structure. The acoustic isolation element is positioned only where needed to block noise transmission to the transducer, optimizing measurement precision without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the transducer housing is acoustically isolated from the flow meter body, then measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional isolation components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the acoustic isolation element: it serves as both an acoustic barrier to block noise transmission and as a structural housing to contain the transducer. By merging these functions into a single integrated component, the patent improves measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The acoustic isolation element is designed to perform multiple roles simultaneously: acoustic isolation, mechanical support, and environmental protection for the transducer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving signal-to-noise ratio without proportionally increasing the number of components.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional direct coupling is used, then ease of manufacture is high, but acoustic short-circuiting occurs, reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic isolation element is designed as a ready-to-install component that interfaces between the transducer housing and the flow meter body. It can be manufactured separately and then assembled into the flow meter, maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design while effectively blocking acoustic short-circuiting to improve measurement 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
This solution enhances measurement accuracy and reliability by reducing acoustic short-circuiting and noise interference, improving the signal-to-noise ratio up to 28 dB compared to conventional methods, leading to more precise fluid flow rate and velocity measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The sheath allows the housing to be in pressure balance with the pressure of the measured fluid within the flow meter body and reduces acoustic noise transmitted through the flow meter body to the transducer
Data Source
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AI summary
An ultrasonic transducer apparatus is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an ultrasonic flow meter (38, 92, 132) having an ultrasonic transducer assembly (50) coupled to a meter body (94, 134). The ultrasonic transducer assembly can include an ultrasonic transducer (112) in a transducer housing (52, 72, 74), and the transducer housing can be positioned within the meter body such that, during flow of a fluid through the meter body, the transducer housing is exposed to, and is in pressure balance with, the fluid. The transducer housing can be positioned in a sheath that acoustically isolates the ultrasonic transducer and its housing from the meter body. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.