Ultrasonic liquid-in-line detector for tubes

Patent · 31 December 1990

OSTI ID:875270

Piper, Thomas C. ^[1]

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1. Idaho Falls, ID

An apparatus and method for detecting the presence of liquid in pipes or tubes using ultrasonic techniques A first piezoelectric crystal is coupled to the outside of the pipe or tube at the location where liquid in the tube is to be detected. A second piezoelectric crystal is coupled to the outside of the pipe or tube at the same location along the tube but circumferentially displaced from the first crystal by an angle around the pipe or tube of less than 180.degree.. Liquid in the pipe or tube is detected by measuring the attenuation of an ultrasonic signal sent by the first piezoelectric crystal and received by the second piezoelectric crystal.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-84ID12435
• Assignee: United States of Amercia as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): H000912
• Application Number: 07/318874
• OSTI ID: 875270
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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