IP Library Granted Patent US 9,372,105
Granted Patent B2
US 9,372,105 · App. 13/984,633 · Granted Jun 21, 2016

Ultrasonic flow rate measurement device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,372,105
App. No.
13/984,633
Granted
Jun 21, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device includes a measurement channel, through which a fluid to be measured flows; and a sensor fixing casing having openings formed in the measurement channel and sensor fixing cavities communicating with the openings. Moreover, the ultrasonic flow rate measurement device includes a pair of ultrasonic sensors contained in the sensor fixing cavities, for measuring the flow rate of the fluid to be measured; and a flow rate measuring unit for detecting the flow rate based on an ultrasonic wave propagation time between the pair of ultrasonic sensors. Furthermore, the ultrasonic flow rate measurement device includes a suppressing member formed at each of the openings, for suppressing the fluid to be measured from intruding into each of the sensor fixing cavities, wherein the suppressing member is molded integrally with the sensor fixing casing.

Claims (22)

1. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device comprising:

a measurement channel through which a fluid to be measured flows;

a sensor fixing casing having openings formed in the measurement channel and sensor fixing cavities communicating with the openings;

a pair of ultrasonic sensors contained in the sensor fixing cavities for measuring a flow rate of the fluid to be measured;

a flow rate measuring unit for detecting the flow rate based on an ultrasonic wave propagation time between the pair of ultrasonic sensors; and

suppressing members formed integrally with the sensor fixing casing at each of the openings for suppressing the fluid to be measured from intruding into each of the sensor fixing cavities,

wherein the suppressing member includes a plurality of slits that span the openings.

2. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor fixing casing and the measurement channel are constituted integrally with each other.

3. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the pair of ultrasonic sensors is disposed at a same side surface of the measurement channel, thus constituting an ultrasonic wave propagation path utilizing reflection on a wall surface on an opposite side.

4. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor fixing cavity and the opening are formed in a mold into which a slider die is inserted during casting of the sensor fixing casing, wherein the slider die defines slits at a tip of the slider die that define the plurality of slits of the suppressing members that span the openings.

5. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the tip of the slider die has a same plane as a wall surface of the measurement channel continuous to the opening.

6. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the slits formed at the tip of the slider die are formed linearly in a direction perpendicular to a flow in the measurement channel, and

a depth direction of the slits is perpendicular to ultrasonic wave emission surfaces of the pair of ultrasonic sensors.

7. An ultrasonic flow rate measurement device according to claim 4 ,

wherein the slits at the tip of the slider die are formed into a grid shape;

the slits are formed perpendicularly to a flow inside of the measurement channel, and

a depth direction of the slits is perpendicular to ultrasonic wave emission surfaces of the pair of ultrasonic sensors.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2013
From: MIYATA, HAJIME; NAKANO, MAKOTO; FUJII, YUJI; OZAKI, YUKINORI
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 031353/0498 →