US4396943A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video flowmeter
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1981-06-10
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Granted: 1983-08-02
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Expires: 2001-06-10
Abstract
Abstract A video flowmeter is described that is capable of specifying flow nature and pattern and, at the same time, the quantitative value of the rate of volumetric flow. An image of a determinable volumetric region within a fluid (10) containing entrained particles (12) is formed and positioned by a rod optic lens assembly (31) on the raster area of a low-light level television camera (20). The particles (12) are illuminated by light transmitted through a bundle of glass fibers (32) surrounding the rod optic lens assembly (31). Only particle images having speeds on the raster area below the raster line scanning speed may be used to form a video picture which is displayed on a video screen (40). The flowmeter is calibrated so that the locus of positions of origin of the video picture gives a determination of the volumetric flow rate of the fluid (10).
Inventors
- 👤 David E. Lord
- 👤 Gary W. Carter
- 👤 Richard R. Petrini
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/66; G01F1/661; G01F1/704
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in which particles are entrained, comprising the steps of: positioning an image of a determinable volumetric region within said fluid on a raster area of a television camera; scanning said image with a scanning raster having a known raster line scanning speed; adjusting said determinable volumetric region to achieve a situation wherein the speeds of particle images on said raster area vary from values above to values below said known raster line scanning speed, so that only particle images having speeds on said raster area below said known raster line scanning speed can be used to form a video picture; displaying said video picture on a video screen; and obtaining said flow rate from the locus of positions of origin of said video picture.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of measuring the flow rate of a fluid in which particles are entrained, comprising the steps of: positioning an image of a determinable volumetric region within said fluid on a raster area of a television camera; scanning said image with a scanning raster having a known raster line scanning speed; adjusting said determinable volumetric region to achieve a situation wherein the speeds of particle images on said raster area vary from values above to values below said known raster line scanning speed, so that only particle images having speeds on said raster area below said known raster line scanning speed can be used to form a video picture; displaying said video picture on a video screen; and obtaining said flow rate from the locus of positions of origin of said video picture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein: said positioning step includes the step of utilizing a rod optic lens assembly coupled to said television camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2, wherein: said positioning step includes the step of utilizing a bundle of glass fibers surrounding said rod optic lens assembly, for transmitting light to illuminate said particles.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 3, wherein: said positioning step is carried out by utilizing a low-light level television camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in which particles are entrained, which comprises: a television camera forming a video picture and having a raster area and a scanning raster of known raster line scanning speed; a video screen displaying said video picture; means for positioning an image of a determinable volumetric region within said fluid on said raster area; means for adjusting said determinable volumetric region to achieve a situation wherein the speeds of particle images on said raster area vary from values above to values below said known raster line scanning speed, so that only particle images having speeds on said raster area below said known raster line scanning speed are used to form said video picture so that the locus of positions of origin of said video picture determines said flow rate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid in which particles are entrained, which comprises: a television camera forming a video picture and having a raster area and a scanning raster of known raster line scanning speed; a video screen displaying said video picture; means for positioning an image of a determinable volumetric region within said fluid on said raster area; means for adjusting said determinable volumetric region to achieve a situation wherein the speeds of particle images on said raster area vary from values above to values below said known raster line scanning speed, so that only particle images having speeds on said raster area below said known raster line scanning speed are used to form said video picture so that the locus of positions of origin of said video picture determines said flow rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus, as recited in Claim 5, wherein: said positioning means and said adjusting means comprise a rod optic lens assembly coupled to said television camera.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 6, wherein: said positioning means further comprises a bundle of glass fibers surrounding said rod optic lens assembly, for transmitting light to illuminate said particles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein: said television camera is a low-light level television camera.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3457419A
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US3547540A
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US3832059A
Cited
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US4099870A
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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) | 1986-08-01 | 1987-01-31 | 1987-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-01 | 1991-01-31 | 1991-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-01 | 1995-01-31 | 1995-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |