Non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection
US9371632B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7761
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A non-invasive thermal dispersion flow meter with chronometric monitor for fluid leak detection includes a heater, an ambient temperature sensor and a flow rate sensor which are configured to sense the temperature of a fluid in a conduit, and then monitor the flow of that fluid through the conduit. The fluid flow sensor is incorporated into a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is used to provide increased sensitivity to the outputs of the sensors. Based upon the ambient temperature sensor readings, the flow rate sensor and heater may be adjusted to optimize the operation of the system to detect leaks. An alternative embodiment utilizes a single sensor and separate heater which work together to determine heat propagation times which in turn is used to calculate flow rate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.