External Ultrasonic Flow Metering with Temperature Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water flow measurement technologies face challenges such as limited visibility into outdoor water usage, inability to detect outdoor leaks, reliance on intrusive installations, and lack of granular data for effective water conservation.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic flow meter is externally mounted on a pipe, using first and second transducers to measure ultrasonic waves at oblique angles and a third transducer at a right angle, allowing for accurate flow rate calculations with reduced temperature dependence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional in-line water meters are installed to achieve accurate flow measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase due to requiring pipe cutting and replumbing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical in-line meter installation system with an ultrasonic external measurement system. Instead of physically inserting a meter into the pipe (mechanical intrusion), the invention uses ultrasonic transducers mounted externally on the pipe surface to measure flow velocity through acoustic wave propagation, thereby achieving accurate flow measurement without pipe cutting or replumbing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves as an intermediary medium to transfer measurement information from the flowing water to external sensors. The ultrasonic transducers act as mediators that convert the kinetic energy of flowing water into measurable acoustic signal variations, enabling indirect but accurate flow measurement without direct mechanical contact with the water stream
2Loss of information
If multiple in-line meters are installed at different locations to monitor granular water consumption data, then information completeness is improved, but loss of time and installation cost increase due to repeated intrusive installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal external ultrasonic metering system that can be applied to any pipe location without modification to the measurement principle. The same transducer configuration and ultrasonic measurement methodology work across different pipes and locations, enabling rapid deployment of multiple monitoring points to achieve granular consumption data without repeating complex installation procedures
3Ease of manufacture
If external ultrasonic meters are used to reduce installation complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to temperature dependence of ultrasonic wave propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements temperature sensing and compensation feedback mechanisms where temperature data collected by sensors is fed into the flow calculation algorithm. The system automatically adjusts the flow velocity calculations based on measured temperature variations, compensating for the temperature-dependent changes in ultrasonic wave propagation speed and maintaining measurement precision across varying thermal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent accounts for and compensates for changes in ultrasonic wave propagation parameters caused by temperature variations. By measuring temperature and applying correction factors to the speed of sound parameter in the flow calculation, the system maintains measurement accuracy despite the inherent temperature dependence of acoustic wave propagation in water
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 solution provides a non-intrusive, accurate, and reliable method for measuring water flow, reducing installation costs and complexity, while offering real-time data for improved water management and conservation.
Implementation Method 1
The meter includes a processing system configured to calculate a flow rate for the medium flowing through the pipe based on time of flight measurements made between the first and second ultrasonic transducers
Implementation Method 2
a third ultrasonic transducer that is configured to transmit or sense ultrasonic acoustic waves propagating primarily at a right angle relative to the direction of flow of the medium through the pipe... the flow rate calculation has reduced or eliminated dependence on temperature of the medium
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include a novel, easy to install, non-intrusive, ultrasonic water flow meter with a self-calibrating three-piezoelectric transducer configuration attached externally to a water pipe, that allows for accurate measurement of water flow, and can provide the flow data to a remote system for billing and further analysis. The water flow data can further be analyzed for water consumption by individual fixtures, in support of conservation and usage management efforts.