Ultrasonic Flow Meter Signal Separation for Interference Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic flowmeters face challenges in accurately distinguishing measurement signals from interference signals due to signal superposition and time delays, leading to reduced measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines the amplitude ratio between the desired signal and interference signal, using a control and evaluation unit to monitor and correct measurement deviations by averaging and applying correction factors, ensuring precise separation of signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the measurement signal is transmitted through the medium to the second transducer, then the flow rate can be measured, but interference signals from the measuring tube wall superimpose with the useful signal, reducing measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal into distinct time intervals: a first time interval for the interference signal and a second time interval for the useful signal. By separating these temporal segments, the system can process each signal component independently, eliminating the superposition problem and improving measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by processing the interference signal during the first time interval before the useful signal arrives during the second time interval. This allows the system to characterize and compensate for interference effects in advance, improving the accuracy of the subsequent useful signal measurement.
2Device complexity
If the interference signal is not separated from the useful signal, then the measurement system remains simple, but the superposition of signals causes measurement deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the signal reception process into two distinct time intervals using temporal segmentation. The first time interval captures only interference signals, while the second time interval captures only the useful signal. This segmentation enables simple separate processing of each signal type without requiring complex separation algorithms, thus maintaining system simplicity while improving measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If multiple signals arrive simultaneously at the second transducer, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the interference signal arrives before and after the useful signal causing superposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temporal arrival of signals into distinct intervals: the interference signal arrives during a first time interval, while the useful signal arrives during a second time interval. This temporal segmentation allows the system to measure propagation time accurately by analyzing only the useful signal in its dedicated time window, eliminating contamination from interference signals that arrive at different times.
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
Improves measurement accuracy by reducing measurement deviation caused by interference, allowing for real-time assessment and correction of measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
a measurement signal emitted by a first ultrasonic transducer is not only transmitted to the second transducer via the medium
Implementation Method 2
some of the interference arrives at the second transducer before the desired signal because the speed of sound is higher in the measuring tube than in the medium
Implementation Method 3
at least a portion of the signal also travels through the measuring tube to the second transducer, where it is detected as interference. Because this interference is reflected multiple times within the measuring tube wall
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A method (9) for operating an ultrasonic flowmeter (1) is described and illustrated, wherein the ultrasonic flowmeter (1) comprises at least one first ultrasonic transducer (2), at least one second ultrasonic transducer (3), at least one measuring tube (4) with a measuring tube wall (5), and at least one control and evaluation unit (6), wherein the first ultrasonic transducer (2) is configured at least for emitting a measurement signal, and wherein the second ultrasonic transducer (3) is configured at least for receiving the measurement signal, wherein the first ultrasonic transducer (2) and the second ultrasonic transducer (3) are arranged on the measuring tube (4), and wherein the measuring tube (4) is flowed through by a medium to be measured during operation, characterized in that the method (9) comprises the following steps during a measurement: - Emitting (10) a measurement signal through the first ultrasonic transducer (2),wherein a first part of the measurement signal propagates as interference signal (8) along and/or within the measuring tube wall (5) and wherein a second part of the measurement signal propagates as useful signal (7) through the medium, - reception (11) of the interference signal (8) and the useful signal (7) by the second ultrasonic transducer (3) and forwarding of the interference signal (8) and the useful signal (7) to the control and evaluation unit (6), - determination (12) of an interference amplitude of the interference signal (8) and determination (12) of a useful amplitude of the useful signal (7) by the control and evaluation unit (6), - determination (13) of the amplitude ratio of useful amplitude and interference amplitude, - provision (14) of a message if the amplitude ratio falls below a defined lower limit or exceeds a defined upper limit.