A New Ultrasonic Flow Metering Technique Using Two Sing-Around Paths, Along With The Criticism of The Disadvantages Inherent in Conventional Ultrasonic Flow Metering Transducers

Majlesi Journal of Mechatronic Systems
Vol. 1, No. 3, September 2012
A New Ultrasonic Flow metering Technique Using Two

Sing-Around Paths, Along With the Criticism of the
Disadvantages Inherent in Conventional Ultrasonic Flow
Metering Transducers
Jahangir Bagheri 1, Mohammad Ali Hajabasi2, Mohamad Reza Taherzadeh3, Ehsan Asad4
1
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, Ph.D., CONTROL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY of BRADFORD,

ENGLAND.
Email: mrttnt2007@gmail.com
2
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, Ph.D., MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT , UNIVERSITY of SHAHID
BAHONAR(KERMAN), IRAN.
Email: hajabasi@mail.uk.ac.ir
3
M.Sc. Student, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY of SHAHID
BAHONAR(KERMAN), IRAN
Email: msc.tah1627@gmail.com
4
B.Sc., MECHANICAL ENGINEER, UNIVERSITY of SHAHREKORD, IRAN
Email: ehsan.asad5786@gmail.com
Received May 2012
Revised Jul 2012
Accepted Sep 2012
ABSTRACT:
Flow is one of the most important processes that we have to measure and is widely used in industry. Several ultrasonic
flow meters have been offered and fulfilled with different degree of success or lack of success. The purposes of this
paper are:
x To describe the basic principles underlying approaches to fluid flow measurement and use of ultrasonic
transducers in flow metering techniques.
x To describe the basic principle of operation of the sing-around techniques in ultrasonic systems, along with the
criticism of disadvantages of ultrasonic methods.
x To introduce novel ultrasonic flow metering approach to use two sing-around paths.
By using two sing-around paths with new arrangement, it is possible to mitigate the draw-backs and limitations
inherent in conventional ultrasonic flow metering transducers. Salient features of the proposed systems are that the
velocity of single-phase fluid flow is independent of fluid sonic velocity, and is directly proportional to the measured
parameters concerned. They are bidirectional in operation, and are readily available as clamp-on flow meters for
closed types.
KEYWORDS: flow meters- ultrasonic- velocity measurement- sing around technique time of flight (TOF)
1. INTRODUCTION
Measurement is essential to mans way of life.
Measurement is as old as the human species. Flow is
widely used in industry and is one of the most
important processes that we have to measure. There are
a wide variety of methods for clean single-phases
liquids. One of these uses ultrasound. Flow meters are
one of the most familiar and widely and frequently
used measuring devices. the velocity of liquid flows
which is a common and a fast growing requirement in
various fields of science and in a wide variety of
industrial processes is of paramount importance. It can
be determined by a wide range of flow metering
techniques including a wide variety of Ultrasonic

methods, which are essentially non-invasive
techniques. The fundamental principles of operation of
the conventional ultrasonic flow meters are based on
the measurement of some effects that are induced by
the flow of metered fluid. A review of currently known
approaches to fluid flow measurement and use of
ultrasonic flow metering methods have discussed in [1].
The commercially available flow meters have been
designed for a wide variety of industrial situations.
They have employed several measurement methods.
Fluid flow velocity can be ascertained by a wide
variety of conventional flow meters or by ultrasonic
39
flow metering methods. Due to the wide range of

currently available designs of flow meter, it is difficult
to classify them in a precise manner. They have been
classified in numerous ways in terms of the general
operating principle. There are more than 120 various
types and designs of flow meter that are frequently
used are commercially available [2].
This paper also provides some perspective on the
origin, design alternatives, advantages and drawbacks
of Sing-Around (SA) ultrasonic methods. The last
section of this paper is devoted to the Sing-Around
ultrasonic (SAUS) techniques [3]. Several ultrasonic
metering designs have been offered and fulfilled with
different degree of success or lack of success. The
SAUS fluid flow metering type, also known as the
Frequency Difference (FD) method is a more elaborate
from of phase difference or Time Of Flight (TOF)
measurement methods of ultrasonic flow measurement,
but, hold very different and distinct characteristics.
Nowadays, various ultrasonic flow meters using SA
methods are in widespread use. In most situations, any
interaction of a moving fluid and the interrogating
ultrasonic waves in which a measurable characteristic
of transmission is modified by the metered flow
supplies a basis for a ultrasonic flow meter [4].
operations. Table (1) illustrates a basic flow meter

