Ultrasonic Flow Meter Pipe Wall Thickness Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic wall thickness measurement devices face challenges in accurately monitoring pipe wall thickness degradation over time due to difficulties in maintaining consistent measurement positions and are costly, especially when used in applications with abrasive fluid flows, and they are not compatible with existing ultrasonic flow meters.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using ultrasonic sensors that emit and receive signals at frequencies below 1 MHz, correlating model signals with varying time delays to determine pipe wall thickness, leveraging existing sensors in flow meters to provide accurate and cost-effective measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If hand held ultrasonic sensors are used to measure pipe wall thickness, then wall thickness can be measured, but it is difficult to maintain consistent measurement positions over time and the devices are costly
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic flow meter sensors perform self-service by simultaneously measuring both fluid flow characteristics and pipe wall thickness using their existing ultrasonic transducers, eliminating the need for separate dedicated thickness measurement devices and ensuring consistent measurement positions since the sensors remain fixed on the pipe
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic flow meter is extended to perform multiple functions: it continues to measure fluid flow characteristics while also measuring pipe wall thickness using the same ultrasonic sensors, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate measurement equipment
2Ease of manufacture
If existing ultrasonic flow meter sensors are used for wall thickness measurement, then cost is reduced and position consistency is improved, but the sensors operate at frequencies below 1 MHz which are traditionally below the range for wall thickness measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the frequency parameter by utilizing ultrasonic sensors operating below 1 MHz (traditionally used for flow measurement) for wall thickness measurement, demonstrating that lower frequencies can effectively measure thickness in pipes with abrasive fluid flows while maintaining the same sensors for both flow and thickness measurements
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
Enables accurate and cost-effective non-invasive measurement of pipe wall thickness using existing ultrasonic flow meter hardware, providing a more representative average thickness and reducing errors from imperfections, while allowing for simultaneous fluid flow characterization.
Implementation Method 1
emitting ultrasonic signals into the pipe wall and receiving reflected ultrasonic signals
Implementation Method 2
determining the thickness of the pipe wall using the time delay
Data Source
AI summary
A method for measuring the thickness of a pipe wall is provided. The method includes the steps of: 1) emitting ultrasonic signals into the pipe wall at one or more frequencies below 1 MHz and receiving reflected ultrasonic signals, and providing a sensor signal representative of the received reflected signals, including a first received reflected signal and a second received reflected signal; 2) providing a first model signal representative of the first received reflected signal and a second model signal representative of the second received reflected signal; 3) correlating the received reflected signals to the model signals, including varying a time delay between the model signals, until the model signals separated by the time delay substantially agree with the received reflected signals; and 4) determining the thickness of the pipe wall using the time delay.