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Este trabalho contribui para a busca de métodos rápidos para reconstrução esparsa em ultrassonografia. O objetivo é alcançado em três etapas: a validação de um modelo discreto de aquisição, uma avaliação comparativa de algoritmos adequados ao problema e uma proposição de aceleração para um dos métodos de melhor desempenho. A estratégia de validação do modelo consiste em reconstruções a partir de dados sintéticos de resultado conhecido e subsequente validação com dados reais, coletados por uma plataforma de pesquisa em ultrassom com um phantom de uso profissional. As reconstruções são realizadas por um conjunto selecionado de algoritmos iterativos de otimização convexa, que têm seus parâmetros, resultados e desempenhos analisados. O trabalho propõe a aceleração do método ADMM (Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers) que está entre os de melhor desempenho em termos de custo computacional, e que pode dobrar sua velocidade inicial de convergência com a modificação proposta. Como a aceleração também pode ser utilizada em outras aplicações do ADMM, a modificação proposta é validada em quatro casos de estudo, sendo dois em ultrassonografia e dois em imageamento por ressonância magnética. / This study contributes to the search for fast iterative methods for ultrasonic sparse image reconstruction. The goal is achieved in three steps: the validation of a discrete acquisition model, a comparative evaluation of algorithms suitable to the problem and an acceleration proposal for one of the best performing methods. The model validation strategy consists of image reconstructions from synthetic data with previously known results, and subsequent validation with real data, collected by an ultrasound research platform with a professional phantom. The reconstructions are performed by a selected set of iterative algorithms of convex optimization, which have their parameters, results and performances analyzed. This study proposes the acceleration of the ADMM (Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers), which is among the best performing methods in terms of computational cost, and which can have its initial convergence speed doubled by the proposed modification. Since the acceleration can also be used in other applications of ADMM, the proposed modification is validated in four cases of study: two in ultrasonography and two in magnetic resonance imaging.

La technique de haute intensité ultrasons focalisés (HIFU) est maintenant largement utilisée pour le traitement du cancer, grâce à son avantage non-invasif. Dans un système de HIFU, une matrice de transducteurs à ultrasons est pilotée en phase pour produire un faisceau focalisé d'ultrasons (1M ~ 10 MHz) dans une petite zone de l'emplacement de la cible sur le cancer dans le corps. La plupart des systèmes HIFU sont guidées par imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM) dans de nos jours. Dans cette étude de doctorat, un amplificateur de puissance de classe D en demi-pont et un système d'accord automatique d'impédance sont proposés. Tous deux circuits proposés sont compatibles avec le système IRM. L'amplificateur de puissance proposé a été réalisé par un circuit imprimé (PCB) avec des composants discrets. Selon les résultats du test, il a rendement de conversion en puissance de 82% pour une puissance de sortie conçue de 1,25W à une fréquence de travail de 3MHz. Le système d'accord automatique d'impédance proposé a été conçu en deux versions: une version en PCB et une version en circuit intégré (IC). Contrairement aux systèmes d'accord automatique proposés dans la littérature, il n'y a pas besoin de l'unité de microcontrôleur (MCU) ou de l'ordinateur dans la conception proposée. D'ailleurs, sans l'aide de composants magnétiques volumineux, ce système d'auto-réglage est entièrement compatible avec l'équipement IRM. La version en PCB a été conçue pour vérifier le principe du système proposé, et il est également utilisé pour guider à la conception du circuit intégré. La réalisation en PCB occupe une surface de 110cm². Les résultats des tests ont confirmé la performance attendue. Le système d'auto-tuning proposé peut parfaitement annuler l'impédance imaginaire du transducteur, et il peut également compenser l'impédance de la dérive causée par les variations inévitables (variation de température, dispersion technique, etc.). La conception du système d'auto-réglage en circuit intégré a été réalisé avec une technologie CMOS (C35B4C3) fournies par Austrian Micro Systems (AMS). La surface occupée par le circuit intégré est seulement de 0,42mm². Le circuit intégré conçu est capable de fonctionner à une large gamme de fréquence tout en conservant une consommation d'énergie très faible (137 mW). D'après les résultats de la simulation, le rendement de puissance de ce circuit peut être amélioré jusqu'à 20% comparant à celui utilisant le réseau d'accord statique. / High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) technology is now broadly used for cancer treatment, thanks to its non-invasive property. In a HIFU system, a phased array of ultrasonic transducers is utilized to generate a focused beam of ultrasound (1M~10MHz) into a small area of the cancer target within the body. Most HIFU systems are guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in nowadays. In this PhD study, a half-bridge class D power amplifier and an automatic impedance tuning system are proposed. Both the class D power amplifier and the auto-tuning system are compatible with MRI system. The proposed power amplifier is implemented by a printed circuit board (PCB) circuit with discrete components. According to the test results, it has a power efficiency of 82% designed for an output power of 3W at 1.25 MHz working frequency. The proposed automatic impedance tuning system has been designed in two versions: a PCB version and an integrated circuit (IC) version. Unlike the typical auto-impedance tuning networks, there is no need of microprogrammed control unit (MCU) or computer in the proposed design. Besides, without using bulky magnetic components, this auto-tuning system is completely compatible with MRI equipment. The PCB version was designed to verify the principle of the proposed automatic impedance tuning system, and it is also used to help the design of the integrated circuit. The PCB realization occupies a surface of 110cm². The test results confirmed the expected performance. The proposed auto-tuning system can perfectly cancel the imaginary impedance of the transducer, and it can also compensate the impedance drifting caused by unavoidable variations (temperature variation, technical dispersion, etc.). The IC design of the auto-tuning system is realized in a CMOS process (C35B4C3) provided by Austrian Micro Systems (AMS). The die area of the integrated circuit is only 0.42mm². This circuit design can provide a wide working frequency range while keeping a very low power consumption (137 mW). According to the simulation results, the power efficiency can be improved can up to 20% by using this auto-tuning circuit compared with that using the static tuning network.

MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / The main purpose of this study was to assess the efficiency of ultrasonography in monitoring reproductive organs, pregnancy diagnosis, and foetal gender identification and to verify its reliability by laparoscopy and laparotomy, where applicable. Reproductive organs, pregnancy diagnosis and gender of the foetus were examined by A-mode ultrasound using 3.0 - 8.0 MHz trans-rectal transducer. A Sony Olympus Model laparoscope with a camera transducer was used to monitor the reproductive organs and pregnancy diagnosis. In monitoring the follicular dynamics, daily ultrasonography (ULTS) scanning was done for 17 days in sheep and for 21 days in both goats and cattle. Follicles of diameter ≥ 3 mm were selected for analysis of growth, ovulation and regression. For determining the efficiency of the techniques, laparoscopy (LAPSC) and laparotomy (LAPT) were used on days 3 and 10 of the goats and sheep oestrous cycle. The follicles were grouped into three categories according to their diameter as 3 - 4.9 mm, 5 - 7.9 mm and ≥ 8 mm, whereas the follicles of cattle were grouped as 3 - 4.9 mm, 5 - 9.9 mm and ≥ 10 mm. Early pregnancy diagnosis examinations were carried out from day 18 post insemination until pregnancy was confirmed. Foetal gender examinations were conducted from day 40 of pregnancy until the day the gender of the foetus was confirmed. Follicular development was accompanied by the occurrence of waves of follicular growth at different period of the oestrous cycle. The first follicular wave emerged on day 1.0 ± 0.4 in goats, 1.2 ± 0.4 in sheep and 2.2 ± 0.4 in cattle. The maximum diameter of the dominant follicles of observed follicular waves in goats was 7.3 ± 0.4 mm, 6.6 ± 0.2 mm, 7.3 ± 0.2 mm; in sheep was 6.4 ± 0.4 mm, 6.6 ± 0.4 mm and 6.7 ± 0.7 mm and in cattle was 13.1 ± 0.8 mm, 14.2 ± 0.6 mm and 15.7 ± 0.6 mm in wave 1, 2 and 3, respectively. However, the maximum size of the dominant follicle of the ovulatory wave in cattle was larger than the dominant follicles of both first and second waves, but in goats and sheep the dominant follicles were of similar size throughout the waves. In cattle, the ovulatory wave was shorter (p ˂ 0.05) than the duration of the first and second waves, while in sheep and goats were similar throughout the waves. In goats the total number of follicles counted in right and left ovaries under category 3 - 4.9 mm was lower with ULTS and LAPSC than with LAPT method (p ˂ 0.05). In sheep the mean number of follicles between 3 - 4.9 mm category in both right and left ovaries were different (p ˂ 0.05) between ULTS and LAPT. However, for categories 5 - 7.9 mm and ≥ 8 mm in both goats and sheep the mean numbers of follicles