Portable Ultrasonic Flow Measurement System with Adjustable Sensor Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic flow measurement systems, particularly clamp-on devices, face challenges with accurate geometric alignment and signal transmission, leading to inaccurate measurements and complex installation processes, limiting their flexibility and usability across different pipe sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A portable ultrasonic flow measurement system with sensor heads arranged parallel to the sensor surface, allowing adjustable angle incidence and mobility, coupled with a base body that can be designed flexibly (e.g., scissors, pliers, or screw clamps) for secure attachment to various pipe diameters, and an information carrier (like an RFID tag) for automatic data reading to enhance measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clamp-on ultrasonic flowmeters are used for portable measurements, then installation flexibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to geometric alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling element (such as a coupling gel or flexible membrane) is introduced between the sensor head and the pipe surface to improve ultrasonic signal transmission. This intermediary layer ensures better acoustic coupling, reducing signal loss and improving measurement precision while maintaining the portable clamp-on configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable parameters including the angle of the ultrasonic signal path relative to the pipe axis and the position of sensor heads along the pipe. By allowing these geometric parameters to be adjusted, the system can adapt to different pipe sizes and shapes while maintaining accurate measurements, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and precision.
2Measurement precision
If permanently installed ultrasonic transceivers are used, then measurement precision is improved through fixed geometric arrangement, but device complexity and investment cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a portable sensor head that can be detached from the pipe and a separate evaluation unit. This segmentation allows the sensor head to be easily installed and removed without permanent modifications to the pipe, reducing installation complexity while maintaining the precision benefits of a fixed geometric arrangement during measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-configured geometric arrangements where the sensor heads are positioned and oriented in advance according to predetermined patterns. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment procedures during installation, reducing overall device complexity while ensuring measurement precision through consistent geometric positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable sensor head positions are implemented, then adaptability to different pipe geometries is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor head is designed with movable components that allow dynamic adjustment of its position and orientation relative to the pipe. This dynamic capability enables the sensor to adapt to various pipe diameters, shapes, and installation orientations. The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be simple and intuitive, balancing versatility with acceptable device complexity.
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 precise and flexible flow measurements across different pipe geometries without the need for lengthy calibration, allowing a single device to be used with multiple pipes, simplifying installation, and reducing measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
the ultrasonic transit time method, which determines differences in the transit times of transmitted signals and uses them to determine the speed of a fluid or medium flowing through a measuring tube
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic signals are then transmitted from the first ultrasonic transceiver 151 to the second ultrasonic transceiver 152 and a transit time T 1 is determined
Implementation Method 3
the ultrasonic Doppler method, which uses the Doppler effect
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The device has a control and evaluation unit for carrying out measurement of transit time difference for determining velocity of flow of a medium flowing through a measuring tube (21). Ultrasonic transceivers are aligned to each other during operation such that the transceivers form a direct signal path or a signal path (147) at an internal wall of the measuring tube. The transceivers are arranged parallel to a sensing surface in a sensor housing of sensor heads. A reading device reads an information carrier i.e. radio frequency identification tag, fastened to the measuring tube. An independent claim is also included for a measuring tube for a portable ultrasonic flow measuring system for a measuring device.