Abstract An arrangement for determining the direction of flow of an ionizable gas along a prescribed axial path employs a conductive, open-ended ionization chamber positioned in the path of flow of the gas. An open-ended, toroidal source of ionization radiation is positioned concentrically within the chamber to ionize the gas flowing therethrough. A pair of spaced cylindrical electrodes are disposed concentrically within the chamber with their central axis planes respectively positioned on opposite sides of the central axial plane of the ionization source. The ionization current generated when the gas is ionized is measured by a pair of meters which are respectively coupled between the individual electrodes and the common chamber wall. For any given direction of gas flow through the chamber, the meters will register different ionization current values, the sense of the difference being indicative of the direction of gas flow.
Apparatus for determining the direction of flow of an ionizable fluid which can flow in either one of two opposite axial directions, which comprises: a first open-ended, hollow electrode disposed axially in the path of flow of the fluid; an open-ended, elongated, toroidal source of ionization radiation disposed concentrically within the first electrode for ionizing the fluid flowing through the first electrode; second and third axially spaced, elongated cylindrical electrodes disposed concentrically within the first electrode, the central axial planes of the second and third electrodes being respectively displaced in first and second axially opposite directions from the central axial plane of the source; and means for separately detecting the amplitudes of ionization current flowing between the first and second electrodes and between the first and third electrodes, respectively, when the fluid is ionized by the source, the amplitude of the current between the first and second electrodes being greater when the fluid flow is in the first direction and the current between the first and third electrodes being the greater when the fluid flow is in the second direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
Apparatus for determining the direction of flow of an ionizable fluid which can flow in either one of two opposite axial directions, which comprises: a first open-ended, hollow electrode disposed axially in the path of flow of the fluid; an open-ended, elongated, toroidal source of ionization radiation disposed concentrically within the first electrode for ionizing the fluid flowing through the first electrode; second and third axially spaced, elongated cylindrical electrodes disposed concentrically within the first electrode, the central axial planes of the second and third electrodes being respectively displaced in first and second axially opposite directions from the central axial plane of the source; and means for separately detecting the amplitudes of ionization current flowing between the first and second electrodes and between the first and third electrodes, respectively, when the fluid is ionized by the source, the amplitude of the current between the first and second electrodes being greater when the fluid flow is in the first direction and the current between the first and third electrodes being the greater when the fluid flow is in the second direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the detecting means comprises, in combination, a first ionization current meter interconnecting the first and second electrodes, and a second ionization current meter interconnecting the first and third electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the detecting means comprises, in combination, an ionization current meter; means for connecting one terminal of the meter to the first electrode; and switching means selectively interconnecting the second and third electrodes to the other terminal of the meter.