Thermal transit time flow measurement system
US4938079A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1989 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/7084
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The apparatus accurately measures flow rate of fluid within a conduit without direct fluid contact, based on the introduction of a thermal marker into the fluid stream by means of at least one externally mounted heater, and detection of the thermal marker by means of at least one externally mounted sensor. The transit time of the thermal marker can be ascertained for transit of the thermal marker from a heater to a sensor, or from one sensor to another sensor. A preferred embodiment of the heater comprises a resonant microwave cavity which heats the fluid radiatively, and a preferred embodiment of the sensor comprises a resonant microwave cavity through which a portion of the fluid conduit passes, the resonant characteristics of said microwave sensor being perturbed by the passage of the thermal marker.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.