Ultrasonic flowmeter is an instrument that measures flow by detecting the effect of fluid flow on an ultrasonic beam. The existing ultrasonic flow meters can be classified into different types according to different classification methods

Classified by measurement principles

For closed pipelines USF There are various measurement principles, and the most commonly used ones are the propagation time method and the Doppler method. The time difference ultrasonic flowmeter uses the principle that the time difference between the forward and backward propagation of sound waves in a fluid is proportional to the fluid flow velocity to measure fluid flow rate. It is widely used in the measurement of river, reservoir flow, petrochemical process flow detection, production process water consumption measurement, and other fields. According to practical application needs, time difference ultrasonic flowmeters are divided into portable time difference ultrasonic flowmeters and online time difference ultrasonic flowmeters.

Classification by tested medium

There are two types: gas and liquid. Propagation time method USF The two media are dedicated to each other, and due to the different operating frequencies of the transducer, gases are usually one hundred～500 kHz Between them, the liquid is 1～5 MHz between.

Classification of Propagation Time Method by Number of Channels

Commonly used channels classified by number of channels include mono, dual or cuadruple.

In recent years, three, five, and six channels have also emerged. A multi-channel configuration with four or more channels plays a significant role in improving measurement accuracy.

Classified by transducer installation method

It can be divided into two types of ultrasonic flow meters: movable installation and fixed installation.

Classify according to the needs of practical applications

 Ultrasonic flow meters are divided into external clamp type, insertion type, and pipe section type. 

The external clamp type ultrasonic flowmeter is the most familiar and widely used ultrasonic flowmeter by users. Installing the transducer does not require pipeline interruption, and can be used immediately. It fully embodies the characteristics of simple installation and convenient use of ultrasonic flowmeters.

Due to material properties or severe corrosion, as well as gaps between the lining and the interior space of certain pipelines, the ultrasonic signal attenuation is severe, making it impossible to measure with an external clamp ultrasonic flowmeter, resulting in the development of a segmented ultrasonic flowmeter. The pipe section ultrasonic flowmeter integrates the transducer and measuring tube, solving a difficulty in measurement for clamp type flowmeters, and has higher measurement accuracy than other ultrasonic flowmeters. However, it also sacrifices the advantage of continuous flow installation for clamp type ultrasonic flowmeters.

The Inserted ultrasonic flowmeter is intermediate between the two mentioned above. It can be installed without interruption, using specialized tools to install on the pipeline, inserting the transducer into the pipeline, and completing the installation. Due to the fact that the transducer is located inside the pipeline, its signal transmission and reception only pass through the measured medium and not through the pipe wall and lining, so its measurement is not limited by the pipe quality and lining material.