Ultrasonic Sensor Power Management for Fluid Sloshing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic transducers face measurement errors due to phase errors, amplitude differences, and lobe shifts when measuring fluid characteristics like diesel exhaust fluid quality or oil viscosity, caused by factors such as sloshing and thermoclines, which affect accuracy and repeatability.
Innovation Solution
A fluid sensing system with a transducer, controller, and driver that adjusts sound wave energy to maintain constant echo amplitude, measures timing differences between adjacent reflections, and compares signal characteristics to drive the transducer, thereby reducing measurement errors and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the transducer generates ultrasonic signals to measure fluid characteristics, then measurement capability is provided, but phase errors and lobe shift errors are introduced due to fluid sloshing and thermoclines
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the amplitude of received echo signals and uses this information to adjust the drive signal amplitude in a closed-loop feedback manner. The controller continuously monitors echo amplitude and modifies the transducer drive signal to maintain constant amplitude, thereby compensating for phase errors and lobe shift errors caused by fluid conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the amplitude parameter of the ultrasonic drive signal based on measured echo amplitude. By adjusting the drive signal amplitude in response to varying fluid conditions (sloshing, thermoclines), the system maintains optimal measurement conditions and reduces errors.
2Reliability
If the sound wave energy is increased to improve signal detection, then echo amplitude increases, but measurement errors increase due to fluid dynamics effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control where the amplitude of received echoes is measured and used to adjust the drive signal amplitude. This prevents both under-detection (weak signals) and over-detection (excessive errors from high energy), maintaining optimal signal strength for accurate time measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive signal amplitude is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system continuously adapts the sound wave energy level based on real-time echo amplitude measurements, allowing optimal performance across varying fluid conditions without introducing excessive measurement errors.
3Reliability
If multiple sound waves are generated to improve measurement reliability, then more data points are obtained, but amplitude variations between echoes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the amplitude of each received echo and uses this information to adjust subsequent drive signal amplitudes. This feedback mechanism ensures that amplitude variations between multiple echoes are minimized, maintaining consistency across multiple measurements while preserving reliability benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic ultrasonic pulses with amplitude modulation based on previous echo measurements. By adjusting the amplitude of each periodic pulse according to feedback from previous echoes, the system maintains consistent echo amplitudes across multiple measurements.
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
The system enhances the accuracy and repeatability of fluid measurements by controlling sound wave energy and compensating for phase errors and lobe shifts, ensuring consistent echo amplitude and reducing time measurement errors.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic signal is generated by the transducer and the time it takes for the signal to travel from the transducer at the top or bottom of a tank to the surface of the fluid, reflect off the surface of the fluid, and return to the transducer is measured
Implementation Method 2
the time it takes for the signal to travel from the transducer at the top or bottom of a tank to the surface of the fluid, reflect off the surface of the fluid, and return to the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for controlling the energy of sound waves generated for fluid sensing. The system includes a transducer configured to generate a first sound wave and a second sound wave and to detect a first echo of the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a driver configured to drive the transducer to produce the first and second sound waves. The system also includes a controller configured to compare a signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves. The controller is configured to control the driver based on comparing the signal characteristic of the first echo of the first and second sound waves.