Open-Ended Rotating Cylinder for Accurate Ultrasonic Fluid Profiling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic physical properties measurement devices suffer from secondary flow generation due to the presence of end planes in cylindrical containers, leading to measurement inaccuracies and are often large and difficult to transport.

Innovation Solution

The device features a cylinder with fully open upper and lower end planes, a rotating mechanism with a pivotally supported shaft and radially bent spokes, and an ultrasonic transducer fixed to the cylinder's outer surface to measure flow velocity profiles accurately while minimizing secondary flows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a conventional bottomed cylindrical container is used, then the device structure is simple, but secondary flow is generated leading to measurement inaccuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the bottom end plane from the cylindrical container, extracting the source of secondary flow generation. By leaving the cylinder open at the bottom, the harmful secondary flow is eliminated while maintaining the simple cylindrical structure, thus improving measurement accuracy without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different boundary conditions to different parts of the cylinder: the side wall maintains its closed structure for simplicity, while the bottom end plane is opened to eliminate secondary flow. This local differentiation allows the device to maintain structural simplicity while improving measurement precision in the critical measurement region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a cylindrical container with end planes is used, then the device is structurally stable, but it generates secondary flow causing measurement errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow velocity profile measurement accuracyVSAvoidsecondary flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom end plane is completely removed from the cylindrical container, extracting the source of secondary flow. This eliminates the harmful factor while maintaining the stable cylindrical structure, allowing accurate measurement of flow velocity profiles without contamination from secondary flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of an open bottom (which could cause instability) into a benefit by using the open bottom to eliminate secondary flow. The open bottom structure, while seemingly unstable, actually provides the most favorable condition for accurate rheological measurement by preventing harmful secondary flows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If conventional ultrasonic measurement devices are used, then measurement capability is provided, but the devices are large and difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the measurement system into a portable cylindrical container that can be easily transported, separate from the ultrasonic measurement apparatus. This segmentation allows the container to be compact and movable while the measurement function is provided by external ultrasonic devices, thus achieving both portability and measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical container serves as an intermediary between the portable measurement system and the liquid sample. By designing the container specifically with an open bottom to eliminate secondary flows, it mediates the measurement process to ensure accuracy while maintaining the portability of the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration effectively restrains secondary flows, enhances portability, and improves measurement accuracy by dispersing flows in radial and circumferential directions, allowing for precise physical property calculations.

Implementation Method 1

measuring a flow velocity profile of liquid in the cylinder using ultrasonic waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDoppler effect: Doppler Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12474191B2Ultrasonic physical properties measurement device

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY

AI summary

[Problem] To provide an ultrasonic physical properties measurement device that suppresses the generation of a secondary flow inside a cylinder, is more portable, and can suppress changes in physical properties.[Solution] An ultrasonic physical properties measurement device 1 that: uses ultrasonic waves to measure the flow velocity profile of fluids that flow inside a cylinder 2, by rotating the cylinder 2 backwards and forwards in a fixed cycle; and calculates the physical properties of fluid from the flow velocity profile. The cylinder 2: has an upper end surface 21 and lower end surface 22 that are penetrated such that fluid can flow therethrough; and comprises a rotation mechanism 3 that supports all or part of the cylinder 2 in a state of immersion in the fluid and rotates the cylinder 2 backwards and forwards.