observed by all techniques were similar (p ˃ 0.05). In goats, pregnancy diagnosis accuracy improved from zero percent on day 18 to 100% on day 26 - 28, in sheep pregnancy diagnosis was 40% on day 18 and improved to 100% on day 20 - 22 vi of gestation. In cattle accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis was not possible at day 18 and gradually increased to 100% on day 30 - 32 of gestation. Out of 5 (100%) goat’s foetuses whose gender was determined, the diagnosis was correct in 100% (3/3) of the male foetuses and 100% (2/2) of the female foetuses. In sheep two foetuses were sexed as males while the other three were sexed as females and were both 100%. Out of 60% (3/5) of foetuses examined in cattle, 1 (100%) was identified as male and the remaining 2 (100%) were identified as females. The results obtained confirmed that the accuracy for foetal gender by ultrasonography was 100% in all foetuses observed. The current study demonstrated that trans-rectal ultrasonography examination is an efficient method for monitoring follicular dynamics, diagnosing pregnancy and foetal gender identification and that it is as reliable as laparoscopy and laparotomy where they were applied together. / NRF

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de transdutores piezelétricos de potência usados em máquinas de estampagem e soldagem de tecidos sintéticos por ultra-som, através de modelos de elementos finitos implementados no software ANSYS e verificações experimentais. O transdutor é do tipo sanduíche e está acoplado a um amplificador mecânico e a um sonotrodo. Os comportamentos elétrico e vibracional do transdutor tipo sanduíche foram analisados em relação à quantidade de discos de piezocerâmicas em modelos axi-simétricos com quatro e oito discos. Comparam-se os resultados numéricos da resposta em frequência da impedância elétrica e do coeficiente de acoplamento eletromecânico com resultados experimentais de protótipos. Apresentam-se também análises numéricas do comportamento vibracional do amplificador mecânico e de dois tipos de sonotrodos, um cilíndrico e outro com o formato de uma lâmina larga, usados no processo de corte e soldagem de tecidos por ultra-som. É feita uma análise da distribuição de amplitude de vibração ao longo da face de trabalho dos dois sonotrodos. Os resultados simulados são comparados com os resultados experimentais de uma varredura feita na superfície de trabalho de cada protótipo usando-se um vibrômetro laser Doppler. Mostra-se que a vibração na face do sonotrodo cilíndrico ocorre com maior amplitude em uma região na sua borda. Considerando que para o processamento adequado do tecido é necessário que todos os pontos ao longo da face de trabalho do sonotrodo vibrem com a mesma amplitude, verifica-se a necessidade de modificar a forma do sonotrodo visando obter uma distribuição uniforme de deslocamentos em sua face. Para isso utiliza-se a modelagem do sonotrodo com a técnica de otimização paramétrica disponível no ANSYS, com o objetivo de se obter uma distribuição de vibração uniforme ao longo de sua face de trabalho. Os resultados experimentais do protótipo do sonotrodo cilíndrico otimizado são comparados com os resultados numéricos da distribuição de vibração ao longo de sua face de trabalho mostrando uma boa concordância e, portanto, validando o modelo numérico. / This work presents a study of high power piezoelectric sandwich transducers used in ultrasonic cutting and welding of thermoplastic textiles using finite element models with ANSYS and experimental verifications. The electrical/vibrational behaviour of transducers with four and eight piezoceramics is analysed using axisymetric models. The numerical results of electrical impedance frequency response and electromechanical coupling factor are compared with experimental results of prototypes. There are presented the numerical analysis of the vibrational behaviour of an acoustical amplifier and two types of sonotrodes, a cylindrical and an wide blade shape, used in the ultrasonic cutting and welding of thermoplastic textiles. It is performed an analysis of the distribution of vibration amplitude along the work surface of both sonotrodes and the simulated results are compared with esperimental measurements of the prototypes using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The results show that the amplitude of vibration of the cylindrical sonotrode is not uniform on its working surface. A maximum of amplitude occurs in its border. In order to guarantee the process quality it is necessary that all points along the working surface vibrate with the same amplitude. It is used the parametric optimization technic of ANSYS in order to obtain an uniform amplitude of displacement on the working surface of the cylindric sonotrode. The simulated and experimental results optimized prototype of the cylindric sonotrode are compared showing good agreement and therfore validating the numerical model.

Conotruncal anomalies are the leading causes of cyanotic congenital heart disease. We attempted to use live xPlane imaging of ductal arch view and in-plane view of IVS to screen the fetal conotruncal anomalies in 200 fetuses. There were 152 normal cases, 25 conotruncal anomalies and 23 other types of fetal CHDs were involved in this study. The visualization rate of the normal ductal arch view and in-plane view of IVS with live xPlane imaging was 100% (152/152), 100% (152/152) in normal cases, 8% (2/25), 12% (3/25) in conotruncal anomalies and 69.7% (16/23), 73.9% (17/23) in non-conotruncal CHDs, respectively. The visualization rate of abnormal ductal arch and in-plane view in conotruncal anomalies was much higher than that in non-conotruncal anomalies (P<0.001). Therefore, it may be a useful tool for the assessment and diagnosis of fetal conotruncal anomalies. / In conclusion, real-time 3DE is a novel and promising technique to perform the prenatal examination, both the fetal heart and other system. It represents the future of 3D ultrasound and will become a useful tool for prenatal screening and diagnosis. / This thesis summarized real-time 3D ultrasound in obstetric application. With the introduction of matrix transducer, 3D scanning the fetus in real time became available. / We attempted to use real-time 3D ultrasound in obstetrics outside the fetal heart. We evaluated the feasibility of using real-time 3D ultrasound to assist in obtaining a true midsagittal view in first trimester. Eight sonographers, including FMF-certified and non FMF-certified operators, were asked to perform ultrasound examinations on five patients and forty patients were examined in total. It showed that the deviation from true midsagittal view was reduced greatly with the guidance of live xPlane imaging. Real-time 3D ultrasound can improve the accuracy of acquisition of a defined sonographic plane, and reduce the difference in performance between operators who are formally certified or not. / We demonstrated a novel method to visualize the aortic and ductal arch with live xPlane imaging. The visualization rate is 100%. Ductal arch view can be visualized by placing the reference line through pulmonary artery and descending aorta and aortic arch view can be acquired by putting the reference line along the transverse view of aortic arch and descending aorta on the 3VT view with live xPlane imaging. Therefore, live xPlane imaging is an easy and feasible method for real-time imaging of the ductal and aortic arch. / We explored the feasibility to perform the fetal heart screening using real-time 3DE with live xPlane imaging. We developed and reported the methodology of acquiring and examining the screening planes of the fetal heart with live xPlane imaging. The procedure was simple and straight. When performing the fetal heart screening with live xPlane imaging, we just need display the apical four-chamber view and mid-sagittal view of fetal upper thorax and other thing could be done by moving the reference line. The overall detection of four cardiac screen planes can reach 100%. / We explored to evaluate the entire fetal IVS with both live xPlane imaging and live 3D imaging. We can successfully assess the entire IVS in most fetuses (153/154). We also compared the images acquired by real-time 3DE and STIC in this thesis. It showed that less motion artifact encounters with real-time 3DE and the image quality of real-time 3DE is similar to STIC volume acquired from the sagittal view (P>0.05) and superior to STIC volume from the four-chamber view (P<0.05). Therefore, real-time 3DE can be used to display the lateral view of the fetal IVS, and potentially may be a useful tool for the assessment and diagnosis of fetal VSDs. / Xiong, Yi. / Adviser: Tzekin Lau. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-138). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Este trabalho apresenta um estudo de transdutores piezelétricos de potência usados em máquinas de estampagem e soldagem de tecidos sintéticos por ultra-som, através de modelos de elementos finitos implementados no software ANSYS e verificações experimentais. O transdutor é do tipo sanduíche e está acoplado a um amplificador mecânico e a um sonotrodo. Os comportamentos elétrico e vibracional do transdutor tipo sanduíche foram analisados em relação à quantidade de discos de piezocerâmicas em modelos axi-simétricos com quatro e oito discos. Comparam-se os resultados numéricos da resposta em frequência da impedância elétrica e do coeficiente de acoplamento eletromecânico com resultados experimentais de protótipos. Apresentam-se também análises numéricas do comportamento vibracional do amplificador mecânico e de dois tipos de sonotrodos, um cilíndrico e outro com o formato de uma lâmina larga, usados no processo de corte e soldagem de tecidos por ultra-som. É feita uma análise da distribuição de amplitude de vibração ao longo da face de trabalho dos dois sonotrodos. Os resultados simulados são comparados com os resultados experimentais de uma varredura feita na superfície de trabalho de cada protótipo usando-se um vibrômetro laser Doppler. Mostra-se que a vibração na face do sonotrodo cilíndrico ocorre com maior amplitude em uma região na sua borda. Considerando que para o processamento adequado do tecido é necessário que todos os pontos