Abstract: Method for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium, wherein a mechanically oscillatable unit is supplied with an exciter signal wherein a received signal coming from the mechanically oscillatable unit is received, and wherein the exciter signal is produced in such a manner, that a phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal equals a predeterminable phase value. A criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference between the exciter signal and the received signal, or a signal dependent on the exciter signal or on the received signal, is established; in the case, in which the criterion for judging the determining of the phase difference is fulfilled, tuning of the phase difference is closed-loop controlled; and, in the alternative case, tuning of the phase difference is open-loop controlled. An apparatus associated with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A powdery/granular material flowability evaluation apparatus and a powdery/granular material flowability evaluation method are provided to evaluate the flowability of a powdery/granular material in a dynamic state of the powdery/granular material. The powdery/granular material flowability evaluation apparatus (A) has a hopper (111) for storing a powdery/granular material to be measured, a vertical tube (11) having a flow-in port (1121) connected with a discharge port (1112) of the hopper (111) through which the powdery/granular material is discharged, a vibrator (2) for giving vibration to the tube (11), a laser vibrometer (3) for measuring the amplitude of the tube (11), an electric balance (4) for measuring the weight of the powdery/granular material fallen through the tube 11 from the hopper (111), and an evaluation value calculating section (512) for calculating an evaluation value evaluating the flowability of the powdery/granular material based on the measured amplitude and weight.

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A pressure relief valve monitoring system and method is disclosed. In one aspect there is an online pressure relief valve monitoring system that includes at least one acoustic sensor located about a pressure relief valve that obtains ultrasonic measurements therefrom. One or more temperature sensors located about the pressure relief valve obtain temperature measurements therefrom. A data acquisition system receives the ultrasonic measurements from the at least one acoustic sensor and the temperature measurements from the one or more temperature sensors. An online monitor monitors the measurements received by the data acquisition system for detection of a leak about the pressure relief valve. The online monitor detects the presence of the leak as a function of the ultrasonic measurements and temperature measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flow measuring device, which determines volume and/or mass flow of a medium in a pipeline, or in a measuring tube. The flow measuring device includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, which emit and/or receive ultrasonic measurement signals along defined sound paths. The control/evaluation electronics of the flow measuring device is divided into an on-site electronics, in which at least one switch is provided, via which the ultrasonic sensors, arranged in different sound paths, can be driven and/or queried, and at least one remote, control/evaluation unit, wherein the control/evaluation unit so switches the at least one switch, that the driven and/or queried, ultrasonic sensor, or the driven and/or queried pair of ultrasonic sensors, is activated and provides measured values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for periodically calculating the relative phase of the left eigenvector for a vibrating conduit is provided. During normal operation, two drivers are used in tandem to excite the main bending mode of the conduit (202). Periodically, first one (204), then the second (206), of the two drivers is disabled, allowing measurements that enable the determination of the relative phase of the left eigenvector (208) for the vibrating conduit.

Abstract: A method of analyzing structural vibration according to one aspect of the present invention includes reception of data from a plurality of sensors on a structure, filtration of the data to exclude data outside of a selected frequency band, association of sensor locations with locations on computer model, and generation of an animation which displays the structural vibration.

Abstract: Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a processor, and a communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. In addition, at a particular vibration recorder, meter readings from a flow meter associated with the particular vibration recorder are received. The meter readings are indicative of a level of flow in the pipeline network, and are communicated from the particular vibration recorder to a reader device using the communication device of the particular vibration recorder. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system.