classification [1]. In this regard, the 12 major groups
can be further divided into 12 main distinct categories
or approaches, namely: Additive Energy Approach
(AEA), and Extractive Energy Approach (EEA).
In the EEA a device is placed in the flowing fluid.
They extract a certain amount of energy from the fluid
being metered, and possess the feature of pressure loss
across them. In fact, the potential energy of the flow
stream is converted into kinetic energy is utilized to
infer flow. In AEA, some outside source of energy is
introduced in the flowing stream of the fluid. In the
AEA either the effect of the fluid by the introduced
source or the effect on the introduced source by the
fluid is monitored virtually zero pressure drop is
associated with the AEAs, which they are usually nonintrusive (e.g. Ultrasonic meter and Electromagnetic
meters). In the AEA, the addition energy could be in
the form of a magnetic field (electromagnetic meter),
Ultrasound (ultrasonic meters), heat (thermal meters) or
light (in miscellaneous meters, i.e. laser or other
optical). Consequently, the three classes are defined as
the sonic class, the magnetic class, and the thermal
class. Reference [4] has discussed in some detail the
EEA and AEA to flow measurement.
Table 1. Basic Flow meter Classification

Group
Description
Category
Number
1
Conventional DP types
Extractive
2
Other DP types
Extractive
3
Positive Displacement types Extractive
4
Rotary Inferential types
Extractive
5
Fluid oscillatory types
Extractive
6
Electromagnetic types
Additive
7
Ultrasonic types
Additive
Direct mass types
Additive/
8
Extractive
9
Thermal types
Additive
Miscellaneous types
Additive/
10
Extractive
11
Solid Meter types
Extractive
12
Open channel types
Extractive
2. SOME GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS OF

ULTRASONIC FLOW MEASUREMENT
Ultrasonic has been in use for a wide variety of
different types of flow measurement. The study of
ultrasonic is interesting because it is applied in so many
different fields of science and industry [5].
At present ultrasonic transit time (i.e. time of flight)
(TOF) and Doppler techniques are the most commonly
used flow meters. without doubt , ultrasonic technique
is the most flexible flow meters employing ultrasonic
methods have been adopted widely for many and
different environment and applications.
an ultrasonic beam will travel quite happily through the
wall of the pipe. This gives the designer of ultrasonic
flow meters for liquids a unique advantage over other
flow meter designers. The concept of "clamp on"
designs for ultrasonic flow meters mounted externally
to the pipe, promise some very attractive advantages.
Ultrasonic flow meters are capable of measuring flow
rate by utilizing probes (transducers) mounted on the
outside of the pipe wall. In clamp on methods the flow
stream is not disturbed by the transducers, and energy
is not taken from the flow stream.
The basic principle of operation of the SAUS flow

metering systems, along with the criticism and
drawbacks of ultrasonic methods reviewed are given in
this paper. The novel ultrasonic flow metering systems
based on modified Sing-Around principles are also
described in this paper. Approaches to fluid flow
measurement and classes of flow meters: a listing of
some important types of currently and commercially
available flow meters are briefly contained in this
section of this paper. They are classified in 12 major
groups based on their physical principles governing the
40
3. TRANSIT TIME (TIME OF FLIGHT)

ULTRASONIC FLOW METERS
3.1. Background
Ultrasound can be applied in a wide number of
distinct ways to measure the flow rate, or mean velocity
of a fluid in a pipe. Most types of ultrasonic

instruments for metering the fluid flow velocities are
based upon linear relation between the apparent sound
and the medium velocities. The component of the flow
velocity along the acoustic path subtracts from and
adds to the sound velocity in the upstream and
downstream, respectively.
Transit time flow meters measure the time
difference between ultrasonic- beams transmitted
upstream and downstream in the following medium.
This difference in transit time is an indication of flow
rate. The following medium can be gas or liquid (single
phase) and needs to provide uniform sound
propagation.
3.2. Immersion Type Transit Time Ultrasonic Flow
meter
The fluid velocity can be inferred from its effect on
the sound velocity .the simplest type of flow meter is
illustrated in Fig. (1).
Figure 1. Simple Immersion Type Transit-Time

Ultrasonic Flow meter
A pair of ultrasonic transducers are immersed in the

fluid .they are separated by a distance L. If C is the
speed of acoustic pulses in the flow at rest, and V is the
velocity of flow between the two transducers. Then the
transit time for uniform fluid velocity is given by :
L
L
L
V
t
| (1 ) 1
(1)
C V C (1 V ) C
C
C
then the time taken for a transmitted pulse to travel
from the upstream transducer to the downstream one
will depend on the following fluid velocity through the
pipe. Since most industrial flow rates are not grater
than a few meters per second , while the speed of sound
(C) in most fluids is in the range of 1500 m.sec-1,
therefore, fluid flow velocity (V) is likely to be very
small compared with C. Consequently, with negligible
error, the above equation (1) can be expressed in the
form:
L
V
t | (1 )
(2)
C
C
With zero flow conditions (i.e. no flow), the transit
time is :
t0
L
C
(3)
And the difference between above mentioned times is:
't
t0 t
LV
C2
(4)
So that from equation (4):
('t )C 2
l
(5)
The time difference could, therefore, be used as a

measure of flow rate V, the disadvantage of this simple
system is that , both the datum time (t0) and transit time
(t) cannot be measured simultaneously. As C may be
liable to small variations, so it cannot be assumed that
t0 is constant, which could cover the small difference
time 't . In addition, the velocity of fluid can only be
measured along the sound path. Therefore, in order to
obtain the volume flow rate, the effect of the velocity
profile of the fluid has to be considered.
Improved results can be acquired by the use of two
pairs of ultrasonic transducers as illustrated in Fig. (2).
In this arrangement, the immersed transducers are used
in operating in different directions relative to the flow.
When the flow is moving with velocity, V, the
ultrasonic pulses traveling in upstream direction will be
delayed slightly in transit, and the other will be speeded
up. So that, in accordance with the notation used in the
foregoing, but denoting the transit time if the beam in
the upstream direction by (t'):
L
tc
(6)
C V
So that the difference in arrival times will be:
2LV
2LV
't t ' t
#
(7)
2
2
C V
C2
Since V2 in comparison with C2 is very small (i.e.
V<<C).from the above, the velocity of fluid flow is
given by:
('t )C 2
2L
(8)
Figure 2. The extremely small value of 't is,

however, still affected by varying in the speed of
sound C
41
4. THE SINGLE-PATH DIAGONAL-BEAM

ULTRASONIC FLOW METERS
The Single-path diagonal-beam transit time or TOF
ultrasonic flow meter was one of the earliest types of
ultrasonic flow metering technique to come into
operation. This flow meter is still widely used and
operates on "clean" liquids. It involves measurement of
the time taken for the transmission of ultrasonic pulses
over a narrow path inclined in the flow. A geometry of
this type of flow meter is shown in Figure (3). Each
transducer can operate as both transmitter and receiver,
alternately add the appropriate time. 't Is given by:
't
2VL
C2
V 1 V 2
2
(10)
Where V1 and V2 are the mean velocities measured

along the two sound paths. However these types of
ultrasonic flow meter deliver a better average over
velocity profiles, so this is the main reason they are
used.
(9)
Where V is the mean flow velocity along the path, and

