System and method of measuring convection induced impedance gradients to determine liquid flow rates
US7059185B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2030/324
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for measuring the flow rate of a liquid or gas within a flow channel utilizing a centrally located excitation source and a plurality of sensors. The excitation source is comprised of a heating element coupled with an alternating current generator. Of the plurality of sensors, at least one of the sensors is located in a position upstream of the excitation source location, and additionally a second of the plurality of sensors is located in a position downstream of the excitation source. Instantaneous fluid flow rate is calculated utilizing a high gain differential amplifier electrically coupled to the sensors, wherein the convectively induced inductive gradient of the flowing fluid is compared to the symmetrical zero flow induction gradient. Following such a comparison, a voltage signal proportional to the flow of fluid within the channel is derived.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.