Measuring concentrations of mixed gases at an endpoint
AssigneeRomet Limited
InventorsChang Qing Xu, Liam Flannigan, Joshua Kneller, Frederick Joseph Maly, Jr.
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Abstract
In accordance with embodiments there is proposed an ultrasound sensor device and an ultrasound sensor system configured to perform a method using ultrasound to determine a ratio or concentration of respective gases in a flow of mixed gases. There is provided a method to adapt a distribution system with an ultrasound sensor device and/or an ultrasound sensor system.
Claims20
An ultrasound sensor device comprising:
- a measuring chamber;
- and
- an ultrasound sensor coupled to the measuring chamber to generate ultrasound signals in a flow of mixed gas for transmission perpendicularly to the flow with which to determine a speed of sound in the flow, each respective gas of the mixed gas providing a respective energy value with which to determine a total energy value for the flow of mixed gas;
- wherein:
- the ultrasound sensor is coupled to provide ultrasound signals or the speed of sound to a processing unit, the processing unit configured to determine a concentration of the respective gases in the mixed gas in response to the speed of sound;
- and
- the processing unit is further configured to present at least one of the speed of sound, the concentration of the respective gases or other data determined from the speed of sound to determine the total energy value of the mixed gas.
An ultrasound sensor system comprising:
- a processing unit;
- a measuring chamber for coupling to receive a flow of mixed gas;
- an ultrasound sensor coupled to the measuring chamber to generate ultrasound signals in the flow of mixed gas for transmission perpendicularly to the flow with which to determine a speed of sound in the flow, each respective gas of the mixed gas providing a respective energy value with which to determine a total energy value for the flow of mixed gas;
- wherein:
- the ultrasound sensor is configured to provide ultrasound signals or the speed of sound to the processing unit;
- and
- the processing unit is configured to:
- determine a concentration of the respective gases in the mixed gas in response to the speed of sound;
- and
- present at least one of the speed of sound, the concentration of the respective gases or other data determined from the speed of sound to determine the total energy value of the mixed gas.
A meter set comprising:
- a meter body for receiving a flow of mixed gas, each respective gas of the mixed gas providing a respective energy value with which to determine a total energy value for the flow of mixed gas;
- a meter set processing unit;
- and an ultrasound sensor;
- wherein:
- the ultrasound sensor is coupled to the meter body to generate ultrasound signals in the flow of mixed gas for transmission perpendicularly to the flow with which to determine a speed of sound in the flow;
- the ultrasound sensor is configured to provide ultrasound signals or the speed of sound to the meter set processing unit;
- and
- the meter set processing unit is configured to:
- determine a concentration of the respective gases in the mixed gas in response to the speed of sound;
- and
- present at least one of the speed of sound, the concentration of the respective gases or other data determined from the speed of sound to determine the total energy value of the mixed gas.
A method to adapt a distribution system configured to distribute mixed gas to supply energy to any one or more of residential, commercial, or industrial customers, each respective gas of a flow of mixed gas providing a respective energy value with which to determine a total energy value for the flow of mixed gas:
- a. selecting an existing component of the distribution system to define a measuring chamber;
- b. adapting the measuring chamber with an ultrasound sensor to generate a wave signal in the flow for transmission perpendicularly to the flow;
- c. determining a distance traveled of the wave signal generated and detected by the ultrasound sensor;
- and
- d. configuring a processing unit to determine and present at least one of a speed of sound of a mixed gas flowing in the measuring chamber or data determined from the speed of sound to determine the total energy value of the mixed gas at the existing component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.