Ultrasonic Gas Flow Meter In-Situ Electronics Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic gas flow meters face significant measurement uncertainty and costly, time-consuming recalibration processes during maintenance or component exchange, requiring extensive parameter recalibration and functional examination, which can be inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a test procedure that uses predefined propagation times to verify the operation of ultrasonic gas flow meter electronics, allowing in-situ testing without removing the device, using test signals to compare calculated gas flow velocities with assumed values, and storing expected test values in memory for future use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are exchanged during maintenance, then device reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to parameter recalibration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing functional and regulatory examination immediately after component exchange before the device returns to service. The test procedure automatically verifies measurement precision by comparing calculated gas flow velocities with actual values, ensuring accuracy is restored without requiring lengthy manual recalibration processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through automatic comparison of measured gas flow velocities with actual values during the test procedure. The system provides real-time feedback on measurement precision, allowing immediate detection and correction of any deviations caused by component exchange, thereby maintaining high measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If functional examination is performed after component exchange, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to costly and time-consuming recalibration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automated test procedure that the ultrasonic gas flow meter performs itself without requiring external calibration equipment or manual intervention. The system automatically compares measured versus actual gas flow velocities, eliminating the need for time-consuming external calibration processes while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the functional and regulatory examination as a preliminary action immediately after component exchange, before the device resumes normal operation. This timely verification ensures measurement precision is maintained while minimizing the overall maintenance time by avoiding lengthy post-service recalibration procedures.
3Measurement precision
If parameters are recalibrated during maintenance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to substantial number of parameters to be corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the system automatically perform parameter verification through the test procedure, eliminating the need for manual intervention in adjusting multiple parameters. The automated comparison of measured versus actual gas flow velocities allows the system to self-diagnose and self-correct, reducing the complexity of maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex parameter recalibration process from manual operations by implementing an automated test procedure that handles parameter verification automatically. The system separates the complex internal parameter adjustments from user operations, allowing technicians to simply initiate the test without needing to manually adjust multiple parameters, thereby reducing operational complexity.
4Measurement precision
If ultrasonic gas flow meter is removed for recalibration, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to removal and reinstallation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the ultrasonic gas flow meter to perform its own functional examination and parameter verification in-situ without requiring removal from the installation location. The automated test procedure allows the system to self-calibrate and verify measurement precision while remaining installed, eliminating the time-consuming process of removal and reinstallation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs the functional examination as a preliminary action before the device returns to service after maintenance, while the device remains installed in its original location. This preliminary in-situ testing verifies measurement precision without requiring physical removal and reinstallation, thereby minimizing downtime and loss of time.
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 reduces downtime and maintenance costs, increases system efficiency, and ensures accurate measurement by allowing on-site testing of electronics, eliminating user error and the need for remote recalibration, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing the time and expense associated with maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposite sides of said piping and separated by a path inclined to a flow direction of said piping, wherein each ultrasonic transducer is connected to an electronic circuit to selectively act as an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver
Implementation Method 2
adapted to detect a flow velocity of said gas flowing through said piping on the basis of differences between propagation times of ultrasonic signals transmitted and received between each pair of transducers and propagating in opposite directions along said path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of operating an ultrasonic gas flow meter, said ultrasonic gas flow meter including at least one signal evaluation unit, at least one memory, a piping through which gas can flow, at least one pair of ultrasonic transducers disposed on opposite sides of said piping and separated by a path inclined to a flow direction of said piping, wherein each ultrasonic transducer is connected to an electronic circuit to selectively act as an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver, wherein said ultrasonic gas flow meter is adapted to detect a flow velocity of said gas flowing through said piping on the basis of differences between propagation times of ultrasonic signals transmitted and received between each pair of transducers and propagating in opposite directions along said path, wherein said method includes a test procedure for verifying the operation of electronics associated with said ultrasonic gas flow meter wherein, when said test procedure is activated, test signals are triggered which replace said propagation times measured with predefined propagation times associated with an assumed gas flow velocity and the output of the evaluation unit is detected to see how the calculated gas flow velocity compares to the assumed gas flow velocity. The invention also relates to a corresponding ultrasonic gas flow meter.