Self-Calibrating Ultrasound Density Measurement via Solid-Liquid Interface Reflections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining fluid properties at a solid-liquid interface often require the passage of ultrasound through the liquid, which can be inaccurate due to issues like bubble impact and attenuative fluids, and necessitate large sample volumes.
Innovation Solution
A system using a shear wave transducer at a 45° angle to the solid-liquid interface, coupled with a processing apparatus to analyze echo patterns and calculate reflection coefficients, allowing for the determination of fluid density and sound velocity without direct ultrasound passage through the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasound is passed through the liquid to determine fluid properties, then measurement can be performed, but accuracy deteriorates due to bubble impact and attenuative fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solid member as an intermediary medium between the transducer and the liquid. Ultrasound travels through the solid member to reach the solid-liquid interface, where reflections occur. The reflected waves then travel back through the solid member to the transducer. This intermediary solid medium isolates the measurement process from harmful factors in the liquid (bubbles, attenuation), while still enabling accurate fluid property determination through reflection coefficient analysis.
2Measurement precision
If traditional ultrasound methods are used to determine fluid properties, then measurements can be obtained, but sample volume requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from bulk liquid transmission and concentrates it at the solid-liquid interface. By measuring reflection coefficients at the interface rather than requiring ultrasound to traverse large volumes of liquid, the method obtains accurate fluid property data (density, sound velocity) from a minimal sample volume, effectively extracting the measurement capability from the bulk medium requirement.
3Measurement precision
If multiple echo reflections are utilized for self-calibration, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by using the solid member itself as the calibration reference. The known acoustic properties of the solid member enable automatic calibration of the measurement system through analysis of multiple echo reflections. The system calibrates itself without requiring external reference standards or additional calibration equipment, as the solid member's properties serve as the inherent reference for determining reflection coefficients and subsequent fluid properties.
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 method provides increased accuracy and avoids the limitations of traditional techniques by utilizing multiple echo reflections and self-calibration, enabling precise measurement of fluid properties with reduced sample volume and minimal interference from attenuative materials.
Implementation Method 1
emitting an ultrasonic pulse to a solid-liquid interface and detecting a multiplicity of pulse echoes caused by reflections of the ultrasonic pulse between the solid-liquid interface and the transducer-solid interface
Implementation Method 2
transmitting a shear wave to the interface at a 45° angle of incidence
Implementation Method 3
transmitting a shear wave to the interface at a 45° angle of incidence, and determining the fluid specific reflection coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a velocity and density of a fluid without requiring the transmission of ultrasound through the fluid, and a system for performing such a method. The method involves the steps of delivering, receiving and analyzing ultrasound pulses sent from a longitudinal and a shear wave transducers to a member that is in contact with a fluid. The ultrasound pulses reflecting between surfaces provide a first ultrasound pulse echo series, that is transmitted, received and processed. The shear wave ultrasound pulses are also delivered through a shear wave transducer at a predesignated angle relative to the interface of the member and the fluid and the results of this are received to obtain a second ultrasound pulse echo series. Reflection coefficients for the first and second ultrasound pulse echo series are then calculated and the density of the fluid and the velocity of sound in the fluids are extracted.