Ultrasonic flowmeter transducers and reflector arranged to measure undisturbed flow through an open cross-section

Abstract

An ultrasonic meter for measuring a flow rate or flow volume includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a flow channel arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, two ultrasonic transducers and at least one reflector for ultrasonic signals. Ultrasonic transducers are arranged outside the flow channel, entrance and exit openings for ultrasonic signals, each running obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel, are provided between the ultrasonic transducers and the flow channel, and the reflector is arranged on the wall of the flow channel opposite the entrance and exit openings such that it reflects ultrasonic signals of the ultrasonic transducers.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic meter for measuring a flow rate or flow volume, comprising: a fluid inlet; a fluid outlet; a flow channel arranged between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet; two ultrasonic transducers; and at least one reflector for ultrasonic signals; wherein the ultrasonic transducers are arranged outside the flow channel and entrance and exit openings for ultrasonic signals, each running obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel, are provided between the ultrasonic transducers and the flow channel; wherein the at least one reflector is arranged on a wall of the flow channel opposite the entrance and exit openings such that it reflects ultrasonic signals of the at least one ultrasonic transducer; wherein a temperature sensor is provided, which can be washed over by fluid in the flow channel; and wherein the flow channel can be axially or radially fixed relative to a meter housing using the temperature sensor.

2. The ultrasonic meter according to claim 1, wherein the flow channel has a substantially rectangular cross-section.

3. The ultrasonic meter according to claim 2, wherein the flow channel is arranged such that it is inclined relative to a counting mechanism housing of the ultrasonic meter.

4. The ultrasonic meter according to claim 1, wherein the flow channel has a square cross-section.

5. The ultrasonic meter according to claim 1, wherein a counting mechanism unit is provided, which is encapsulated with a fluid-impermeable material.

6. The ultrasonic meter according to claim 1, wherein a replaceable battery unit is provided for powering a counting mechanism unit; and wherein a battery is encapsulated with a fluid-impermeable material in the battery unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below with the aid of drawings.

(2) The figures show the following:

(3) FIG. 1: a sectional diagram of an ultrasonic meter according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 2a: a front view of a counting mechanism unit according to the invention with a flow channel arranged such that it is straight relative to the counting mechanism housing,

(5) FIG. 2b: a front view of a counting mechanism unit according to the invention with a flow channel arranged such that it is inclined relative to the counting mechanism housing,

(6) FIG. 3: the plug-in connection between the battery unit and the counting mechanism unit.

(7) FIG. 4: the fixing of the measuring channel with the aid of a temperature sensor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) As can be seen from FIG. 1, the ultrasonic meter (1) according to the invention comprises a fluid inlet (2) and a fluid outlet (3) as well as a flow channel (4) connecting the fluid inlet (2) to the fluid outlet (3).

(9) The flow channel (4) forms a measuring region that extends in a rectilinear fashion in a flow direction.

(10) Mounted laterally at the entrance and exit of the flow channel (4) are ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b), which transmit/receive the ultrasonic signal to/from the second ultrasonic transducer (5b, 5a) via a reflector (6), which is likewise mounted laterally.

(11) The ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b) and the reflector are arranged such that the fluid can flow undisturbed through an “open cross-section”, i.e. such that the flow is not affected by these elements. The reflector (6) is arranged on the inner wall of the flow channel (4).

(12) This arrangement avoids a direct flow onto and/or around the reflector (6) and/or the ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b), thus avoiding the risk of wear or damage, which may be caused by the flow forces and/or by particles that are present in the flow.

(13) Between the ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b) and the flow channel (4), entrance and exit openings (7) for the ultrasonic signal are provided, each running obliquely (preferably at an angle of 45°) relative to the longitudinal axis of the flow channel (4).

(14) Thanks to the lateral arrangement of the ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b) and the reflector, disadvantageous bubble formation at the highest point of the measuring arrangement, e.g. upstream of the ultrasonic transducers (5a, 5b), can be avoided.

(15) The design of the flow channel (4) in a rectangular shape can be seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b. It enables the region through which the flow passes to be (almost) completely covered by the laterally arranged reflector (6).

(16) In the embodiment according to FIG. 2b, the flow channel (4) is arranged such that it is inclined relative to the meter housing to allow a battery unit to be positioned above the tube axis, thus taking up the smallest possible space both horizontally and vertically relative to the tube axis.

(17) The ultrasonic signals are transmitted by the ultrasonic transducers to a counting mechanism unit (8), which is completely encapsulated with a fluid-impermeable material and is supplied with power by a battery unit (9).

(18) The battery unit (9) comprises a battery (or a plurality of batteries), which is completely encapsulated with fluid-impermeable material in a housing, wherein the battery unit (9)—as illustrated in FIG. 3—can be replaced without any aids, or using simple aids, by way of a plug-in connection to the counting mechanism unit (8), which is sealed by one or more sealing elements. The imperviousness of both the battery unit (9) and the complete counting mechanism unit (8) is completely maintained here.

(19) As illustrated in FIG. 4, a temperature sensor 10, which can be washed over by fluid in the flow channel 4, is preferably provided to increase the measuring precision.

(20) Advantageously, the flow channel 4 can be axially and radially fixed relative to the meter housing 11 using the temperature sensor 10, which—as can be seen from FIG. 4—creates a form-fitting and/or force-fitting connection between the meter housing 11 and the flow channel 4.