US3662599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass flowmeter
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-31
•
Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-03-31
Abstract
Abstract An extended viscosity range mass flowmeter comprising a pair of branch conduits connecting inlet and outlet conduits. The branch conduits each have a pair of flow restrictors comprising identical orifices with one edge sharp and the other rounded and oriented with their like edges in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits. A constant volumetric recirculating pump connects the two branch conduits at points intermediate the orifices therein. A differential pressure measuring device is automatically connected between the inlet and outlet conduits or between the points intermediate the restrictors in each conduit depending upon whether the recirculating flow is greater or less than the measured flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Masnik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/76; G01F1/78; G01F1/785
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
274 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid passing therethrough comprising an input end and an output end and means comprising separate first and second branch conduits connected between said input and output ends for providing a path of flow for said fluid from said input to said output ends, a first and second flow restrictor disposed in said first conduit along the path of flow therethrough, a third and fourth flow restrictor disposed in said second conduit along the path of flow therethrough, means for pumping fluid at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first conduit at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second conduit at a location intermediate said third and fourth flow restrictors, the differential pressure across a pair of said restrictors varying linearly with changes in the mass flow rate through the flowmeter when the flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter is greater than the pumped flow rate and the differential pressure across another pair of restrictors varying linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter when the flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter is less than the pumped flow rate, means for measuring the differential pressure across said pairs of restrictors, readout means associated with the differential pressure measuring means, and means responsive to signals from said differential pressure measuring means for selectively causing said readout meanS always to indicate the mass flow rate sensed by the means measuring the differential pressure where it varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
274 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid passing therethrough comprising an input end and an output end and means comprising separate first and second branch conduits connected between said input and output ends for providing a path of flow for said fluid from said input to said output ends, a first and second flow restrictor disposed in said first conduit along the path of flow therethrough, a third and fourth flow restrictor disposed in said second conduit along the path of flow therethrough, means for pumping fluid at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first conduit at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second conduit at a location intermediate said third and fourth flow restrictors, the differential pressure across a pair of said restrictors varying linearly with changes in the mass flow rate through the flowmeter when the flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter is greater than the pumped flow rate and the differential pressure across another pair of restrictors varying linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter when the flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter is less than the pumped flow rate, means for measuring the differential pressure across said pairs of restrictors, readout means associated with the differential pressure measuring means, and means responsive to signals from said differential pressure measuring means for selectively causing said readout meanS always to indicate the mass flow rate sensed by the means measuring the differential pressure where it varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid passing through the flowmeter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
232 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid flowing therethrough independently of changes in the density of said fluid comprising first means for dividing the fluid flowing therethrough into separated, flowing, first and second parts, second means for recombining the fluid flowing in said first and second parts into a common flowing part, said first part comprising a first and second flow restrictor in spaced apart relationship, said second part comprising a third and fourth flow restrictor in spaced apart relationship, each of said flow restrictors having one edge sharp and the other edge rounded with the restrictors being oriented such that the restrictors in each part are oriented in opposition in proceeding in any one direction around the closed path circumscribed by said first and second parts, means operating independently of changes in density of fluids flowing through said first and second parts for pumping fluids at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first part at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second part at a location intermediate said third and fourth restrictors and means for providing a linear indication of changes in said mass flow rate of fluid comprising means for selectively measuring the differential pressure across the two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
232 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid flowing therethrough independently of changes in the density of said fluid comprising first means for dividing the fluid flowing therethrough into separated, flowing, first and second parts, second means for recombining the fluid flowing in said first and second parts into a common flowing part, said first part comprising a first and second flow restrictor in spaced apart relationship, said second part comprising a third and fourth flow restrictor in spaced apart relationship, each of said flow restrictors having one edge sharp and the other edge rounded with the restrictors being oriented such that the restrictors in each part are oriented in opposition in proceeding in any one direction around the closed path circumscribed by said first and second parts, means operating independently of changes in density of fluids flowing through said first and second parts for pumping fluids at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first part at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second part at a location intermediate said third and fourth restrictors and means for providing a linear indication of changes in said mass flow rate of fluid comprising means for selectively measuring the differential pressure across the two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
243 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid passing therethrough comprising a main conduit, a pair of branched conduits interconnected to said main conduit intermediate the ends thereof, a first pair of flow restrictors comprising a first and second flow restrictor disposed in said first conduit along the path of flow therethrough, a second pair of flow restrictors comprising a third and fourth flow restrictor disposed in said second conduit along the path of flow therethrough, means for recirculating fluid at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first conduit at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second conduit at a location intermediate said third and fourth restrictors, means responsive to the differential pressure across two of said flow restrictors for providing an indication of said measured mass flow rate of fluid passing through said flowmeter and means responsive to a signal from said differential pressure indicating means that said measured mass flow rate is less than said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said indicating means between upstream and downstream sections of said main conduit and responsive to a signal from said differential pressure indicating means that said measured mass flow rate is greater than said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said indicating means between a location in one branch conduit intermediate one pair of flow restrictors and a location in the other branch conduit intermediate the other pair of flow restrictors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
