US3715709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sing-around velocimeter
Assignee: Mesa Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1970-01-14
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1990-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A sing-around velocimeter having a fixed sound path length so that the repetition rate is a function of the velocity of sound in the fluid and consequently of the characteristics of the fluid. A digital latch is employed to control the application of a signal to the transmitting transducer as determined by the signal received by the receiving transducer or by a free running oscillator if no signal is received. The probe used in the velocimeter has a fixed path length and is shaped so that spurious signals are not received by the receiving transducer. A pair of reflectors and the transducers are mounted in a ring of fixed radius to maintain the path length constant. In one construction, the probe is capable of being inserted in a breaker or similar vessel to measure the characteristics of the contents. A similar construction is used for insertion in a pipe containing flowing fluid to measure the fluid''s characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 E Zacharias
- 👤 U Cirulis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/66; G01N; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
A sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a fluid comprising: a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer mounted in contact with the fluid and in fixed geometric relationship such that the sound path therebetween is fixed; means for applying pulsed electrical signals to the first electroacoustic transducer to produce corresponding pulsed sound signals for transmission through the fluid; means for amplifying the pulsed electrical signals converted from the pulsed sound signals received by the second electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the amplified, pulsed electrical signals; first signal generating means; second signal generating means; latch means connected to the means for applying pulsed electrical signals, the first generating means and the second generating means such that the means for applying pulsed electrical signals is actuated when a pulsed electrical signal is detected within a predetermined time period and such that premature application of a pulsed electrical signal to the first electroacoustic transducer is prevented when spurious signals are received and such that a pulsed electrical signal is applied to the first electroacoustic transducer if no pulsed electrical signal is received within a predetermined period of time; and counting means for counting the pulses of the pulsed electrical signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
A sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a fluid comprising: a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer mounted in contact with the fluid and in fixed geometric relationship such that the sound path therebetween is fixed; means for applying pulsed electrical signals to the first electroacoustic transducer to produce corresponding pulsed sound signals for transmission through the fluid; means for amplifying the pulsed electrical signals converted from the pulsed sound signals received by the second electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the amplified, pulsed electrical signals; first signal generating means; second signal generating means; latch means connected to the means for applying pulsed electrical signals, the first generating means and the second generating means such that the means for applying pulsed electrical signals is actuated when a pulsed electrical signal is detected within a predetermined time period and such that premature application of a pulsed electrical signal to the first electroacoustic transducer is prevented when spurious signals are received and such that a pulsed electrical signal is applied to the first electroacoustic transducer if no pulsed electrical signal is received within a predetermined period of time; and counting means for counting the pulses of the pulsed electrical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
202 words
A sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a fluid comprising: a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer mounted in contact with the fluid and in fixed geometric relationship such that the sound path therebetween is fixed; means for applying pulsed electrical signals to the first electroacoustic transducer to produce corresponding pulsed sound signals for transmission through the fluid; means for amplifying the pulsed electrical signals converted from the pulsed sound signals received by the second electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the amplified, pulsed electrical signals; first signal generating means; second signal generating means; latch means connected to the means for applying pulsed electrical signals, the first generating means and the second generating means such that the means for applying pulsed electrical signals is actuated when a pulsed electrical signal is detected within a predetermined time period and such that premature application of a pulsed electrical signal to the first electroacoustic transducer is prevented when spurious signals are received and such that a pulsed electrical signal is applied to the first electroacoustic transducer if no pulsed electrical signal is received within a predetermined period of time; and counting means for counting the pulses of the pulsed electrical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
202 words
A sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a fluid comprising: a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer mounted in contact with the fluid and in fixed geometric relationship such that the sound path therebetween is fixed; means for applying pulsed electrical signals to the first electroacoustic transducer to produce corresponding pulsed sound signals for transmission through the fluid; means for amplifying the pulsed electrical signals converted from the pulsed sound signals received by the second electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the amplified, pulsed electrical signals; first signal generating means; second signal generating means; latch means connected to the means for applying pulsed electrical signals, the first generating means and the second generating means such that the means for applying pulsed electrical signals is actuated when a pulsed electrical signal is detected within a predetermined time period and such that premature application of a pulsed electrical signal to the first electroacoustic transducer is prevented when spurious signals are received and such that a pulsed electrical signal is applied to the first electroacoustic transducer if no pulsed electrical signal is received within a predetermined period of time; and counting means for counting the pulses of the pulsed electrical signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
