Ultrasonic flow meter housing formed by a monolithic polymer structure

• US 8,806,957 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2010
• Issued: 08/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kamstrup A/S (OK AmbA)
• Original Assignee: Kamstrup A/S (OK AmbA)
• Inventors: Laursen, Peter Schmidt, Nielsen, Sren Tnnes
• Primary Examiner(s): THOMPSON, JEWEL VERGIE
• Application Number:
  US13/515,488
• Publication Number:
  US 20130139610A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,343 Days
• Field of Search: 738/611.8, 738/612.7, 73/240.1
• US Class Current: 73/861.18
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/662 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/7082 using acoustic detecting arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/14 Casings, e.g. of special material

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter housing and to an ultrasonic flow meter comprising a housing. The housing is a monolithic polymer structure being cast in one piece. The monolithic structure includes a straight flow tube and a cavity separated from the flow tube, where a shared wall part forms part of the wall of the flow tube and of an inside surface of the cavity. The cavity is arranged for housing at least one ultrasonic transducer at the shared wall part, and a measurement circuit operationally connected to the at least one ultrasonic transducer. In an embodiment, the cavity only has a single opening which can be sealed off by a cover.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic flow meter housing comprising:

a monolithic polymer structure being cast in one piece, the monolithic structure includes a flow tube and a cavity separated from the flow tube, wherein the flow tube defines a through-going straight flow section arranged for passage of a fluid between an inlet and an outlet, wherein a part of a wall of the flow section is part of an inside surface of the cavity, so that the flow section and the cavity has a shared wall area; and

wherein the cavity is arranged for housing

at least one ultrasonic transducer, at the shared wall area; and

a measurement circuit operationally connected to the at least one ultrasonic transducer so as to allow measurement of a flow rate of the fluid.

2. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the flow tube and the cavity are separated by a water-tight wall, the shared wall area being part of the water-tight wall.

3. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the cavity only has a single opening.

4. The flow meter housing according to claim 3, wherein a rim of the cavity is arranged for sealed connection with a cover, so that the cover and the cavity define an enclosure with only a single sealing area.

5. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the shared wall area comprises at least one area arranged to receive the at least one ultrasonic transducer, the at least one area having a wall thickness adapted to allow transmission of the emitted ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic transducer.

6. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the flow section has one or more protrusions or indentions at the inside of the flow section serving to engage with an associated measurement tube element or an ultrasonic reflector arrangement.

7. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein both ends of the flow tube comprise engagement means for connection to a piping system.

8. The flow meter housing according claim 1, further comprising a metal pocket cast into the flow tube.

9. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the monolithic polymer structure is shaped such that a part of the cavity provides an elongated space along the flow tube.

10. The flow meter housing according to claim 1, wherein the shared area comprises a flat section.

11. An ultrasonic flow meter comprising:

a flow meter housing in the form of a monolithic polymer structure being cast in one piece, the monolithic structure includes a flow tube and a cavity separated from the flow tube, wherein the flow tube defines a through-going straight flow section arranged for passage of a fluid between an inlet and an outlet, and wherein a part of a wall of the flow section is part of an inside surface of the cavity, so that the flow section and the cavity has a shared wall area;

at least one ultrasonic transducer, positioned at the shared wall area inside the cavity; and

a measurement circuit operationally connected to the at least one ultrasonic transducer so as to allow measurement of a flow rate of the fluid flowing through the through-going opening, the measurement circuit being housed inside the cavity.

12. The flow meter according to claim 11, wherein the flow tube and the cavity are separated by a water-tight wall, and wherein the at least one ultrasonic transducer is arranged to transmit ultrasonic signals through the wall of the monolithic polymer structure separating the flow tube and the cavity.

13. The flow meter according to claim 11, wherein the flow meter comprises at least two ultrasonic transducers positioned at the shared wall area.

14. The flow meter according to claim 11, wherein the cavity only has a single opening which has been covered in a sealed manner by a cover, and wherein the cavity encloses a moisture inhibiting means.

15. The flow meter according to claim 11, wherein the cavity further comprises one or more of:

a calculation circuit arranged to calculate a consumed quantity of the flowing fluid based on the measured flow rate of the fluid;

at least one battery for driving at least the measurement circuit;

a display arranged for displaying at least the consumed quantity of the flowing fluid;

a signal transmitter for wireless transmission of at least the consumed quantity of the flowing fluid;

or

a temperature sensor arranged to measure the temperature of the flowing fluid.