L is the path length in the flow stream.
Figure 4. Basic operation of an ultrasonic transittime flow meter employing dual beam
Figure 3. A geometry of single-path diagonal beam

transit-time ultrasonic flow meter
A main disadvantage with this flow meter is that it

measures the mean velocity across a diameter, which is
not at all the same thing as the mean pipe velocity. This
type of flow meter can perform more suitably in large
diameter pipes .upstream fittings such as valves, bends,
etc. can distort remarkably the velocity profiles. So
distortion in velocity profile may cause significant
errors to be generated by the single beam flow meter's
reading.
5. THE DUAL BEAM ULTRASONIC FLOW
METERS
A refinement of the basic single-path system
described above, is shown if figure (4). The operation
of the dual-beam transit time ultrasonic flow meter is in
the same way as the single- beam one. The two
transmitting transducers are energies from the same
oscillator simultaneously. The two beams are usually
parallel and symmetrically adjusted about .25 of a
diameter from the central planes [5]. The main
advantage of this type has over the above mentioned
basic method is that it compensates to some extent for
long-term variations in acoustic speed. The average
velocity upon which flow measurement is established
is:
42
6. MULTI-BEAM TYPE OF ULTRASONIC

FLOW METERS
The above limitations of the single and dual-beams
ultrasonic flow meters can be largely overcome by
employing multi-beam type of ultrasonic flow meters
by using 3 or more ultrasonic beams , further
improvement of velocity profile averaging can be
achieve. A four-beam meter is shown diagrammatically
in Fig. (5). They can be called "Profile-Immune" flow
meters. In this meters the average valves V1 , V2 ,
,Vn velocity along beams 1 ,2, , n are multiplied by
weights W1 , W2 , ,Wn to form an average velocity V
given by :
V=W1V1+W2V2++WnVn
(11)
This flow meters are not very sensitive to variations

in flow profile. From this reason the multi-beam type is
much the most accurate type of ultrasonic flow meter
[5]. They appear to be the most suitable meter for
measuring flow in large pipe diameters more accurate.
Figure 5. Ultrasonic flow meter with four beams

7. LEADING-EDGE ULTRASONIC FLOW
METERS TECHNIQUES
One of the very fast response time and commonly
used measurement techniques for TOF flow meters is
''Leading-Edge" (LE) techniques. The schematic
diagram of a LE technique is shown in Fig. (6) in

which two piezo-electric (PE) crystals are used both as
transmitters and receivers[5]. In these methods, the
multiplexer changes the role of the ultrasonic
transducers between their transmission and reception
modes. The upstream and downstream transit time (tu
and td, respectively) thus sequentially are measured and
the algorithm (tu - td) is computed. Regarding the layout
for LE (Fig.(6)) and pulse relationship in LE systems,
the resulting equation for velocity of flow can be given
by :
(t u t d ).L
2.sin T .cos T .t u .t d
flow meters. The flow must contain discontinuities of

some kinds. These devises will not monitor clean
liquids. The Doppler ultrasonic flow meters are
becoming well proven instruments. They were the first
commercially available ultrasonic flow meters for fluid
flow measurement in industry.
Several common Doppler configurations are shown in
Figures (7) and (8).
(12)
The output is thus independent of speed of sound.
Figure 7. Several commonly used configurations for

Doppler ultrasonic flow meters
Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the leading edge

method
7.1. Doppler Type Ultrasonic Flow meters
Doppler-effect ultrasonic flow meters are based on
principle that change infrequency caused by a moving
object in the fluid. The shift in frequency of ultrasonic
waves scattered and reflected by inhomogeneous
moving with the flow is measured. The magnitude of
the frequency change is proportional and related to the
velocity of the scatterers. It is assumed that both the
fluid velocity and scatters traveling at the same speed.
Doppler ultrasonic flow meters provide non-invasive
means of monitoring the rate of flow of liquids through
pipes. They are normally used as inexpensive clamp on
Figure 8. Doppler type ultrasonic flow meters
This meters used on transducer to transmit high

frequency sound into the flow and another transducer to
detect scattered sound. It is clear that, in order for these
meters to operate, the process must contain scatterers
such as air (gas) bubbles or solid particles, to provide
the reflected signals and produce the well-known
Doppler frequency shift. If is the angle of incident
ultrasonic with the direction of motion of the
inhomogeneity, and (C) is the velocity of sound in the
43
liquid, and (F) is the transmission frequency, then the

Doppler shift frequency, fD, can be given by:
fD
'f
2FV
.cos T
C
(13)
It is verified that the scatterers are travelling with

uniform velocity V. So the speed of scatterer is thus
related to the Doppler shift:
f
C
. D
2 cos T F
(14)
As a result, the output signal is an averaged value. In

