Ultrasonic Flow Meter Temperature Measurement via Buffer Time of Flight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters face challenges in accurately determining fluid flow rates due to temperature-induced errors, as existing methods require additional temperature sensors that increase complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that uses a buffer thermally coupled to the fluid and housing, where an ultrasonic signal is generated and its time of flight is measured to determine temperature, reducing the need for additional sensors by leveraging the buffer's temperature-dependent sound speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an additional temperature sensor is used to measure temperature accurately, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer is designed to perform multiple functions: both flow rate measurement and temperature measurement. By utilizing the buffer medium that already exists in the ultrasonic flow meter system, the same transducer can measure temperature through time-of-flight measurements of ultrasonic signals propagating through the buffer, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer medium in the ultrasonic flow meter system serves dual purposes: it facilitates ultrasonic signal transmission for flow measurement and simultaneously acts as the measurement medium for temperature determination. The system uses its own existing components (transducer and buffer) to perform temperature measurement, making the system self-sufficient and avoiding additional hardware
2Measurement precision
If an additional temperature sensor is used to measure temperature accurately, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer is designed to perform multiple functions: both flow rate measurement and temperature measurement. By utilizing the buffer medium that already exists in the ultrasonic flow meter system, the same transducer can measure temperature through time-of-flight measurements of ultrasonic signals propagating through the buffer, eliminating the need for separate temperature sensors and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature measurement function is merged with the existing ultrasonic flow measurement system. The transducer and buffer combination serves both flow measurement and temperature measurement purposes, consolidating multiple measurement functions into a single integrated system rather than requiring separate independent measurement systems
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 approach improves the accuracy of flow rate measurements by directly measuring temperature through the buffer's thermal coupling, reducing errors and simplifying the ultrasonic flow meter design.
Implementation Method 1
A buffer is located between the transducer and the fluid that propagates the ultrasonic signal therethrough, and the buffer is thermally coupled with the fluid, the housing, or both
Implementation Method 2
The processing circuit causes the first transducer to generate the ultrasonic signal and detects a reflected portion of the ultrasonic signal reflected from one or more interfaces of the buffer
Implementation Method 3
determines a temperature based at least partially on the time of flight
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for determining temperature is disclosed. An ultrasonic signal is generated that propagates through a buffer and a portion of the signal is reflected at an interface. A time of flight is measured between generating the ultrasonic signal and detecting the reflected portion. The temperature is determined based on the time of flight of the reflected signal.