ao longo da face de trabalho do sonotrodo vibrem com a mesma amplitude, verifica-se a necessidade de modificar a forma do sonotrodo visando obter uma distribuição uniforme de deslocamentos em sua face. Para isso utiliza-se a modelagem do sonotrodo com a técnica de otimização paramétrica disponível no ANSYS, com o objetivo de se obter uma distribuição de vibração uniforme ao longo de sua face de trabalho. Os resultados experimentais do protótipo do sonotrodo cilíndrico otimizado são comparados com os resultados numéricos da distribuição de vibração ao longo de sua face de trabalho mostrando uma boa concordância e, portanto, validando o modelo numérico. / This work presents a study of high power piezoelectric sandwich transducers used in ultrasonic cutting and welding of thermoplastic textiles using finite element models with ANSYS and experimental verifications. The electrical/vibrational behaviour of transducers with four and eight piezoceramics is analysed using axisymetric models. The numerical results of electrical impedance frequency response and electromechanical coupling factor are compared with experimental results of prototypes. There are presented the numerical analysis of the vibrational behaviour of an acoustical amplifier and two types of sonotrodes, a cylindrical and an wide blade shape, used in the ultrasonic cutting and welding of thermoplastic textiles. It is performed an analysis of the distribution of vibration amplitude along the work surface of both sonotrodes and the simulated results are compared with esperimental measurements of the prototypes using a laser Doppler vibrometer. The results show that the amplitude of vibration of the cylindrical sonotrode is not uniform on its working surface. A maximum of amplitude occurs in its border. In order to guarantee the process quality it is necessary that all points along the working surface vibrate with the same amplitude. It is used the parametric optimization technic of ANSYS in order to obtain an uniform amplitude of displacement on the working surface of the cylindric sonotrode. The simulated and experimental results optimized prototype of the cylindric sonotrode are compared showing good agreement and therfore validating the numerical model.

[pt] Existe uma crescente necessidade em transferir energia e comunicar dados entre dispositivos através de paredes metálicas de forma não intrusiva. Os meios de comunicação tradicionais para este fim, em sua maioria, baseiam-se essencialmente no uso de condutores elétricos ou ondas eletromagnéticas. O primeiro necessita de algum mecanismo de penetração e o segundo, apesar de não intrusivo, torna-se limitado devido ao efeito de blindagem de Faraday. Uma alternativa é encontrada no uso de ondas acústicas para transferir os dados e energia através de paredes metálicas. Recentemente, grande esforço tem sido empregado nesse tipo de comunicação, todavia há ainda carência de trabalhos que tratem do canal acústico na presença de multicamadas além de resultados experimentais com paredes metálicas curvas. Possíveis aplicações nestes contextos são encontrados no monitoramento de vasos de pressão com fluido no seu interior ou até mesmo de tubulações metálicas transportando líquidos. A presente dissertação avalia, de forma analítica, numérica e experimental, a transmissão de energia e a comunicação através de um canal acústico composto por camadas metal-líquido-metal com paredes curvilíneas. Para tal, inicialmente, são analisados e comparados dois modelos, existentes na literatura, fundamentados na propagação de ondas ultrassônicas, um analítico e outro numérico, ambos baseados em analogias acustoelétricas. Os dois modelos são estendidos permitindo a inclusão de múltiplas camadas de diferentes materiais. A avaliação da eficiência de energia e a capacidade de transferência de dados é feita com base nos modelos e validada experimentalmente utilizando uma placa reta de alumínio e um par de transdutores piezoelétricos axialmente alinhados e acoplados ao mesmo. Um circuito elétrico é desenvolvido para a transmissão de energia entre as duas faces da placa e para a comunicação de dados digitais por meio de modulação do tipo ASK. O circuito é então simulado utilizando-se um software de simulação de circuitos elétricos, PUC-Rio - Certificação Digital N. 1521906/CA projetado e montado com placas de circuito impresso. Em seguida, é realizado um segundo experimento utilizando uma seção curva metálica com uma camada intermediária de água como canal acústico . Nesse, são estudadas as transferências de energia e dados utilizando o circuito elétrico desenvolvido o qual é conectado a um par de transdutores piezoelétricos acoplados ao canal acústico. Resultados do experimento na placa reta de alumínio revelam boa consonância entre os modelos e o experimento, tanto por uma análise em frequência quanto no domínio do tempo. Tendo sido o modelo analítico o que melhor representa o fenômeno físico em questão devido ao maior rigor no tratamento do mecanismo de perdas. Para o segundo experimento, resultados comprovam a possibilidade de comunicação através de múltiplas camadas metálicas e líquidas em paredes curvas, mostrando que o sistema é capaz de transmitir dados de um sensor de temperatura e pressão a uma taxa de 9600 bps. Tanto o sensor quanto os seus circuitos periféricos são integralmente alimentados pela energia que atravessa o canal acústico, num total de aproximadamente 140 mW. / [en] Nonintrusive power transfer and data communication between devices through metallic walls is an increasing need in several sensing systems. Traditional means of communication mainly use electric conductors or electromagnetic waves. The first needs some mechanism for penetration whereas the latter, although nonintrusive, can be extremely limited due to the Faraday shielding effect. An alternative is found in the use of acoustic waves to transfer data and energy through metallic walls. Although great effort has been recently directed towards this type of communication, there still is a shortage of data dealing with the acoustic channel in the presence of multiple layers as well as of experimental results with curved metallic walls. Possible applications in these contexts may be found when monitoring pressure vessels filled with a fluid or pipes conveying liquids. The present dissertation evaluates, analytically, numerically and experimentally, the transmission of energy and data communication through a multi-layered, liquidmetal acoustic channel, composed of two curved metallic walls with a layer of liquid between them. For this, initially, two models based on propagation of ultrasonic waves are analyzed and compared, one analytical and the other numerical, both relying on electric-acoustic analogies. Both are extended to include more than one layer of material. The energy efficiency assessment and data transfer capability are addressed through the models and also experimentally validated using an acoustic channel comprising a flat aluminum plate and two axially aligned piezoelectric transducers coupled to it. In addition, an electric circuit is developed for the transmission of energy from outside to inside and the communication of digital data from the inside to the outside by ASK modulation and demodulation. The circuit is simulated using electrical circuit simulation software, designed and assembled with printed circuit boards. Thereafter, a second experiment where the acoustic channel is composed by a curved metallic section with an intermediate PUC-Rio - Certificação Digital No 1521906/CA fluid layer is implemented. In this, the power and data transfer are studied using the developed electric circuit, which is connected to a pair of piezoelectric transducers coupled to the acoustic channel. Results for the flat aluminum plate reveal good agreement between both models and the experiment, both by frequency and time domain analysis. The analytical model best reproduced the physical phenomenon of interest due to its stricter treatment of loss mechanisms. The second experiment proved the feasibility of multi-layered liquid-metal communication on curved walls and showed that the system is able to transmit data from temperature and pressure sensors at a rate of 9600 bps. The sensor and all its peripheral circuitry were fully powered by the energy flowing through the acoustic channel in total of approximately 140 mW.

This thesis presents a procedure to optimise the shape of a coaxial transducer ultrasonic flow meter. The technique uses separate numerical simulations of the fluid flow and the ultrasound propagation within a meter duct. A new flow meter geometry has been developed, having a significantly improved (smooth and monotonic) calibration curve. In this work the complex fluid flow field and its influence on the propagation of ultrasound in a cylindrical flow meter duct is investigated. A geometric acoustics (ray tracing) propagation model is applied to a flow field calculated by a commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) package. The simulation results are compared to measured calibration curves for a variety of meter geometries having varying lengths and duct diameters. The modelling shows reasonable agreement to the calibration characteristics for several meter geometries over a Reynolds number range of 100...100000 (based on bulk velocity and meter duct diameter). Various CFD simulations are validated against flow visualisation measurements, Laser Doppler Velocimetry measurements or published results. The thesis includes software to calculate the acoustic ray propagation and also to calculate the optimal shape for the annular gap around the transducer housings in order to achieve desired flow acceleration. A dimensionless number is proposed to characterise the mean deflection of an acoustic beam due to interaction with a fluid flow profile (or acoustic velocity gradient). For flow in a cylindrical duct, the 'acoustic beam deflection number' is defined as M g* (L/D)^2, where: M is the Mach Number of the bulk velocity; g* is the average non-dimensionalised velocity gradient insonified by the acoustic beam (g* is a function of transducer diameter - typically g* = 0.5...4.5); L is the transducer separation; and D is the duct diameter. Large values of this number indicate considerable beam deflection that may lead to undesirable wall reflections and diffraction effects. For a single path coaxial transducer ultrasonic flow meter, there are practical limits to the length of a flow meter and to the maximum size of a transducer for a given duct diameter. The 'acoustic beam deflection number' characterises the effect of these parameters.