Fluid parameter measurement system

Claim 2

A fluid parameter measurement system for use in a fluid course comprising a plurality of elongated strings of sensors, each elongated string of sensors including a plurality of sensors spaced apart from another by a fixed interval along the length of the elongated string of sensors and attached thereto, the said string of sensors having a proximal end pivotally attached to an anchoring means on the bed of the course and having a distal end attached to a surface float means whereby each sensor is suspended at a constant proportion of fluid depth, and each of the plurality of strings of sensors is attached to a different one of a plurality of anchoring means, the said anchoring means being located on the bed of the course and spaced apart at fixed intervals in a direction which lies transversely with respect to a normal direction of fluid flow in the course, the arrangement being such that the plurality of sensors lies in a plane extending transversely of the direction of normal fluid flow, thus forming a two-dimensional sensor array for measuring the fluid parameters.

Claim 3

The measurement system according to claim 1 wherein each of the string of sensors comprises a flexible cable pivotally anchored to the bed of the course for movement in at least a vertical plane containing the direction of fluid flow.

Claim 4

The measurement system according to claim 1 wherein each of the string of sensors comprises tubular means pivotally anchored to the bed of the course for movement in at least a vertical plane containing the direction of flow.

Claim 5

The measurement system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tubular member embodies an aerofoil cross section.

Claim 6

The measurement system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said tubular member includes electromagnetic sensing means housed in non-metallic material.

Claim 7

The measurement system according to claim 1 wherein the output of each sensor is scanned in turn and wherein said measuring system further includes remote data processing means outside the body of the fluid for receiving the scanned output of the sensors.

Claim 8

The measurement system according to claim 6 further including communication means for carrying the output of each sensor, the communication means extending from a sensor to the bed of the course and thence to said data processing means.

Claim 9

The measurement system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said communication means includes multiplex data collection means.

Claim 10

The measurement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensors include a sensor having a body flexibly suspended from a support means such that the angle of orientation of said body with respect to a reference in a vertical plane is determined by vector forces produced by fluid flow for indicating the velocity of the fluid flow, said measuring system further including means in the body of the sensor for sensing said angle to indicate flow velocity in the region of said body.

Claim 11

The measurement system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said means in the body of the sensor for sensing the angle of the body comprises an inclinometer.

Claim 12

The measurement system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said body of the sensor comprises a first pendulum rigidly attached to the distal end of a flexible ligament suspending the body from the anchored supporting means, a second pendulum mounted for angular movement about a horizontal axis with respect to the first pendulum, and means responsive to said angular movement for indicating the fluid flow velocity.

Claim 13

A two-dimensional fluid parameter measurement system for use in a fluid course, said system including a plurality of elongated strings of sensors, each elongated string of sensors including a plurality of sensors spaced apart from one another at fixed intervals along the length of an elongated support means and attached thereto for measuring fluid parameters in a first direction, and anchor means for retaining the proximal end of each elongated support means on the bed of the course, said support means having a distal end attached to a surface float means for suspending the sensors attached to each string at a constant proportion of fluid depth, each of the plurality of strings of sensors being attached to a different one of a plurality of anchoring means, the said anchoring means being spaced apart at fixed intervals on the bed of the course in a direction which lies transversely with respect to a normal direction of fluid flow in the course such that the plurality of strings of sensors lies in a plane extending transversely of the direction of normal fluid flow for measuring fluid parameters in a second direction, whereby signal data from the strings of the sensors can be processed by a remote station.

Claim 14

A two-dimensional fluid parameter measurement system for use in a fluid course, said system including a plurality of elongated strings of sensors, each elongated string of sensors including a plurality of sensors spaced apart from one another at fixed intervals along the length of an elongated support means and attached thereto for measuring fluid parameters in a first direction, and anchor means for retaining the proximal end of each elongated support means on the bed of the course, said support means having a distal end attached to a surface float means for suspending the sensors attached to each string at a constant proportion of fluid depth, each of the plurality of strings of sensors being attached to a different one of a plurality of anchoring means, the said anchoring means being spaced apart at fixed intervals on the bed of the course in a direction which lies transversely with respect to a normal direction of fluid flow in the course such that the plurality of strings of sensors lies in a plane extending transversely of the direction of normal fluid flow for measuring fluid parameters in a second direction, whereby signal data from the strings of the sensors can be processed by a remote station.