US3750469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ionization-type flow meter
Assignee: SOC IND ELECTRO ET INFORM FR
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Filing: 1971-08-03
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1991-08-03
Abstract
Abstract Ions generated in a moving gas stream by corona discharge in the vicinity of a high-voltage anode, in the form of a wire or a disk, are intercepted by two flat or tubular collector members with closely spaced edges extending obliquely to the direction of gas flow which is perpendicular to the anode wire or disk. The oblique edges may be straight or curved, continuous or zigzagging, and extend over the entire zone in which ions may impinge upon the collectors at different flow velocities to be measured.
Inventors
- 👤 O Storey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02D; F02D41/00; F02D41/02; F02D41/18; F02D41/182; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/56; G01F1/64; G01F1/76; G01F1/78; G01F9/00; G01F9/001; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/008; F02B; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A flow meter comprising: ionizing first electrode means disposed in a flow path of an ionizable fluid; ion-collecting second electrode means separated from said first electrode means by a space traversed by the flow of said fluid, said second electrode means comprising two closely spaced conductive members with aligned surfaces confronting said first electrode means, said surfaces being generally parallel to the direction of flow, said members being separated along said surfaces by a narrow gap extending generally obliquely to said direction of flow over the entire region of impingement of ions from said first electrode means upon said surfaces; a source of ionizing voltage connected across said first and second electrode means; and output circuitry connected across said members, said circuitry including indicator means for registering the magnitude of a voltage difference between said members as a measure of flow velocity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A flow meter comprising: ionizing first electrode means disposed in a flow path of an ionizable fluid; ion-collecting second electrode means separated from said first electrode means by a space traversed by the flow of said fluid, said second electrode means comprising two closely spaced conductive members with aligned surfaces confronting said first electrode means, said surfaces being generally parallel to the direction of flow, said members being separated along said surfaces by a narrow gap extending generally obliquely to said direction of flow over the entire region of impingement of ions from said first electrode means upon said surfaces; a source of ionizing voltage connected across said first and second electrode means; and output circuitry connected across said members, said circuitry including indicator means for registering the magnitude of a voltage difference between said members as a measure of flow velocity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 1 wherein said first electrode means has a corona-generating zone transverse to said direction of flow, said gap being symmetrical about a projection of said zone upon said surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 2 wherein said first electrode means comprises a thin wire transverse to said direction of flow, said surfaces lying in a plane parallel to said wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 3 wherein said surfaces have a combined area of substantially rectangular outline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 4 wherein said gap extends substantially diagonally across said area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 3, further comprising a broad-surface conductor overlying said wire on the side thereof remote from said second electrode means, said conductor being connected to said source for energization at substantially the potential of said first electrode means to equalize the ion distribution along said wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 2 wherein said gap is divided into generally triangular segments confronting the major part of said surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 7 wherein said segments form interleaved teeth alternately pointing in opposite directions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 2 wherein said members are a pair of coaxial tubes, said gap being at least partly of helicoidal shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A flow meter as defined in claim 9 wherein said first electrode means comprises a disk centered on the axis of said tubes and having a sharp periphery constituting said corona-generating zone.
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) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |