Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of multipath inline ultrasonic transit time flow meters. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic flow meter (hereinafter the term “flow meter” or “ultrasonic flow meter” used interchangeably), a system, and a method of measuring fluid flow.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] The accuracy of measurement of the parameters associated with ultrasonic flow meters can be impacted by the flow profile of the fluid as it is when it enters the flow meter. This leads to the requirement of large lengths of straight pipe before and after the meter in order to allow the flow to stabilize and achieve a standardized flow profile. In order to remedy this problem, multipath ultrasonic flow meters have been developed. The problem then becomes how to optimally place several ultrasonic paths in the flow meter to obtain good accuracy. Flow meters with up to 8 paths can be found in literature and in the market.
[0004] Further, the proposed invention improves measurement accuracy by adopting a brute force approach, increasing the number of paths by a factor of roughly 5. This increase is brought about by a specific shape of the flow path which makes it possible to place many transducers on the casing.
[0005] A prior art reference “US 5 546 812 A” titled “Method and device for determining characteristics of the flow of a medium”, discloses a method for determining characteristic of the flow of a medium in a channel by measuring the transit times of sound waves which are transmitted between one or more transducers, and determining the characteristics from the measured transit times. In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, at least two sound waves whose transit times depend on swirl are transmitted along ultrasonic paths with a different sensitivity to swirl, and a measure of the swirl is determined from the measured transit times. In another embodiment, at least two sound waves whose transit times depend on the symmetry of the flow profile are transmitted along ultrasonic paths with a different sensitivity to symmetry, and a measure of the symmetry is determined from the measured transit times. If weighting factors are allocated to the values obtained, the individual velocities of the sound waves can be used to calculate the average flow velocity and/or the throughput of the medium. Since allowance is made for possible disturbances of the velocity profile, the accuracy of the calculated variables is good. Whereas, the present invention discloses an ultrasonic flow meter having one or more ultrasonic paths and a method of measuring fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter. The disclosed ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of mounting arrangements at a pre-determined mounting point such that arranged parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through the annular path. One or more ultrasonic elements (For eg. transducers) are mounted on each of the corresponding mounting arrangement so as to accurately measure the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool.
[0006] Another literature reference “Flow Measurement Handbook: Industrial Designs, Operating Principles, Performance, and Applications” by Roger C. Baker (published on August 25, 2016) discloses a comprehensive overview of various flow measurement technologies with a particular focus on ultrasonic flowmeters. The book discusses the principles behind different ultrasonic measurement techniques such as transit-time, Doppler, and cross-correlation flowmeters, emphasizing their applications in different industrial contexts. In a particular section of the book ‘Installation Effects’ author describes the impact of installation on the accuracy and performance of transit-time flowmeters, particularly ultrasonic types. It emphasizes that proper installation is crucial, as various factors like temperature gradients, pipe stresses, and surface roughness can introduce errors. Thermal gradients can cause refraction, which distorts ultrasonic readings, while fouling and corrosion may interfere with signal reflections. Additionally, noise sources such as valves and compressors can disrupt ultrasonic signals, but signal processing techniques can mitigate these issues. The author also discusses the effects of distorted flow profiles caused by upstream fittings, with empirical data showing varying error rates for different types of flowmeters depending on their configuration and the presence of flow conditioners. For accurate measurements, adequate straight pipe lengths upstream and downstream of the flowmeter are essential, with more complex setups (like those involving bends or valves) requiring longer lengths. Key studies and tests reveal error margins depending on the type of disturbance and meter setup, highlighting that improper installation can lead to significant measurement inaccuracies. However, the present invention discloses an ultrasonic flow meter having one or more ultrasonic paths and a method of measuring fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter. The disclosed ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of mounting arrangements for ultrasonic transducers at a pre-determined mounting point such that the ultrasonic paths thus formed are arranged parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through the annular path.
[0007] Thus, there exists a dire need in the art, to provide an ultrasonic flow meter, a system and method of measuring fluid flow with improved accuracy.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, that at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.
[0009] It is a general object of the present disclosure to overcome the drawbacks and limitations of the existing ultrasonic flow meters with limited ultrasonic paths.
[0010] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an ultrasonic flow meter, a system, and a method of measuring the fluid flow with improved accuracy.
[0011] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a flow meter with a modified casing or spool to adopt a brute force approach to achieve improved accuracy.
[0012] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an ultrasonic flow meter with increased the number of ultrasonic paths.

SUMMARY
[0013] Within the scope of this application, it is expressly envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.
[0014] In a first aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. The disclosure presents an ultrasonic flow meter implemented for accurate fluid velocity measurement. The flow meter incorporates a spool with an annular path, allowing fluid passage. The spool features a first flange and a second flange with mounting arrangements for ultrasonic elements. These elements, arranged parallel to the annular path, emit and receive ultrasonic signals to measure fluid velocity. The disclosed flow meter enhances measurement accuracy and reliability, making it suitable for various applications requiring precise flow monitoring.
[0015] In a second aspect of the present invention, a system implemented for accurate fluid flow measurement using ultrasonic technology is disclosed. It incorporates an ultrasonic flow meter with a spool featuring an annular path for fluid flow. The spool includes a first flange and a second flange with mounting arrangements for ultrasonic elements. These elements, arranged parallel to the annular path, emit and receive ultrasonic signals to determine fluid velocity.
[0016] In a third aspect of the present invention, a method of measuring fluid flow using an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed. The method involves providing a spool with an annular path for fluid passage. The spool includes a first flange and a second flange with mounting arrangements for ultrasonic elements. These elements, arranged such that the resulting ultrasonic paths are parallel to the annular path, emit and receive ultrasonic signals to determine fluid velocity. The method entails mounting the ultrasonic elements onto the mounting arrangements and subsequently transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. By analyzing the time taken for these signals to travel through the fluid, the method accurately measures fluid velocity within the annular path of the spool.
[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this invention, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention of such drawings includes the invention of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.
[0019] FIG.1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system to measure fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram that describes the step-wise illustration of the method of measuring fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the spool which showcases the annular path protruding out from the main pipe and one or more ultrasonic elements or transducers are attached to the end surfaces of the annular path, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 3B illustrates an oblique view through a cross-section of the spool showcasing the central cylinder of the ultrasonic flow meter, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of the plurality of mounting arrangement at a predetermined mounting point with one or more ultrasonic mounting elements installed on the spool, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary section view of the spool that shows the third surface and the fourth surface that blocking path of fluid and diverting it into annular path, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the present embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.
[0027] Accordingly, while example embodiments of the invention are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments of the present invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.
[0028] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0029] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected,” or “coupled,” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected,” or “directly coupled,” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).
[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. If the present disclosure states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0031] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code/instruction according to the present invention with appropriate standard device hardware to execute the instruction contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (say server) (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, devises, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0032] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limit the present disclosure.
[0033] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100- ultrasonic flow meter
101- spool
101-1- first/ outer surface of annular path1 (outer surface of annular path)
101-2 - second/ inner surface of annular path 2 (inner surface of annular path)
101-3-1 and 101-3-2- third surface and fourth surface (surfaces blocking path of fluid and diverting it into annular path)
101-4-1 and 101-4-2- fifth surface and sixth surface (surfaces to seal annular path and mount transducers)
101-4- first flange
101-5- second flange
101-6 – first support structure
101-7 – second support structure
102- plurality of mounting arrangement
103- one or more ultrasonic elements/ transducers
104- inlet pipe/ pipe
105- one or more sensors/ sensors
106- processor
107- oscillator
108- display panel
109- Outlet pipe
200- system
250- method
600- one or more pre-determined mounting points
[0034] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0035] Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention disclose an ultrasonic flow meter (100), a system (200), and a method (250) of measuring the fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter (100).
[0036] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings FIGs. 1-5.
[0037] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram (150) of a system (200) to measure fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter (100), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] In a first embodiment of the present invention, an ultrasonic flow meter (100) designed to accurately measure the velocity of a fluid is disclosed. The flow meter incorporates a spool (101) with an annular path through which the fluid flows. The spool includes surfaces 1 through 6 (101-1, 101-2, 101-3-1, 101-3-2, 101-4-1 and 101-4-2) which form an annular path, directing the flow of water into the annular path which lies between a fifth surface (101-4-1) and a sixth surface (101-4-2). The path is such that any point in this path can be reached by a line drawn between the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2 in such a way that this line is also perpendicular to both the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2. The line drawn in this way will also be parallel to the general direction of flow of water. The aspect of the geometry of the present invention allows transducers to be placed on the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2) such that they face each other. The ultrasonic path formed by transducers placed in this way will be parallel to the flow of water. It can also be clearly seen from the FIG. 3 that it is possible to mount a large number (40 in the exemplary implementation, denoted as 103) of ultrasonic elements (103) in this way. The ultrasonic elements (103) are then configured to emit and receive ultrasonic signals from their corresponding ultrasonic elements enabling the accurate measurement of fluid velocity.
[0039] In the exemplary implementation of the first embodiment, the spool (101) is an integral part of the flow meter, providing the annular path for fluid flow. The first flange (101-4) and the second flange (101-5) are acting as a mating element between the spool and the pipe into which the flow meter would be installed.
[0040] In the exemplary implementation of the first embodiment, the ultrasonic elements (103) emit high-frequency sound waves through the fluid. These sound waves travel through the fluid and are received by corresponding ultrasonic elements on the other side of the spool. By measuring the time taken by the sound waves to travel between the ultrasonic elements, the flow meter can accurately determine the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool.
[0041] In the exemplary implementation of the first embodiment, the second surface (101-2), third surface (101-3-1) and fourth surface (101-3-2) are required to channel the flow into the annular path. It becomes clear by examining the drawings that these surfaces, which are physically connected to each other are not physically connected to the rest of the spool (101). Thus, there is no way for them to remain in place and create a rigid arrangement to create a channel of flow. To remedy this, the first support structure (101-6) and second support structure (101-7) have been provided. Many other ways of rigidly fixing these surfaces to the rest of the spool (101) are possible and can easily be designed, such as thin axial rods protruding from third surface (101-3-1) and fourth surface (101-3-2) which attach to the spool (101) near the flanges (101-4, 101-5). An exhaustive enumeration of such arrangements is unreasonable and unnecessary. The design of the arrangement may be chosen in accordance with particular engineering problems that are pertinent to the application such as low-pressure loss or high structural integrity.
[0042] In these embodiments, the ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprises the spool (101) with an annular path through which the fluid flows, and the one or more ultrasonic elements are mounted (103) on the spool (101) for accurate fluid velocity measurement.
[0043] In these embodiments, one or more pre-determined mounting points (600) refers to the outer surface or a specific location or point on the spool (101) on which the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) i.e. transducers are installed at the first flange (101-4) and second flange (101-5) of the spool (101) respectively.
[0044] In these embodiments, the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) includes transducer mounting bracket, transducer holder, mounting assembly, or transducer installation point based on the type of the specific application wherein the flow meter (100) is utilized.
[0045] In these embodiments, the first flange (101-4) and second flange (101-1) refer to any sort of water tight seal arrangement, one or more mechanical arrangements such as, clamps, flanges, threads or any other mating feature between the pipe and flow meter (100) such as welding or glue.
[0046] To summarise, the ultrasonic flow meter (100) disclosed in the present invention, provides a reliable and accurate method for measuring fluid velocity. The annular path and the precise arrangement of ultrasonic elements contribute to the accuracy and efficiency of the flow measurement process.
[0047] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a system (200) for measuring fluid flow using an ultrasonic flow meter (100) is disclosed. The system incorporates a spool (101) with an annular path through which the fluid flows. The spool includes a first flange (101-4) and a second flange (101-5) that are separated by a predetermined distance. The flanges (101-1, 101-2) provide mounting arrangements (102) for ultrasonic elements (103), which are configured to emit and receive ultrasonic signals to determine the fluid velocity.
[0048] In an exemplary implementation of the second embodiment, the system (200) further includes one or more sensors (105) (the term “one or more sensors” and “sensors” are used interchangeably hereinafter) coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter (100). These sensors (105) sense the parameters of the fluid and one or more parameters associated with the flow meter (100). The sensed parameters are analysed by a processor (106) to provide additional insights into the quality of the fluid, fluid flow and the performance of the flow meter.
[0049] In the exemplary implementation of the second embodiment, the system (200) may also include an oscillator (107) to generate electrical signals for the ultrasonic elements and a display panel (108) to display the analyzed parameters.
[0050] In the exemplary implementation of the second embodiment, the system (200) can measure various parameters of the fluid, including temperature, density, viscosity, pressure, and chemical composition. Additionally, the system (200) can measure parameters associated with the ultrasonic flow meter (100), such as transducer temperature, transducer alignment, electronic component performance, and calibration status.
