Ultrasonic path bundle and systems
US5962790A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 18, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2626
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An encapsulated or rigid bundle of rods forms a substantially non-dispersive buffer usable in extreme environments, operable over wide bandwidth, and in some implementations, easily repairable in the field. In one preferred configuration, suitable for measuring the flow of low-molecular-weight gases over a wide range of pressure, temperature and flow rates, the bundle is made of about one thousand stainless steel welding rods tightly packed inside a 1-inch diameter tube. The rigid encapsulated assembly is sealed at the end that is in contact with the gas and may be sealed into a high-pressure flange in a manner that yields broadband transmission characteristics. A second buffer bundle, aligned with the first bundle, may be pressure-coupled on the other side of the flange. Ultrasonic pulses transmitted into the first bundle remote from the gas are transmitted with little loss and little pulse distortion into the gas, while the transducer is thermally isolated by the second bundle and remains near ambient temperature. The high-pressure flange is thinned locally over a central area yet supports the rod safely and withstands pressures of 300 bar. This locally-thin region supports and a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.