US4026150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass flow meter
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-17
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Granted: 1977-05-31
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Expires: 1996-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for determining the mass flow of a fluid using dielectric constant measurements to determine density and converting the velocity of flow to a related frequency. The measurement of both the dielectric constant and frequency are made using a single capacitor.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Schmidt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/76; G01F1/78; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/325
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for determining the mass flow of a fluid comprising: producing a single measurement, including the change in capacitance resulting from the turbulence in fluid flow produced by a bluff body extending into the flow path and the background capacitance of the fluid; filtering said single measurement a first time to provide a steady-state dielectric constant measurement; filtering said single measurement a second time to remove the steady-state dielectric constant signal to provide an alternating signal related to the turbulence; and multiplying the turbulence and dielectric constant measurements to compute the mass flow of the fluid.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for determining the mass flow of a fluid comprising: producing a single measurement, including the change in capacitance resulting from the turbulence in fluid flow produced by a bluff body extending into the flow path and the background capacitance of the fluid; filtering said single measurement a first time to provide a steady-state dielectric constant measurement; filtering said single measurement a second time to remove the steady-state dielectric constant signal to provide an alternating signal related to the turbulence; and multiplying the turbulence and dielectric constant measurements to compute the mass flow of the fluid.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for measuring the mass flow of a fluid through a conduit comprising: an elongated bluff body, said bluff body extending into said conduit with the major axis of the bluff body at an angle to the axis of the conduit; a capacitor means, said capacitor means being disposed to measure both the turbulent flow produced by said bluff body and the dielectric constant of said fluid; first filter means, said capacitor being coupled to said first filter means to remove all signals from said capacitor signal except the steady-state signal; second filter means, said capacitor being coupled to said second filter means to remove the steady-state signal from said capacitor signal; and multiplying means, said first and second filter means being coupled to said multiplying means whereby said multiplying means can compute the mass flow of fluid.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for measuring the mass flow of a fluid through a conduit comprising: an elongated bluff body, said bluff body extending into said conduit with the major axis of the bluff body at an angle to the axis of the conduit; a capacitor means, said capacitor means being disposed to measure both the turbulent flow produced by said bluff body and the dielectric constant of said fluid; first filter means, said capacitor being coupled to said first filter means to remove all signals from said capacitor signal except the steady-state signal; second filter means, said capacitor being coupled to said second filter means to remove the steady-state signal from said capacitor signal; and multiplying means, said first and second filter means being coupled to said multiplying means whereby said multiplying means can compute the mass flow of fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said multiplying means utilizes said first filter signal to produce a signal related to the density of the fluid, and utilizes said second filter signal to produce a signal related to the fluid flow, said signals related to density and fluid flow being multiplied to provide a signal related to the mass flow of fluid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said capacitor means comprises two capacitor plates disposed to detect the oscillation of the vortex stream produced in the fluid flow by said bluff body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said capacitor means comprises said bluff body and a capacitor plate spaced from said bluff body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-05-30 | 1980-11-29 | 1981-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-30 | 1984-11-29 | 1985-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-30 | 1988-11-29 | 1989-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |