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Phase controlled variable angle ultrasonic flow meter

  • US 9,494,454 B2
  • Filed: 04/17/2014
  • Issued: 11/15/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2013
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic transducer system comprising:

  • a first ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of first segment electrodes located on a surface of a single first piezoelectric element;

    a second ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of second segment electrodes located on a surface of a single second piezoelectric element;

    a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal that comprises pulses of a transmit frequency; and

    a control circuit that sequentially activates the first segment electrodes using the pulse signal to cause the first piezoelectric element to emit a first sonic signal, where a delay time of a first value between activation of each successive first segment electrode controls a phase velocity of the first sonic signal, and the angle of emission of the first sonic signal,wherein the control circuit is configured to change a value of the delay time to a second value different from the first value when the angle of emission is determined to be out of alignment with a reference angle,wherein the angle of emission is determined to be out of alignment with the reference angle, when a characteristic of a second sonic signal transmitted by the second ultrasonic transducer in response to the emitted first sonic signal deviates from a reference characteristic.

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