Reflector clamping member and use therof

Abstract

A reflector clamping member (RCM) for fixating an ultrasound reflector (REF) to a flow conduit insert (FCI) of an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) is disclosed, the reflector clamping member (RCM) comprising a fixation portion (FXN) for fixating the reflector clamping member (RCM) to the flow conduit insert (FCI) and a flexible portion (FLX) for contacting the ultrasound reflector (REF), wherein the flexible portion (FLX) is adapted for supporting at least one side of the ultrasound reflector (REF) so as to clamp the ultrasound reflector (REF) between the flexible portion (FLX) and the flow conduit insert (FCI) when the reflector clamping member (RCM), the ultrasound reflector (REF), and the flow conduit insert (FCI) are assembled. Also, a flow conduit insert assembly (ASY) comprising such reflector clamping member (RCM), an ultrasonic flow meter (UFM) comprising such reflector clamping member (RCM), and a method of fixating an ultrasound reflector (REF) to a flow conduit insert (FCI) are disclosed.

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A flow conduit insert assembly for an ultrasonic flow meter,
 the flow conduit insert assembly comprising
 a flow conduit insert for inserting into a flow conduit of the ultrasonic flow meter, 
 an ultrasound reflector, and 
 a reflector clamping member, 
   wherein the reflector clamping member is fixated to the flow conduit insert by an ultrasonic weld, thereby clamping the ultrasound reflector between the reflector clamping member and the flow conduit insert.   
     
     
         20 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  1 , wherein the reflector clamping member comprises a fixation portion fixating the reflector clamping member to the flow conduit insert. 
     
     
         21 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  2 , wherein the fixation portion has a pointed tip. 
     
     
         22 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  3 , wherein the ultrasound weld is formed by passing ultrasonic though the pointed tip. 
     
     
         23 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  2 , wherein the flow conduit insert has a fixation receiver, and wherein the fixation portion is fixated to the fixation receiver by the ultrasonic weld. 
     
     
         24 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  1 , wherein the reflector clamping member comprises a flexible portion contacting one side of the ultrasound reflector, thereby clamping the ultrasound reflector between the flexible portion of the reflector clamping member and the flow conduit insert. 
     
     
         25 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  6 , wherein the flexible portion comprises a structured surface. 
     
     
         26 . The flow conduit insert assembly according to claim  7 , wherein the structured surface is made up from a single structure. 
     
     
         27 . A ultrasonic flow meter comprising
 a flow conduit,   a housing fixated to the flow conduit, and   a flow conduit insert assembly inserted into the flow conduit,   the flow conduit insert assembly comprising
 a flow conduit insert, 
 an ultrasound reflector, and 
 a reflector clamping member, 
   wherein the reflector clamping member is fixated to the flow conduit insert by an ultrasonic weld, thereby clamping the ultrasound reflector between the reflector clamping member and the flow conduit insert.   
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing a flow conduit insert assembly,
 the method comprising the steps of   providing
 a reflector clamping member, 
 an ultrasonic reflector, and 
 a flow conduit insert for inserting into a flow conduit of an ultrasonic flow meter, 
   fixating the reflector clamping member to the flow conduit insert by ultrasonic welding thereby clamping the ultrasound reflector between the reflector clamping member and the flow conduit insert.   
     
     
         29 . The method according to claim  10 , wherein the reflector clamping member comprises a fixation portion for fixating the reflector clamping member to the flow conduit insert. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to claim  11 , wherein the fixation portion has a pointed tip. 
     
     
         31 . The method according to claim  12 , wherein the ultrasonic welding passes the pointed tip. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to claim  11 , wherein the flow conduit insert has a fixation receiver, and wherein the fixation portion is brought into contact with the fixation receiver, after which the ultrasonic welding is applied. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to claim  10 , wherein the reflector clamping member comprises a flexible portion contacting one side of the ultrasound reflector, thereby clamping the ultrasound reflector between the flexible portion of the reflector clamping member and the flow conduit insert. 
     
     
         34 . The method according to claim  15 , wherein the flexible portion comprises a structured surface. 
     
     
         35 . The method according to claim  16 , wherein the structured surface is made up from a single structure.