Ultrasonic Flow Meter Missing-Value Correction With Auxiliary Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters face issues with short-term errors and inaccurate flow rate measurements due to missing values or bubbles/foreign materials in fluids, which existing imputation methods like LOCF, extrapolation, and interpolation fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic flow meter with an auxiliary sensor installed on the pipe generates alternative flow rate values by calculating a weighted average based on pre-stored data pairs, using physical quantities from the sensor to replace missing or outlier values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional imputation methods (LOCF, extrapolation, interpolation) are used to replace missing flow rate values, then the device complexity remains low, but the measurement precision and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the missing flow rate value problem by changing the parameter space - instead of directly imputing flow rate values using traditional methods, it maps the problem to physical quantity space (temperature, pressure, density) where correlations can be exploited. The processor uses physical quantities measured at the same timestamp to find correlated data pairs and calculate alternative flow rate values, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reasonable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces physical quantities (temperature, pressure, density) as intermediary variables between the missing flow rate values. These physical quantities serve as mediators that correlate with flow rate and enable the identification of suitable data pairs for imputation, thus improving the reliability of missing value replacement without requiring complex direct imputation algorithms.
2Measurement precision
If auxiliary sensors are installed to measure physical quantities for generating alternative values, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the auxiliary sensors (temperature, pressure, density sensors) serve multiple functions: they not only monitor the fluid's physical state but also provide correlation data for identifying suitable data pairs when flow rate values are missing. This multi-functionality justifies the addition of sensors by extracting maximum value from each sensor, improving measurement precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the auxiliary sensors to self-correct missing flow rate values by automatically finding correlated data pairs and calculating alternative values based on physical quantity correlations. The sensors serve the system's own need for accurate measurements without requiring external intervention or complex additional processing systems.
3Measurement precision
If complex imputation algorithms are implemented to handle missing values, then the measurement precision improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-storing data pairs that include both flow rate values and corresponding physical quantities in memory. When a missing value occurs, the system only needs to retrieve and process pre-collected correlated data, rather than performing complex real-time analysis. This preliminary data collection and storage simplifies the operational process while maintaining high measurement precision.
4Reliability
If traditional imputation methods are used without considering physical quantities, then the device complexity remains low, but the reliability of flow rate measurements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring physical quantities (temperature, pressure, density) and using them to identify suitable data pairs for imputing missing flow rate values. The system feedbacks on the correlation between physical quantities and flow rate, selecting data pairs where the physical quantity correlation exceeds a threshold, thereby improving measurement reliability while keeping data processing complexity manageable through systematic feedback mechanisms.
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
Enhances accuracy and reliability of flow rate measurements by providing cost-effective alternative values, suitable for low-end flow meters, through real-time correction using auxiliary sensor data.
Implementation Method 1
a detector 101 that transmits a signal to a fluid 110 and receives a signal from the fluid 110
Implementation Method 2
calculate a first flow-rate value of the fluid using a signal transmitted to the fluid and a signal transmitted from the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter is provided. The flow meter includes a detector that transmits a signal to a fluid and receives a signal from the fluid, a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor electrically connected to the memory and configured to execute the instructions, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor calculates a first flow-rate value of the fluid using a signal transmitted to the fluid and a signal transmitted from the fluid, determines whether the first flow-rate value is missing, calculates a second flow-rate value of the fluid using a physical quantity of the fluid if the first flow-rate value is missing, and replaces the missing value with the second flow value, and the physical quantity is measured by an auxiliary sensor located installed on a pipe through which the fluid flows.