Ultrasonic Flow Measurement Using Breakaway Vortex Noise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ultrasonic flow measurement technologies face challenges in accurately measuring high flow rates due to noise and signal distortion caused by breakaway vortices, limiting the maximum measurable speed and requiring complex and costly corrections.

Innovation Solution

The use of a noise-measuring ultrasonic transducer that detects and utilizes the noise generated by breakaway vortices to determine flow rates, expanding the measurement range to high flow rates by combining time of flight and noise measurement methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ultrasonic transducers are used for flow measurement in high speed gas flow, then flow rates can be measured, but noise and signal distortion occur due to breakaway vortices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate measurement capabilityVSAvoidsignal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful breakaway vortices into a useful measurement mechanism. Instead of trying to eliminate the vortices that cause noise, the invention uses the noise generated by these vortices as a measurement signal. The ultrasonic transducer detects the frequency of the breakaway vortices, and through the Strouhal number relationship, this frequency is used to determine the flow rate. This transforms the previously harmful noise into a beneficial measurement parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If complex correction measures are implemented to compensate for flow effects, then measurement accuracy may be improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate accuracyVSAvoidcorrection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of implementing complex correction systems to compensate for flow effects, the patent uses the flow-induced noise directly as the measurement signal. The evaluation unit processes the noise frequency from the breakaway vortices and calculates flow rate using the Strouhal number relationship, eliminating the need for complex correction algorithms and reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical correction systems and multiple sensor arrangements with a simplified ultrasonic noise detection system. By substituting the traditional time-of-flight measurement approach with noise frequency analysis, the system achieves accurate flow measurement with fewer components and simpler evaluation logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 allows for accurate flow rate determination across a wide range, including previously unmeasurable high flow rates, while maintaining the advantages of ultrasonic measurements such as independence from pressure, temperature, and gas composition, and reducing maintenance needs.

Implementation Method 1

the ultrasound transmitted and received on a measurement path from the first ultrasonic transducer to the second ultrasonic transducer has a time of flight difference dependent on the flow rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 2

at least one first ultrasonic transducer and one second ultrasonic transducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

noise and signal distortion caused by breakaway vortices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBreakaway vortex: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 4

a noise-measuring ultrasonic transducer that detects and utilizes the noise generated by breakaway vortices

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNoise measurement: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10571320B2Flow measurement using ultrasound to detect a time of flight difference using noise measurements

Publication Date: 2020.02.25 ENDRESSHAUSER SICK GMBHCO KG

AI summary

A measurement apparatus (10) and to a method provide for the determination of a flow rate (v) and/or of a throughflow (Q) of a fluid (14) flowing in a conduit (12). At least one first ultrasonic transducer (18) and one second ultrasonic transducer (20) permit a flow rate determination via the time of flight of an ultrasound signal. To further improve the determination of a flow rate of a fluid using ultrasonic transducers, in particular at very high flow rates, and to enable the measurement of very high flow rates, a noise-measuring ultrasonic transducer (18, 20; 24) is provided that measures the noise generated in on the flowing past of the fluid (14) in the ultrasonic transducer, and a control and evaluation device (32) is configured to determine the flow rate (v) using the noise measurements.