159 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein: the electroacoustic transducers are mounted in a ring for immersion in the fluid; the ring having an inner wall and an outer wall and two openings therein from the outer wall to the inner wall; the first electroacoustic transducer being disc shaped and mounted in the ring so that one of its faces closes the first of the openings in the inner wall and so that the pulsed sound signals are directed toward a portion of the inner wall; the second electroacoustic transducer being disc shaped and mounted in the ring so that one of its faces closes the second of the openings in the inner wall and so that it is precluded from receiving sound signals directly from the first electroacoustic transducer; at least one reflector mounted in the inner wall placed such that the pulsed sound signals received directly from the first electroacoustic transducer are reflected toward the second electroacoustic transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein there is a third opening from the inner wall to the outer wall, a reflector assembly containing the reflector mounted so as to be rotatable therein and including means for locking the reflector assembly in place after obtaining the desired orientation of the reflector.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein there is a fourth opening from the inner wall to the outer wall and there is a second reflector assembly containing a second reflector mounted so as to be rotatable therein and including means for locking the second reflectoR in place after obtaining the desired orientation of the second reflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein there are at least two such reflectors mounted in the inner wall placed such that the sound signals from the first electroacoustic transducer are reflected serially from reflector to reflector, reaching the second electroacoustic transducer after having been reflected no more than once from each such reflector to thereby increase the length of the sound path.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein there are two such reflectors and the length of the sound path is approximately equal to r(4 + Square Root 2) where r is the radius of the inner wall of the ring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein the inner wall of the ring is sloped such that any sound signal which does not impringe on the reflector is reflected by the inner wall so that it does not impinge on the second electroacoustic transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
133 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein: the ring comprises: a pair of solid arcuate members; a pair of elements having low acoustic transmission properties placed between the pair of arcuate members; clamping means for clamping the pair of solid arcuate members and the pair of elements together to form a ring wherein sound signals are precluded from being transmitted within the ring from one of the solid arcuate members to the other such member; the first electroacoustic transducer being mounted in one of said pair of solid arcuate members; the second electroacoustic transducer being mounted in the other of said pair of solid arcuate members so that the only sound signals which are received by the second electroacoustic transducer are those which have traversed the fluid in which the ring has been immersed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
A circuit for use in a sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a medium using at least one electroacoustic transducer in contact with the medium comprising: a transducer driver for applying electrical signals to the electroacoustic transducer; amplifying means connected such that it receives electrical signals converted from the sound signals in the medium by the electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the electrical signals from the amplifying means; a free running, signal generator; a reset signal generator; latch means connected to the detecting means, the free running, signal generator, the reset generator and the transducer driver such that the transducer driver is actuated by the reset signal generator if a sound signal is received within a predetermined period of time and the transducer driver is actuated by the free running, signal generator if a sound signal is not received in a predetermined period of time; output means for connection to a counter for measuring the elapsed time between initiation of successive electrical signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
A circuit for use in a sing-around velocimeter for measuring the velocity of sound in a medium using at least one electroacoustic transducer in contact with the medium comprising: a transducer driver for applying electrical signals to the electroacoustic transducer; amplifying means connected such that it receives electrical signals converted from the sound signals in the medium by the electroacoustic transducer; means for detecting the electrical signals from the amplifying means; a free running, signal generator; a reset signal generator; latch means connected to the detecting means, the free running, signal generator, the reset generator and the transducer driver such that the transducer driver is actuated by the reset signal generator if a sound signal is received within a predetermined period of time and the transducer driver is actuated by the free running, signal generator if a sound signal is not received in a predetermined period of time; output means for connection to a counter for measuring the elapsed time between initiation of successive electrical signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
The invention of claim 9 including: switch means having a first position and a second position; calibration measuring means and adjusting means connected such that when the switch means is in the first position, the circuit operates to initiate sound signals and detect and count the same and when the switch means is in the second position, the calibration measuring means are connected to permit proper adjustment of the gain of the amplifying means by the adjusting means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein there are a first electroacoustic transducer and a second electroacoustic transducer and including: a ring for immersion in the medium; the ring having an inner wall and an outer wall and two openings therein from the outer wall to the inner wall; the first electroacoustic transducer being disc shaped and mounted in the ring so that one of its faces closes the first of the openings in the inner wall and so that the pulsed sound signals are directed toward a portion of the inner wall; the second electroacoustic transducer being disc shaped and mounted in the ring so that one of iTs faces closes the second of the openings in the inner wall and so that it is precluded from receiving sound signals directly from the first electroacoustic transducer; at least one reflector mounted in the inner wall placed such that the pulsed sound signals received directly from the first electroacoustic transducer are reflected toward the second electroacoustic transducer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein there is a third opening from the inner wall to the outer wall, a reflector assembly containing the reflector mounted so as to be rotatable therein and including means for locking the reflector assembly in place after obtaining the desired orientation of the reflector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The invention of claim 12 wherein there is a fourth opening from the inner wall to the outer wall and there is a second reflector assembly containing a second reflector mounted so as to be rotatable therein and including means for locking the second reflector in place after obtaining the desired orientation of the second reflector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein there are at least two such reflectors mounted in the inner wall placed such that the sound signals from the first electroacoustic transducer are reflected serially from reflector to reflector, reaching the second electroacoustic transducer after having been reflected no more than once from each such reflector to thereby increase the length of the sound path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein there are two such reflectors and the length of the sound path is approximately equal to r(4 + Square Root 2) where r is the radius of the inner wall of the ring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein the inner wall of the ring is sloped such that any sound signal which does not impinge on the reflector is reflected by the inner wall so that it does not impinge on the second electroacoustic transducer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |