Fluid parameter measurement for industrial sensing applications using acoustic pressures
US6732575B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | May 11, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/106
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe 12 is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors 14,16,18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1, x2, x3 along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors 14,16,18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines 20,22,24 which are provided to signal processing logic 60 which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic 48, which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture, or fluid, which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic 60 may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid. The acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) measured are lower frequency (and longer wavelength) signals than those used for ultrasonic flow meters, and thus is more tolerant to inhom…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.