A liquid immersion sensor for a mobile device with at least two acoustic transducers is described. The liquid immersion sensor may include a signal generator having a signal generator output configured to generate a signal for transmission via a first acoustic transducer, and a signal receiver having a signal receiver input configured to receive a delayed version of the generated signal via a second acoustic transducer. The signal receiver includes a signal receiver output. The liquid immersion sensor includes a controller having a first controller input for receiving a reference signal and a second controller input coupled to the signal receiver output. The controller determines a time lag value between the reference signal and the delayed signal and generates a control output signal dependent on the phase difference. The control output signal indicates if the mobile device is immersed in liquid.

A method for determining multi-phase flow properties of a fluid is disclosed. The method includes measuring a first time for a first ultrasonic signal to be emitted from a first transducer into the fluid, reflected off an inner surface of the pipeline, and received back at the first transducer. Measuring a second time for the first ultrasonic signal to be emitted from the first transducer into the fluid and received at a second transducer. Calculating, using the first time and the second time, at least one of: a liquid to gas ratio, a fluid density, a gas holdup, a liquid holdup, and a fluid velocity of the fluid flowing through the pipeline.

An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a sensing device and a processing unit. The sensing device has a sensor array that includes at least one first macro fiber composite (MFC) strain sensor disposed at a first axial position, and at least one second MFC strain sensor disposed at a second axial position. The first axial position and the second axial position are spaced apart from one another. The at least one first MFC strain sensor and the at least one second MFC strain sensor are both configured to produce signals representative of pressure variations of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the sensor array and measure one or more fluid flow parameters based on the signals.

An apparatus for measuring a parameter of a fluid flow passing within a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a sensing device and a processing unit. The sensing device has a sensor array that includes at least one first macro fiber composite (MFC) strain sensor disposed at a first axial position, and at least one second MFC strain sensor disposed at a second axial position. The first axial position and the second axial position are spaced apart from one another. The at least one first MFC strain sensor and the at least one second MFC strain sensor are both configured to produce signals representative of pressure variations of the fluid flow passing within the pipe. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the sensor array and measure one or more fluid flow parameters based on the signals.

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic transceiver capable of stably measuring a fluid of high temperature and high humidity for a long period, and provides an ultrasonic flowmeter, an ultrasonic flow velocimeter, and an ultrasonic densitometer each including the ultrasonic transceiver. An ultrasonic transceiver (1) comprises a piezoelectric body (3) and an acoustic matching body (2) disposed in one face of the piezoelectric body (3), wherein the acoustic matching body (2) includes: a top plate, a bottom plate, and a side wall that define a closed space; and a perpendicular partition wall formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and adhering to the top plate and the bottom plate, thereby dividing a closed space.

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic transceiver capable of stably measuring a fluid of high temperature and high humidity for a long period, and provides an ultrasonic flowmeter, an ultrasonic flow velocimeter, and an ultrasonic densitometer each including the ultrasonic transceiver. An ultrasonic transceiver (1) comprises a piezoelectric body (3) and an acoustic matching body (2) disposed in one face of the piezoelectric body (3), wherein the acoustic matching body (2) includes: a top plate, a bottom plate, and a side wall that define a closed space; and a perpendicular partition wall formed substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate and adhering to the top plate and the bottom plate, thereby dividing a closed space.

Apparatus is provided for estimating a flow rate of a fluent solid material in a generally horizontal pipe having a movable transportation element such as an auger in the pipe for transporting the material along the pipe including distance sensors mounted in the pipe in an upper part of the pipe and arranged to detect the distance of the material in a lower part of the pipe from the sensor. Another sensor is provided to detect the rate of movement of the transportation element for example by detecting the metal of the auger flight. The output from the sensors is fed to a control system for analyzing the output signals from the sensors over time to provide the estimate of flow rate. The sensors can be mounted in a pressurized enclosure to prevent escape of dust though openings for the sensors.

Apparatus is provided for estimating a flow rate of a fluent solid material in a generally horizontal pipe having a movable transportation element such as an auger in the pipe for transporting the material along the pipe including distance sensors mounted in the pipe in an upper part of the pipe and arranged to detect the distance of the material in a lower part of the pipe from the sensor. Another sensor is provided to detect the rate of movement of the transportation element for example by detecting the metal of the auger flight. The output from the sensors is fed to a control system for analyzing the output signals from the sensors over time to provide the estimate of flow rate. The sensors can be mounted in a pressurized enclosure to prevent escape of dust though openings for the sensors.

A microfluidic flow sensor may include a substrate having a microfluidic channel, an inert particle source to supply a fluid carrying an inert particle to the microfluidic channel and a sensor element along the microfluidic channel and spaced from the inert particle source. The sensor element outputs a signal based upon a sensed passage of the inert particle with respect to the sensor element. Portions of the microfluidic channel proximate the sensor element have a first size and wherein the inert particle provided by the inert particle source is to have a second size greater than one half the first size.

A microfluidic flow sensor may include a substrate having a microfluidic channel, an inert particle source to supply a fluid carrying an inert particle to the microfluidic channel and a sensor element along the microfluidic channel and spaced from the inert particle source. The sensor element outputs a signal based upon a sensed passage of the inert particle with respect to the sensor element. Portions of the microfluidic channel proximate the sensor element have a first size and wherein the inert particle provided by the inert particle source is to have a second size greater than one half the first size.