Modular Surface Acoustic Wave Fluid Meter for Easier Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid meters using surface acoustic waves for fluid measurement are complex and expensive to manufacture and maintain, limiting their compactness, robustness, and flexibility for use with different fluids and properties.
Innovation Solution
A modular fluid meter design featuring a separate, prefabricated fluid-measuring module with a waveguide and signal transformer that can be easily inserted into a housing, allowing for direct contact with the fluid and enabling surface acoustic wave propagation, while maintaining a compact and robust structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If surface acoustic wave measurement method is used for fluid measurement, then measurement capability for various fluid properties is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into a housing and a separate, modular fluid-measuring module that can be inserted into the housing. This segmentation allows the complex measurement components to be isolated in a replaceable module, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining measurement capabilities for various fluid properties including flow rate, temperature, density, and composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-measuring module is designed with universal applicability to measure multiple fluid properties simultaneously using surface acoustic wave technology. The same module can determine flow rate, temperature, density, homogeneity, and composition by analyzing different characteristics of the surface acoustic waves propagating through the fluid, thereby providing multi-functionality without increasing device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional fluid meter design is used, then manufacturing is simpler, but maintenance difficulty and service life are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fluid-measuring module from the housing, the device allows for simple manufacturing of each component independently while enabling easy maintenance through module replacement. The modular design means that only the fluid-measuring module needs to be serviced or replaced, not the entire device, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty and extending service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-measuring module is designed as a consumable or replaceable component that can be easily removed and replaced when worn or malfunctioning. This approach allows for economical maintenance where only the specific module requiring service is replaced rather than the entire expensive housing and assembly, improving ease of repair while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for each component.
3Volume of moving object
If compact design is pursued, then installation space is reduced, but adaptability for different fluids and properties is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The compact fluid-measuring module incorporates universal surface acoustic wave transducers that can measure multiple fluid properties (flow rate, temperature, density, homogeneity, composition) simultaneously. This multi-functionality is achieved within a compact form factor by using the same acoustic wave propagation mechanism to derive different fluid characteristics, maintaining adaptability for various fluids without increasing installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves adaptability for different fluids by changing the measurement parameters and analysis methods rather than changing the physical hardware. The surface acoustic wave technology allows adjustment of frequency, wavelength, and coupling conditions to accommodate different fluid types and properties, enabling a compact design to handle diverse fluids through parameter optimization rather than physical modification.
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 modular design simplifies manufacturing and maintenance, extends the service life of the fluid meter, and allows for flexible use with various fluids, improving measurement accuracy and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a base section formed as a waveguide for surface acoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
surface acoustic waves emitted by the signal transformer can be coupled out of the waveguide and can propagate through the fluid in the flow channel as bulk acoustic waves
Implementation Method 3
at least one signal transformer, which is designed to excite surface acoustic waves in the waveguide and/or to receive surface acoustic waves from the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid meter has a housing comprising a flow channel for fluid to be measured and at least one elongate module-receiving opening forming a passage from an outer surface of the housing to the flow channel. At least one fluid-measuring module, prefabricated separately, from the housing with a base section formed as a waveguide for surface acoustic waves, and at least one signal transformer to excite surface acoustic waves in the waveguide and/or receive surface acoustic waves from the waveguide is provided. When inserted into the module-receiving opening, the base section of the fluid-measuring module forms part of the flow channel inner wall and contacts fluid flowing through it. Surface acoustic waves emitted by the signal transformer can be coupled out of the waveguide and can propagate through fluid in the flow channel as bulk acoustic waves and/or bulk acoustic waves can be coupled into the waveguide and received by the signal transformer.