Measuring and testing – Volume or rate of flow – By measuring vibrations or acoustic energy
Patent
1993-11-08
1995-10-31
Chilcot, Richard
Measuring and testing
Volume or rate of flow
By measuring vibrations or acoustic energy
7386127, G01F 166
Patent
active
054619319
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a measurement system and more particularly to a system for measuring the speed of fluid to allow flow rate to be determined using transducers.
One system disclosed in our copending patent application (UK 9021441.2) relates to an arrangement for measuring, inter alia, gas flow in a gas meter. The arrangement measures the speed or volume of gas by determining the time of flight of an ultrasonic signal in both directions between first and second transducers disposed opposite each other in a measuring duct and uses this result to compute the gas speed and from this the volume of gas consumed.
The present arrangement is concerned with improvements to such systems to enable even more accurate and/or repeatable results to be achieved.
According to the invention there is provided apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid, comprising; path through the measuring tube; transmission or reception of a signal used to measure the speed of the fluid through the measuring tube; and ensure the accuracy of the fluid speed measurement.
Further according to the invention there is provided a method for measuring the flow of fluid through a duct, said method comprising: fluid for receipt by a second transducer; second transducer for receipt by the first transducer; transmission times; and delay errors to ensure the accuracy of the fluid speed measurement.
Further according to the invention there is provided apparatus for measuring the flow of a fluid, comprising; acoustic path through the measuring tube; transmission or reception of a signal used to measure the speed of the fluid through the measuring tube; and determining the time for a transmitted signal therefrom to pass down two paths of known length for calibration purposes to ensure the accuracy of the fluid speed measurement effected by the first and second transducer means.
Further according to the invention there is provided a method for measuring the flow through a duct, said method comprising; fluid for receipt by a second transducer; second transducer for receipt by the first transducer; transmission times; and transducer for determining the time for a transmitted signal therefrom to pass down two paths of known length for calibration purposes to ensure accuracy of the fluid speed measurement effected by the first and second transducers.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a device for measuring the speed of sound in a fluid, comprising; and second paths; said paths to provide speed of sound information independent of transducer delay.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for measuring the speed of sound in a fluid, comprising: path; paths to provide speed of sound information independent of transducer delay.
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a suitable housing for the invention;
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the FIG. 1 housing with the internal component layout;
FIG. 3 shows the flow chamber and transducer aspects in more detail;
FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the FIG. 3 arrangement;
FIG. 5 shows the auxiliary transducer and tube assembly in more detail;
FIG. 6 shows an alternative auxiliary transducer configuration;
FIG. 7 shows details of electronic circuitry associated with the flow measurement; and
FIG. 8 shows the control and processing steps associated with calibration.
The exterior arrangement of FIG. 1 suitable for the present configuration and for the arrangement disclosed in our copending application UK 9021441.2 comprises a housing 10 incorporating a duct 11 with fluid flow inlet 13 and outlet 14. Above the duct 11 is a second part 12 of the housing 10 which incorporates a battery compartment accessible via plate 15 and includes a circuit board 16 carrying the electronics components for operating the system. A display 17 provides visual indication of the metering and switches 18,19 provide display selection.
Within the duct 11 are a pair of transducers 36,37 (see FIG. 2) wh
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British Gas plc
Chilcot Richard
Dougherty Elizabeth L.
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