Partial Ring Ultrasonic Transducers for Flexible Tubing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flow meters face difficulties in accommodating and measuring fluid flow in flexible and disposable tubing, particularly in medical applications, due to challenges in coupling transducers with varying tube sizes and frequent replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic flow meter system employs partial ring or split ring transducers with openings for easy tube insertion and removal, along with clamps for secure coupling, allowing for flexible and disposable tubing use, and accommodating different tube sizes through radial or axial driving of transducers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ring-shaped piezoelectric transducers are embedded into the wall of a pipe, then fluid flow measurement is achieved, but the system becomes difficult to use with different sizes of tubes and frequent tube replacement becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is divided into partial ring segments that can be assembled around the tube, allowing adaptation to different tube sizes and facilitating easy replacement. The segmented design enables the transducer to conform to various diameters while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer system is designed to be dynamically adjustable to accommodate different tube sizes through the partial ring configuration, enabling flexible application across various tubing types without requiring permanent embedding.
2Ease of operation
If devices are used to hold a tube or conduit to permit replacement, then tube replacement is facilitated, but problems of coupling the ultrasonic transducer to the tube to obtain strong signals occur
Solution Approach 1:
The partial ring transducer segments are designed to wrap around and securely hold the tube while maintaining intimate contact for ultrasonic coupling. The segmented structure provides both mechanical retention and acoustic coupling surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
An acoustic couplant is introduced as an intermediary substance between the partial ring transducer and the tube to enhance ultrasonic signal transmission. This mediator ensures strong coupling and reliable signal acquisition while allowing easy tube replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible disposable tubing is used in medical applications, then ease of replacement and adaptability are improved, but coupling the transducer to the flexible tube becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The partial ring transducer is configured in segments that can conform to the flexible tube geometry, maintaining reliable coupling with disposable medical tubing while allowing for easy replacement after each use.
Solution Approach 2:
An acoustic couplant serves as a mediator between the partial ring transducer and flexible disposable tubing, ensuring reliable ultrasonic coupling despite the flexible and disposable nature of the tubing, thereby maintaining measurement reliability across multiple uses.
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
Enables efficient and accurate measurement of fluid flow in flexible tubing, facilitating easy replacement and improved coupling, making the system suitable for medical applications and accommodating various tube sizes.
Implementation Method 1
two ring-shaped piezoelectric transducers with one operating as an ultrasonic transmitter and the other one as an ultrasonic receiver
Implementation Method 2
The center oscillator generates an ultrasonic wave that is detected by the forward and rearward oscillators to obtain the flow rate of a fluid flowing through the tube
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter permitting easy insertion and removal of a tube or conduit. A partial ring transducer or partial cylinder transducer is used to permit easy insertion and removal of a flexible tube in an ultrasonic flow meter for measuring fluid flow. In another embodiment a split ring or split cylinder transducer is used to facilitate easy removal and insertion of a tube or conduit in which fluid flow is to be measured. In another embodiment a clamping system is used to securely hold and couple a tube or conduit within the ultrasonic flow meter system. The present invention is conveniently adapted to hold flexible tubes and in particular disposable flexible tubes often used in the medical industry.