Abstract
Disclosed is a flow meter comprising at least two measuring sensors spaced apart from each other, preferably ultrasonic sensors, whose measuring signals are reflected by a deposition-resistant reflector.
Claims
1. A flow meter comprising a measuring channel adapted to be inserted in a pipe section through which fluid is flowing, in which measuring channel at least two ultrasonic sensors are arranged, wherein a reflector is arranged at a transverse wall of the measuring channel remote from the ultrasonic sensors, the reflector having a deposition-resistant surface structure, wherein a deposition resistance of the reflector is achieved by a bionic structure.
2. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the bionic structure has a sharkskin effect.
3. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the bionic structure has a lotus effect.
4. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the bionic structure has a rice leaf effect.
5. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the bionic structure has a combination of a sharkskin effect and/or a lotus effect and/or a rice leaf effect.
6. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the measuring channel has an oval shape.
7. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is inserted to be flush with the measuring channel and/or is inserted in a pocket of the measuring channel.
8. A reflector included in a measuring channel of a flow meter the reflector comprising, a deposition-resistant surface wherein the measuring channel is adapted to be inserted in a pipe section through which fluid is flowing in which at least two ultrasonic sensors are arranged, and further wherein the reflector is arranged at a transverse wall of the measuring channel remote from the sensors and a deposition resistance of the reflector is achieved by a bionic structure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
(1) Hereinafter examples will be illustrated in detail by way of schematic drawings, wherein:
(2) FIG. 1 shows an example of a flow meter comprising a reflector;
(3) FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of a reflector;
(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a surface structure having a sharkskin effect;
(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a surface layer producing the rice leaf effect;
(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a reflector surface layer with a combination of sharkskin and rice leaf effect.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(7) FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal section of a flow meter 1. From this view, two coupling pieces 2, 4 including two sensors 6 and, resp., 8 are evident. These are inserted in two respective recesses 10a, 10b. The coupling surfaces 12 extend flush with the circumferential wall (transverse wall 14 and adjacent areas of sidewalls 16) of a measuring channel 18 which is formed by a pipe section 20 in this example. Thus, a part of a flange 22 forms the transverse wall 14. In this example, an opposite transverse wall 24 is formed to have an outwardly open pocket 26 in which a reflector 28 is inserted.
(8) FIG. 2 illustrates a possible example of the reflector 28 in the measuring channel 18 according to FIG. 1. In such configuration, the reflector 28 is pressed into the pocket. Therefore, it is provided to configure the reflector 28 with a base area 30. In a different form of insert, the shape can be differently configured. It is of particular significance that the base material of the reflector 28 is a material which is properly reflecting ultrasound. Here, e.g., a steel-containing or else a polymeric structure can be used, wherein also any other material which is properly reflecting ultrasound would be imaginable. A surface layer 32 is applied to said base material. The surface layer 32 is formed to be deposition-resistant, which will be further discussed in the following figures.
(9) FIG. 3 schematically shows in which way a surface can be designed with the sharkskin effect. On a base area 34 longitudinal micro grooves 36 are provided. Said longitudinal grooves excel by uniform height h and width t. The distance s relative to each other is also identical over the entire area. Said longitudinal micro grooves 36 can be applied to the base material 34, for example, by mechanical machining of the base material 34 or by a very fine casting or injection molding process. Due to the filigree structure, in terms of manufacture a wave structure 38 having equal dimensions can be produced at reduced cost. The reflection and the resistance to deposition are unlimited in the case of grooves in the wave structure 38.
(10) FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the microscopic design of the structure of a rice leaf. The effect of the resistance to deposition occurring in this way is due to said structure. Thereby, individual elevations 40, 42 are applied to the surface. The smaller elevations 42 have half the height of the larger elevations 40, for example. When viewed in a direction of flow, the elevations 40, 42 are arranged to be juxtaposed in rows, whereby one row of large elevations 40 at a time alternating with one row of small elevations 42. Apart from the different height, the elevations are identically designed so that the diameter D and the distances P are identical to one another.
(11) FIG. 5 forms a combination of the two FIGS. 3 and 4. In this representation, the wave structure 38 of the sharkskin effect is visible in connection with the elevations 40, 42 that are responsible for the rice leaf effect. It should be observed in this context that the representation has a uniform height of the elevations. A variant having the afore-described differently high elevations is not shown.
(12) It has turned out that the afore-described coatings or structuring of the reflector 28 are suited to prevent deposition during use or at least to impede the formation of depositions.
(13) Disclosed is a flow meter comprising at least two measuring sensors spaced apart from each other, preferably ultrasonic sensors, whose measuring signals are reflected by a deposition-resistant reflector.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
(14) 1 flow meter 2 coupling piece 4 coupling piece 6 sensor 8 sensor 10 recess 12 coupling surface 14 transverse wall 16 sidewall 18 measuring channel 20 pipe section 22 flange 24 transverse wall 26 pocket 28 reflector 30 base area 32 surface layer 34 base area 36 longitudinal micro grooves 38 wave structure 40 large elevation 42 small elevation
