Patent US4583683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4583683A
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Air conditioning system utilizing a Karman vortex detecting type flowmeter
Assignee: KUBOTA TRANE Ltd
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Filing: 1984-06-29
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Granted: 1986-04-22
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Expires: 2004-06-29
Abstract
Abstract Fluid flowmeter, air conditioning system and method of controlling the air conditioning system which includes a Karman vortex generator, ultrasonic transmitter and receiver apparatus and networks for detecting the Karman vortices and for detecting and controlling information of a received wave and a reference wave of the ultrasonic transmitter. The flowmeter detects an air flow volume and/or speed by Karman vortex detecting means using ultrasonic waves. The air conditioning system utilizes the fluid flowmeter for measuring air flow volume and/or flow speed in a duct between an air conditioning apparatus and a chamber to control air flow volume in response to information from the flowmeter.
Inventors
- 👤 Haruhiko Adachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P5/00; G01P5/01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/32; G01F1/325; G01F1/3282; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/70; F24F11/72; F24F11/74; F24F11/76; G01F1/3287; G01P5/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioning apparatus having an air blower and at least one driving motor, at least one chamber connected to the air conditioning apparatus through an air duct, a fluid flowmeter of the Karman vortex detecting type utilizing ultrasonic waves and disposed in the air duct to provide an output signal, the flowmeter including generating means for producing Karman vortices in air flowing in the duct, transmitting means for transmitting ultrasonic waves transversely through the duct and positioned downstream of the generating means, receiving means on the opposite side of the duct from the transmitting means for receiving the ultrasonic waves, means for providing a reference ultrasonic wave, means for controlling the phase difference between a received wave and the reference wave for comparison with the received wave to detect Karman vortices as a phase modulation, means for providing a delayed wave having a phase delay relative to the received wave, means for selecting the delayed wave so that it does not overlap both high and low portions of the reference wave and of the received wave or the delayed wave, and means for controlling the phase difference to provide an output signal, and control means for the air conditioning apparatus connected to the fluid flowmeter responsive to said output signal from the flowmeter to control the operation of driving motors for the air conditioning apparatus, the control means operatively connected to and for controlling one of the position of an air inlet vane to the air blower and the speed of a driving motor for driving the air blower.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
265 words
An air conditioning system comprising: an air conditioning apparatus having an air blower and at least one driving motor, at least one chamber connected to the air conditioning apparatus through an air duct, a fluid flowmeter of the Karman vortex detecting type utilizing ultrasonic waves and disposed in the air duct to provide an output signal, the flowmeter including generating means for producing Karman vortices in air flowing in the duct, transmitting means for transmitting ultrasonic waves transversely through the duct and positioned downstream of the generating means, receiving means on the opposite side of the duct from the transmitting means for receiving the ultrasonic waves, means for providing a reference ultrasonic wave, means for controlling the phase difference between a received wave and the reference wave for comparison with the received wave to detect Karman vortices as a phase modulation, means for providing a delayed wave having a phase delay relative to the received wave, means for selecting the delayed wave so that it does not overlap both high and low portions of the reference wave and of the received wave or the delayed wave, and means for controlling the phase difference to provide an output signal, and control means for the air conditioning apparatus connected to the fluid flowmeter responsive to said output signal from the flowmeter to control the operation of driving motors for the air conditioning apparatus, the control means operatively connected to and for controlling one of the position of an air inlet vane to the air blower and the speed of a driving motor for driving the air blower.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising control means operatively connected to and for controlling a fluid flow control valve for a thermal medium that is provided to the air conditioning apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
81 words
The air conditioning system according to claim 2, further comprising a temperature sensor provided in the chamber and having an output, a damper provided in the duct, a driving motor for operating the damper between closed and open positions, said control means being operatively connected with the temperature sensor and the driving motor for the damper and being operatively connected with the flowmeter to control the air conditioning apparatus to respond to the outputs of both the flowmeter and the sensor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of controlling an air conditioning system having a fluid flowmeter of the Karman vortex detecting type utilizing ultrasonic waves, said method comprising: generating Karman vortices in an air duct forming part of the air conditioning system, providing a flowmeter, the flowmeter including generating means for producing Karman vortices in air flowing in the duct, transmitting means for transmitting ultrasonic waves transversely through the duct and positioned downstream of the generating means, receiving means on the opposite side of the duct from the transmitting means for receiving the ultrasonic waves, means for providing a reference ultrasonic wave, means for controlling the phase difference between a received wave and the reference wave for comparison with the received wave to detect Karman vortices as a phase modulation, means for providing a delayed wave having a phase delay relative to the received wave, means for selecting the delayed wave so that it does not overlap both high and low portions of the reference wave and of the received wave or the delayed wave, and means for controlling the phase difference to provide an output signal, detecting the Karman vortices to measure the air flow, and controlling the air conditioning system in response to an output from the flowmeter by a control means, the control means operatively connected to and for controlling one of the position of an air inlet vane to the air blower and the speed of a driving motor for driving the air blower.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
244 words
A method of controlling an air conditioning system having a fluid flowmeter of the Karman vortex detecting type utilizing ultrasonic waves, said method comprising: generating Karman vortices in an air duct forming part of the air conditioning system, providing a flowmeter, the flowmeter including generating means for producing Karman vortices in air flowing in the duct, transmitting means for transmitting ultrasonic waves transversely through the duct and positioned downstream of the generating means, receiving means on the opposite side of the duct from the transmitting means for receiving the ultrasonic waves, means for providing a reference ultrasonic wave, means for controlling the phase difference between a received wave and the reference wave for comparison with the received wave to detect Karman vortices as a phase modulation, means for providing a delayed wave having a phase delay relative to the received wave, means for selecting the delayed wave so that it does not overlap both high and low portions of the reference wave and of the received wave or the delayed wave, and means for controlling the phase difference to provide an output signal, detecting the Karman vortices to measure the air flow, and controlling the air conditioning system in response to an output from the flowmeter by a control means, the control means operatively connected to and for controlling one of the position of an air inlet vane to the air blower and the speed of a driving motor for driving the air blower.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said controlling step comprises controlling the volume of air that passes through the air duct.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said controlling step comprises providing a temperature sensor in a chamber downstream of the flowmeter, sensing the temperature of the conditioned air in the chamber to provide a temperature signal, and modifying the operation of the air conditioning system in response to the temperature signal to maintain a desired temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of controlling a fluid flow control valve for a thermal medium that is provided to the air conditioning apparatus.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-04-21 | 1989-10-21 | 1990-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-21 | 1993-10-21 | 1994-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-21 | 1997-10-21 | 1998-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |