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Matched Legal Cases: ['art 133', 'art 133', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 23', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 24', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 23', 'art 24', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 23', 'art 24', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 22']

Channel Member And Ultrasonic Fluid-measuring Apparatus (Panasonic) FreshPatents Stats6 views for this patent on FreshPatents.com2012: 6 viewsUpdated: May 25 2015 TOP 200 Companiesfiling patents this week
Channel member and ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus Title: Channel member and ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus.Abstract: Provided are a channel member and an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus that can prevent the disturbance from occurring in the ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid. A channel member (15) includes a first side wall part (21) and a second side wall part (22) that are parallel to each other, a first ultrasonic wave input/output section (32) and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section (33) provided in the first side wall part, a reflecting surface (35) provided on an inner surface of the second side wall part, and an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane (38) that covers the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section and transmits ultrasonic waves (36, 37) therethrough. The first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are continuous with each other, and the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane covers both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section together. ...
Browse recent Panasonic Corporation patentsUSPTO Applicaton #: #20120266691 - Class: 7386128 (USPTO) - Inventors: Masato Satou, Makoto Nakano, Hirokuni Murakami, Hirokazu Gotou The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20120266691, Channel member and ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus.
TECHNICAL FIELD - Top of Page The present invention relates to a channel member in which a first ultrasonic wave input/output section and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section are provided in a first side wall part and a reflecting surface is provided on an inner surface of a second side wall part and that has an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane that covers the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section, and an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus including the channel member.
BACKGROUND ART - Top of Page As a general V-path ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus, an apparatus is known in which a channel member is accommodated in an accommodating section of a measuring channel, and a first ultrasonic wave measuring section and a second ultrasonic wave measuring section are provided adjacent to each other in the channel member.
That is, as the channel member is formed in a square tube shape by a first side wall part, a second side wall part, a top plate part, and a bottom plate part, a fluid channel (hereinafter referred to as a “channel”) is formed by the channel member. A first ultrasonic wave output section and a second ultrasonic wave output section are provided adjacent to each other in the first side wall part, and the first ultrasonic wave output section and the second ultrasonic wave output section are arranged so as to face the channel.
Additionally, the second side wall part is provided with a reflecting surface, and the reflecting surface is arranged so as to face the channel (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).
Patent Literature 1: JP-A-2004-279224
SUMMARY - Top of Page OF INVENTION Technical Problem
In an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus 120 in Patent Literature 1, as shown in FIG. 24, a channel 122 is formed by a channel member 121.
Ultrasonic waves 127 transmitted from a first transmitter/receiver 123 are reflected by a reflecting surface 128 and are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path) up to a second transmitter/receiver 125, and the transmitted ultrasonic waves 127 are received by the second transmitter/receiver 125.
On the other hand, ultrasonic waves 129 transmitted from the second transmitter/receiver 125 are reflected by the reflecting surface 128 and are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path) up to the first transmitter/receiver 123, and the transmitted ultrasonic waves 129 are received by the first transmitter/receiver 123.
The flow rate of a fluid 131 that flows through the inside of the channel 122 is calculated, on the basis of the ultrasonic waves (signals) received by the first transmitter/receiver 123 and the second transmitter/receiver 125.
Incidentally, a first ultrasonic wave output section 135 and a second ultrasonic wave output section 136 are provided at a predetermined interval in a first side wall part 133.
Hence, a pillar portion 137 is provided between the first ultrasonic wave output section 135 and the second ultrasonic wave output section 136 in the first side wall part 133. The pillar portion 137 is a portion that protrudes (overhangs) toward the channel 122.
For this reason, when the fluid 131 flows into the channel 122, there is a possibility that disturbance 155 may occur in the fluid 131 due to steps 141 and 143 and gaps 142 and 144 that are formed by the pillar portion 137.
Here, the steps 141 and 143 and the gaps 142 and 144 are present inside an included angle θ2 of the ultrasonic waves 127 that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path) and inside of the included angle θ2 of the ultrasonic waves 129 that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path). There is also a possibility that disturbance that occurs inside the included angle θ2 of the ultrasonic waves 127 or the ultrasonic waves 129 may disturb the ultrasonic waves.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the aforementioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a channel member and an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus that can prevent disturbance from occurring in ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid.