Abstract: A method for determining and/or monitoring at least one measured variable of an at least partially gaseous medium with at least one mechanically oscillatable unit, which is excited to execute mechanical oscillations, and whose mechanical oscillations are received and evaluated. At least one characteristic curve is stored, which describes for at least one gas or a gas mixture at least the dependence of at least one characteristic variable of the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit on pressure; at least the characteristic variable of the mechanical oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit is determined; the determined characteristic variable is compared with the stored characteristic curve; and, starting from the comparison of the determined characteristic variable with the stored characteristic curve, the measured variable of the medium is determined. Further, an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring the measured variable is envisioned.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus is provided for monitoring the height of contents of a moving container, such as a beverage can 24 on a conveyor 14. The apparatus comprises non-contact ultrasonic wave generation means comprising a first electromagnetic acoustic transducer 16 disposed to one side of a container 24 being monitored and adapted to produce an ultrasonic wave pulse in the container, and non-contact ultrasonic wave detector means comprising a second electromagnetic acoustic transducer 18 adapted to detect an ultrasonic signal and to generate a detection signal dependent upon the ultrasonic signal which is detected, the detector means being disposed at a different position to the side of a container 24 from the generation means. The apparatus further including signal processing means 20 adapted to process the detection signal generated by the ultrasonic wave detector means using the difference in transit times for two waves to provide an indication of the level of the contents in the container 24.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the pressure and/or molar mass of a gas in a housing, the measure being carried out via an acoustic sensor, said acoustic sensor at least one transducer (5), an electric system (8) connected to the transducer (5) and a coupling layer (6) for coupling the transducer (5) to the housing (1), said method comprising the following steps: generating using the transducer (5) an excitation acoustic signal that vibrates the housing (1) and the gas (2) in a wide frequency band; detecting with the transducer (5) a response acoustic signal characteristic of the vibrations of the housing and the gas; analysing the response electric signals from the transducer (5) using the system (8); and deriving, essentially based on the gas (2) resonance frequencies, the speed of the acoustic waves in the gas, the molar mass of the gas and the pressure thereof. The invention also relates to an assembly for implementing the method.

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A mechanism for gathering information from one or more detectors to aid in a determination of a current location of one or more entities is provided. Embodiments of the present invention perform these tasks by plotting data provided by the detectors onto a grid corresponding to a geographical area monitored by the detectors and then analyzing the plot for overlapping results using graphical techniques. Where measurements overlap, data associated with those measurements is provided to an analysis module to predict location and velocity of the entities. Aspects of the present invention provide an initial prediction of location and/or velocity of an entity in order to reduce convergence time of the analysis module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of analyzing signals from an array of sensors, the array including one or more pressure sensor and one or more pressure-gradient sensor. The method includes combining data received from one or more pressure sensors and data from one or more of the pressure-gradient sensors, in such a way as substantially to eliminate noise components from the product. The invention also relates to a sonar system and an array configuration for implementing the method, as well as a computer readable product, storage device storing the computer readable product and computer receivable signal for implementing the method.

Abstract: A computer-based system generates digital and audio responses to changes in fluid and rock properties of a producing hydrocarbon reservoir for surveillance analysis. The system calibrates observed changes against directly-measured field data in order to optimize the reservoir model. The changes may include, for example, stress changes in rock, impedance changes in rock, and fluid density changes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and locating harmful impacts to pipelines using sensors placed along the pipeline. The exact spacing of sensors is site specific and is set with the goal of maximizing sensor spacing without reducing system performance and reliability. At each sensor location, preferably there are four basic components, i.e., a hydrophone, solar power components, and data processing and communications equipment. Each hydrophone directly measures the acoustic noise fluctuation in a pipe section, which propagates at long distances in the pipeline at the specific speed of sound for the particular type of pipe. If specific signal parameters exceed a programmed threshold, a detection message is generated and transmitted via a communications link to a central monitoring and diagnostic center.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic coupling using ultrasonic radiation pressure generating are provided. Ultrasonic energy is generated to propagate in the form of ultrasonic waves in a medium coupled to a second element. The ultrasonic energy is converged in the medium to couple the medium to an object located at a distance from the second element. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to form high efficiency and uniform Fresnel lens arrays for ultrasonic liquid manipulation are provided. An ultrasonic transducer array may be fabricated by forming top and bottom electrodes on top and bottom surfaces of a sensor plate. The ultrasonic transducer array may generate ultrasonic energy to manipulate one or more samples. Each of the top and bottom electrodes may be coupled to a radio frequency source and arranged to form one of a solid shape or a pattern. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Tracking vibrations on a pipeline network includes installing multiple vibration recorders on the pipeline network, with each recorder including a sensor, a timer, a processor, and a digital communication device. At each vibration recorder, vibration signals are received from the sensor at programmed times under the control of the processor of the vibration recorders and processed by the processor. The processed vibration signals are communicated from the vibration recorder to a reader device using the digital communication device. Thereafter, the processed vibration signals from the one or more reader devices are collected at a central computer system. Finally, the collected processed vibrations signals are analyzed at the central computer system to determine abnormal vibration patterns and to obtain measures of any leaks present in the pipeline network.

