Optical switch system for a prover
US9103709B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Aug 11, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01F25/11
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for flow prover precisely measures the volume and the flow rate of a fluid through a cylinder. The prover includes a piston within a cylinder supporting a shaft extending longitudinally through the cylinder, which cylinder receives and discharges the fluid by translation of the piston from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end. Motive means draws the shaft and piston toward the fluid receiving end of the cylinder. Travel of the piston in the direction from the fluid receiving end to the fluid discharging end of the cylinder is sensed at discrete locations to provide an indication of the volume of fluid therebetween and the related flow rate. Each of a plurality of emitter/detector modules provides piston position sensing signals reflective of the volume and rate of fluid flowing through the cylinder. A switch bar rigidly and permanently fixes the position of the emitter/detector modules with respect to the piston and with respect to one another. An immovable gate or aperture regulates the cross-section of the light beam striking the detector and ensures that the measured volume is repeatable and cannot be altered due to external factors such as in-field use…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.