Phase-Shifted Transducer Arrangement for Vessel Flow Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow measurement devices, such as flow wires with miniature piezoelectric transducers, suffer from low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), poor bandwidth, and resonance frequency variability, leading to unsatisfactory measurement quality, particularly in large diameter vessels.
Innovation Solution
A sensor with a transducer arrangement comprising a first and a second transducer component arranged with a phase shift, providing an increased opening angle, allowing for a larger field of view and reducing the influence of vessel walls in measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single transducer is used, then the device complexity is low, but the acceptance angle is limited to about 25° to 30° due to diffraction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple transducer components (at least two) into a single transducer arrangement that functions as one integrated measurement system. This merging approach increases the acceptance angle beyond what a single transducer can achieve, while the components work together cooperatively rather than independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point transducer measurement to a multi-point transducer arrangement that samples across multiple dimensions of the flow profile. By distributing transducer components across different positions and angles, the system achieves a broader acceptance angle and more comprehensive flow measurement capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single transducer is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the measured flow velocity becomes predominantly dependent on vessel wall measurements in large diameter vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement function across multiple transducer components positioned at different locations. Each transducer component measures flow velocity from its specific position, and the overall flow velocity is determined by combining these segmented measurements. This segmentation prevents any single vessel wall measurement from dominating the result.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning transducer components at specific locations within the vessel to optimize measurement of different flow profile regions. Each transducer component is strategically placed to capture representative flow data from its local zone, improving overall measurement accuracy across the vessel cross-section.
3Device complexity
If a single transducer is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the signal to noise ratio is low and measurement quality is unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple transducer components into a unified measurement system where their signals are combined processed. This combination approach improves the signal to noise ratio by aggregating useful flow measurement signals while averaging out random noise components across the different transducer elements.
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
The increased acceptance angle enhances measurement accuracy by minimizing the dependence on blood flow profiles across vessel cross-sections, improving signal quality and reducing the impact of vessel walls on measurement results.
Implementation Method 1
Based on the Doppler ultrasound principle, the flow wire provides blood flow velocity based on intravascular measurements
Implementation Method 2
The sensor comprises a transducer arrangement with at least one first transducer component and at least one second transducer component configured to be operated with a phase shift
Implementation Method 3
devices such as flow wires are used, comprising a miniature piezoelectric transducer at the distal end
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to flow measurement. In order to provide improved flow measurement, a sensor (10) for flow measurement is provided that comprises a transducer arrangement (12) with at least one first transducer component (14) and at least one second transducer component (16). The at least one first transducer component and the at least one second transducer component are arranged with an at least partly common field of view in10 operation. The at least one first transducer component and the at least one second transducer component are configured to be operated with a phase shift.