Abstract: In a Doppler ultrasonic flowmeter, to obtain a precise flow rate a flow rate calculation equation that corrects a quantization error occurring to a spatial resolution is used. An ultrasonic transducer transmits/receives ultrasonic pulses, and subject the resulting received signals to A/D conversion after a predetermined process is applied thereto. A computation control section calculates the flow velocity distribution. Then, the flow rate is calculated based on the flow rate calculation equation, which corrects the quantization error occurring to the spatial resolution.

Abstract: Determining a pattern of arrival time cycle skip in an acoustic flow meter. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods comprising transceiving acoustic signals through a fluid flowing in a meter (the transceiving between respective pairs of a plurality of transducer pairs), measuring transit time of acoustic signals between the respective pairs of the plurality of transducers pairs, calculating a plurality of error values (each error value indicative of a cycle skip mode in measuring of the transit time of the acoustic signals), and determining the cycle skip mode using, at least in part, the plurality of error values.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing information on two of the three variables, density (?), viscosity (?), and elastic modulus (c) of a fluid, such that independent knowledge of one variable allows the remaining two variables to be measured by a single sensor. The present invention relies on the interaction of a predominantly shear horizontal acoustic wave device (“quasi-shear-horizontal”) with the fluid, so as to measure subtle differences in the interaction of two or more acoustic resonance states or waveguide modes of a multi-mode resonator or waveguide, and to derive the desired fluid characteristics therefrom. The most preferred embodiment is a dual-mode coupled resonator filter geometry with one resonant mode having a high degree of symmetry and the other having a high degree of anti-symmetry.

Abstract: The acoustic sound of water flowing to/from activated sprinkler heads is used to identify fire location in a region(s). Acoustic transducers, such as microphones, can be located in the vicinity of sprinkler heads. Active heads, spraying water, will produce sounds of flowing water to which the transducers respond. Alternately, acoustic flow sensors can be coupled to sprinkler head feed pipes.

Abstract: A real-time, dynamic method for creating a body of cycle-and-cylinder-specific noise-reduction baseline data useable in conjunction with analyzing the engine-knock behavior of a subject internal combustion engine involving operating the engine in an operating mode wherein engine knock may occur, and while doing so, and during each cycle of each cylinder, gathering cycle-and-cylinder-specific, knock-free, engine-operating, baseline noise data which is intended and dedicated for noise-reduction use solely with respect to analyzing any knock data found to exist in the same operating cycle.

Abstract: A method of measuring the compressibility, and/or the density, of small particles, and especially nano-particles, in suspension is described. The static method uses steady pressures and measures the d-c (static) compressibility of particles. The ultrasonic method utilizes an ultrasonic pulsed doppler system to measure the compressibility of particles at ultrasonic frequencies, which may differ from static values. These methods can also be used together to provide overlapping and complementary information about the particles. In addition, the ultrasonic pulsed doppler system also provides a way to measure particle density.

Abstract: A method of determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit. Ultrasonic energy is directed through the conduit along multiple paths. The ultrasonic energy is detected and measured using a range gated Doppler technique to determine the velocity of the fluid at several points in the conduit. These point velocities are used to calculate the average flow rate of the fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: There is described a method and device for measurement of the specific density of a gaseous or liquid medium, whereby a pulsed acoustic signal is injected into the measured medium by means of a transmitting transducer, the signal is detected by a receiver transducer, after passing over a measured path, whereupon the acoustic impedance Z is automatically determined in an analytical device by comparison of a curve for the currently measured received signal with reference curves, predetermined for various values of the acoustic impedances stored for each value of the acoustic impedance, whereby the propagation speed c of the acoustic signal in the medium is determined and the density p of the medium is calculated as the quotient from the acoustic impedance Z and the propagation speed c. The method is preferably of application to an ultrasound mass flow measurement device and hence has the advantage that no additional density sensor is required, nevertheless permitting a robust and precise measurement of density.

Abstract: To provide a simpler and less expensive system for multipoint level measurement, the level measurement system comprises at least two sensor devices operating in accordance with the pulse-echo principle and being connected via a communication network to a signal processing device. The computation-intensive evaluation of echo profiles for calculating distances or ranges is thus shifted from the sensor devices at the measurement locations or sites to the central signal processing device. A clean copy of the Abstract that incorporates the above amendments is provided herewith on a separate page.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for locating an impact point on a surface of an object. The object is provided with an acoustic sensor that senses the impact from the acoustic waves that are generated when the object is subjected to the impact. The location of the impact on the surface of the object is determined by a recognition step that includes a comparison of the sensed signal to one or more predetermined signals. Each predetermined signal represents an active zone on the surface of the object. A predetermined signal corresponds to the sensed signal when the impact causing the sensed signal is generated in the active zone represented by the predetermined signal. The impact is associated with the active zone represented by a predetermined signal when the sensed signal and the predetermined signal sufficiently correspond to each other.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: a sensing device for ultrasonic inspection including an ultrasonic sensor as a transducer, in which a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators are disposed in a matrix or an array; a drive element selecting unit for selecting and driving a piezoelectric vibrator for producing an ultrasonic wave among the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit for detecting the electric signal of the reflected echo by receiving the reflected echo from the joined area; a signal processing unit for subjecting the electric signal to signal processing and generating three-dimensional imaging data by causing the electric signals to correspond to mesh elements in a three-dimensional imaging region of the object to be inspected; and a display processing device for displaying the detection results and three-dimensional image data from the signal processing unit, while detecting the size and the position of the molten-solidified portion, and the size and the position

Abstract: To enable a trouble diagnosis of braking-input-side pressure sensors even in a state where a braking input side and a braking output side are interrupted from each other. In a brake device of a vehicle in which a braking input side which generates a liquid pressure by manipulating a brake manipulation portion and a braking output side which supplies the liquid pressure to a brake caliper are made to be communicated with each other or being interrupted from each other by way of a first electromagnetic open/close valve, and the brake device includes a hydraulic modulator which adjusts the liquid pressure of the braking output side by operating an electrically-operated motor, the brake device includes a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor for detecting the liquid pressure of the braking input side, and a trouble diagnosis of the pressure sensors is performed in response to detection values of the pressure sensors.

Abstract: Field device for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container. The field device includes: at least one mechanically oscillatable unit connected with the container via a process connection; and at least one driver/receiver unit, which excites the mechanically oscillatable unit to oscillate, or detects the oscillations of the mechanically oscillatable unit, as the case may be.

Abstract: A system and method for accurately estimating the fluctuating pressure loads on components, such as steam dryers, within a BWR steam dome using pressure time history measurements made on components of the BWR facility external to the steam dome. The method uses existing sensors to obtain the pressure time histories. An accurate determination of the fluctuating pressure loads within the steam dome may be obtained by modeling and analyzing the steam delivery system external to the steam dome, including all possible acoustic sources, using acoustic circuit methodology and pressure time histories, and then coupling these results, essentially as part of the boundary conditions, to the solutions for Helmholtz equation within the steam dome.

Abstract: A water leakage-acoustic sensing method in a steam generator of a sodium-cooled fast reactor, the method including: calculating a standard deviation and an average of an octave band by octave band analysis of an input signal sound received from at least one predetermined acoustic sensor; comparing the calculated standard deviation and the calculated average of the octave band, and determining a size of the octave band based on a comparison result; calculating an average of standard deviations of the octave band recomposed by the determined size and normalizing the average of standard deviations; applying a predetermined weight, established by a predetermined neural network learning algorithm, to the normalized average of standard deviations; and generating leakage determination data based on the average of standard deviations to which the weight is applied.

Abstract: A submersible meter is provided that measures the speed of sound propagating in an aerated fluid to determine any one of a plurality of parameters of the fluid, such as the gas holdup of the fluid (?b), the bubble size (db), the bubble surface area flux (Sb), and the flotation rate constant (k). The meter includes a spatial array of sensors disposed at predetermined axial locations x1-XN axially along a tube. The array of sensors provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a transmitter which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through the aerated fluid in the tube using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The submersible meter enables real time measurement of the bubble size, the bubble surface area flux and flotation rate constant, which enables real time monitoring of the efficiency and recovery rate of flotation machines.

