Ultrasonic Flow Probe And Method Of Monitoring Fluid Flow In A Conduit

Abstract

An ultrasonic flow probe (100) comprising a mounting member (101) for mounting on a surface of a conduit and thereby defining a mounting axis (B) perpendicular to the surface, a frame (103) mounted on the mounting member (101), and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers (105) mounted on the frame (103) and aligned along a primary axis (A); wherein the frame (103) and mounting member (101) are configurable such that the primary axis (A) is at an angle to the mounting axis (B) so that, in use, ultrasound passing between the transducers (105) travels at an angle to fluid flowing in the conduit.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic flow probe comprising: a mounting member for mounting on a surface of a conduit and thereby defining a mounting axis perpendicular to the surface, a frame mounted on the mounting member, and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted on the frame and aligned along a primary axis; wherein the frame and mounting member are configurable such that the primary axis is at an angle to the mounting axis so that, in use, ultrasound passing between the transducers travels at an angle to fluid flowing in the conduit.

2. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises two arms, wherein an ultrasonic transducer is mounted on each arm.

3. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is in the range from greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees.

4. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1, wherein the frame is mounted on the mounting member such that the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is adjustable.

5. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the primary axis and mounting axis is adjustable to a first angle, to permit insertion of the probe into a conduit, and to a second angle, for taking a measurement.

6. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic flow probe comprises an actuation system for adjusting the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis.

7. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is fixed.

8. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the frame can rotate about the mounting axis.

9. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 8, where the rotation of the frame about the mounting axis is automated.

10. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic flow probe comprises an actuation system for adjusting the separation of the transducers.

11. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 10 wherein the separation of the transducers is adjustable to a first separation to permit insertion of the probe into a conduit, and to a second separation, for taking a measurement.

12. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the flow probe comprises an automated actuation system for altering the separation of the transducers.

13. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the angle between the primary axis and mounting axis is configurable to measure specific characteristics of a fluid flow in a conduit.

14. An ultrasonic flow probe according to claim 1 wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is configurable to measure the velocity profile of a fluid.

15. A method for monitoring fluid flow in a conduit comprising: providing an ultrasonic flow probe comprising two ultrasonic transducers aligned along a primary axis; inserting the ultrasonic flow probe into the conduit; mounting the ultrasonic flow probe on a surface of the conduit; adjusting the probe such that the primary axis is at an angle to a mounting axis, the mounting axis being perpendicular to the surface; and measuring a property of the fluid flow by: contra-propagating ultrasonic waves between the two transducers; determining the time of flight of the ultrasonic waves; and calculating the property of the fluid flow from the time of flight.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is adjusted to a value greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is zero during insertion of the probe into the conduit, and a value greater than zero degrees to less than 90 degrees during the measuring.

18. A method according to claim 15, wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is adjusted by an actuation system.

19. A method according to claim 15, wherein the probe is adjusted by rotation of the frame about the mounting axis prior to the measuring.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the frame is rotated about the mounting axis by an automated rotation system.

21. A method according to claim 15, wherein separation of the transducers is adjusted by an actuation system prior to the measuring.

22. A method according to claim 15, wherein the transducers are at a first separation during the insertion of the probe into the conduit and are adjusted to a second position prior to the measuring.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein the separation of the transducers is altered by an automated actuation system that receives input from outside of the conduit.

24. A method according to claim 15, wherein the angle between the primary axis and the mounting axis is configured to measure specific characteristics of the fluid flow.

25. A method according to claim 15, wherein the primary axis is swept through a range of angles over which one or more measurements are taken.

26. A method according to claim 15, wherein a velocity profile of a fluid in a conduit is measured.

27-28. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a side view of an ultrasonic flow probe according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows an end view of the ultrasonic flow probe of FIG. 1; and

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the ultrasonic flow probe of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of an ultrasonic flow probe 100 comprising: a mounting member 101, a frame 103 mounted on the member 101, and two ultrasonic transducers 105 mounted on the frame 103.

[0034] The mounting member 101 is a cylindrical member that, when the probe 100 is mounted on a surface, extends away from the surface with the axis of the cylinder being aligned along a mounting axis B. At one end of the mounting member 101 there is a mounting plate 102 which is arranged to be mounted on the surface on which the probe 100 is mounted. For example, the mounting plate 102 may be fixed to or through the surface. Since the mounting plate 102 in this embodiment is aligned with the surface, the mounting axis B is perpendicular to the mounting plate 102.

[0035] The frame 103 consists of two arms 104, 106. One end of each arm 104, 106 is mounted to the free end of the mounting member 101. An ultrasonic transducer 105 is mounted to the other end of each arm 104, 106. The transducers 105 are aligned along primary axis A and face each other. The primary axis A is at an angle to the mounting axis B. The first arm 104 extends a short distance parallel to the mounting axis B, the arm 104 then bends and extends a short distance along the primary axis A. A transducer 105 is mounted at the end of the arm 104. The second arm 106 is mounted adjacent to the first arm 104. The second arm extends a short distance parallel to the mounting axis B, the arm 106 then bends and extends parallel to the primary axis A. The second arm 106 extends further from the mounting member than the first arm 104. Distally from the mounted end of the second arm 106, the second arm 106 forms a U-shaped bend, such that the transducer mounted to the second arm 106 faces the transducer mounted on the first arm 104.

[0036] Prior to fixing, the mounting plate 102 may be rotated about the axis B in order to locate the axis A at an angle suitable for the required measurement of flow velocity.

[0037] Alternatively, an actuation system 109 may be mounted in the end of the mounting member 101. The actuation system 109 controls the rotation of the frame 103 about the mounting axis B.

[0038] A member 107 is positioned between the mounting member 101 and the frame 103. The member 107 is an articulated member which permits the angle of axis A to be changed relative to axis B. A second actuation system (not shown) operates on the member 107 and controls the angle between the primary axis A and the mounting axis B. The actuation systems are remotely controlled by a control module or computer (not shown). Appropriate actuation systems will be known to a person skilled in the art.

[0039] The flow probe 100 may be mounted on a wall of a conduit, for example by fixing the mounting member 102 to or through the wall. Fluid flowing in the conduit will pass between the two transducers 105. The actuation systems act to set the angle of the primary axis A for an appropriate measurement to take place. In some embodiments of the invention, the actuation systems sweep the frame over a range of angles during which many measurements are taken. During the measurement process, contra-propagating ultrasonic waves are emitted and received by the two transducers 105, the time of flight of the ultrasonic waves is then determined, and a desired property of the fluid flow is calculated.

[0040] Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

[0041] Although the above ultrasonic flow probe includes actuation systems, in some embodiments of the invention the ultrasonic flow probe has a fixed frame and mounting member with no actuation systems. In another embodiment the ultrasonic flow probe includes an automated actuation system for controlling the separation of the transducers. The automated actuation system is mounted to the frame and the two ultrasonic transducers are mounted on the actuation system.

[0042] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the invention, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.