Doppler ultrasonic flow meters however, the above
relationship [i.e. (15)] between V and the true mean
velocity is both uncertain and velocity dependent,
leading to an inaccurate measurement.
7.2. Ultrasonic Cross-Correlation Flow meters
In most moving fluids, naturally occurring random
fluctuations such as density turbulence and temperature
exist. These naturally occurring phenomenon can be
detected by suitably located transducers. Monitoring
the random variation of some physical property of the
flowing fluid at two specially separated measuring
positions can be performed by using the crosscorrelation technique [6]. If two such transducers are
installed in a pipeline separated by a distance L as
shown in Fig.(9), the upstream transducer will pick up
a random fluctuation seconds before the downstream
transducer.
downstream transducer by a time delayed version of the

upstream transducer B(t-) where is an adjustable
time delay. The product A(t)B(t-) is then integrated
over a period T to given its mean value. The crosscorrelation function of the two signals is thus given by:
T
1
R AB (W ) lim A (t )B (t W )dt
T of T
0
Where
(15)
R AB (W ) is the value of the cross-correlations
function when the upstream signal A has been delayed

by time . Since the distance between the sensors is
known, the fluid velocity V can be found by:
(16)
8. THE BASIC PRINCIPE OF SING-AROUND

TYPE ULTRASONIC FLOW METERS
The principle of ultrasonic flow meters is based on
the change made by the flow of the fluid on the
apparent velocity of ultrasound. The most commonly
used transducers used in ultrasonic systems are of the
Piezo-Electric type. PZT ultrasonic transducer
arrangements applied in pipe flow, based on ''SingAround'' (SA) principles may be divided into two
groups, Single-Path and Dual-Path. Each of these
groups may be subdivided as: immersion, wetted, and
non-wetted transducer types. Some of the frequently
and commonly used in Single-Path and Dual-Path
ultrasonic transducer arrangements relative to fluid
velocity are schematically depicted in Figures (10),
(11), (12), (13), (14).
Figure 9. The basic principle of the ultrasonic crosscorrelation flow velocity measurement
The distance (L) between transducers divided by the

transit time () will yield flow velocity [see expression
(15) below]. It is assumed that the random fluctuation
is moving at the same velocity as the fluid.
The time delay between these output signals may be
found by computing the cross-correlation function of
the time records. In practice [Fig. (13)] this is achieved
by multiplying the output signal A(t) of the
44
Figure 10. Basic "Sing-Around" ultrasonic flow meter

using single path (i.e. axial) propagation sensing
methods
Figure 14. Ultrasonic "Sing-Around" flow meter using

"V" type mounting of transducer (i.e. reflection
method)
Figure 11. Basic transducer arrangements relative to

the velocity of the method fluid using Sing-Around
ultrasonic flow meter
The sing-around (SA) technique is also called

''Frequency Difference Technique [7]. With respect to
Fig. (12) and by considering a section of pipe line with
four ultrasonic transducers for generation and detection
of ultrasound waves in the metered fluid, the basic
principle of Sing-Around type ultrasonic systems is
briefly summarized as follows:
(i) A high frequency electrical signal is produced by an
electric generator which is applied to the transmitting
transducer.
(ii) The received signal is converted to an ultrasonic
pulse (vibration) by the transmitting transducer and is
launched into the fluid under test.
Figure 12. Schematic diagram of the SA technique of

measurement
(iii) After having passed the pulse of ultrasonic energy

through the fluid, it is received and detected by
ultrasonic receiving transducer, on the other side of the
pipe.
(iv)The receiving transducer converts the received
acoustic energy into an electrical signal.
Figure 13. Simplified configuration of Sing-Around

ultrasonic sensor for determination of V, and C, using
two opposing velocity meters
(v) The received electrical signal is then amplified and

