Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Using Perpendicular Transducer Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flow measurement methods and apparatuses lack sufficient accuracy for determining flow velocity across different points of a pipe cross-section, leading to distorted flow profiles and pollution due to non-perpendicular transducer orientations and hollow formations.
Innovation Solution
The use of at least two reversible electroacoustic transducers with directional diagrams of 60° or more, positioned perpendicularly to the pipeline axis, and spaced no more than 2.5 times the pipeline diameter, along with a block for forming and analyzing electrical pulses, including a controller, transceivers, ADCs, and a pulse generator, to measure flow velocities by analyzing time differences in ultrasonic oscillation passage downstream and upstream, and ensuring external transducer surfaces align with the pipeline inner surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ultrasonic transducers are positioned at angles to the pipeline axis, then measurement can be performed, but flow profile distortions and pollution occur due to hollow formations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning transducer axes at angles to the pipeline axis, the invention inverts the approach by positioning them perpendicular to the axis with radiating surfaces combined with the inner pipeline surface, eliminating hollow formations while maintaining measurement capability through perpendicular orientation and signal processing
2Device complexity
If measurement is performed using only direct ultrasonic passage between transducers, then the apparatus is simpler, but measurement accuracy is insufficient as flow velocity in different points of pipe cross section cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from one-dimensional direct transmission measurement to multi-dimensional measurement by utilizing ultrasonic signals that pass through single and multiple reflections from the pipeline inner surface, enabling determination of flow velocity distribution across the pipe cross-section while maintaining a relatively simple transducer configuration
3Measurement precision
If multiple reflection paths are used for ultrasonic oscillations, then flow velocity in different points of pipe cross section can be determined, but the analysis becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the pipeline inner surface as an intermediary reflector to create multiple measurement paths. The controlled reflections from the pipeline wall serve as mediators that enable cross-sectional flow velocity determination without requiring complex multi-transducer arrangements, as the pipeline surface itself provides the additional measurement dimensions
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 significantly enhances measurement accuracy by enabling flow velocity measurement across the pipe cross-section, reducing profile distortions and pollution, and providing precise flow calculations with minimal error.
Implementation Method 1
at least two reversible electroacoustic transducers... receiving oscillations passed through the medium with conversion into electrical signals
Implementation Method 2
radiating ultrasonic oscillations downstream or upstream relative to the flow of the medium to be measured, receiving oscillations passed through the medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to measuring technique.For increasing an accuracy of measurement of the flow of liquid and/or gaseous medium a method for ultrasonic measurement of the flow of liquid and/or gaseous media comprises radiating ultrasonic oscillations downstream or upstream relative to the flow of the medium to be measured, receiving oscillations passed through the medium with conversion into electrical signals, and radiating ultrasonic oscillations upstream or downstream of the medium to be measured, receiving oscillations passed through the medium with subsequent conversion into electrical signals, analyzing said electrical signals to determine difference in time for passage of ultrasonic oscillations downstream and upstream for calculation of the flow of the medium, wherein at least two reversible electroacoustic transducers are used, each of them having a directional diagram with a beam angle of not less than 60° in different cross section planes and being positioned on a measuring section of a pipeline in such a manner that the axis of the directional diagram is mainly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline.