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US4291273A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Flow regime detecting

Assignee: Oxford Instruments America Inc
•
Filing: 1979-06-14
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Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 1999-06-14
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Abstract

Abstract Measuring of mixed phased flows to determine flow regime through the use of circumferentially shifted electric fields and measurement of resultant diametral and chord conductances with certain combinations of ratios of diametral to cord conductances serving as a signature of flow regime.

Inventors

  • 👤 Ronald L. Dechene
  • 👤 Frank G. Grimaldi
  • 👤 Robert E. Newton

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 15:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/02; G01N27/22; G01N27/226

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 57 words
Method of determining phase cross-section distribution of mixed phase fluids comprising, establishing a cyclically rotating pattern of substantially limited, to less than full cross section, diametral and chord voltage fields and measuring the diametral and chord conductances under said voltage fields, establishing ratios of essentially simultaneous diametral and chord conductances, providing a signal based on said ratios.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 57 words
Method of determining phase cross-section distribution of mixed phase fluids comprising, establishing a cyclically rotating pattern of substantially limited, to less than full cross section, diametral and chord voltage fields and measuring the diametral and chord conductances under said voltage fields, establishing ratios of essentially simultaneous diametral and chord conductances, providing a signal based on said ratios.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 55 words
Apparatus for determining phase cross-section distribution of mixed phase fluids comprising, a conduit, electrodes arranged in a cross-section of said conduit in a peripheral array, means for rotatably establishing different arrays of oppositely poled electrodes, means for measuring diametral and chord conductances, taking the ratio thereof in different combinations and providing a useful signal therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 55 words
Apparatus for determining phase cross-section distribution of mixed phase fluids comprising, a conduit, electrodes arranged in a cross-section of said conduit in a peripheral array, means for rotatably establishing different arrays of oppositely poled electrodes, means for measuring diametral and chord conductances, taking the ratio thereof in different combinations and providing a useful signal therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 97 words
Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein six equally sized, peripherally equally spaced electrodes are provided as Nos. 1 to 6 and excited in a 1 to 5 sequence with No. 1 excited in one poled sense and Nos. 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 excited in the opposite sense, then 2/3, 4, 5, or 6, then 3/4, 5, or 6, then 4/5, or 6, then 5/6, then repeating cyclically, the measured conductance ratios being based on conductances obtained under the said diametral fields to conductances obtained between opposite electrodes, 1/4, 2/5, 3/6, 4/1, 5/2, 6/3, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
Apparatus in accordance with claims 2 or 3, and further comprising means for compensating for bulk conductivity changes of fluid going through the conduit.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4063153A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-09-21 1985-03-23 1985-09-22 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-09-21 1989-03-23 1989-09-22 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-09-21 1993-03-23 1993-09-22 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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