Hybrid sensing ultrasonic flowmeter

US9453749B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC. · US

Inventors

• David E. Bachmann · Irvine, US
• Rolf Schmitt · Wirges, DE
• Markus Hantzsch · Mommenheim, DE
• Andreas Weber · Salzburg, AT
• Joern WEBER · Aalen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 10, 2015
• Grant date: Sep 27, 2016
• Expiry date: Apr 13, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01F25/10
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A hybrid ultrasonic flowmeter includes at least a first sensing plane including four ultrasonic transducers (transducers) positioned in a parallelogram arrangement on a meter pipe wall including a first and second transducer pair. A first reflector is positioned between the first transducer pair on a first portion of the meter pipe wall, and a second ultrasonic reflector is between the second transducer pair on a second portion of the meter pipe wall opposite the first wall portion. The transducers have assembly angles and emission patterns for emitting ultrasonic beams to provide a plurality of direct measurement paths and a plurality of reflective paths involving a first reflective path involving the first ultrasonic reflector and a second reflective path involving the second ultrasonic reflector. A flow electronics module including a transceiver causes the transducers to transmit ultrasonic signals and processes sensing signals generated by the transducers for determining a volume flow.