US 12,292,317 B2
Ultrasonic flow meter assembly
Timofey Sitnikov, Harrison, TN (US); Jeremy Alan McCraven, Kannapolis, NC (US); Chris Gyeong Suk Kang, Marietta, GA (US); Wendell Presslar Bowie, II, Mooresville, NC (US); Paul A. Burrell, Mount Ulla, NC (US); and Paul S. Gifford, Chattanooga, TN (US)
Assigned to Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed by Mueller International, LLC, Atlanta, GA (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/683,111.
Prior Publication US 2023/0273056 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. G01F 1/66 (2022.01); G01F 1/661 (2022.01); G01F 1/667 (2022.01)
CPC G01F 1/662 (2013.01) [G01F 1/661 (2013.01); G01F 1/667 (2013.01)] 44 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasonic flow meter assembly comprising:
a meter housing comprising an upper housing and a lower housing, the lower housing defining a first piezo mount, a second piezo mount, a first reflector mount and a second reflector mount;
a first piezoelectric transducer supported on the first piezo mount and a second piezoelectric transducer supported on the second piezo mount;
a first reflector mounted to the first reflector mount and defining a first reflective surface, the first reflective surface vertically aligned with the first piezoelectric transducer;
a second reflector mounted to the second reflector mount and defining a second reflective surface, the second reflective surface vertically aligned with the second piezoelectric transducer; and
a flow tube defining a flow channel, a first tube reflector opening allowing access to the flow channel, and a second tube reflector opening allowing access to the flow channel;
wherein the first and second reflectors are configured to reflect ultrasonic signals from the first piezoelectric transducer to the second piezoelectric transducer;
the meter housing is mounted to the flow tube;
the first reflector mount extends through the first tube reflector opening and the second reflector mount extends through the second tube reflector opening; and
each of the first reflector and the second reflector are oriented within the flow channel.