US 2022/0034695 A1 · Ultrasonic Mass Fuel Flow Meter

Abstract

The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method of sensing that includes activating a first emitter to emit at least one incident wave, transmitting the incident wave along a buffer rod having a first axial end abutted to the first emitter and a second axial end opposite the first axial end, reflecting a first echo of the incident wave by a gap defined along a portion of the buffer rod, detecting the first echo, determining a first amplitude of the first echo, reflecting a second echo of the incident wave by the second axial end, detecting the second echo, determining a second amplitude of the second echo, and determining a reflection coefficient based on the first amplitude and the second amplitude.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of sensing, comprising:

activating a first emitter to emit at least one incident wave;
transmitting the incident wave along a buffer rod having a first axial end abutted to the first emitter and a second axial end opposite the first axial end;
reflecting a first echo of the incident wave by a gap defined along a portion of the buffer rod;
detecting the first echo;
determining a first amplitude of the first echo;
reflecting a second echo of the incident wave by the second axial end;
detecting the second echo;
determining a second amplitude of the second echo;
and
determining a reflection coefficient based on the first amplitude and the second amplitude.

7 more elements

A method of protecting a sensor element, comprising:

providing a sensor comprising:
a sensor housing having an interior surface defining a sensor axis and an axial interior sensor housing cavity comprising:
a first axial sensor housing portion having a first cross-sectional area perpendicular to the sensor axis;
a second axial sensor housing portion arranged adjacent to the first axial sensor housing portion along the sensor axis and having a second cross-sectional area larger than the first cross-sectional area perpendicular to the sensor axis;
and
a face extending from the interior surface of the first axial housing portion to the interior surface of the second housing portion;
a buffer rod having a first axial end and a second axial end opposite the first axial end and comprising:
a first axial buffer portion arranged within the first housing portion and comprising the first axial end;
a second axial buffer portion arranged within the second housing portion and abutting the face, and comprising the second axial end;
and
a third axial buffer portion, extending axially between the first axial buffer portion and the second axial buffer portion, and having a third cross-sectional area, smaller than the first cross-sectional area, perpendicular to the sensor axis;
and
an acoustic transceiver element acoustically mated to the first end providing a fluid at second axial end;
and
blocking, by the buffer rod and the sensor housing, fluid flow from the second end to the acoustic transceiver element.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

17/503,069Filed 15 Oct 2021

Priority

3 Dec 2019

Published

3 Feb 2022

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G01F 1/662
By measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters: constructional details
G01F 1/667
By measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters: arrangements of…
G01F 1/78
Devices for measuring mass flow of a fluid or a fluent solid material: direct mass flowmeters
G01F
Measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level

Ultrasonic Mass Fuel Flow Meter

Life of this patent

Ultrasonic Mass Fuel Flow Meter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12