Ultrasonic Flowmeter Assembly With In-Wall Ducted Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound flowmeters with transducers oriented in a diagonal direction relative to the pipe face challenges in assembly reliability and electrical connection robustness, leading to increased size and production complexity.
Innovation Solution
A flowmeter design with ultrasound transducers mounted through the pipe wall, connected via ducts in the pipe wall to an electronic circuit card, sealed with a thermoset resin packing material that fills internal volumes and ducts, ensuring robust electrical connections and simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If transducers are oriented in a diagonal direction relative to the pipe, then the measurement function is achieved, but the overall size of the flowmeter increases and assembly reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transducer mounting function with the pipe structure itself by forming ducts directly within the pipe wall. The transducers are mounted in housings that are integrated with the pipe body, eliminating the need for separate mounting structures and reducing overall device size while improving assembly reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the transducers and their electrical connections inside the pipe wall structure. The ducts are formed within the pipe wall thickness, and the transducers are positioned within these ducts, effectively nesting multiple functional elements within the pipe's existing volume.
2Reliability
If transducers are oriented in a diagonal direction relative to the pipe, then the measurement function is achieved, but the robustness of electrical connections decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a packing material as an intermediary substance that fills the ducts and provides both mechanical support and electrical insulation. This packing material secures the electrical connections and protects them from environmental factors, thereby robustifying the electrical connections while simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction by combining the pipe wall material with integrated ducts and filling them with packing material. This composite approach creates a unified structure that protects electrical connections and simplifies assembly, resolving the contradiction between connection robustness and assembly complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If transducers are mounted through the pipe wall, then the measurement function is achieved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming the ducts within the pipe wall during the pipe manufacturing process itself, rather than adding them separately later. This integration of duct formation into the base manufacturing process eliminates additional assembly steps and reduces production costs while maintaining assembly reliability.
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
Facilitates assembly, enhances reliability, and reduces production costs while maintaining robust electrical connections, suitable for industrial-scale use in measuring fluid flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
a packing material chosen in a group formed of thermoset resins, said packing material filling at least in part said internal volume to receive said first ultrasound transducer, said internal volume to receive said second ultrasound transducer, said first duct and said second duct
Implementation Method 2
at least one first ultrasound transducer and at least one second ultrasound transducer, said ultrasound transducers being mounted facing one another relative to a wall of said pipe
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a flowmeter including:pipe (2) for measuring the flowrate of a fluid, said pipe extending along a longitudinal axis (10, 110),a first ultrasound transducer (36, 37) and a second ultrasound transducer (46, 47) are mounted facing one another relative to a wall of said pipe,a first housing (30) and a second housing (40) each delimiting an internal volume to receive said first and second ultrasound transducers, respectively,at least one electronic circuit card (65),a main receptacle (6) to receive said electronic circuit card,a first duct (50) and a second duct connecting the internal volume to receive said electronic circuit card to the internal volumes to receive said first transducer and said second transducer, each duct being formed within the wall of said pipe.The invention also concerns a method of assembling a flowmeter of the above kind.