is used to re-trigger the electrical pulse generator to
originate a succeeding electrical signal (pulse) ,
completing one closed loop.
In this way, a train of pulses in each loop is
generated whose period is equal to the transit time of
the ultrasonic beam from a transmitter to the respective
receiver transducer. This is known as ''sign-around"
(SA) technique .and the combination of the propagation
path, transducer, and the electronic circuits comprises a
closed loop, namely SA loop. The velocity of
ultrasound propagation in the fluid, and the distance
between transmission path and the pipe axis is equal.
Hence, when fluid is still (i.e. fluid at rest) the time of
transmission through the distance L, (in each direction)
is:
45
L
c
(17)
When the flow is in motion with velocity V, the

time of transmission in the air of transducer in the
downstream direction is then
t1
L
c V .cos T
(18)
Of the same kind for the transmission in the

upstream direction. The transmit time can be given by:
t2
L
c V .cos T
(19)
Hence, t1 and t2 are the SA periods in the

downstream and upstream (i.e. of the two loops),
respectively. Reciprocals of these two SA periods,
which are the Sing-Around frequencies can be
measured with electronic frequency counter. The
corresponding SA frequencies of the two loops are (f1
and f2, respectively) so:
f1
1
t1
c V .cos T
L
(20)
1
t2
c V .cos T
L
(21)
And:
f2
Neglecting delay times due to non-fluid stream, the

difference between the above mentioned SA
frequencies is given by:
'f
f1 f 2
2.V .cos T
L
(22)
And:
2 cos T
.
V
L
K f .V
(23)
Where kf is the constant of proportionately. Thus,

the SA frequency difference is proportional to the
velocity of fluid under test (V), and independent of
velocity of sound(C) in the metered fluid. Figure (10)
shows the simple and basic arrangements of immersion
and axial transducers relative to fluid velocity in
ultrasonic flow meters.
9. OVERALL CRITICISM OF THE
DRAWBACKS INHERENT IN CONVENTIONAL
FLUID FLOW MEASUREMENT IN
ULTRASONIC SYSTEMS
Each of the reviewed measurement methods has its
own strengths and advantages. The conceptual and
innovative design characteristics have established the
effective improvements in fluid flow metering devices
over the past four decades [8]. The industrial, scientific,
medical and engineering worlds have received some
important benefit from the innovative designs and
intelligent measuring instrumentations. Unluckily each
46
one design or improvement of measuring device

customarily has own problems and drawbacks as well
as its strengths.
Flow metering based on SA principle cause a
restriction to the metered fluid since the fluid must
travel through two right-angled bends to enter and
leaves the flow meter.
Since the conventional ultrasonic flow meters are
involved in measuring of small change in a large
parameter, so it could be a cause of main problem in
their design. In other words, the speed of sound is much
greater than the velocity of the fluid (i.e. C=1500 m/s).
The speed of sound is downstream direction is very
large quantities which might be of the order of one
thousand times the velocity of the liquid flow. A
considerable error could easily be produced in accuracy
of the flow meters due to being involved in measuring
the difference between these two very large quantities.
In a number of flow meters with no obstruction to the
flow, the accuracy of the results produced depends
upon the physical properties of the metered fluid. Also,
in some of the ultrasonic flow measuring instrument
whose accuracy is, to a great extent, independent of the
physical properties of fluid under test are available but,
in general, they cause some restriction to flow.
In configuration of the ultrasonic flow meters based
on SA methods, it has been assumed that for fluid at
rest, the travel time is the same for ultrasonic pulses
moving in either direction(s). So the difference between
the related SA frequencies is zero. But, it is very hard
and difficult to approach this case. In previous dualpath (four transducer) ultrasonic flow meters for
measuring the fluid velocity, difficulties have resulted
from the two propagation paths not being identical.
Another flow metering approach (i.e. axial transmission
path) has been devised for giving values of velocity to a
great extent independent of (c), (see figure (10)) [2].
The practical applications of this axially
propagation path arrangement are restricted due mainly
to the fact that the fluid under test must flow through
two right-angled bends in the measuring device. Due to
this, errors are caused because of the distortion of the
velocity profile at the two right-angled bends. In the
theoretical caused because of the distortion of the
velocity profile at the two right-angled bends. In the
theoretical discussions, this unfavorable effect is often
ignored.
It should be noted that in each previous ultrasonic
flow meters; the path lengths of the ultrasound
transmission in either direction are assumed to be equal
and fixed. Moreover, the angle of each ultrasound
propagation path with the pipe axis is also supposed to
be fixed and equal to each other. Furthermore, if
unwanted factors affect the downstream and upstream
differently, then additional errors will occur. One of the
major sources of error in the function of flow meters is
temperature-fluctuation. Temperature-compensation for

