US5337603A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elbow mass flow meter
Assignee: Texas A&M University System
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Filing: 1993-01-15
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Granted: 1994-08-16
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Expires: 2013-01-15
Abstract
Abstract Elbow mass flow meter. The present invention includes a combination of an elbow pressure drop generator and a shunt-type mass flow sensor for providing an output which gives the mass flow rate of a gas that is nearly independent of the density of the gas. For air, the output is also approximately independent of humidity.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew R. McFarland
- 👤 John C. Rodgers
- 👤 Carlos A. Ortiz
- 👤 David C. Nelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F5/00; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/206; G01F1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for measuring mass flow in gases which comprises in combination: an elbow in which turbulent flow of the gas to be investigated is established, said elbow including a first straight leg and a second straight leg, the first straight leg being located upstream from the second straight leg, and having a first sampling port therein and the second straight leg having a second sampling port therein; and a shunt-type mass flow sensor having an input port and an output port, the input port being attached to the first sampling port and being adapted to receive a portion of the turbulent flow from said elbow, and the output port thereof being attached to the second sampling port such that after flowing through said mass flow sensor, the portion of the turbulent flow entering said flow sensor is returned to said elbow.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for measuring mass flow in gases which comprises in combination: an elbow in which turbulent flow of the gas to be investigated is established, said elbow including a first straight leg and a second straight leg, the first straight leg being located upstream from the second straight leg, and having a first sampling port therein and the second straight leg having a second sampling port therein; and a shunt-type mass flow sensor having an input port and an output port, the input port being attached to the first sampling port and being adapted to receive a portion of the turbulent flow from said elbow, and the output port thereof being attached to the second sampling port such that after flowing through said mass flow sensor, the portion of the turbulent flow entering said flow sensor is returned to said elbow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The gas flow measuring apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said shunt-type mass flow sensor is a laminar flow thermal anemometer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The gas flow measuring apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said elbow is mitered, whereby turbulent flow is established therein.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for measuring mass flow in gases which comprises the steps of: establishing turbulent flow of the gas to be investigated in an elbow, the elbow including a first straight input leg and a second straight output leg; diverting a small portion of the gas entering the input leg of the elbow into a shunt-type mass flow sensor; and returning the gas passing through the flow sensor to the output leg of the elbow.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
75 words
A method for measuring mass flow in gases which comprises the steps of: establishing turbulent flow of the gas to be investigated in an elbow, the elbow including a first straight input leg and a second straight output leg; diverting a small portion of the gas entering the input leg of the elbow into a shunt-type mass flow sensor; and returning the gas passing through the flow sensor to the output leg of the elbow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CH52153A
Cited
US4470311A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-08-15 | 1998-02-14 | 1998-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-15 | 2002-02-14 | 2002-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-15 | 2006-02-14 | 2006-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |