Ultrasonic Flow Control With Pressure-Based Fault Discrimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic flow meters lack the ability to adjust flow rates and distinguish between fluid pressure abnormalities and device malfunctions, leading to unclear diagnostics when the flow rate measured is zero.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate adjusting device incorporating an ultrasonic flow metering portion, a flow rate adjusting portion, a control portion, a pressure measuring portion, and a storage portion to associate flow rates, pressures, and set values, allowing for controlled flow rate adjustments and discrimination between pressure-related and device-related abnormalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an additional flow rate adjusting device is connected to the downstream side of the ultrasonic flow meter, then the flow rate adjustment function is added, but the ability to distinguish between pressure abnormalities and device malfunctions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor is introduced as an intermediary device to measure fluid pressure upstream of the measurement flow channel. This pressure information serves as a mediator that helps distinguish between pressure-related abnormalities and ultrasonic flow meter malfunctions, resolving the information loss caused by adding the flow rate adjustment function
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit receives pressure information from the pressure sensor and uses this feedback to determine the cause of abnormalities. When the flow rate is zero, the system checks pressure levels to differentiate between closed valve conditions (pressure abnormality) and ultrasonic flow meter failures (device malfunction), enabling informed diagnostic feedback
2Measurement precision
If the ultrasonic flow meter is used exclusively for measurement, then measurement precision is maintained, but the device cannot adjust flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the ultrasonic flow metering portion dedicated to precise measurement, and the flow rate adjusting portion with valve mechanisms dedicated to flow control. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together as an integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated flow rate adjusting device combines multiple functions into a single system: ultrasonic flow rate measurement, flow rate adjustment via valve control, and abnormality diagnosis through pressure monitoring. This multi-functionality allows the device to serve as both a measurement instrument and a flow control system
3Ease of operation
If flow rate is measured by ultrasonic waves, then non-contact measurement is achieved, but pressure abnormalities cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two different measurement approaches: non-contact ultrasonic flow rate measurement and contact-based pressure sensing. By combining these complementary measurement methods, the system retains the advantages of ultrasonic measurement while adding pressure detection capability to enable comprehensive flow and pressure monitoring
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 flow rate adjustment and identification of pressure-related abnormalities, ensuring proper operation and maintenance of the ultrasonic flow metering system.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic flow metering portion configured to measure a propagation time difference between ultrasonic waves transmitted by a pair of oscillators disposed at an upstream side and a downstream side of a straight tube-shaped measurement flow channel to obtain a flow rate of a fluid
Implementation Method 2
measure a propagation time difference between ultrasonic waves transmitted by a pair of oscillators disposed at an upstream side and a downstream side of a straight tube-shaped measurement flow channel to obtain a flow rate of a fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pressure measuring portion configured to measure a pressure of the fluid flowing into the upstream side of the measurement flow channel from the inflow port
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a flow rate adjusting device including: an ultrasonic flow metering portion; a flow rate adjusting portion; a control portion configured to control the flow rate adjusting portion so that the flow rate of the fluid measured by the ultrasonic flow metering portion matches a set value; a pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the fluid flowing into an upstream side of a measurement flow channel from an inflow port; and a storage portion configured to store information that associates the flow rate of the fluid obtained from the propagation time difference measured by the ultrasonic flow metering portion, the set value of the target flow rate, and the pressure measured by the pressure sensor with each other when the control portion controls the flow rate adjusting portion.