Patent US3788141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3788141A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow meter
Assignee: Rosemount Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-27
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Granted: 1974-01-29
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Expires: 1991-08-27
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are a method and apparatus for determining the velocity of relative movement between a fluid and a body in the fluid around which the fluid divides and in front of which oscillations are generated in the fluid as a result of the meeting between the fluid and the frontal aspect of the object. An acoustic signal is propagated toward the fluid oscillations in front of the object for interaction with the fluid oscillations to thereby modulate the acoustic signal, and the modulated acoustic signal is picked up by a transducer which converts it to a corresponding signal having a variable that is a function of the relative velocity between the fluid and the object. The corresponding signal is employed to determine the relative velocity by operating indicators in response to the signal or by controlling some process variable in response to the signal, for example a variable of relative fluid flow as by valve control of a fluid in a conduit, or speed control of an object in the fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 R Blackwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/325; G01F1/3282
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for use in determining a measure of relative fluid flow, said apparatus comprising: a. A body adapted to be disposed in said fluid to cause a division of fluid flow around the body and when so disposed, the body having a frontal aspect that meets the fluid head on, the relative movement between the fluid and said body causing the production of fluid oscillations in a fluid zone forwardly of and contiguous to said frontal aspect, said oscillations having an occurrence measure that is a function of said relative fluid flow measure; b. Acoustic signal-providing means for providing an original acoustic signal propagated into said zone for interaction with the oscillating fluid whereby the acoustic signal is modulated with pulsations by the oscillating fluid to create a modulated acoustic signal; and c. Response means including means for receiving at least a portion of said modulated acoustic signal and converting it to a corresponding signal of different energy form.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for use in determining a measure of relative fluid flow, said apparatus comprising: a. A body adapted to be disposed in said fluid to cause a division of fluid flow around the body and when so disposed, the body having a frontal aspect that meets the fluid head on, the relative movement between the fluid and said body causing the production of fluid oscillations in a fluid zone forwardly of and contiguous to said frontal aspect, said oscillations having an occurrence measure that is a function of said relative fluid flow measure; b. Acoustic signal-providing means for providing an original acoustic signal propagated into said zone for interaction with the oscillating fluid whereby the acoustic signal is modulated with pulsations by the oscillating fluid to create a modulated acoustic signal; and c. Response means including means for receiving at least a portion of said modulated acoustic signal and converting it to a corresponding signal of different energy form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein said response means includes means responsive to said corresponding signal for determining said relative fluid flow measure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein said response means includes means responsive to said corresponding signal for determining an occurrence measure of modulation pulsations of said received acoustic signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combiantion as in claim 3 wherein said relative fluid flow measure is the velocity of relative movement between said fluid and said body, and said occurrence measure of modulation pulsations is the frequency thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as in claim 3 wherein said relative fluid measure is quantity of fluid flow, and said occurrence measure of modulation pulsations is a count thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
The combination as in claim 1 wherein: a. said apparatus includes conduit means for carrying said fluid, and said body is fixed within said conduit means; b. said acoustic signal-providing means comprises transmitting transducer means fixed relative to said conduit means and arranged to project an acoustic beam through the oscillating fluid just ahead of said body to be modulated by the oscillating fluid; and c. said response means comprises receiving transducer means fixed relative to said conduit means and arranged to receive at least a portion of the modulated acoustic signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said transmitting and receiving transducer means are respectively located forwardly of said body and on opposite sides of the main flow axis of the fluid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said receiving transducer means is arranged and located so as to be responsive to a refracted portion of said projected acoustic beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination as in claim 6 wherein said receiving transducer means is arranged and located so as to be responsive to a reflected portion of said projected acoustic beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2328546A
Cited
US3680375A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-01-28 | 1977-07-30 | 1978-01-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-28 | 1981-07-30 | 1982-01-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-28 | 1985-07-30 | 1986-01-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |