Measurement Using Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers in High Pressure Environments

Feeney, A. , Kang, L., Somerset, W. E. and Dixon, S. (2019) Measurement Using Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers in High Pressure Environments. In: 2019 International Congress on Ultrasonics, Bruges, Belgium, 03-06 Sep 2019, 045014. (doi: 10.1121/2.0001091)

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Abstract

The flexural ultrasonic transducer comprises a metallic membrane to which an active element such as a piezoelectric ceramic is attached. The normal modes of the membrane are exploited to generate and receive the desired ultrasonic wave. Flexural ultrasonic transducers are popular due to their ability to couple to different media without requiring matching layers. There is growing demand for ultrasound measurement using flexural ultrasonic transducers in high pressure environments, such as in gas metering. However, their sealing increases the risk of transducer deformation as the pressure level is raised, due to pressure imbalance between the internal cavity of the transducer and the external environment. In this study, a novel form of flexural ultrasonic transducer for operation in high pressure environments, those above 100 bar, is shown alongside key measurement strategies. Different methods can be used to enable pressure equalization between the internal cavity and the external environment, one of which is venting and used in this study. Dynamic performance is monitored via pitch-catch ultrasound measurement in air up to 130 bar. The results suggest the suitability of the vented transducer for operation in high pressure environments compared to the classical flexural ultrasonic transducer, constituting a significant development in ultrasonic measurement.

Item Type:Conference Proceedings
Additional Information:This research is funded by EPSRC grant EP/N025393/1.
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Feeney, Dr Andrew
Authors: Feeney, A., Kang, L., Somerset, W. E., and Dixon, S.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
ISSN:1939-800X
Published Online:18 February 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Acoustical Society of America
First Published:First published in Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics 38(1): 045014
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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