1. Basic concepts of ultrasonic waves

1.1 Definition and main features

An ultrasonic wave is a mechanical vibration propagating in an elastic medium (solid, liquid or gas) at a frequency above the audible range.

A wave with a frequency between 20 kHz and 1 GHz is considered ultrasonic.

Frequencies used for flow measurement range from 200 kHz to 4 MHz.

Ultrasonic waves have all the general properties of elastic waves. They have no properties of their own.

The advantage of ultrasound lies in its small wavelength, which is often of the same order of magnitude as the characteristic dimensions of the media it passes through (grain diameter, heterogeneities, any defects), enabling it...

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Basic concepts of ultrasonic waves

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Full pipe flow measurement

Bibliography

Also in our database

KADIR (B.) - Mesure de débit par ultrasons – Mesure en écoulement à surface libre - [R 2 266] base Metrologie relative aux fluides – Vitesses et débit (2004).

Standards and norms

Measuring fluid flow in closed conduits – Ultrasonic meters for liquids. ISO - ISO 12242 - 2012
Hydrometry – Flow measurement by the ultrasonic transit time method (time of flight). ISO - ISO 6416 - 2017
Essai de réception sur place des turbines hydrauliques, pompes d'accumulation et pompes-turbines, en vue de la détermination de leurs performances hydraulique (annexe J : méthode acoustique de mesurage...