Unitized electrode assembly for electromagnetic flowmeter

Claim 1

In an electromagnetic flowmeter having a dielectrically-lined flow tube through which is conducted the fluid to be metered, said tube having diametrically-opposed openings, the fluid intercepting a magnetic field to induce a signal in the detecting electrodes of a pair of diametrically-disposed unitized electrode assemblies, each assembly comprising: A. a liner segment having a curvature conforming to the inner contour of the flow tube and formed of rigid homogeneous dielectric material; B. a planar detector electrode embedded in said segment, said electrode having an arcuate form conforming to the curvature of said segment; C. a planar shielding electrode embedded in said segment behind said detector electrode and in spaced relation thereto, said shielding electrode having an arcuate form conforming to the curvature of said segment; and D. a coaxial line extending radially through one of said openings in said flow tube to provide separate electrical connections to said electrodes, said line having an inner conductor which terminates at and is physically and electrically attached to said detecting electrode and an outer conductor which terminates at and is physically and electrically attached to said shielding electrode, the interior space between the conductors being filled with the same dielectric material as that of said segment and being integral therewith to form a unitized rigid assembly structure which is dimensionally stable, the structure being installable within said tube by inserting the free end of said coaxial line through said one opening.