Ultrasonic Flow Sensor Waveform Tracking for Accurate Transit Time
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flow sensors face challenges in accurately identifying peaks or zero-crossings in time-series waveforms due to external factors, leading to measurement errors and limitations in fluid type compatibility.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with a flow tube and piezoelectric sensors/transducers, using a processor to provide excitation pulse patterns with varied pulse widths and voltage levels, and employing pattern matching algorithms or machine learning models to identify attributes like peaks or zero-crossings in time-series waveforms for precise transit time calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If periodic pulse patterns are used to excite piezoelectric sensors, then the ultrasonic signals can be transmitted and received, but the output waveform becomes difficult to analyze and peak identification becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse patterns to excite the piezoelectric sensors, which generates repeating ultrasonic signals that can be analyzed through multiple cycles. This periodic excitation allows for more reliable peak identification by examining consistent patterns across multiple waveform cycles rather than relying on a single ambiguous peak.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the received waveforms are analyzed and used to adjust or confirm peak identification. By examining the waveform characteristics and using feedback from the signal processing, the system can more accurately determine transit time even when individual peaks are difficult to identify, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and analysis difficulty.
2Reliability
If simple peak identification methods are used, then the processing is fast and simple, but measurement errors increase due to incorrect peak selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary processing to the waveforms before peak identification, such as filtering and normalization, to enhance the clarity of the signal. This preliminary action prepares the waveform data in advance, making peak identification more reliable without requiring overly complex real-time processing during measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its signal processing approach based on the characteristics of the received waveform. When peaks are clearly defined, simpler methods are used; when peaks are ambiguous, more sophisticated analysis techniques are applied. This dynamic adaptation maintains reliability while avoiding unnecessary complexity in straightforward cases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional ultrasonic flow sensors are used, then they can measure fluid flow, but they are limited in the types of fluids they can measure due to waveform analysis issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the versatility of the ultrasonic flow sensor by implementing waveform analysis methods that can handle various fluid types with different acoustic properties. The system is designed to adapt to different fluid characteristics while maintaining accurate transit time measurement, making the sensor applicable to a broader range of fluids including those with varying viscosity, density, and acoustic impedance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes processing parameters based on the detected fluid type and waveform characteristics. By adjusting analysis thresholds, filtering parameters, and peak detection criteria according to the specific fluid being measured, the system maintains high measurement precision across different fluid types, thereby improving both versatility and accuracy simultaneously.
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
Enhances the accuracy of transit time determination, reducing measurement errors and expanding the range of fluids that can be measured by ultrasonic flow sensors.
Implementation Method 1
a first piezoelectric sensor or transducer arranged at an upstream position of the flow tube, and a second piezoelectric sensor or transducer arranged at a downstream position of the flow tube
Implementation Method 2
the transit time may be inversely proportional to a speed-of-sound of the ultrasonic signal in a fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for speed-of-sound tracking in ultrasonic flow sensors. An example system includes an ultrasonic flow sensor and/or at least one processor. The ultrasonic flow sensor may include a flow tube, a first piezoelectric sensor/transducer, and/or a second piezoelectric sensor/transducer. The at least one processor may be configured to: provide an excitation pulse pattern including excitation pulses to the ultrasonic flow sensor to cause the ultrasonic flow sensor to transmit and receive at least one ultrasonic signal between the first and second piezoelectric sensors/transducers, the excitation pulses including different pulse widths and/or different voltage levels; receive, from the ultrasonic flow sensor, a time-series waveform that includes amplitudes of the at least one ultrasonic signal sampled at a plurality of time points; identify an attribute of the time-series waveform; and determine, based on the attribute, a transit time of the at least one ultrasonic signal.