Fluid flow measuring apparatus
AssigneeUniversity of Warwick
InventorsSteve DIXON, Andrew FEENEY, Lei KANG, Zhichao LI
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus (1) for measuring fluid flow is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first, second and third ultrasonic transducers (8), the second and third ultrasonic transducers arranged to receive an ultrasonic wave (13) from the first ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second and third ultrasonic transducers are spaced apart by a given distance. The apparatus further comprises a circuit (6) comprising a phase comparator (21) arranged to compare first and second signals (20) from the second and third ultrasonic transducers.
Claims21
Apparatus comprising:
- first, second and third ultrasonic transducers, the second and third ultrasonic transducers arranged to receive an ultrasonic wave from the first ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second and third ultrasonic transducers are spaced apart by a given distance;
- and
- a circuit comprising a phase comparator arranged to compare first and second signals from the second and third ultrasonic transducers.
An apparatus comprising:
- a surface comprising first, second and third ultrasonic transducers arranged along the surface having respective transducer faces which are flush with the surface;
- a first reflector supported by the surface arranged so as to reflect a pressure wave emitted by the first ultrasonic transducer towards the second ultrasonic transducer;
- and
- a second reflector supported by the surface arranged so as to reflect a pressure wave emitted by the first ultrasonic transducer towards the third ultrasonic transducer.
A method of determining speed and/or direction of a fluid flow, the method comprising:
- causing transmission or transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a first ultrasonic transducer towards a second, third and, optionally, fourth ultrasonic transducers;
- and
- obtaining speed or velocity by comparing phase difference between first and second ultrasonic wave signals from a first pair of the second, third and/or fourth ultrasonic transducers and, optionally, by comparing phase difference(s) between first and second ultrasonic wave signals from a second pair of the second, third and/or fourth ultrasonic transducers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.