System and method for calculating flow velocity

A method for calculating a velocity of a fluid flow passing through a conduit, the method comprising:

• orienting at least two ultrasonic transducers in spaced relation and coupled to the conduit such that respective beam paths of the at least two ultrasonic transducers overlap to provide an overlapped area, the overlap area disposed within the conduit;
• transmitting at least one ultrasonic signals through at least one ultrasonic transducer to the conduit;
• receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from a sampling point within the overlapped area through the at least two ultrasonic transducers, wherein the sampling point is spaced from the conduit;
• and
• processing the received reflected ultrasonic signals to calculate the velocity of the fluid flow passing through the conduit at the sampling point.

A measurement system for calculating a three-dimensional velocity of a fluid flow passing through a riser of a drilling system having a drill rod extending through the riser;

• the measurement system comprising:
• at least three ultrasonic transducers configured to be disposed on the riser, each of the at least three ultrasonic transducers having a respective beam paths, wherein the at least three ultrasonic transducers are spaced and oriented such that the respective beam paths intersect to provide an overlapped area disposed within the riser between the riser and the drill rod;
• an ultrasonic transceiver configured to energize at least one of the at least three ultrasonic transducers to transmit at least one ultrasonic signal to the riser through at least three ultrasonic transducers and receive reflected ultrasonic signals from a sampling point within the overlapped area through the at least three ultrasonic transducers, wherein the sampling point is spaced from the riser and drill rod;
• and
• a signal processor for processing the received reflected ultrasonic signals to calculate the three-dimensional velocity of the fluid flow passing through the riser at the sampling point.

A method for calculating a three-dimensional velocity of a fluid flow passing through a riser of a drilling system having a drill rod extending through the riser;

• the method comprising:
• orienting at least three ultrasonic transducers in spaced relation and coupled to the conduit such that respective beam paths of the at least three ultrasonic transducers overlap to provide an overlapped area, the overlap area disposed within the riser between the riser and the drill rod;
• transmitting at least one ultrasonic signal through at least one of the at least three ultrasonic transducers to the riser;
• receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from a sampling point within the overlapped area through the at least three ultrasonic transducers, wherein the sampling point is spaced from the riser and drill rod;
• and
• processing the received reflected ultrasonic signals to calculate the three-dimensional velocity of the fluid flow passing through the riser at the sampling point.