Abstract: A target-type flow meter uses a target in a flowing fluid and selectively changes the orientation of the target with respect to the direction of flow of the fluid between two or mote orientations, where the target provides a different flow impedance in each of the orientations. This change in flow impedance gives rise to a corresponding difference in drag forces exerted on the target by the flowing fluid. Those forces, or displacements associated with them, are measured to determine the rate of fluid flow. In some cases the target may be a vane attached to a shaft rotated by a motor. In others, the target may be a vane structure attached to a post in a flexible fashion so that it can be oscillated transverse to the flow direction by fixed electromagnets acting on a permanent magnet portion of the vane structure.

Abstract: A thermosensitive flow rate sensor includes a detecting element, in which a heating element and a fluid temperature detector are formed so as to be separated from each other on a surface of a flat substrate and a flow rate detection diaphragm is formed under a region where the heating element is formed, and a support having a recess portion, the detecting element being housed inside the recess portion such that a surface of the detecting element is positioned generally in a common plane with a surface of the support and such that a direction of alignment of the heating element and the fluid temperature detector is perpendicular to a direction of flow of a fluid being measured, and a groove being formed in the support so as to pass under a region where the fluid temperature detector is formed in the direction of flow of the fluid being measured.

Abstract: When a bolus dose of cold saline is injected into a catheter where a wire, carrying a sensor unit and electrical leads for signal transmission, is located, the lead resistance is affected by the cold saline thereby altering the resistivity. However, by countering this effect and measuring the change needed to affect this countermeasure, a resistance variation curve can be generated. An accurate starting point for the determination of a transit time can be derived from the curve. Using conventional flow measurement calculations with the accurate starting point yields a better understanding of the flow profile in an artery based on the transit time.

Abstract: An in-line gas flow rate sensor includes a movable flow orifice and a fixed flow restrictor adjacent the flow orifice for changing the gas flow through the flow orifice. The flow orifice and the flow restrictor are formed so that each uniform increment of flow orifice movement provides a constant percent of flow change through the flow orifice. A magnet fixed to the movable flow orifice provides changing magnetic flux corresponding to each uniform increment of flow restrictor movement. A magnetic flux sensor responds to the changing magnetic flux and provides an output corresponding to a constant percent of flow rate changes.

Abstract: A optical flow-meter device comprises an outer tubular body provided with an inlet pipe fitting and an outlet pipe fitting for a fluid, and a tubular element made of transparent plastic material, which sealingly extends inside the body between the inlet and the outlet pipe fittings. The outer tubular body has two facingly arranged side openings for the insertion of a light-emitting element, and a light-receiving element connected to an electronic flow control and digital reading unit. A light-shuttering member is axially slidable within the inner tubular element and is shaped to allow the fluid to flow and at the same time to partialize or gradually shutter the light beam between the emitter and the receiver, providing an electronic signal proportional to the fluid flow running along the inner tubular element. A biasing spring member acts on the light-shuttering member to balance the fluid thrust.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flowmeter of the present invention has a pipe (2) through which a fluid to be measured flows, and measurement portions (3) separated on the pipe by a predetermined distance along the longitudinal direction of the pipe. The measurement portions each comprises a transducer fixing member (4) having an arc shaped indentation (6) into which a part of the pipe can be fitted, and a piezoelectric transducer (5) fixed to the transducer fixing member. The pipe and the arc shaped indentation are closely fixed to each other by an adhesive (7) by fitting and pressing the pipe into the arc shaped indentation via the adhesive.

Abstract: A thermal airflow sensor is made highly resistant to thermal stresses due to cold-heat cycles, highly reliable even in the presence of corrosive gases, and capable of low dispersion of output characteristics. The thermal airflow sensor has a semiconductor sensor element in a dent formed on a ceramic laminated board on which a control circuit and a metallic film are formed. The laminated board area at which the semiconductor sensor element is electrically connected to the laminated board is covered with epoxy resin. The part covered with epoxy resin is placed in the air passage.

