Flow sensor

Claim 2

In a flow sensor of the type in which measured flow of variable direction is conducted through a flow-alignment tube having at least one entrance, an improvement for rendering the flow through said tube a substantially cosinusoidal function of the direction of the measured flow relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube, said improvement being characterized by: a truncated cone having a relatively wide ingress end opening and a relatively small egress end opening; and means for supporting said truncated cone proximate to but spaced from said tube entrance, coaxial with said tube, and with the egress end opening of said truncated cone closer to said tube than said ingress end opening.

Claim 3

The combination according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the egress end opening of said truncated cone is approximately equal to diameter of the said tube entrance.

Claim 4

The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for supporting comprises a plurality of rib members secured to and projecting outwardly from the entrance to said tube, said ribs flaring outwardly from said entrance along the interior surface of said truncated cone.

Claim 5

In a flow sensor of the type in which measured flow of variable direction is conducted through a flow-alignment tube having at least one entrance, an improvement for rendering the flow through said tube an accurate cosinusoidal function of the direction of the measured flow relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube, said improvement being characterized by: a truncated cone having a relatively wide ingress end opening and a relatively small egress end opening; and means for supporting said truncated cone proximate to but spaced from said tube entrance, coaxial with said tube, and with the egress end opening of said truncated cone closer to said tube than said ingress end opening; wherein said means for supporting comprises a plurality of rib members secured to and projecting outwardly from the entrance to said tube, said ribs flaring outwardly from said entrance along the interior surface of said truncated cone; and further comprising a relatively short cylindrical member disposed concentrically within said tube and projecting outward from said tube entrance to at least the open egress end of said truncated cone, the diameter of said cylindrical member being smaller than the diameter of the open egress end of said truncated cone.

Claim 6

In a flow sensor of the type in which measured flow of variable direction is conducted through a flow-alignment tube having at least one entrance, an improvement for rendering the flow through said tube an accurate cosinusoidal function of the direction of the measured flow relative to the longitudinal axis of said tube, said improvement being characterized by: a truncated cone having a relatively wide ingress end opening and a relatively small egress end opening; and means for supporting said truncated cone proximate to but spaced from said tube entrance, coaxial with said tube, and with the egress end opening of said truncated cone closer to said tube than said ingress end opening; wherein said means for supporting comprises a plurality of rib members secured to and projecting outwardly from the entrance to said tube, said ribs flaring outwardly from said entrance along the interior surface of said truncated cone; and further comprising a relatively short cylindrical member disposed concentrically within said tube and projecting outward from said tube entrance to at least the open egress end of said truncated cone, the diameter of said cylindrical member being smaller than the diameter of the open egress end of said truncated cone.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 4 wherein the outer wall of said cylindrical member is secured to the radially inner edges of said rib members.

Claim 8

In a parallel flow sensor of the type comprising at least one sensing jet flowing within a flow alignment tube, and a receiver located in said tube for receiving said jet at a presssure which varies with the speed of measured flow in said tube, an improvement for rendering the pressure received by said receiver a cosinusoidal function of the direction of said measured flow before entering said tube, the improvement characterized by: a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from one end of said tube and spaced at equal angular locations, said ribs flaring radially outward from beyond said one end of said tube; and a truncated conical member, open at both ends and having its interior surface secured to the radially outward edges of said ribs, the radially smaller end of said member being spaced from said tube but closer thereto than the radially larger end of said member.

Claim 9

In a parallel flow sensor of the type comprising at least one sensing jet flowing within a flow alignment tube, and a receiver located in said tube for receiving said jet at a presssure which varies with the speed of measured flow in said tube, an improvement for rendering the pressure received by said receiver a cosinusoidal function of the direction of said measured flow before entering said tube, the improvement characterized by: a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from one end of said tube and spaced at equal angular locations, said ribs flaring radially outward from beyond said one end of said tube; and a truncated conical member, open at both ends and having its interior surface secured to the radially outward edges of said ribs, the radially smaller end of said member being spaced from said tube but closer thereto than the radially larger end of said member.

Claim 10

In a parallel flow sensor of the type comprising at least one sensing jet flowing within a flow alignment tube, and a receiver located in said tube for receiving said jet at a pressure which varies with the speed of measured flow in said tube, an improvement for rendering the pressure received by said receiver an accurate cosinusoidal function of the direction of said measured flow before entering said tube, the improvement characterized by: a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from one end of said tube and spaced at equal angular locations, said ribs flaring radially outward from beyond said one end of said tube; a truncated conical member open at both ends and having its interior surface secured to the radially outward edges of said ribs, the radially smaller end of said member being spaced from said tube but closer thereto than the radially larger end of said member; and a cylinder of relatively short length and diameter located concentrically within said tube and projecting outwardly from said one end to at least the radially smaller end of said member, the outer wall of said cylinder being secured to the radially inner edges of said ribs.

Claim 11

In a parallel flow sensor of the type comprising at least one sensing jet flowing within a flow alignment tube, and a receiver located in said tube for receiving said jet at a pressure which varies with the speed of measured flow in said tube, an improvement for rendering the pressure received by said receiver an accurate cosinusoidal function of the direction of said measured flow before entering said tube, the improvement characterized by: a plurality of ribs projecting outwardly from one end of said tube and spaced at equal angular locations, said ribs flaring radially outward from beyond said one end of said tube; a truncated conical member open at both ends and having its interior surface secured to the radially outward edges of said ribs, the radially smaller end of said member being spaced from said tube but closer thereto than the radially larger end of said member; and a cylinder of relatively short length and diameter located concentrically within said tube and projecting outwardly from said one end to at least the radially smaller end of said member, the outer wall of said cylinder being secured to the radially inner edges of said ribs.

Claim 12

The combination according to claim 7 wherein the diameter of said radially smaller end of said member is no larger than the diameter of said tube and larger than the diameter of said cylinder.

Claim 13

The combination according to claim 8 further comprising a second truncated conical member, a second plurality of said ribs, and a second cylinder, all disposed at the opposite end of said tube from said one end and arranged in the same manner as at said one end.

Claim 14

The combination according to claim 9 further comprising a second flow alignment tube having an interior parallel flow sensor inside and a truncated conical member, a plurality of ribs, and a cylinder at each end, all arranged in an identical manner to that in the first-recited flow alignment tube, said two flow alignment tubes being oriented with their longitudinal axes mutually perpendicular.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 10 wherein said parallel flow sensors in said flow alignment tubes each comprise means for issuing two oppositely directed sensing jets and means for receiving said jets as a differential pressure proportional to flow through the tube.