In many industries—like mining, food, and chemical processing—fluids carrying solid particles move through pipes and tanks. Over time, this movement, especially when turbulent, wears down equipment, causing costly damage and unplanned downtime. Unfortunately, today’s tools can’t accurately track these turbulent zones in real time or in enough detail to prevent the damage.
This invention solves that problem with a powerful new system that watches how particle-filled fluids flow using ultrasonic imaging and artificial intelligence. Here's how it works: tiny ultrasound pulses are sent through the wall of a pipe or container to capture a series of images of the fluid inside. A built-in AI (a trained neural network) then analyzes these images to model how the fluid is moving—not just in a flat area (2D), but in full 3D, and in real time.
What makes this invention unique is its ability to see much more than what the ultrasound images directly show. Thanks to its trained AI, it can predict the behavior of the fluid in areas that weren’t even scanned—extending its vision and improving accuracy without increasing hardware costs.
The benefits are significant. Operators can now detect where turbulence is strongest and where pipe walls are at the highest risk of wear—before a failure happens. This leads to smarter maintenance, longer equipment life, and fewer breakdowns.
The broader impact? This invention helps industries operate more efficiently and sustainably by reducing waste, extending asset life, and lowering maintenance costs. It also allows better monitoring at all points of the system—not just problem-prone bends—giving a complete picture of what's happening inside. It’s a smarter, more precise way to manage flow—and prevent damage—before it starts.