A channel member according to the invention includes a body in which a rectangular opening is continuous along a flow direction of a fluid, the body including a first side wall part and a second side wall part that are parallel to each other, a top plate part and a bottom plate part that are bridged between the first side wall part and the second side wall part, a first ultrasonic wave input/output section and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section that are provided in the first side wall part, a reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the second side wall part, and an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane that covers the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section and transmits ultrasonic waves therethrough, wherein the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are continuous with each other, and the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane covers both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section together.
In the invention, the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are provided so as to be continuous with each other, and the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are adapted so as to be both covered with the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane.
Incidentally, as the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the reflecting surface through the first ultrasonic wave input/output section from the first transmitter/receiver, and the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface are received by the second transmitter/receiver, the ultrasonic waves are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path).
On the other hand, as the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the reflecting surface through the second ultrasonic wave input/output section from the second transmitter/receiver, and the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface are received by the first transmitter/receiver, the ultrasonic waves are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path).
Here, as mentioned above, by together covering both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section with the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane, a region inside the ultrasonic waves, which are transmitted in the shape of the letter V, can be secured flatly.
There is no concern that a fluid that flows through the inside of the channel member causes disturbance in the region inside the ultrasonic waves that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V.
This can prevent disturbance from occurring in ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid.
Additionally, by making the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section continuous with each other, a step portion can be removed from between the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section.
Hence, the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane that covers the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section can be selectively provided on either a rear surface side (that is, channel side) of the first side wall part or a front surface side (that is, opposite side of the channel) of the first side wall part.
That is, by providing the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane on the rear surface side of the first side wall part, it is possible to individually configure the first side wall part, the second side wall part, a top plate part, and the bottom plate part, respectively, and integrally assemble the respective members.
On the other hand, by providing the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane on the front surface side of the first side wall part, it is possible to integrally mold the first side wall part, the second side wall part, the top plate part, and the bottom plate part.
This can enhance the degree of freedom in design when the channel member is formed.
In the channel member according to the invention, the first side wall part, the second side wall part, the top plate part, and the bottom plate part are integral.
In the invention, by integrating the first side wall part, the second side wall part, the top plate part, and the bottom plate part, the number of components can be reduced.
The channel member according to the invention includes a partition plate that divides an inside of the channel member into a plurality of flat channels, and the partition plate is molded integrally with the first side wall part and the second side wall part.
In the invention, by molding the partition plate integrally with the first side wall part and the second side wall part, time and effort for attaching the partition plate to the first side wall part and the second side wall part can be saved.
In the channel member according to the invention, the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane and the partition plate come into contact with each other.
In the invention, by bringing the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane and the partition plate into contact with each other, the gap between the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane and the partition plate can be eliminated.
Hence, there is no concern that disturbance is caused in a fluid at the gap between the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane and the partition plate. This can prevent disturbance from occurring in ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid.
A channel member according to the invention includes a body in which a rectangular opening is continuous along a flow direction of a fluid, the body including a first side wall part and a second side wall part that are parallel to each other, a first ultrasonic wave input/output section and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section that are provided in the first side wall part, and a reflecting surface provided on an inner surface of the second side wall part, wherein the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are continuous with each other.
In the invention, the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section are provided so as to be continuous with each other.
As mentioned above, as the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the reflecting surface through the first ultrasonic wave input/output section from the first transmitter/receiver, and the ultrasonic waves reflected by the reflecting surface are received by the second transmitter/receiver, the ultrasonic waves are transmitted in the shape of the letter V (V-path).
Here, by providing the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section so as to be continuous with each other, a step portion (pillar portion) can be removed from between the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section.
Hence, since a region inside the ultrasonic waves that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V can be secured flatly, there is no concern that the fluid that flows through the inside of the channel member may be disturbed in the region inside the ultrasonic waves that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V.
In an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus according to the invention, the channel member is used.
In the invention, by using the channel member for the ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus that can prevent disturbance from occurring in the ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid.
This enables the flow rate of a fluid to be precisely measured by the ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus.
