Abstract Apparatus for sensing fluid flow in all directions of azimuth in a predetermined plane irrespective of changes in ambient temperature and of changes in composition or static pressure of the fluid wherein the apparatus provides for at least one unshielded thermocouple and one shielded thermocouple in circuit relationship wherein the shielded thermocouple is sensitive to the static characteristics of the fluid and wherein the unshielded thermocouple is additionally sensitive to the dynamic characteristics of the fluid so that the accurate velocity of the fluid flow can be determined independently from variations in the static characteristics of the fluid, e.g. composition or static pressure. Apparatus is also disclosed which utilizes three exposed thermocouple junctions located in a line for accurately sensing fluid flow in all directions of azimuth in a predetermined plane independently of changes in ambient temperature.
Inventors
👤 James M Benson
👤 Edmond Easter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-06 15:14
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A heat transfer measuring device capable of measuring fluid velocity oriented at any direction of azimuth in a predetermined plane, said device comprising: at least three thermocouples, means for mounting said thermocouples in a line with respect to one another and spaced apart by predetermined equal distances and for exposing said thermocouples to a surrounding fluid medium and to the flow thereof, circuit means in operative relationship with each said thermocouple for heating the outer two of said thermocouples and for responding to any differences between voltages produced by said thermocouples, and wherein the center one of said three thermocouples is of a different size than the remaining outer two of said three thermocouples.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A heat transfer measuring device capable of measuring fluid velocity oriented at any direction of azimuth in a predetermined plane, said device comprising: at least three thermocouples, means for mounting said thermocouples in a line with respect to one another and spaced apart by predetermined equal distances and for exposing said thermocouples to a surrounding fluid medium and to the flow thereof, circuit means in operative relationship with each said thermocouple for heating the outer two of said thermocouples and for responding to any differences between voltages produced by said thermocouples, and wherein the center one of said three thermocouples is of a different size than the remaining outer two of said three thermocouples.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
109 words
A heat transfer measuring device capable of measuring fluid velocity for any direction of azimuth in a predetermined plane, said device comprising: at least three thermocouples, means mounting said thermocouples to be exposed to a surrounding fluid medium and to movement thereof, said thermocouples being located along a line with respect to one another and spaced apart by equal predetermined distances, circuit means in operative relationship with each said thermocouples for heating the outer two of said thermocouples and for responding to any differences between voltages produced by said thermocouples, and wherein a center one of said thermocouples is of a different size than the remaining outer two thermocouples.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
109 words
A heat transfer measuring device capable of measuring fluid velocity for any direction of azimuth in a predetermined plane, said device comprising: at least three thermocouples, means mounting said thermocouples to be exposed to a surrounding fluid medium and to movement thereof, said thermocouples being located along a line with respect to one another and spaced apart by equal predetermined distances, circuit means in operative relationship with each said thermocouples for heating the outer two of said thermocouples and for responding to any differences between voltages produced by said thermocouples, and wherein a center one of said thermocouples is of a different size than the remaining outer two thermocouples.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A device as in claim 2 wherein said thermocouples are probe-type thermocouples.