the different types of systems can be caused by the
suitable selection of the characteristics of the acoustical
components and the angle of the axes of the probes or
wedges relative to the fluid flow direction [9].
Almost all conventional ultrasonic flow meters are
concerned in the measurement of small variations in a
large parameter. In practical case this is the principal
problem in their design. Consequently, changes in
physical characteristics, such as temperature, density
etc. Of the fluid flow will likely have considerable
effects all the accuracy of the measurement. For
example, the irregular variation of temperature is one
of the basic sources of errors in the function of
ultrasonic fluid flow measurement. Some suggestions
by different authors and research investigators,
including Muston and Loose more [3], have been made
so as to reduce or neutralize effects of temperature
variation.
Nevertheless, in so doing, an elaborate and
complicated electronic system is required. And the
price of the flow metering system and complexity are
increased. The majority of these approaches are taken
into account as expensive, inefficient and time
consuming. At a high frequency (i.e. in the range of 0.5
to 10 MHz) any movement ill the flow ultrasonic
transducers mounting will have a disproportionate
effect on the now measurement. Inducing considerable
error. Such movement can arise from inadequate
assembly, poor mechanical design, or temperature
variations. Error in flow measurement can occur if the
downstream and upstream paths are affected by
unwanted factors in an unequal manner. A difference of
as little as 0.001" in the upstream and downstream path
length is adequate to cause an error of 1% in the now
velocity readings [4].
The majority of the conventional ultrasonic now
measurement types are restricted to large diameter sizes
of pipes. A large number of flow meters utilizing
ultrasonic methods rely upon the sound velocity in the
metered fluid (liquid) and accordingly exhibit a
reliance on fluid temperature. Ultrasonic flow metering
systems are not only dependent on the rate of flow to
be measured but also on the velocity of sound in the
fluid. This dependency produces a certain instability in
the measuring devices readings. Since the velocity of
sound is a function of the physical parameters of fluid
under test. One of tile disadvantages of the previous
frequency difference type ultrasonic flow meter is that
in practical circumstances the difference of the SA
frequencies "is not large (i.e. less than 1 Hz), and a
long counting interval needed for a given resolution
results in slow response time. This also needs not only
very sensitive but very elaborate signal processing
hardware. On the other hand, almost all flow meters
'Energy Extractive' category utilize the energy of the

flowing fluid and this inevitably leads to losses.
The specific types of ultrasonic transducers are
intended for aerospace applications such as:
i) Experimental, theoretical and computational
aerodynamic studies of aircraft and components at
subsonic, transonic, supersonic and hypersonic speeds.
ii) Aerodynamic flow control for advanced aircraft
configurations.
iii) Remote sensing applications.
iv) Flight experimental methods.
v) Trajectory monitoring, aircraft vehicle structure
evaluation, flutter testing and other requirements for
high accuracy measurement at low frequency
accelerations.
The overall criticism of the drawbacks and

limitations inherent in conventional flow metering
devices has conducted and induced to the need for the
development and improvement of the new metering
instruments such as the novel ultrasonic flow metering
techniques a description of which has been given in
reference [5].
10. THE NEW SING-AROUND ULTRASONIC
FLOW METERING TECHNIQUES
Two main types of novel flow meters which bring
the advantages of utilizing modified SA techniques and
TASAP [5]. Configurations of wedge mounted
ultrasonic transducers into union, are described in detail
in a thesis (the writer of this paper) [5]. It appears likely
that the requirement for repeatable, reliable, fast
response and cost-effective measuring instruments to
measure various process variables including fluid now
velocity (i.e. in single-phase flows) will become more
numerous. Consequently, there is a real requirement for
developments and improvements in the known
methods, systems and procedures to carry further. The
greater methods capable of being used the more being
possible of combining two or more various techniques
into one coherent system and procedure.
Nevertheless, new measuring devices and methods
such as the new SA ultrasonic flow metering
techniques will be needed in the immediate future,
principally for the reason that it possesses smaller
number and less important limitations and drawbacks
than the numerous measuring devices and instruments
reviewed.
These new SA US flow meters have demonstrated a
potentially important improvement in fluid flow
metering instrumentation.
47
The newly proposed arrangements of clamped-on

