Ultrasonic Flowmeter Partition Layout for Low Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic flowmeters with partition plates cause significant pressure drops and condensation issues, affecting measurement accuracy, especially with fluids containing moisture.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic flowmeter design includes a partition plate with a downstream end parallel to the downstream ultrasonic wave propagation path, located downstream of the centerline by at least half the width of the transducers, reducing pressure drop and condensation likelihood.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple partition plates are arranged to divide the rectangular cross section into multiple layers, then the flow rate measurement capability is improved, but the pressure drop increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flow channel cross section is divided into multiple layers using partition plates, which enables the ultrasonic wave to traverse different flow layers for improved flow rate measurement capability while maintaining manageable pressure characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The partition plates are designed with asymmetric configurations where they extend only partially across the flow channel and are positioned at specific locations, creating non-uniform flow division that reduces overall pressure drop compared to complete cross-section division
2Measurement precision
If partition plates are arranged to divide the flow channel, then the ultrasonic wave propagation paths are optimized for measurement, but condensation on the partition plates disturbs the flow and affects measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful condensation effect is isolated to specific partition plate surfaces that are strategically positioned, allowing the main ultrasonic measurement paths to remain free from condensation interference while still achieving flow division for measurement optimization
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the partition plates serve different functions: some regions are positioned to create beneficial flow patterns for measurement, while other regions are designed to minimize condensation accumulation or position it away from critical ultrasonic propagation paths
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 configuration minimizes pressure drop and condensation effects, enhancing measurement accuracy and reliability, particularly with moist fluids.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic wave transmitted forms a propagation path 105 between the ultrasonic transducers 102
Implementation Method 2
having the ultrasonic wave transmitted from one of the pair of ultrasonic transducers and received at the other of the pair of ultrasonic transducers
Data Source
AI summary
The problem to be overcome by the present disclosure is to provide an ultrasonic flowmeter configured to cause an insignificant pressure drop and to be applicable to even a fluid having moisture which would produce condensation. An ultrasonic flowmeter includes: a measuring flow channel (1) having a rectangular cross section and configured to allow a fluid under measurement to flow therethrough; a partition plate (2) arranged to divide the measuring flow channel (1) along shorter sides thereof into multiple sections; a pair of ultrasonic transducers (5, 6) arranged on one of the shorter sides of the measuring flow channel (1) to cause an ultrasonic wave to propagate across the measuring flow channel (1); a measuring circuit (11) configured to perform an operation of having the ultrasonic wave transmitted from one of the pair of ultrasonic transducers (5, 6) and received at the other of the pair of ultrasonic transducers (5, 6); and an arithmetic circuit (12) configured to perform arithmetic processing on signals received at the pair of ultrasonic transducers (5, 6). A downstream end (10) of the partition plate (2) is arranged to be substantially parallel to a downstream ultrasonic wave propagation path (8b) in a region downstream of the downstream ultrasonic wave propagation path (8b).