Ultrasonic Flow Meter Flow-Directing Element for Recirculation Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid flow meters experience measurement noise and pressure drops due to vortex formation and recirculation zones caused by ultrasound transducers and temperature sensors extending into the fluid stream, leading to inhomogeneous velocity distribution and measurement distortions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow-directing element between the last ultrasound reflector and the temperature sensor, shaped to form a continuous obstruction, reducing recirculation and guiding fluid flow around the sensor to minimize turbulence and pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound transducers and temperature sensors extend into the fluid stream to perform measurements, then measurement capability is improved, but pressure drop and vortex formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
A flow-directing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the ultrasound transducer and temperature sensor. This element mediates the fluid flow by guiding it around the sensors, thereby maintaining measurement capability while reducing harmful vortex formation and pressure drop in the space between components.
2Temperature
If temperature sensors are positioned downstream of flow-obstructing elements to measure fluid temperature, then temperature measurement is achieved, but recirculation zones and measurement noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-directing element serves as a mediator that guides fluid flow around the temperature sensor, preventing recirculation zones from forming in the measurement region. This ensures that the temperature sensor measures the true fluid temperature without distortion from turbulent recirculation patterns.
3Measurement precision
If flow-obstructing elements are used for ultrasound measurement, then flow rate determination is enabled, but velocity distribution homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-directing element acts as a mediator that smooths fluid flow between the ultrasound transducer and temperature sensor. By guiding flow around these components, it prevents the formation of recirculation zones and maintains homogeneous velocity distribution, ensuring accurate flow rate determination.
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
Reduces measurement noise and pressure drops, ensuring homogeneous velocity distribution and accurate flow rate measurements by minimizing recirculation and turbulence, thereby improving measurement accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a flow-directing element provided between the flow-obstructing element and the temperature sensor. The flow-directing element is arranged to reduce recirculation of the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a pair of transducers exchanges pulse-like ultrasound signals. The difference of the transit times of the ultrasound signals travelling in the direction of flow and against the direction of flow is processed to establish the flow rate
Implementation Method 3
a temperature sensor protruding into the flow pipe and arranged to measure a temperature of the fluid
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ultrasonic flow meter comprising a flow pipe for a fluid whose flow rate is to be determined, a flow-obstructing element provided inside the flow pipe and partially obstructing a flow of the fluid through the flow pipe, a temperature sensor protruding into the flow pipe and arranged to measure a temperature of the fluid, the temperature sensor being positioned downstream to the flow-obstructing element, and a flow-directing element provided between the flow-obstructing element and the temperature sensor. The flow-directing element is arranged to reduce recirculation of the fluid.