[0051] To summarise, the disclosed system (200) provides a comprehensive solution for measuring fluid flow, incorporating ultrasonic technology and additional sensors to enhance accuracy and provide valuable insights into fluid properties and flow meter performance.
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram (250) that describes the step-wise illustration of the method (250) of measuring fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0053] In a third embodiment of the present invention, the method (250) of measuring fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter (100) is disclosed. The method involves providing a spool (101) with an annular path, mounting ultrasonic elements (103) on the spool, and emitting and receiving ultrasonic signals to determine the fluid velocity.
[0054] At block 301, the method (250) begins by allowing the passage of fluid through an annular path of a spool (101). The spool (101) includes a third surface (101-3-1) and a fourth surface (101-3-2) separated by a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the third surface (101-3-1) and the fourth surface (101-4-1) comprises a plurality of mounting arrangements (102) at at the pre-determined mounting points (600).
[0055] At block 302, the method (250) then involves mounting one or more ultrasonic elements (103) on the mounting arrangements (102). The ultrasonic elements are arranged such that the ultrasonic paths formed are parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through it.
[0056] At block 303, the method (250) further involves the step of measuring the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool (101). This is done by emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals from and to the ultrasonic elements (103) thereby determining the fluid velocity.
[0057] To summarise, the disclosed method (250) provides a reliable and accurate way to measure fluid flow using ultrasonic technology. By carefully positioning the ultrasonic elements and analyzing the time it takes for ultrasonic signals to travel through the fluid, the method (250) can accurately determine the fluid velocity.
[0058] In an exemplary implementation of the third embodiment, each of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) is configured to emit high-frequency sound waves through the fluid and measure, through the corresponding ultrasonic element on the other side of the spool, the time for the emitted waves to travel between the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) and the corresponding ultrasonic element.
[0059] In the exemplary implementation of the third embodiment, one or more ultrasonic elements (103) are one or more transducers or one or more piezoelectric transducers.
[0060] In the exemplary implementation of the third embodiment, the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) is enabled to mount one or more transducers (103) (the term “ultrasonic element” and “transducer” are used interchangeably hereinafter) wherein the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) is selected from any of, arrangement through supporting plates (for Eg. triangle-shaped plates illustrated in FIG. 4), slot arrangement, coupling arrangement or adhesive arrangement or others. The overall arrangement of the mounting arrangements on the fifth and sixth surfaces (101-4-1 and 101-4-2) can be a grid-like arrangement, circular arrangement, staggered arrangement, or custom arrangement based on the specific type of application, and other considerations such as structural integrity (The figures illustrate an arrangement which comprises of two concentric circles).
[0061] In these embodiments, pre-determined mounting points (600) refers to specific locations or points on the spool (101) on which the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) i.e. transducers are installed on the fifth surface (101-4-1), and sixth surface (101-4-2) of the spool (101) respectively.
[0062] In the exemplary implementation of the third embodiment, the inner diameter of the annular path is equal to the diameter of an inlet pipe (104) of the ultrasonic flow meter (100). The inlet pipe (104) is adapted to allow the fluid being entered into the spool (101), and the outlet pipe (109) is adapted to exit the fluid from the spool (101).
[0063] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view (350A) of the spool (101) which showcases the annular path protruding out from the main pipe and the one or more ultrasonic elements/ transducers (103) are attached to the end surfaces of the annular path, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0064] In these embodiments, the meter designed for pipes (104) may be of diameter 300 mm. The transducer (103) may be of diameter 20 mm.
[0065] In these embodiments, the implementation of the present disclosure can be applied to somewhat smaller diameters such as up to 200mm with some changes to the way in which the transducers (103) are placed with transducers which are currently commercially available. If much greater accuracy is required in flow meters of smaller diameters, small transducers can be fabricated for the particular requirement and the implementation can still be applied.
[0066] In an exemplary implementation of the fourth embodiment, the length of the ultrasonic path must be sufficient to result in sufficient time of flight difference as required by the ultrasonic transit time method. A reasonable lower limit would be 50 mm.
[0067] In the exemplary implementation of the fourth embodiment, the inner cylinder of the annular portion must be at least the size of the inlet which is required so that the full cross-section of flow in the annular part is possible to be covered by a transducer placed somewhere on the outer surface of the end of the annular part.
[0068] In these embodiments, the radius of the outer cylinder in the annular portion is preferred to be such that there is no significant difference in cross-sectional area between the annular path and the inlet pipe (104). For example, if the inlet pipe (104) has a diameter of d and the inner diameter of the annular path has a diameter of d to match it as mentioned above, an outer diameter of √2d would be preferred to equalize the cross-sectional area.
[0069] FIG. 3B illustrates an oblique view (350B) through a cross-section of the spool (101) showcasing the central cylinder of the ultrasonic flow meter (100), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 3B, a cross-section of the design showcasing the central cylinder, its attachment to the outer shell, and the transducers (103) which are placed on the outer surface of the end of the annular part facing directly parallel to the path of flow is illustrated.
[0071] In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the proposed flow meter (100) includes the diversion of the flow into an annular cross-section. The outer surfaces of both ends of this annular path are easily accessible and present flat surfaces that can be used to directly place transducers (103) without the need for any complex parts or machining to create a specific angle of mounting. Several configurations are possible to arrange the transducers (103) on this surface.
[0072] The FIG. 3B shows two rings of 20 transducers (103) resulting in a total of 40 transducers (103) on each face. The opposite face must contain transducers (103) which exactly face these 40, thus giving a total of 40 ultrasonic paths.
[0073] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view (450) of the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) at predetermined mounting points (600) with one or more ultrasonic mounting elements (103) installed on the spool (101), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary section view (550) of the spool (101) that shows the third surface (101-3-1) and the fourth surface (101-3-2) that blocking path of fluid and diverting it into annular path, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0075] What are described above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not to limit the present invention; any modification, equivalent replacement, and improvement within the principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.
[0076] The example embodiment or each example embodiment should not be understood as a restriction of the invention. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which can be inferred by the person skilled in the art with regard to achieving the object for example by combination or modification of individual features or elements or method steps that are described in connection with the general or specific part of the description and are contained in the claims and/or the drawings, and, by way of combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps, including insofar as they concern production, testing, and operating methods.
[0077] References back that are used in dependent claims indicate the further embodiment of the subject matter of the main claim by way of the features of the respective dependent claim; they should not be understood as dispensing with obtaining independent protection of the subject matter for the combinations of features in the referred-back dependent claims. Furthermore, with regard to interpreting the claims, where a feature is concretized in more specific detail in a subordinate claim, it should be assumed that such a restriction is not present in the respective preceding claims.
[0078] Since the subject matter of the dependent claims in relation to the prior art on the priority date may form separate and independent inventions, the applicant reserves the right to make them the subject matter of independent claims or divisional declarations. They may furthermore also contain independent inventions that have a configuration that is independent of the subject matters of the preceding dependent claims.
[0079] Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.
[0080] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the scope of the present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
[0081] The proposed invention provides an ultrasonic flow meter, a system, and a method for measuring the fluid flow using the ultrasonic flow meter.
[0082] The proposed invention provides a system and a method that offers significant advantages in measuring fluid profiles using the disclosed ultrasonic flow meter.
[0083] The proposed invention provides an ultrasonic flow meter and a system that includes the annular path and precise arrangement of ultrasonic elements contributing to improved accuracy in measuring fluid velocity.
[0084] The proposed invention provides a system which allows for customization and flexibility in terms of transducer arrangement, making it adaptable to various fluid flow conditions and measurement requirements.
[0085] The proposed invention uses multiple ultrasonic elements can enhance the system's reliability and reduce the risk of measurement errors.
[0086] The proposed invention provides a system that provides real-time data on fluid flow rates and other parameters, enabling timely monitoring and control of processes.
[0087] The proposed invention provides an ultrasonic flow meter that can be used to measure a variety of fluids, including liquids and gases, in a wide range of industries and applications.
[0088] The proposed invention offers a comprehensive solution that offers several advantages, including improved accuracy, flexibility, and reliability in fluid flow measurement.
, Claims:1. An ultrasonic flow meter (100) for measuring fluid flow, the ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprising:
a spool (101) having an annular path to allow passage for fluid therethrough, the spool (101) comprises a first flange (101-4) and a second flange (101-5) separated by a pre-determined distance from each other;
one or more surfaces therein to form an annular path; and
one or more ultrasonic elements (103) mounted on each of the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) and arranged parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through the annular path, wherein each of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) is configured to emit and/or receive one or more ultrasonic signals from a corresponding ultrasonic element of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) so as to accurately measure the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool (101).
2. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more surfaces includes:
a first surface (101-1), a second surface (101-2), a third surface (101-3-1), a fourth surface (101-3-2), a fifth surface (101-4-1), and a sixth surface (101-4-2) together to form a conduit for fluid flow which opens and being connected to the rest of the spool (101) through the holes in the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2);
the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2) are parallel to each other;
at least one cross section through the conduit such that all points on the at least cross section is accessed by an ultrasonic path which is perpendicular to the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2) formed by mounting the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) on the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2) are parallel to each other; and
the fifth surface (101-4-1) and the sixth surface (101-4-2) comprises a plurality of mounting arrangements (102) at predetermined mounting points (600).
3. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) are configured to emit high-frequency sound waves through the fluid and measure, through the corresponding ultrasonic element, time for the emitted waves to travel between the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) and the corresponding ultrasonic element.
4. The ultrasonic flow meter (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
one or more ultrasonic elements (103) are one or more transducers or one or more piezoelectric transducers; and
a plurality of mounting arrangement (102) enables to mount the one or more transducers wherein the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) is selected from any of, arrangement through one or more supporting plates, slot arrangement, coupling arrangement, adhesive arrangement, grid-like arrangement, circular arrangement, staggered arrangement, or custom arrangement based on the type of application.
5. A system (200) for measuring fluid flow using an ultrasonic flow meter (100), the system (200) comprising:
the ultrasonic flow meter (100) having the one or more ultrasonic paths, the ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprising:
a spool (101) having an annular path to allow passage for fluid therethrough, the spool (101) comprises a fifth surface (101-4-1) and a sixth surface (101-4-2) separated by a pre-determined distance from each other, wherein each of a first surface (101-1) and a second surface (101-2) comprises a plurality of mounting arrangement (102) at one or more pre-determined mounting points (600);
one or more ultrasonic elements (103) mounted on each of the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) and arranged parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through the annular path, wherein each of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) is configured to emit and/or receive one or more ultrasonic signals from a corresponding ultrasonic element of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103) so as to accurately measure the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool (101);
one or more sensors (105) coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter (100) to sense one or more parameters of the fluid and one or more parameters associated with the ultrasonic flow meter (100); and
a processor (106) operatively coupled the one or more sensors (105) to analyse the one or more sensed parameters of the fluid and the one or more sensed parameters of the ultrasonic flow meter (100).
6. The system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the system (200) further comprising:
an oscillator (107) operatively coupled to the ultrasonic flow meter (100) to generate the one or more electrical signals; and
a display panel (108) coupled to the processor (106), wherein the display panel (108) is adapted to display the one or more analysed parameters of the fluid and one or more analysed parameters of the ultrasonic flow meter (100).
7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
one or more ultrasonic elements (103) are one or more transducers or one or more piezoelectric transducers; and
a plurality of mounting arrangement (102) is enabled to mount the one or more transducers wherein the plurality of mounting arrangement (102) is selected from any of,
arrangement through one or more supporting plates, slot arrangement, coupling arrangement, adhesive arrangement, grid-like arrangement, circular arrangement, staggered arrangement, or custom arrangement based on the type of application.
8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the one or more sensors (105) are selected from any of, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, level sensors, or density sensors.
9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
the one or more parameters of the fluid comprises temperature, density, viscosity, pressure, or chemical composition; and
the one or more parameters of the ultrasonic flow meter (100) comprises transducer temperature, transducer alignment, electronic component performance, or calibration status.
10. A method (250) of measuring fluid flow using an ultrasonic flow meter (100), the method (250) comprising:
allowing (301) passage for fluid through an annular path of a spool (101), the spool (101) comprising a fifth surface (101-4-1) and a sixth surface (101-4-2) separated by a predetermined distance from each other, wherein each of a first surface (101-1) and a second surface (101-2) comprises a plurality of mounting arrangements (102) at one or more pre-determined mounting points (600);
mounting (302) one or more ultrasonic elements (103) on each of the plurality of mounting arrangements (102), the ultrasonic elements being arranged such that the one or more ultrasonic paths are parallel to the annular path or the fluid passing through the annular path; and
measuring (303) the velocity of the fluid passing through the spool (101) by emitting and/or receiving (303) one or more ultrasonic signals from a corresponding ultrasonic element of the one or more ultrasonic elements (103).