US3677086A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring system for a fluid flow stream
Assignee: Sundstrand Data Control Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-10
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-06-10
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for determining a characteristic, as velocity or direction, of a fluid flow stream. Fluid sensors generate signals which are differentially compared to produce an error signal representative of the amount of movement, for the sensors or for a fluid stream generator, which is necessary to null the system. A servomechanism produces the nulling movement in response to the error signal. The amount of movement also generates a positional signal indicating the low frequency component or steady state characteristic of the fluid flow stream. A signal adder combines the positional signal with the error signal, containing a high frequency component, to provide an indication of the instantaneous fluid characteristic.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor B Corey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; G01P13/02; G01P13/025; F; F15; F15C; F15C1/00; F15C1/005; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/203; G01P5/00; G01P5/005; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/206; Y10T137/218; Y10T137/2202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a fluid flow stream, comprising: device means for generating a pair of signals differentially influenced by said fluid flow stream and by movement of at least part of said device means, means movably mounting said part of said device means for movement to different positions representing different values of said fluid characteristic; differentially responsive means coupled to said device means for generating an error signal having a value proportional to the difference between the signals from said device means; servo means coupled to said differentially responsive means for moving saId movable part of said device means to tend to null said error signal; position responsive means for generating a positional signal which represents the instantaneous position to which said servo means has moved said movable part of said device means; and summing means for combining said error signal and said positional signal to provide a measurement of the instantaneous characteristic of said fluid flow stream.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for measuring a characteristic of a fluid flow stream, comprising: device means for generating a pair of signals differentially influenced by said fluid flow stream and by movement of at least part of said device means, means movably mounting said part of said device means for movement to different positions representing different values of said fluid characteristic; differentially responsive means coupled to said device means for generating an error signal having a value proportional to the difference between the signals from said device means; servo means coupled to said differentially responsive means for moving saId movable part of said device means to tend to null said error signal; position responsive means for generating a positional signal which represents the instantaneous position to which said servo means has moved said movable part of said device means; and summing means for combining said error signal and said positional signal to provide a measurement of the instantaneous characteristic of said fluid flow stream.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
89 words
The apparatus of claim l wherein said device means comprises transmitter means and at least two receiver means, said transmitter means emitting transmissions along an axis exposed to said fluid flow stream, said transmission deviating in direction when the fluid flow stream is incident thereon, said receiver means being axially spaced from said transmitter means for detecting said transmissions and each generating a signal varying as the transmissions deviate in direction from said axis, said servo means changing the relative spacing of said transmitter means and said receiver means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 2 for measuring the velocity characteristic of the fluid flow stream, wherein said transmitter means emits transmissions along an axis generally perpendicular to the direction of the fluid flow stream, said servo means moving one of said transmitter means or said receiver means relative to the other so as to change the relative spacing therebetween, whereby said summing means provides a measurement of the instantaneous velocity of said fluid flow stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said position responsive means includes potentiometer means having an arm coupled to said one means for changing a resistance of the potentiometer in proportion to movement of the one means, electrical supply means coupled to said resistance to cause the voltage at said arm to form said positional signal, said summing means including a meter for indicating the total signal coupled thereto, and a signal adder having inputs coupled to said potentiometer arm and said differentially responsive means to provide a measurement of the instantaneous velocity of the fluid flow stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
The apparatus of claim 2 for measuring the directional characteristic of the fluid flow stream, wherein said transmitter means emits transmissions along an axis which is to be maintained parallel to said fluid flow stream, platform means fixedly mounting said transmitter means relative to said receiver means, said servo means rotating said platform means to positions which maintain said fluid flow stream parallel to said transmissions, thereby providing a measurement of the instantaneous direction of said fluid flow stream.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said summing means includes a scale factor network coupled to said differentially responsive means for scaling said error signal which represents a high frequency directional component of said fluid flow stream.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said transmissions consist of a jet stream of fluid of the same composition as the fluid of said fluid flow stream, said receiver means being responsive to the pressure of the fluid incident thereagainst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said device means comprises at least a pair of pressure sensitive means each generating a signal in proportion to the ram pressure of said fluid flow stream thereagainst, probe means mounting said pressure sensitive means fixed with respect to each other, bearing means mounting said probe means movable with respect to said fluid flow stream, said servo means moving said probe means to balance the ram pressures at said pressure sensitive means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said position responsive means includes a signal generating means for producing a signal having an amplitude dependent upon the position of a movable element, means coupling said movable element to said servo means for movement with movement of said probe means, and said summing means includes a scale factor network for at least one of said signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3364741A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |