Snap-on flow measurement system
First Claim
1. An assembly for launching or receiving ultrasonic signals in a flow measurement system that detects characteristics of fluid flowing in a conduit, such assembly comprisinga transducer means for transducing electrical and mechanical energy,a transducer block having a body and means in said body for mounting the transducer means in a first defined position so as to determine a precise signal launching direction for mechanical energy coupled to or from the transducer means,said body further including a channel extending therethrough and means located therein for automatically releasably engaging and resiliently biasing a conduit in a second defined position when the conduit is inserted in the channel, said first and second defined positions determining a precisely defined signal path for entry of signal energy into said conduit and calculation of propagation time of energy therein.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A snap-on flow measurement system includes a block which attaches to a conduit and positions at least one transducer for launching and receiving acoustic signals along a precisely defined path through a flowing fluid. In one embodiment adapted to small tubes, two transducers are coupled to the tube and launch acoustic interrogation signals along an axial path within the tube. In another embodiment adapted to larger conduits, the transducers launch oblique signals which follow a zig-zag path through the fluid, reflecting off an inner wall of the conduit. In both embodiments, a channel defines a fixed position to hold the conduit aligned with the transducers.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. An assembly for launching or receiving ultrasonic signals in a flow measurement system that detects characteristics of fluid flowing in a conduit, such assembly comprising
a transducer means for transducing electrical and mechanical energy, a transducer block having a body and means in said body for mounting the transducer means in a first defined position so as to determine a precise signal launching direction for mechanical energy coupled to or from the transducer means, said body further including a channel extending therethrough and means located therein for automatically releasably engaging and resiliently biasing a conduit in a second defined position when the conduit is inserted in the channel, said first and second defined positions determining a precisely defined signal path for entry of signal energy into said conduit and calculation of propagation time of energy therein.
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4. An assembly for launching or receiving ultrasonic signals in a flow measurement system that detects characteristics of fluid flowing in a conduit, such assembly comprising
transducer means for transducing electrical and mechanical energy, a transducer block having a body and means in said body for mounting the transducer in a first defined position so as to determine a precise signal launching direction for mechanical energy coupled to or from the transducer, said body further including means located therein for releasably engaging and securing a conduit in a second defined position wherein said means for releasably engaging includes a precision channel formed in said body having a positioning surface defining the conduit'"'"'s positon, and means in said body elastically biasing the conduit in position said first and second defined positions determining a precisely defined signal path for entry of signal energy into said conduit and calculation of propagation time of energy therein.
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14. An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising
a body, an elongated channel formed in said body, said channel having an axis and being defined by side walls spaced from said axis and including means for resiliently and releasably receiving a conduit and holding the conduit aligned along the axis, and a pair of transducer elements for launching and receiving counterpropagating signals through a fluid flowing in the conduit when the conduit is held in said channel, and mounting means for positioning each of said pair of transducers symmetrically such that the conduit is resiliently biased against each transducer and the signals reflect off an inner wall of the conduit along a precisely defined signal path therebetween.
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25. An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising
a body, an elongated channel formed in said body, said channel having an axis and side walls adapted for receiving a conduit and holding the conduit aligned along the axis, means included in said body for automatically securing the conduit in alignment when it is inserted in said channel and for elastically biasing the conduit against a transducer, and mounting means for mounting the transducer in said body and positioned to determine a precision propagation path with respect to fluid in said conduit such that ultrasonic signals launched by and received by said transducer couple along a defined path whereby analysis of the signals enables direct calculation of a characteristic of fluid in said conduit.
Specification