Ultrasonic flow meter and ultrasonic sensor
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic flow meter comprising:
- at least two ultrasonic sensors each for emitting and detecting ultrasonic waves;
wherein the ultrasonic sensors are disposed at a predetermined interval in a length direction of a flow path so as to measure a flow rate from a difference in propagation times of the ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic sensors;
wherein the ultrasonic sensors each comprise a semicircular disk shaped transducer having a notch which comes into tight contact with an envelope of the flow path so as to be detachably mounted on the envelope of the flow path;
wherein the ultrasonic waves which are emitted from the ultrasonic sensors are propagated in all directions as spherical waves, including directly along the flow path in upstream and downstream directions so as to be directly detected by each other; and
wherein a ratio (t/L) of a thickness t of the ultrasonic sensors in the length direction of the flow oath to a length L between the ultrasonic sensors does not exceed a reference value of a detection resolution of the ultrasonic sensors.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic flow meter for measuring a flow rate in a flow path is provided having ultrasonic sensors each of which includes a semicircular or substantially circular disk shaped transducer. Such transducers are detachably mountable on an envelope of the flow path. The thickness of the ultrasonic sensors in the direction of the length of the flow path is reduced to improve a detection resolution. A plurality of the ultrasonic sensors are mounted on the flow path while keeping a predetermined distance therebetween in a length direction of the flow path, so that the flow rate can be measured from the difference of propagation times of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic sensors.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic flow meter comprising:
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at least two ultrasonic sensors each for emitting and detecting ultrasonic waves; wherein the ultrasonic sensors are disposed at a predetermined interval in a length direction of a flow path so as to measure a flow rate from a difference in propagation times of the ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic sensors; wherein the ultrasonic sensors each comprise a semicircular disk shaped transducer having a notch which comes into tight contact with an envelope of the flow path so as to be detachably mounted on the envelope of the flow path; wherein the ultrasonic waves which are emitted from the ultrasonic sensors are propagated in all directions as spherical waves, including directly along the flow path in upstream and downstream directions so as to be directly detected by each other; and wherein a ratio (t/L) of a thickness t of the ultrasonic sensors in the length direction of the flow oath to a length L between the ultrasonic sensors does not exceed a reference value of a detection resolution of the ultrasonic sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5)
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3. The ultrasonic flow meter according to claim l, wherein the ultrasonic flow meter comprises at least three ultrasonic sensors which are disposed at predetermined intervals along the length direction of the flow path.
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6. An ultrasonic flow meter comprising:
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at least two ultrasonic sensors each for emitting and detecting ultrasonic waves; wherein the ultrasonic sensors are disposed at a predetermined interval in a length direction of a flow path so as to measure a flow rate from a difference in propagation times of the ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic sensors; wherein the ultrasonic sensors each comprise a substantially circular disk shaped transducer having a notch, and the ultrasonic sensors are detachably mounted on an envelope of the flow path; wherein the ultrasonic waves which are emitted from the ultrasonic sensors are propagated in all directions as spherical waves, including directly along the flow path in upstream and downstream directions so as to be directly detected by each other; and wherein a ratio (t/L) of a thickness t of the ultrasonic sensors in the length direction of the flow path to a length L between the ultrasonic sensors does not exceed a reference value of a detection resolution of the ultrasonic sensors. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An ultrasonic sensor for measuring a flow rate in a flow path, the ultrasonic sensor comprising a disk shaped transducer having a notch which comes into tight contact with an envelope of the flow path so as to be detachably mounted to the envelope of the flow path,
wherein a ratio (t/L) of a thickness t of the ultrasonic sensor in a length direction of the flow oath to a length L between the ultrasonic sensor and an additional ultrasonic sensor does not exceed a reference value of a detection resolution of the ultrasonic sensor.
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13. An ultrasonic sensor for measuring a flow rate in a flow path, the ultrasonic sensor comprising a substantially circular disk shaped transducer having a notch, wherein ultrasonic sensors are detachably mounted on an envelope of the flow path,
wherein a ratio (t/L) of a thickness t of the ultrasonic sensor in a length direction of the flow path to a length L between the ultrasonic sensor and an additional ultrasonic sensor does not exceed a reference value of a detection resolution of the ultrasonic sensor.
Specification