Abstract: A meter electronics and method for detecting a residual material in a flow meter assembly are provided according to the invention. The meter electronics includes a processing system adapted to direct the flow meter to vibrate the flow meter assembly and receive a vibrational response from the flow meter assembly. The meter electronics further includes a storage system configured to store flow meter parameters and data. The meter electronics is further characterized by the processing system being configured to compare the vibrational response to a predetermined residual material threshold to detect the residual material.

Abstract: A system using ultrasonic energy for detecting and quantifying air bubbles and/or particles in a liquid flowing in a tube by a non-invasive and non-destructive technique has an ultrasonic sensor having piezoelectric transmitter and receiver elements placed opposing on the outside of the tube wall and energy in the ultrasonic frequency range is transmitted from the transmitter element to the receiver element. The received ultrasonic energy is amplified and detected and preferably split into a steady state (DC) component and a varying or transient (AC) component respectively indicative of the absence and the presence of an air bubble or a particle in the liquid. The two components of the signal are applied to an A/D converter whose output is supplied to a microprocessor which uses the digital data that corresponds to the presence of the varying transient component to indicate the presence of an air bubble and/or a particle and to measure its characteristics.

Abstract: A probe located in an area to be measured has an acoustic stimulator, (e.g., a loudspeaker and a microphone). The stimulator sends acoustic signals to the microphone where the signals are transformed into electrical signals and transferred to an analysis unit. Using a defined stimulation followed by a two-port chain transfer matrix connected to an impedance as a model, the voltage ratio between the stimulation and the impedance is described as a dimensionless transfer function of a complex function of the stimulation frequency. A series of acoustic calibration signals are generated by known acoustic impedances covering different calibration scopes using the stimulation. The calibration signals are recorded and the electric values are merged with the respective voltage values of the stimulation for evaluation of the respective transfer functions which are merged together into an over-determined linear system of equations. The impedance is determined by evaluating the transfer functions.

Abstract: A method of determining the flow rate of a fluid in a conduit. Ultrasonic energy is directed through the conduit along multiple paths. The ultrasonic energy is detected and measured using a range gated Doppler technique to determine the velocity of the fluid at several points in the conduit. These point velocities are used to calculate the average flow rate of the fluid in the conduit.

Abstract: A distributed wireless sensor network node is disclosed. The wireless sensor network node includes a plurality of sensor modules coupled to a system bus and configured to sense a parameter. The parameter may be an object, an event or any other parameter. The node collects data representative of the parameter. The node also includes a communication module coupled to the system bus and configured to allow the node to communicate with other nodes. The node also includes a processing module coupled to the system bus and adapted to receive the data from the sensor module and operable to analyze the data. The node also includes a power module connected to the system bus and operable to generate a regulated voltage.

Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of a method and system for determining the direction of fluid flow, one or more sound transducers are positioned in proximity to a conduit, each such sound transducer generating a signal representative of a selected characteristic of acoustic waves emanating from the conduit. Such signals are collected and analyzed to determine a threshold value for the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) indicative of a change in the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. Based on whether subsequent measurements of the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) are above or below the threshold value, the direction of fluid flow can be predicted and/or a change in the operational state of a component associated with the conduit can be identified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a flow velocity profile of fluid traveling in a pipe or conduit uses an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an ultrasonic wave transducer mounted at an angle on the outside of a pipe using a wedge, and made incident onto the fluid in the pipe to measure the fluid flow velocity profile, using the principle that a frequency of an ultrasonic wave, reflected by a reflector existing in the fluid, is changed depending on a flow velocity due to Doppler effect. The transmission frequency and the angle of incidence onto the pipe can be selected to suppress frequency dependence of a measured value due to Lamb wave and allow the flow velocity or flow rate of fluid to be measured with a greater accuracy.