243 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measure the mass flow rate of fluid passing therethrough comprising a main conduit, a pair of branched conduits interconnected to said main conduit intermediate the ends thereof, a first pair of flow restrictors comprising a first and second flow restrictor disposed in said first conduit along the path of flow therethrough, a second pair of flow restrictors comprising a third and fourth flow restrictor disposed in said second conduit along the path of flow therethrough, means for recirculating fluid at a constant volumetric flow rate between said first conduit at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors and said second conduit at a location intermediate said third and fourth restrictors, means responsive to the differential pressure across two of said flow restrictors for providing an indication of said measured mass flow rate of fluid passing through said flowmeter and means responsive to a signal from said differential pressure indicating means that said measured mass flow rate is less than said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said indicating means between upstream and downstream sections of said main conduit and responsive to a signal from said differential pressure indicating means that said measured mass flow rate is greater than said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said indicating means between a location in one branch conduit intermediate one pair of flow restrictors and a location in the other branch conduit intermediate the other pair of flow restrictors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said differential pressure indicating means comprises at least one differential pressure sensor and indicator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
111 words
An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the differential pressure across the two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate being measured comprises a pressure differential measuring device having a high pressure connection and a low pressure connection, first valve means for selectively connecting said high pressure connection to said first conduit at a location intermediate said first and second flow restrictors or to the input end, and second valve means for selectively connecting said low pressure connection to said second conduit at a locatioN intermediate said third and fourth flow restrictors or to the output end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
226 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate independently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictors therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one edge sharp and the other edge rounded, said first and second restrictors being oriented such that the sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, said third and fourth restrictors being oriented such that said sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and the restrictors in the first branch conduit and in the second branch conduit having their sharp edges oriented in the same manner in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and means for selectively measuring the differential pressure across two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
226 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate independently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictors therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one edge sharp and the other edge rounded, said first and second restrictors being oriented such that the sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, said third and fourth restrictors being oriented such that said sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and the restrictors in the first branch conduit and in the second branch conduit having their sharp edges oriented in the same manner in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and means for selectively measuring the differential pressure across two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
187 words
A Mass Flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a constant volumetric pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate independently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictor therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one of their edges identical and having their other of their edges identical, means for measuring the differential pressure across flow restrictors, and means responsive to the relative magnitudes of the measured mass flow rate of fluid and said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said differential pressure measuring means across the two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
187 words
A Mass Flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a constant volumetric pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate independently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictor therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one of their edges identical and having their other of their edges identical, means for measuring the differential pressure across flow restrictors, and means responsive to the relative magnitudes of the measured mass flow rate of fluid and said recirculating mass flow rate for connecting said differential pressure measuring means across the two of said flow restrictors where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass flow rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said flow restrictors have all of their edges sharp.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
An arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said flow restrictors have all of their edges rounded.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
An arrangement according to claim 7 wherein said flow restrictors have one edge sharp and the other edge rounded, said first and second restrictors being oriented such that the sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, said third and fourth restrictors being oriented such that said sharp edges are oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and the sharp edges in the first branch conduits and in the second branch conduits having their sharp edges oriented in the same manner in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
236 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a constant volumetric pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate indepenDently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictor therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one of their edges identical and having their other of their edges identical, means for measuring the differential pressure across flow restrictors, said differential pressure measuring means comprising a first and second differential pressure signal sensor and a common readout device, means for connecting one of said sensors between a point intermediate the pair of restrictors in said first conduit and a point intermediate the pair of restrictors in said second conduit, means for connecting the other sensor between points in said inlet and outlet conduits, and means for comparing the magnitudes of the pressure signals from said sensors for connecting said readout device to the sensor where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
236 words
A mass flowmeter adapted to measuring the mass flow rate of an effectively incompressible fluid passing therethrough comprising inlet and outlet conduits having a flow which is to be measured, first and second branch conduits connecting said inlet and outlet conduits, first and second flow restrictors in said first branch conduit, third and fourth flow restrictors in said second branch conduit, a constant volumetric pump pumping a given constant volumetric flow rate indepenDently of changes in density of said fluid connecting said first and second branch conduits at points between the flow restrictor therein, each of said restrictors being defined by two edges, said first, second, third and fourth restrictors having one of their edges identical and having their other of their edges identical, means for measuring the differential pressure across flow restrictors, said differential pressure measuring means comprising a first and second differential pressure signal sensor and a common readout device, means for connecting one of said sensors between a point intermediate the pair of restrictors in said first conduit and a point intermediate the pair of restrictors in said second conduit, means for connecting the other sensor between points in said inlet and outlet conduits, and means for comparing the magnitudes of the pressure signals from said sensors for connecting said readout device to the sensor where the differential pressure varies linearly with changes in the mass rate of fluid flowing through said flowmeter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
An arrangement according to claim 11 wherein all of the edges are sharp.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
An arrangement according to claim 11 wherein all of the edges are rounded.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
An arrangement according to claim 11 wherein said flow restrictors have one of their edges sharp and the other rounded, said first and second restrictors having their sharp edges oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, said third and fourth restrictors having their sharp edges oriented in opposition in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits, and the orientation of the sharp edges in the first and second branch conduits being the same in proceeding from inlet to outlet conduits.
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) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |