Ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter and method for detecting a failure in an ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter

摘要

An ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter and a method for detecting a failure in an ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter are provided. The flowmeter includes a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer, wherein the transducers each are configured to transmit and receive signals, wherein the signals are transmitted between the transducers and measurements of transit-times of the signals and a transit-time difference based upon the transit-times are used to calculate a fluid flow velocity. Further, the flowmeter has a first reference element and a second reference element, wherein the first and second reference elements each provide a reference signal, and an electronic controller, wherein a predetermined value is stored in a memory of the controller. A reference value based upon the reference signals is compared with the predetermined value and a failure of the ultrasonic flowmeter is identified based upon a comparison of the reference value with the predetermined value.

主权项

1. Ultrasonic transit-time flowmeter comprising:
a first ultrasonic transducer and a second ultrasonic transducer, wherein the first and second transducers are each configured to transmit and receive signals; an electronic controller, wherein the first and second ultrasonic transducers are connected to the electronic controller; and a first acoustic delay element and a second acoustic delay element, the first and second acoustic delay elements comprising piezoelectric crystals bonded to a glass plate, wherein the first and second acoustic delay elements are connected to the electronic controller and each provide a reference signal, wherein the electronic controller is configured to: store a predetermined value in a memory of the electronic controller, compare a reference value based upon the reference signals with the predetermined value, and identify a failure of the ultrasonic flowmeter based upon a comparison of the reference value with the predetermined value.