Ultrasonic system for measuring flow rate, fluid velocity, and pipe diameter based upon time periods

An ultrasonic meter usable with a pipe having a longitudinal axis and fluid contained therein, comprising:

• an upstream transducer configured for external attachment to the pipe, the upstream transducer configured to receive an ultrasonic pulse and an electrical signal, to generate a plurality of upstream electrical signals each having a voltage level and each in response to the received upstream ultrasonic pulse, the upstream transducer further configured to generate a plurality of upstream ultrasonic pulses each in response to the received upstream electrical signal;
• a downstream transducer configured for external attachment to the pipe, at a location displaced from the upstream transducer along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, the downstream transducer configured to receive an ultrasonic pulse, and an electrical signal, to generate a plurality of downstream electrical signals each having a voltage level and each in response to the received downstream ultrasonic pulse, the downstream transducer further configured to generate a plurality of downstream ultrasonic pulses each in response to the received downstream electrical signal;
• a comparator electrically coupled to the upstream transducer and the downstream transducer, the comparator configured to receive the plurality of upstream generated electrical signals and the plurality of downstream generated electrical signals and to pass or to block each of the upstream generated electrical signals and each of the downstream generated electrical signals based on the voltage levels of each of the upstream generated electrical signals and each of the downstream generated electrical signals relative to a threshold value;
• and
• a logic switch electrically coupled to the comparator, the logic switch configured to receive each of the upstream generated electrical signals and each of the downstream generated electrical signals passed by the comparator, the logic switch configured to route each of the upstream generated electrical signals and each of the downstream generated electrical signals passed by the comparator to one of the upstream transducer and the downstream transducer for transmission of an ultrasonic pulse or to block each of the upstream generated electrical signals and each of the downstream generated electrical signals based on time elapsed from when one of the upstream generated electrical signals and the downstream generated electrical signals was previously received by the logic switch.

An ultrasonic meter, attachable to a pipe having a longitudinal axis and containing fluid thereon the ultrasonic meter comprising:

• an upstream transducer externally mountable on the pipe, the upstream transducer configured to receive ultrasonic pulses and electrical signals, to generate upstream ultrasonic pulses based on the upstream received electrical signals and to generate upstream electrical signals based on the upstream received ultrasonic pulses;
• a downstream transducer externally mountable on the pipe at a location displaced from the upstream transducer along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, the downstream transducer configured to receive ultrasonic pulses and electrical signals, to generate downstream ultrasonic pulses based on the downstream received electrical signals and to generate downstream electrical signals based on the downstream received ultrasonic pulses;
• a logic switch electrically coupled to the upstream transducer and the downstream transducer, the logic switch configured to receive one or more of the upstream generated electrical signals, one or more of the downstream generated electrical signals, and a logic switch control signal, and to selectively block or pass each of the one or more upstream generated electrical signals and the one or more downstream generated electrical signals to one of the upstream transducer and the downstream transducer according to the logic switch control signal;
• and
• a processor electrically coupled to the logic switch, the processor configured to transmit the logic switch control signal to the logic switch, the processor having a timer and a counter, the processor configured to use the timer and counter to determine a time period, T.sub.U, associated with a number of the downstream generated ultrasonic pulses received by the upstream transducer, the processor configured to use the timer and counter to determine a time period, T.sub.D, associated with a number of the upstream generated ultrasonic pulses received by the downstream transducer, the processor configured to determine at least one of a flow rate of the fluid, velocity of the fluid, and diameter of the pipe based on the time period T.sub.U and the time period T.sub.D.

A method of measurement of a fluid contained within a pipe, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a first electrical signal at a first transducer;
• transmitting a first ultrasonic pulse through the fluid from the first transducer upon receipt by the first transducer of the first electrical signal;
• determining a first count associated with the first electrical signal received by the first transducer;
• receiving the first ultrasonic pulse at a second transducer;
• transmitting a second electrical signal from the second transducer upon receipt by the second transducer of the first ultrasonic pulse;
• selectively blocking the second electrical signal based upon the first count or passing the second electrical signal to the first transducer based upon the first count;
• receiving a third electrical signal at the second transducer;
• transmitting a second ultrasonic pulse through the fluid from the second transducer upon receipt by the second transducer of the third electrical signal;
• determining a second count associated with the third electrical signal received by the second transducer;
• receiving the second ultrasonic pulse at the first transducer;
• transmitting a fourth electrical signal from the first transducer upon receipt by the first transducer of the second ultrasonic pulse;
• selectively blocking the fourth electrical signal based upon the second count or passing the fourth electrical signal to the second transducer based upon the second count;
• determining a first time period value associated with the first count and a second time period value associated with the second count;
• and
• determining at least one of a flow rate of the fluid, velocity of the fluid, and diameter of the pipe based upon the first time period value and the second time period value.