US5036710A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-phase flowmeter
Assignee: UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
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Filing: 1990-04-24
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2010-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A flow meter for measuring liquid and gaseous flow rates in a mixed fluid ow has one or more helical fins (17) positioned between a cylindrical sleeve (10) and a core member (11). Centrifugal effects resulting from fluid flow though channels (29) defined between fins (17) sleeve (10) and core (11) separate liquid and gaseous phases, and the gaseous phase passes through bores (28) in the core member (11) to a central cavity (19) substantially closed at an upstream end (12). Liquid flow rate is measured in a channel (16) between the sleeve (10) and core member (11) after removal therefrom of gas, and gaseous flow is measured at an open downstream end (14) of the cavity (19). Flow rates may be measured using, for example, venturis (16,32,33,27,30,31). After measurement of the flow rates the liquid and gaseous phases are allowed to remix.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas W. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/34; G01F1/36; G01F1/40; G01F1/44; E; E21; E21B; E21B47/00; E21B47/10; G01F1/74; G01F15/00; G01F15/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A flowmeter for measuring liquid and gaseous flow rates in a mixed fluid flow, including a cylindrical sleeve having co-axially aligned therein and extending part way therealong a core from which extends outwardly at least one helical fin, a plurality of bores extending inwardly through the core from a channel defined between the sleeve, the core and said at least one helical fin to a central cavity which is substantially closed at an upstream end and open at a downstream end and in having at the downstream end flow measurement devices in a passage between the sleeve and core and in the central cavity said cavity including at least one port extending from adjacent its upstream end to a venturi positioned in an annular passage between the core and the sleeve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A flowmeter for measuring liquid and gaseous flow rates in a mixed fluid flow, including a cylindrical sleeve having co-axially aligned therein and extending part way therealong a core from which extends outwardly at least one helical fin, a plurality of bores extending inwardly through the core from a channel defined between the sleeve, the core and said at least one helical fin to a central cavity which is substantially closed at an upstream end and open at a downstream end and in having at the downstream end flow measurement devices in a passage between the sleeve and core and in the central cavity said cavity including at least one port extending from adjacent its upstream end to a venturi positioned in an annular passage between the core and the sleeve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the flow measurement devices are pressure differential devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the flow measurement devices are venturis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the flow measurement devices are orifice plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the measurement devices are of the same type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the cavity contains a liquid check valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the check valve is of the float type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the helical fin or fins have helically reduced to straighten flow upstream of the flow measurement device in the passage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A flowmeter as claimed in claim 1 characterised in having pressure access means to the cavity and to the passage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2831350A
Cited
US2993480A
Cited
US4178801A
Cited
US4666476A
Cited
US4817439A
Cited
US4760742A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-05 | 1995-02-04 | 1995-08-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-05 | 1999-02-04 | 1999-08-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-05 | 2003-02-04 | 2003-08-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |