Patent US3604261A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3604261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multidirectional thermal anemometer sensor
Assignee: THERMO SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-16
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A multidirectional thermal anemometer device to sense the speed and direction of a fluid velocity vector by making qualitative and/or quantitative use of the asymmetry or nonuniformity of the heat flux distribution around a constant-temperature thermal anemometer sensor. The sensor has segmented heat sensing films covering the entire surface of the sensing body. The entire surface of the sensing body is heated with one or more constanttemperature anemometer electronic control systems electrically coupled to each segment of the film. The electrical outputs of the control systems are operated on by either a digital or analog computer to yield quantitative information about the magnitude and direction of the fluid velocity vector.
Inventors
- 👤 John G Olin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a solid core member having a cylindrical outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments being axially separated from each other, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a solid core member having a cylindrical outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments being axially separated from each other, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein: the segments are electrically conductive films.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor of claim 2 wherein: at least two segments are circumferentially separated from each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 3 including: a coating of nonconductive material covering the segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 1 wherein: the sensing means is a constant-temperature anemometer control system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a solid core member having an elongated outer surface, a plurality of spaced electrically conductive films covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, axially separated adjacent films, electrical power means electrically coupled to each film to maintain the film at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each film to sense rate of heat transfer from each film to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a solid core member having an elongated outer surface, a plurality of spaced electrically conductive films covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, axially separated adjacent films, electrical power means electrically coupled to each film to maintain the film at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each film to sense rate of heat transfer from each film to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor of claim 6 wherein: at least two films are circumferentially separated from each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor of claim 6 wherein: the sensing means is a constant-temperature anemometer control system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 6 including: a coating of nonconductive material covering the films.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
85 words
An array of three fluid properties sensors normally supported relative to each other along X, Y, and Z axes, each of said sensors having a core member having an outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
85 words
An array of three fluid properties sensors normally supported relative to each other along X, Y, and Z axes, each of said sensors having a core member having an outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 10 wherein: the core member has a cylindrical outer surface and the segments are axially separated from each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The sensor of claim 10 wherein: the core member has a cylindrical outer surface and the segments are circumferentially spaced from each other.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The sensor of claim 10 wherein: the core member has an elongated cylindrical outer surface, said segments comprising a plurality of spaced electrically conductive films covering substantially the entire surface of the core member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having an outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material substantially covering the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments covering said outer surface comprising a first pair of segments longitudinally spaced from each other and a second pair of segments longitudinally spaced from each other, said first pair of segments being circumferentially separated from the second pair of segments, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments of substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
108 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having an outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material substantially covering the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments covering said outer surface comprising a first pair of segments longitudinally spaced from each other and a second pair of segments longitudinally spaced from each other, said first pair of segments being circumferentially separated from the second pair of segments, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments of substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The sensor of claim 14 wherein: the longitudinal spaces between the first pair of segments are circumferentially spaced approximately 90* from the longitudinal spaces between the second pair of segments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sensor of claim 14 including: a coating of nonconductive material covering the segments.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having a cylindrical outer surface, separate segments of electricAlly conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments comprising three substantially equal segments covering about one-half of said surface and one segment covering the remainder of said surface, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
86 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having a cylindrical outer surface, separate segments of electricAlly conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments comprising three substantially equal segments covering about one-half of said surface and one segment covering the remainder of said surface, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor of claim 17 wherein: the three segments are longitudinally spaced from each other and circumferentially spaced from the one segment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
129 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having a spherical outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments comprising a first pair of segments longitudinally separated from each other, and a second pair of segments longitudinally separated from each other, the first pair of segments being circumferentially spaced from the second pair of segments, the longitudinal spaces between the first pair of segments being circumferentially spaced approximately 90* from the longitudinal space between the second pair of segments, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments of substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
129 words
A fluid properties sensor comprising: a core member having a spherical outer surface, separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, said segments comprising a first pair of segments longitudinally separated from each other, and a second pair of segments longitudinally separated from each other, the first pair of segments being circumferentially spaced from the second pair of segments, the longitudinal spaces between the first pair of segments being circumferentially spaced approximately 90* from the longitudinal space between the second pair of segments, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments of substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
85 words
An array of a plurality of fluid properties sensors normally supported relative to each other normally disposes axes, each of said sensors having a core member having an outer surface and separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
85 words
An array of a plurality of fluid properties sensors normally supported relative to each other normally disposes axes, each of said sensors having a core member having an outer surface and separate segments of electrically conductive sensing material covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member, electrical power means electrically coupled to each segment to maintain the segments at substantially constant temperature, and sensing means electrically coupled to each segment to sense rate of heat transfer from each segment to the surrounding fluid.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sensor of claim 20 wherein: core member of each sensor has an elongated cylindrical outer surface, said segments comprising a plurality of spaced electrically conductive films covering substantially the entire outer surface of the core member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |