Ultrasonic Flow Meter Parallel Sound Axis Multiphase Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring the flow velocity of multi-phase media, particularly in irregular mixtures of liquids, gases, and solids, due to difficulties in distinguishing individual phases and handling phase changes and blockages.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic flow measuring device employs two ultrasonic transducers with sound axes arranged in a plane parallel to the measuring tube's longitudinal axis, allowing for redundant measurement and phase differentiation by determining sound speeds associated with each phase, ensuring reliable measurement of the gas phase flow velocity even under conditions of phase changes and blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single ultrasonic measuring device is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement reliability deteriorates due to potential failures and inability to handle phase differentiation in multiphase media
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic flow meter is divided into multiple independent measuring devices, each with its own transducers and measurement path. This segmentation allows each device to independently measure flow parameters, providing redundancy and improving reliability without requiring a single complex system
Solution Approach 2:
Different ultrasonic measuring devices are positioned to measure different phases of the multiphase medium (e.g., gas phase vs. liquid phase). Each measuring device is optimized for detecting specific phase characteristics, enabling reliable phase differentiation and measurement even when one device fails or is blocked
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonic transducers are arranged to measure through the tube wall, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from tube deposits and phase mixing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring through the tube wall (radial direction), the ultrasonic transducers are arranged to measure along the tube circumference or through the fluid column. This dimensional change in measurement path avoids interference from tube wall deposits while maintaining measurement precision through alternative geometric configurations
3Measurement precision
If multiple ultrasonic measuring devices are arranged to measure different phases, then the measurement precision for phase differentiation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic measuring devices are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as flow velocity meters and phase identification sensors. The same transducers and measurement paths used for velocity measurement also provide phase differentiation capabilities through analysis of sound velocity variations, eliminating the need for separate phase detection systems
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple measurement functions (flow velocity measurement, phase identification, phase ratio determination) are merged into a single integrated ultrasonic measuring system. The control device processes signals from multiple transducers to simultaneously extract multiple parameters, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
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 configuration enhances measurement accuracy and reliability for multi-phase media, enabling precise determination of gas phase flow velocity and expanding the application range to extreme conditions such as high flow velocities and pressures.
Implementation Method 1
The measurement signal is transmitted along the acoustic measurement path both in the direction of flow and against the flow of the medium, and is received by the respective ultrasound receiver. Due to the tracking effect, the measurement signals transmitted in the direction of flow have a shorter transit time than signals transmitted against the flow.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Described and illustrated is an ultrasonic flowmeter (1) comprising a measuring tube (5), a control device (6), and at least one first ultrasonic measuring device (7) and a second ultrasonic measuring device (8), wherein the measuring tube (5) has a measuring tube interior (9) and a measuring tube longitudinal axis (10), wherein each of the ultrasonic measuring devices (7, 8) is arranged on the measuring tube (5), wherein each ultrasonic measuring device (7, 8) comprises a first ultrasonic transducer (7a, 8a) and a second ultrasonic transducer (7b, 8b), wherein the first (7a, 8a) and the second ultrasonic transducer (7b, 8b) of each ultrasonic measuring device (7, 8) span a sound measuring path (11, 12) with a sound axis (13, 14) and the sound measuring path (11, 12) and the sound axis (13, 14) penetrate the measuring tube interior (9), wherein the Control device (6) for carrying out ultrasonic measurements with the ultrasonic measuring devices (7, 8) is designed.The task of specifying an ultrasonic flowmeter for the reliable measurement of a multiphase medium is solved by the fact that the sound axis (13) of the first ultrasonic measuring device (7) and the sound axis (14) of the second ultrasonic measuring device (8) span a sound measurement plane (15) which runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (10) of the measuring tube.