Ultrasonic Waveguide for High-Temperature Material Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring temperature-dependent material properties at high temperatures are inefficient and costly, requiring sophisticated equipment and time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A method using guided ultrasonic wave modes generated by an ultrasonic transducer, which travel through a waveguide with unique embodiments such as bends and notches, to detect and analyze ultrasonic amplitudes and time of flights, allowing for the calculation of mechanical properties like elastic moduli, density, and fluid viscosity and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sophisticated equipment and time-consuming processes are used for measuring temperature-dependent material properties at high temperatures, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with ultrasonic wave-based measurement. Ultrasonic transducers generate acoustic waves that propagate through the waveguide material, and changes in wave velocity, attenuation, and time of flight directly indicate material property changes at high temperatures. This substitution eliminates the need for sophisticated mechanical equipment while maintaining measurement precision and significantly reducing measurement time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in ultrasonic wave parameters (velocity, attenuation, time of flight) as the wave propagates through the waveguide at different temperatures. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system can determine material properties such as elastic moduli, density, and viscosity at high temperatures. This approach enables rapid, continuous measurement without complex equipment, resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
2Measurement precision
If sophisticated equipment is used for measuring temperature-dependent material properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sophisticated mechanical measurement equipment with a relatively simple ultrasonic measurement system consisting of transducers, waveguides with geometric features, and signal processing electronics. The ultrasonic system measures material properties through wave propagation characteristics, eliminating the need for complex mechanical apparatus while maintaining or improving measurement precision through non-contact, high-frequency measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a waveguide with specific geometric features (bends, notches, reflections) as an intermediary between the ultrasonic transducer and the material being measured. This waveguide intermediary enables the ultrasonic waves to interact with the material in a controlled manner, providing enhanced measurement sensitivity and precision while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple and manageable.
3Productivity
If rapid measurement of material properties is achieved using ultrasonic wave modes, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasonic measurement into multiple distinct wave modes (longitudinal, transverse, surface waves) that propagate through the waveguide. Each wave mode provides different sensitivity to specific material properties. By analyzing multiple wave modes and their respective characteristics (velocity, attenuation, time of flight), the system achieves both rapid measurement and high precision through multi-parameter analysis rather than relying on a single measurement channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide with engineered geometric features (bends, notches, reflection points) acts as an intermediary that enhances the interaction between ultrasonic waves and the material. These features create multiple reflection paths and mode conversions that amplify subtle changes in material properties, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while enabling rapid, continuous monitoring through the speed of ultrasonic measurement.
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
Enables accurate, rapid, and cost-effective measurement of material properties over a wide temperature range, suitable for industrial applications in high-temperature processes.
Implementation Method 1
generating a plurality of guided ultrasonic wave modes using an ultrasonic transducer at one end of the waveguide, which plurality of wave modes travel in different paths along the length of the waveguide to interact with a corresponding end of the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
the wave modes get reflected as a plurality of reflected signals from the corresponding end/regions of the waveguide
Implementation Method 3
detecting a plurality of ultrasonic amplitudes and time of flights from the plurality of reflected signals; and analyzing and calculating a plurality of properties of the waveguide material and the surrounding fluid using the detected plurality of ultrasonic amplitudes and time of flights
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a system is provided for measuring mechanical properties of a solid material using standard ultrasonic wave modes propagated in the solid material, which forms a waveguide, where the waveguide is encased a fluid media. The method and system can be at high temperatures. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer placed at one end of the waveguide that generates multiple wave modes, which travel in different paths along a length of the waveguide and are reflected. The system includes a set of corresponding sensors for detecting the amplitude and time of flights, and includes a processor means to analyze the detected signals.