The present paper describes a procedure improving the measurement of fluid flow rates in pipes through the measurement of vibrations. The authors show, via experimental tests for water system, that for a given pipe in terms of width, diameter and material, the first harmonic amplitude of the vibration signal transmitted from the flow to the pipe walls is linearly proportional to the flow rate at a given revolution of the pump. Then, accelerometer mini/micro-transducers can be used for non-intrusive, low-cost and reliable flow rate measurements without load errors.

The achievement of accurate fluid flow measurements is fundamental whenever the control and the monitoring of certain physical quantities governing an industrial process are required. In that case, non-intrusive devices are preferable, but these are often more sophisticated and expensive than those which are more common (such as nozzles, diaphrams, Coriolis flowmeters and so on). In this paper, a novel, non-intrusive, simple and inexpensive methodology is presented to measure the fluid flow rate (in a turbulent regime) whose physical principle is based on the acquisition of transversal vibrational signals induced by the fluid itself onto the pipe walls it is flowing through. Such a principle of operation would permit the use of micro-accelerometers capable of acquiring and transmitting the signals, even by means of wireless technology, to a control room for the monitoring of the process under control. A possible application (whose feasibility will be investigated by the authors in a further study) of this introduced technology is related to the employment of a net of micro-accelerometers to be installed on pipeline networks of aqueducts. This apparatus could lead to the faster and easier detection and location of possible leaks of fluid affecting the pipeline network with more affordable costs. The authors, who have previously proven the linear dependency of the acceleration harmonics amplitude on the flow rate, here discuss an experimental analysis of this functional relation with the variation in the physical properties of the pipe in terms of its diameter and constituent material, to find the eventual limits to the practical application of the measurement methodology.

In the paper the authors propose an image processing algorithm for detection of Kayser-Fleischer ring in eye cornea. This is a common symptom of a rare genetic disorder known as Wilson Disease. This pathology is cause of a malfunction in the copper excretion from the organism. So copper accumulates in tissues being responsible of oxidative processes in the organs affected. Copper deposit in the cornea is visible as a golden-brown, sometimes orange or greyish, pigmentation called Kayser-Fleischer ring. So it is considered a diagnostic sign of Wilson disease more than ever in individuals with neurological disorders. The proposed algorithm is based on an image processing approach. In detail, eye image is analyzed by means of a segmentation algorithm to detect the Kayser-Fleischer ring. The proposed screening method is non-invasive and automated. The innovative diagnostic tool aims to improve accuracy of actual methods used in practice. So the described technique reduces possible interpretation errors and assists doctor to diagnose the pathology.