US flow meters based modified SA principles arc
especially attractive due to the non-invasive
characteristics of the flow meters, at the same time.
They measure fluid flow velocity independent of the
velocity of sound in the fluid under measurement.
Some of the potential advantages or the new systems
are as follows:
(a) The fluid velocity is independent of ultrasound
velocity.
(b) Measurement can be accomplished entirely noninvasively.
(c) The fluid velocity of flow is not dependent on
density, etc.
(d) Signal processing is straightforward and simplified.
(e) Low installation and maintenance and replacement
cost.
(f) Can be employed in a wide range of applications, in
which the size of the pipeline does not increase the
.cost considerably. Consequently, they are more
economical, particularly in the large sizes of pipes.
(g) Their installation and maintenance are simple and
straightforward.
(h) Direction of the flow can be deduced.
(i) It seems that these new SA US flow meters are
capable of measuring the velocity of fluid flow in any
size of diameters of pipes, and with any type of
fluids(i.e. sonically homogeneous ones) [i.e. single
phase flows].
(k) They are bi-directional in operation, (and so on).
11. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper we have described the basic principles
underlying sing around (SA) ultrasonic
measurements of fluid flow. This paper also explains in
some details the drawbacks of SA ultrasonic methods.
It has shown that the SA method is a more elaborate
from of Time - of - Flight measurement method of
ultrasonic flow measurement, but holds very separate
and distinct characteristics. The overall criticism of the
conventional ultrasonic flow meters including SA
48
ultrasonic metering methods reviewed has led to the

requirement for the development of the new ultrasonic
flow metering systems based on modified SA
technique, which combine the advantages of employing
SA principles and non-invasive (i.e. clamp-on, or
wedge mounted) ultrasonic transducers.
The newly designed systems provide a possible
alternative which yields advantages of obstruction less
and straightforward measuring of the fluid flow
velocity. They promise to be adequately accurate and
highly repeatable and significantly the' measurement
does not depend on physical characteristics of the fluid
flow under test.
REFERENCES
[1] Bagheri.J. Research Progress Report, Control
Engineering Department, University of Bradford.
1994.
[2] Lynnworth, L.C. Ultrasonic Flow meters:
Physical Acoustics, Vol. 14 (W.P. Milson and
R.N. Thurston, eds.), Academic Press, New York,
pp. 407-525, 1975
[3] Muston, A.H. and LOOSEMORE, W.R. U.K.
Patent Application 15554/72. 1972
[4] Frederick, J.R. Ultrasonic Engineering,
Willey. New York, 1965
[5] Bagheri.J. Ultrasonic Flow Measurement
Using Two Asymmetric Sing-Around Paths.
Ph.D. Thesis, Control Engineering Department.
University of Bradford. 1995
[6] P Brassier et all. High-frequency transducers
and correlation method to enhance ultrasonic
gas flow metering, Flow Measurement and
Instrumentation, 2001.
[7] Hironari Obayashi et all. Velocity vector profile
measurement using multiple ultrasonic
transducers,
Flow
Measurement
and
[8] Dandan Zheng et all. Study of acoustic
transducer protrusion and recess effects on
ultrasonic
flowmeter
measurement
by
numerical simulation Flow Measurement and
[9] Masoud Rahimi et all. Experimental study on
the effects of acoustic streaming of high
frequency ultrasonic waves on convective heat
transfer: Effects of transducer position and
wave
interference,
International
Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer,
2012.

A New Ultrasonic Flow Metering Technique Using Two Sing-Around Paths, Along With The Criticism of The Disadvantages Inherent in Conventional Ultrasonic Flow Metering Transducers

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Majlesi Journal of Mechatronic Systems

Vol. 1, No. 3, September 2012