Optical device and method for sensing multiphase flow
US7609368B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 16, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F1/712
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for measuring the velocity of a multiphase fluid flowing in a pipe. The method comprises directing at least two collimated beams of light from an illuminator through the multiphase fluid by transparent portions of the pipe. The at least two collimated beams are spaced apart in a direction of flow of the multiphase fluid by a predetermined distance. The method also includes detecting scattered, deflected and attenuated light with at least two photodetectors to produce at least two signals. The at least two photodetectors are associated with the at least two collimated beams. The method also includes calculating a cross-correlation function between the at least two signals to determine a time delay between the signals and calculating the average velocity of the multiphase fluid by taking the ratio of the predetermined distance to the time delay.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.