Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Reexamination Certificate
2006-01-24
2006-01-24
Larkin, Daniel S. (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
C073S061790, C073S061470, C073S061490, C073S579000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06988411
ABSTRACT:
In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe12is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors14,16,18placed at predetermined axial locations x1,x2,x3along the pipe12. The pressure sensors14,16,18provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines20,22,24which are provided to signal processing logic60which determines the speed of sound amixof the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe12using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amixis provided to logic48, 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 logic60may 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 inhomogeneities in the flow. No external source is required and thus may operate using passive listening. The invention will work with arbitrary sensor spacing and with as few as two sensors if certain information is known about the acoustic properties of the system. The sensor may also be combined with an instrument, an opto-electronic converter and a controller in an industrial process control system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5040415 (1991-08-01), Barkhoudarian
patent: 6151958 (2000-11-01), Letton et al.
patent: 6354147 (2002-03-01), Gysling et al.
Gysling Daniel L.
Kersey Alan D.
Paduano James D.
CiDRA Corporation
Larkin Daniel S.
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