Abstract: A method of collecting test data for a gear set includes loading the gear set to a testing device having a first motor which is an input drive motor and a second motor which is an output drag motor, establishing a set-point torque value, running the drive motor at a fixed speed, measuring the output torque at the drag motor, comparing the output torque to the set-point torque, adjusting the input torque, repeating the steps of measuring the output torque at the second motor, comparing the output torque to the set-point torque, and adjusting the input torque until the output torque matches the set-point torque value, and collecting test data.

Abstract: A gas mass flow sensor or probe (35, 37, 39) of an air flow sensing and control system (17, 19, 21) based upon hot-wire type devices where flow sensing is achieved by controlling the difference between two temperature sensing elements (51 and 53) suspended in the flow stream (41, 43, 45). The first element (53) is used to measure the ambient temperature of the fluid flow and the second element (51) is maintained at a programmed temperature (121) above ambient by a current-fed heater (49). The mass flow rate density is determined from heater current (117) required to maintain the temperature difference and the total flow in the duct is inferred. To measure the flow in which the elements (51, 53) are submerged, electronic circuitry monitors the two temperature elements (51, 53) and controls the amount of current through the heater (49) such that there will always be a predetermined difference between the ambient and heated temperatures. The sensor provides an output signal (101) for use by other devices (23).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring mass flow rate of fluid materials including a rotationally oscillating probe attached to a support at one of its ends and adapted for extension into a flow stream. The fluid flowing thereabout interacts with the probe to produce an oscillatory Magnus lift force that is distributed along the portion of the probe exposed to the fluid stream and is directed substantially perpendicular to both the direction of fluid flow and to the rotational axis of the probe. The amplitude of the rotational oscillation is related to the fluid's mass flow rate and is determined using motion-responsive sensors. Electronic circuitry and processor means convert electrical signals generated by the sensors to develop an output signal proportional to mass flow rate. The probe assembly can be implemented in various forms including “concentric tuning fork”, “linear rotational tuning fork” and “parallel rotational tuning fork” arrangements.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing the mass flow of fluent material, especially of particulate type. The apparatus includes a rectilinear and inclined measuring plate on which the material is sliding. The measuring plate is fastened at a central portion of the plate. The fastening device includes one moment measuring unit configured to measure the moment around a horizontal axis crossing the vertical axis. The moment measuring unit is attached to a force measuring unit configured to measure the force directed in or parallel to the vertical axis. The force measuring unit is coupled for support to physical ground, and the material flow is determined by a calculating unit from the output signals from the moment measuring unit and the force measuring unit by determining the forces exerted on the measuring plate and substantially in the direction of the flow.

Abstract: A high temperature anemometer includes a pair of substrates. One of the substrates has a plurality of electrodes on a facing surface, while the other of the substrates has a sensor cavity on a facing surface. A sensor is received in the sensor cavity, wherein the sensor has a plurality of bondpads, and wherein the bond pads contact the plurality of electrodes when the facing surfaces are mated with one another. The anemometer further includes a plurality of plug-in pins, wherein the substrate with the cavity has a plurality of trenches with each one receiving a plurality of plug-in pins. The plurality of plug-in pins contact the plurality of electrodes when the substrates are mated with one another. The sensor cavity is at an end of one of the substrates such that the sensor partially extends from the substrate. The sensor and the substrates are preferably made of silicon carbide.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic flowmeter adapted to be placed with the pipe for measuring fluid flow in the pipe. The apparatus includes a turbulence-reducing flow conditioner adapted to be disposed in the pipe through which the fluid flow in the pipe passes and upstream to the flowmeter. A turbulence-reducing flow conditioner for an ultrasonic flowmeter for a pipe. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe. The method includes the steps of flowing the fluid in the pipe through a turbulence reducing flow conditioner wherein the conditioner reduces turbulence intensity T of the fluid and increases frequency of residual turbulence of the fluid after the fluid has passed through the conditioner. Then there is the step of measuring the fluid flow in the pipe with an ultrasonic flowmeter after the fluid flow has passed through the conditioner. A method for reducing turbulence in a pipe for measuring flow in the pipe.