According to the channel member and the ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus of the invention, the effect that disturbance can be prevented from occurring in the ultrasonic waves due to disturbance of a fluid is exhibited by continuously providing the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section, covering together both the first ultrasonic wave input/output section and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section with the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane, and flatly securing the region inside the ultrasonic waves that are transmitted in the shape of the letter V.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a view as seen in the direction of an arrow C in FIG. 6.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a fluid member according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line D-D in FIG. 5.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line E-E in FIG. 5.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view describing the relationship between a fluid body and partition plates according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view describing an example in which the fluid body according to the first embodiment is integrally molded.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a fluid member according to a second embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view describing an example in which the fluid body according to the second embodiment is assembled.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a fluid member and an ultrasonic measuring section according to a third embodiment of the invention are assembled.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the fluid member and the ultrasonic measuring section in FIG. 13 are disassembled.
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view describing an example in which the fluid body according to the third embodiment is integrally molded.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a fluid member and an ultrasonic measuring section according to a fourth embodiment of the invention are assembled.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the fluid member and the ultrasonic measuring section in FIG. 16 are disassembled.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view describing an example in which the fluid body according to the fourth embodiment is integrally molded.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a fluid member according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view describing an example in which the fluid body according to the fifth embodiment is assembled.
FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing a fluid member according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 23 is a schematic view showing an ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view invention showing a related-art ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS An ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus 10 and channel members 15, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 130, and 140 according to a plurality of embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the ultrasonic fluid-measuring apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention includes an ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure 12 that measures a flow rate of a fluid.
The ultrasonic fluid-measuring structure 12 includes a channel member 15, and an ultrasonic measuring section 16 adjacent to the channel member 15.
The channel member 15 has a channel body (body) 17 in which a rectangular opening 18 is continuous along a flow direction of a fluid.
The channel body 17 includes a first side wall part 21 adjacent to the ultrasonic measuring section 16, a second side wall part 22 parallel to the first side wall part 21, a top plate part 23 bridged between top portions of the first side wall part 21 and the second side wall part 22, and a bottom plate part 24 bridged between bottom portions of the first side wall part 21 and the second side wall part 22.
The first side wall part 21, the second side wall part 22, the top plate part 23, and the bottom plate part 24 are formed integrally (specifically, resin-molded), and are resinous members in which a square tube type channel 26 (that is, “channel in which the rectangular opening 18 is continuous along a flow direction of a fluid”) is formed by the first side wall part 21, the second side wall part 22, the top plate part 23, and the bottom plate part 24.
The channel body 17 includes a plurality of partition plates 28 that divide the inside of the channel body 17 (that is, channel 26) into a plurality of flat channels 27, a first ultrasonic wave input/output section 32 and a second ultrasonic wave input/output section 33 provided adjacent to each other in the first side wall part 21, a reflecting surface 35 provided on the inner surface of the second side wall part 22, and an ultrasonic wave transmission membrane 38 that covers the first ultrasonic wave input/output section 32 and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section 33 together.
When the channel body 17 is resin-molded, the plurality of partition plates 28 are molded integrally (insert-molded) with the first side wall part 21 and the second side wall part 22.
Specifically, integral molding (insert molding) is performed in a state where upper corner portions 28a of the plurality of partition plates 28 are molded integrally (insert-molded) with the first side wall part 21, and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, lower protruding pieces 28b of the plurality of partition plates 28 are passed through the second side wall part 22 and tips thereof do not protrude to the outside of the second side wall part 22.
The relative positions of the partition plates 28 with respect to a mold are maintained by making the upper corner portions 28a and the tips of the lower protruding pieces 28b abut on the inner surface of the mold. Then, by injecting resin into the mold in this state, the partition plates can be positioned easily at predetermined positions with respect to the channel body 17.
Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, an ultrasonic wave input/output section 31 is formed as the first ultrasonic wave input/output section 32 and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section 33, which are adjacent to each other, are formed continuously.
The first ultrasonic wave input/output section 32 and the second ultrasonic wave input/output section 33 (that is, the ultrasonic wave input/output section 31), which are provided continuously, are together covered with the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane 38.
Although a mesh member through which ultrasonic waves 36 are transmitted as an example is illustrated as the ultrasonic wave transmission membrane 38, the invention is not limited to this, and it is also possible to use other members, such as a punching metal member.
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Patent InfoApplication # US 20120266691 A1Publish Date 10/25/2012 Document # 13511443 File Date 02/04/2010 USPTO Class 7386128 Other USPTO Classes International Class 01F1/66 Drawings 21 Follow us on Twitter@FreshPatents
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