Ultrasonic Flow Meter Pipe Type Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid flow meters face challenges in accurately measuring fluid flow rates and velocities due to variations in pipe types, leading to errors in signal propagation time estimation and requiring either multiple device designs or complex user adjustments, which are not cost-effective or consumer-friendly.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow meter system that uses ultrasonic sensors to transmit and receive signals, processing signal features to identify the pipe type based on pipe-type signatures, allowing for precise fluid flow rate and velocity measurements by accounting for pipe characteristics such as diameter and material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a traditional fluid flow meter is designed for a specific pipe type, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and the need for multiple device designs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects pipe type parameters (material, diameter, wall thickness) using ultrasonic signal propagation characteristics, then dynamically adjusts calibration parameters based on the detected pipe type. This allows a single universal device design to adapt to different pipe types, maintaining measurement precision without requiring multiple specialized device designs
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow meter performs self-identification of pipe type by automatically analyzing ultrasonic signal features (transit time, attenuation, frequency spectrum) and selecting appropriate calibration parameters without user intervention. This eliminates the need for users to manually configure pipe type settings or choose between multiple device variants
2Measurement precision
If manual pipe type adjustment is required, then measurement precision can be improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects pipe type characteristics by analyzing ultrasonic signal propagation features and selects appropriate calibration parameters without requiring user input or manual adjustment. The processor compares measured signal features against stored pipe type signatures to identify the pipe type and configure the meter accordingly
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from ultrasonic signal measurements (transit time, attenuation, frequency content) to automatically determine pipe type and adjust calibration parameters. The measured signal features are compared against reference signatures, and the system iteratively refines the pipe type identification and calibration selection based on this feedback
3Device complexity
If pipe type variations are not accounted for, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects and adapts to pipe type parameters (material properties, diameter, wall thickness) by analyzing ultrasonic signal propagation characteristics. Different calibration parameters are selected based on the detected pipe type, ensuring accurate measurements across varying pipe configurations without requiring complex manual calibration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow meter is designed as a universal device capable of measuring flow in multiple pipe types by automatically detecting pipe characteristics and selecting appropriate calibration parameters. The system maintains measurement precision across different pipe materials and dimensions through this adaptive capability, eliminating the need for pipe-type-specific device variants
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
The system enables accurate and automatic pipe type identification, reducing measurement errors and the need for multiple device designs, improving precision and user experience by using pipe-type-specific calibration parameters.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic sensor capable of transmitting a transmit signal to propagate, at least partially, through a fluid in a pipe and receiving a respective receive signal
Implementation Method 2
receiving a receive signal responsive to transmitting the transmit signal
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow meter can include a sensor capable of transmitting a transmit signal to propagate, at least partially, through a fluid in a pipe and receiving a respective receive signal. The fluid flow meter can include a memory storing computer code instructions and a plurality of pipe type signatures associated with a plurality of pipe types. Each pipe type signature of a respective pipe type of the plurality of pipe types can include one or more characteristics of receive signals associated with that pipe type. The fluid flow meter can also include a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the memory. When executing the computer code instructions, the processor can determine one or more signal features of the receive signal, and identify a pipe type of the pipe based on the one or more signal features of the receive signal and the plurality of pipe type signatures.