Patent · US Expired

Vortex flow meter transmitter including piezo-electric sensor

US3948098A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
9References
19Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 24, 1974
Grant dateApr 6, 1976
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 24, 1994

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01F1/3287
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Flow-metering apparatus of the vortex-shedding type wherein an obstruction in a flowing fluid develops a series of vortices which are sensed by a pressure-responsive piezo-electric element to produce an alternating voltage having a frequency corresponding to the fluid flow rate. The piezo-electric voltage signal is processed by electronic circuitry to provide for precise detection of the zero-crossings of the voltage alternations. The resulting frequency signal controls the charge/discharge characteristics of a set of capacitors, with the average charging current corresponding in magnitude to the frequency of vortex shedding. This average current controls an output amplifier in a feedback arrangement to produce a relatively high-powered d-c flow signal over a two-wire transmission line leading to a remote station. In another arrangement, a high-powered pulsating flow signal is developed for transmission over a three-wire transmission line leading to a remote station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.