Non-invasive fluid flow sensing based on injected heat tracers and indirect temperature monitoring
US6386050B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1999 |
| Grant date | May 14, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/3306
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for measuring flow rate within a fluid-bearing passageway include introducing heat fluctuations into the flow and then non-invasively monitoring the effects of the heat fluctuations propagating to or from one or more interrogation regions. In one embodiment, the non-invasive monitoring detects fluctuations in the refractive index of the flowing fluid as a result of variations in the temperature of the fluid. In another embodiment, electrical conductivity of the fluid is monitored. The heat fluctuations may be introduced using an optical heat generator, such as an infrared laser, or may be introduced using an electrical member, such as a heater coil. Determining the refractive index along the interrogation region may be achieved by monitoring characteristics on an interference pattern, but other optical arrangements may be utilized.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.