Acoustic waveguide assemblies

• US 8,746,399 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Issued: 06/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ao, Xiaolei Shirley, Xu, Jin Chang, Umina, John Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): LUKS, JEREMY AUSTIN
• Application Number:
  US13/970,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20130329930A1
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 181/139, 181/196, 736/44, 738/611.8, 738/611.2, 738/612.3, 738/612.5
• US Class Current: 181/196
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/2962 Measuring transit time of reflected waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02818 Density, viscosity
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/024 by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/2462 Probes with waveguides, e.g. SAW devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 9/24 by observing the transmission of wave or particle radiation through the material
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/00 Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general

Abstract

Acoustic waveguides are disclosed for mounting to a conduit. The acoustic waveguides provide a mounting area that minimizes the effect of the mount on the acoustic wave traveling through the waveguide while providing an effective seal, even under high pressure conditions.

Claims

1. An acoustic waveguide assembly for mounting to a conduit, the acoustic waveguide assembly comprising:

an acoustic waveguide comprising a waveguide rod having a proximal end and a distal end;

a waveguide sensor connected to the distal end of the waveguide rod;

a disk coupler circumferentially surrounding a portion of the waveguide rod, wherein the disk coupler provides a first side and a second side to mount the waveguide rod to the conduit;

a nozzle on the first side of the disk coupler;

a flange on the second side of the disk coupler, opposite the first side; and

a plurality of bolts extending through the flange and through the nozzle to secure the disk coupler therebetween.

2. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises a port for accessing the inside of the conduit, and wherein the first side of the disk coupler is mounted on an outlet of the port of the nozzle such that the waveguide sensor extends through the port and into the conduit.

3. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, further comprising a transducer assembly coupled to the proximal end of the waveguide rod.

4. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the disk coupler is located at the proximal end of the waveguide rod.

5. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 4, further comprising a transducer assembly coupled to the disk coupler.

6. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the waveguide rod has a circular cross-section.

7. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the waveguide sensor has a non-circular cross-section.

8. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the disk coupler is welded to the waveguide rod.

9. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 1, wherein the disk coupler is integrally formed with the waveguide rod.

10. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 9, wherein the waveguide rod and the disk coupler are formed from the same block of material.

11. An acoustic waveguide assembly for mounting to a conduit, the acoustic waveguide assembly comprising:

an acoustic waveguide comprising a waveguide rod having a proximal end and a distal end;

a waveguide sensor connected to the distal end of the waveguide rod;

a disk coupler circumferentially surrounding a portion of the waveguide rod, wherein the disk coupler provides a first side and a second side to mount the waveguide rod to the conduit;

a nozzle on the first side of the disk coupler;

a flange on the second side of the disk coupler, opposite the first side;

a plurality of bolts extending through the flange and through the nozzle to secure the disk coupler therebetween; and

a transducer assembly comprising at least two portions coupled to the waveguide rod at the proximal end.

12. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 11, wherein the portions of the transducer assembly are coupled to an outside surface of the waveguide rod, and wherein the portions of the transducer assembly are disposed on opposing sides of the waveguide rod.

13. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 12, wherein the transducer assembly is acoustically coupled to the waveguide rod via contact pressure by the portions of the transducer assembly against the opposing sides of the waveguide rod.

14. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 13, further comprising a clamp pressing against the portions of the transducer assembly to provide the contact pressure.

15. The acoustic waveguide assembly of claim 14, wherein the clamp comprises a spring loaded clamp.

16. An acoustic waveguide assembly for mounting to a conduit, the acoustic waveguide assembly comprising:

an acoustic waveguide comprising a waveguide rod having a proximal end and a distal end, a waveguide sensor connected to the distal end of the waveguide rod, and a disk coupler circumferentially surrounding a portion of the waveguide rod, wherein the disk coupler provides a surface to mount the waveguide rod to the conduit;

a transducer assembly comprising at least two portions coupled to the waveguide rod at the proximal end; and

a clamp pressing against the portions of the transducer assembly to acoustically couple the transducer assembly to the waveguide rod via contact pressure by the portions of the transducer assembly against the waveguide rod,

wherein the clamp comprises a spring loaded clamp, the portions of the transducer assembly are coupled to an outside surface of the waveguide rod, and wherein the portions of the transducer assembly are disposed on opposing sides of the waveguide rod.