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for passively monitoring the distribution of fuel and lubrication fluids to track vehicles and other heavy duty work equipment, such as bulldozers, draglines, scrapers, loaders, etc. The system includes means for identifying and recording the identity of the dispensing vehicle, the dispensing operator, the location of the dispensing vehicle, the receiving vehicle, the receiving port on the receiving vehicle, the type of fluid dispensed, the quantity of fluid dispensed, and the time of the dispensing. The system also includes means for verifying that the proper fluid is dispensed to the appropriate port. Use of the system does not in any way interfere with the servicing operations.

Abstract: A method for determining acoustic parameters of a liquid (1) in a resonator arrangement having a resonator chamber (2) includes the following steps: acoustic excitation of the liquid in the resonator chamber (2) in such a way that a sequence of liquid resonances is excited in a frequency range in which the wall material of the resonator chamber (2) and/or associated transducers (6) have natural resonances with amplitude different from zero, and measurement of the associated resonance frequencies of the liquid in the resonator chamber (2); determining an observed deviation of the measured resonance frequencies from ideal resonance frequencies in an ideal resonator corresponding to the resonator chamber (2); calculating a simulation function (yk), which is a function of the acoustic parameters of the liquid (1) and represents calculated deviations of the resonance frequencies from the ideal resonance frequencies; adapting the calculated deviations to the observed deviations through variation of the acoustic par

Abstract: Flowmeters are described in which a sensor signal received from a sensor that is attached to vibratable flowtube, so as to determine properties of a fluid within the flowtube, contains a drive signal component and a coriolis mode component. The flowmeters are operable to determine drive parameters of the drive signal component, as well as coriolis parameters of the coriolis mode component. By analyzing the sensor signal based on the drive signal parameters, and not on the coriolis signal parameters, the flowmeters are able to provide stable and accurate determinations of the properties of the fluid.

Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of a method and system for determining the direction of fluid flow, one or more sound transducers are positioned in proximity to a conduit, each such sound transducer generating a signal representative of a selected characteristic of acoustic waves emanating from the conduit. Such signals are collected and analyzed to determine a threshold value for the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) indicative of a change in the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. Based on whether subsequent measurements of the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) are above or below the threshold value, the direction of fluid flow can be predicted and/or a change in the operational state of a component associated with the conduit can be identified.

Abstract: A transmission measuring system includes a subject for transmission measurement for outputting, in response to a start signal for measurement from a central processing unit, an output signal including information on a transmission time to be measured. An analog-digital converter converts the output signal into digital data. The central processing unit processes the digital data to obtain the transmission time required for propagating the signal through the subject. A clock signal source provides a clock signal to the central processing unit, and a variable delay unit is interposed between the clock signal source and the analog-digital converter. The central processing unit delivers a delay time control signal to the variable delay unit so that the delay time of the clock signal of the analog-digital converter may be varied with time relative to the start signal for measurement.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing through a conduit by detecting a propagating time difference between a forward propagating time of an ultrasonic wave propagating within the conduit in a forward direction and a backward propagating time of an ultrasonic wave propagating within the conduit in a backward direction, forward and backward ultrasonic wave signals generated by ultrasonic vibrating elements are sampled to derive forward and backward digital data series x and y, which are stored in a memory, the forward and backward digital data series x and y are read out of the first and second memory units and total sums of absolute difference values between the forward and backward digital data series x and y are calculated, while data positions of these backward and forward digital data series x and y are relatively shifted, a shift amount of data positions at which a total sum of absolute difference values becomes minimum is detected, an ultrasonic propagating time differe

Abstract: Mass flow meter having at least one measurement tube, through which mass flows, as an oscillation body which can be set in mechanical oscillation by means of an excitation unit, the oscillation behavior of which varying as a function of the mass flow can be recorded via at least one oscillation sensor in order to determine the mass flow, wherein in order to eliminate noise signals from the measurement voltage (sen) recorded via the oscillation sensor computational technology means are provided for forming a complex conjugate spectrum (|sa1j|) from the spectrum of the excitation voltage (seD) as well as a vector product between this (|sa1j|) and the measurement voltage (sen) for the purpose of filtering, in order, by further computational technology means for inverse Fourier transformation, to obtain the signal relationship associated with the vector product between the excitation voltage (seD) and the measurement voltage (sen) so that the processed measurement voltage (sal) resulting therefrom then predominan