Abstract: The present invention includes a flow conditioning apparatus for conditioning flow for accurate flow measurements. The flow conditioning apparatus is installed in a fluid stream to provide a flow pattern which is capable of flow measurement. In one embodiment, the flow pattern resembles plug flow or flat flow in a pipe. The apparatus for conditioning flow in a pipe, in accordance with the present invention, includes a centrally disposed hub with a plurality of angled members attached to the hub on at a first end portion of the angled members. The angled members include a second end portion extending radially outward from the hub. The second end portion of the angled members is attached to a ring such that the plurality of angled members cause a fluid to swirl within the pipe to condition a flow in the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a controller to monitor a flow volume in a fluid transportation system. The controller being operably connected to a module. The module being operably connected to a flow meter. The module senses a series of pulses that represent a known fluid volume in a proving loop. The module also measures the fluid density of the fluid in the proving loop. The controller utilizes a dynamic density of the fluid and the sensed pulses to determine a correction factor to more accurately calculate the flow volume through the measuring flow meter. The controller ensures the accuracy of the flow meter by utilizing the partial pulses sensed during a meter-proving period by using an interpolation method.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor high in pressure resistance has a structure to facilitate the measurement of a minuscule differential pressure for measurement of a very small flow rate. A chamber (20) is defined into a primary chamber (21) and a secondary chamber (25) by two diaphragms (31, 32) arranged in an opposed relation to each other. A fluid is passed from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber through a bypass (35) having an orifice portion (40) thereby to generate a differential pressure. The load generated by the fluid pressure fluctuations received by the first and second diaphragms is detected as a difference of displacement by a load difference sensor (50) arranged between the first and second diaphragms thereby to detect the flow rate of the fluid. Displacement limiting members (61, 62) are provided for the diaphragms or the load difference sensor so that the displacement due to the fluid pressure fluctuations received by the first and second diaphragms may not exceed a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A multiaxial strain cycle (32, 72) is received that is described by a strain tensor that is a function of time. A hyperelastic constitutive model (34, 74) corresponding to the material is received. A fatigue crack growth curve (36, 76) is obtained. A cracking energy density is calculated (50, 90) based on the constitutive model (34, 74) and the multiaxial strain cycle (32, 72). The cracking energy density is a function of material plane (44, 84) and indicates the portion of the total elastic strain energy density that is available to be released on a selected material plane (48, 88). A cracking plane is determined (54, 98) based upon the cracking energy density. A fatigue life is estimated (60, 100) based on the cracking plane and the fatigue crack growth curve (36, 76).

Abstract: A total temperature probe with a complimentary sensor cavity for measuring multiple properties of a fluid flowing rapidly through the probe. The probe includes a sensor housing for diverting a portion of the rapidly flowing fluid into a primary flow path. A sample chamber within the probe houses a total temperature probe and is configured to divert a portion of the rapidly flowing fluid from a primary flowpath. An ancillary chamber adjacent to the sample chamber is configured to house an additional sensor and to divert a portion of the rapidly flowing fluid from the sample chamber. In some embodiments, the ancillary chamber diverts fluid directly from the rapidly flowing fluid. Preferably, the sensor housed within the ancillary chamber measures the water vapor level within the rapidly flowing fluid.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for estimating gas temperatures of a vehicle engine. The method comprises receiving a velocity of the vehicle and an air mass flow rate and estimating an exhaust gas temperature based at least upon the velocity of the vehicle and the air mass flow rate. The method also comprises receiving an EGR mass flow rate and estimating an EGR gas temperature at an EGR valve based at least upon the exhaust gas temperature and the EGR mass flow rate. In addition, the method comprises estimating an EGR gas temperature at a throttle body based at least upon the exhaust gas temperature and the EGR mass flow rate. Furthermore, the method comprises estimating a charge temperature based at least upon the EGR gas temperature at the throttle body, the velocity of the vehicle, and the EGR mass flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring tension and stress, which is capable of adjusting an angle of measurement. The apparatus includes a base plate, a supporting member, and a body for measuring tension and stress. The supporting member is mounted on the base plate. The supporting member further includes a revolving spindle supported by a bearing so that the body for measuring tension and stress can be attached to the supporting member in a way that the body for measuring tension and stress is capable of turning on the revolving spindle. In this way, the user can adjust the angle between the body for measuring tension and stress and the base plate, fulfilling the purpose of doing measurement for an object in an arbitrary angle of measurement.