Abstract: A liquid flow sensor includes a housing positioned in a conduit and comprises a liquid contacting portion extending generally parallel to an axis of the conduit. An electromagnetic coil is positioned within the housing and cooperates with a pair of electrodes exposed on the liquid contacting portion to generate a signal relating to the liquid flow rate. Liquid velocity profile enhancement is provided to increase the accuracy of the liquid flow rate sensing. In particular, a plurality of projections or transverse ridges may be defined in the liquid contacting portion for causing turbulence in liquid flow adjacent the liquid contacting portion. The conduit may have a cylindrical shape with a circular transverse cross-section. Alternately, the conduit may have an open upper portion defining an open channel. The ridges may preferably be arranged in two bands extending adjacent opposite side edges of the liquid contacting portion. Each band may also include a gap in the ridges adjacent a respective electrode.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes a conduit and a liquid flow sensor positioned in a first opening in a conduit. The liquid flow sensor includes an electromagnetic coil positioned in a housing for generating a magnetic field having a predetermined pattern within the conduit so that a relatively strong magnetic field is adjacent the liquid contacting portion and so that a relatively weak magnetic field is adjacent a second opening through which a liquid characteristic sensor is positioned. The liquid characteristic sensor preferably comprises a sensor susceptible to magnetic fields. Accordingly, the liquid characteristic sensor is subject to only a relatively weak magnetic field. For example, the liquid characteristic sensor may be a turbidity sensor or a dissolved oxygen sensor. The second opening is preferably positioned in an arcuate portion of the conduit in a range of about 70 to 110 degrees of rotation from an imaginary line extending longitudinally through a center of the first opening.

Abstract: A measuring element for a mass air flow sensor formed on a substrate for measuring a flow rate of an objective fluid comprises a pair of heated resistors of thin films juxtaposed in the flowing direction of the objective fluid, formed at a thin film heated resistor forming part on the substrate, a pair of non-heated ambient temperature sensing resistors of thin films, formed at a thin film ambient temperature sensing resistor forming part on the substrate, and a plurality of electrode terminals of thin films formed at a supporting part at which the substrate is supported, being a part excluding the heated resistor thin film forming part and the thin film ambient temperature sensing resistor forming part, for taking out electrical signals from the heated resisters and the non-heated ambient temperature sensing resistors, wherein the thin film heated resistor forming part and the thin film ambient temperature sensing resistor forming part are shifted each other and arranged before and after in the flowing direc

Abstract: A thermally-sensitive type flow meter measures a flow rate with a high accuracy by eliminating a noise generated in a source voltage. The flow meter includes a sensor chip comprising a substrate carrying sensing elements. First and second resistors are provided on first and second bridges formed over a depression formed on the substrate. The first bridge is positioned on an upstream side and the second bridge is positioned on a downstream side. The first and second resistors generate a heat by the same voltage source. First and second temperature measuring resistors are provided adjacent to the first and second resistors, respectively, to measure a temperature of the first and second resistors. Third and fourth temperature measuring resistors are provided for measuring the temperature of the fluid. A temperature control unit, including the first, second, third and fourth temperature measuring resistors, controls a temperature of each of the first and second resistors to be constant.

Abstract: An inertia force mass flowmeter comprises at least one conduit under a lateral reciprocating motion with its amplitude distributed along the center line of the conduit in a symmetric or antisymmetric mode about the center section of the conduit, two differential or absolute pressure sensors detecting the alternating transverse pressure gradient existing in the fluid contained in the conduit in directions parallel to the direction of the lateral reciprocating motion of the conduit respectively at two different sections of the conduit respectively included in the two opposite halves of the conduit, and data processing device that determines the mass flow rate of fluid moving through the conduit as a function of an electrical variable related to a phase angle difference between two alternating electrical signals respectively representing the alternating transverse pressure gradient detected respectively at the two different sections of the conduit by the two differential or absolute pressure sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring mass flow of a fluid stream comprising inlet and outlet conduits for the fluid stream, at least one resilient flow tube having fixed mounting ends communicating with the inlet and outlet conduits, a vibrator for oscillating the flow tube transverse to the axis of the flow tube, sensors for generating signals corresponding to the oscillating motion of the flow tube and a signal processing unit for determining the mass flow from said signals on the basis of the Coriolis reaction force by the fluid against the flow tube. According to the invention the flow tube is formed as a symmetrical loop around the amount ends, said loop providing a change in the direction of flow which is greater than 360.degree., and vibrator is located on the flow tube at a point adjacent the mounting ends.Method for measuring mass flow of a fluid stream, wherein the said at least one flow tube is oscillated at a resonant frequency higher than the fundamental resonant frequency of the flow tube.

Abstract: An impact flowmeter (10) for measuring a stream of free flowing bulk solids (60) having low mass flow rates. The flowmeter (10) includes a barrier (18) between the flowing stream of solids (60) and the sensor chamber (16). A primary sensing element (48) includes an impact plate (50) positioned to lie in flow chamber (14). A velocity sensor (39) is mounted to an inlet chute (32) for providing a velocity output signal (284) in response to the velocity of the solids in the stream of solids (60) as the stream of solids (60) passes the velocity sensor (39). The velocity sensor (39) includes a velocity circuit (278), a first capacitance sensor (41) and a second capacitance sensor (43) mounted to the side wall of the inlet chute (32) and arranged so that the solids in the stream of solids (60) pass by the first capacitance sensor (41) before passing by the second capacitance sensor (43).

Abstract: Volumes of different constitutive phases of a multiphase mixture contained in a vessel are measured after vertical stratification, mainly by comparing by two differential pressure detectors, the pressure generated by three fluid columns, one being totally filled with at least one of the fluids (a liquid phase for example topped by a gas phase), a second one with at least two of the fluids (one liquid phase for example topped by the same gas phase). The vessel can be, for example, an elongated column with a calibrated section arranged vertically and provided with pressure taps at three distinct points of the height thereof which taps communicate with detectors by appropriate fine lines. A processing set combines the pressure measurements in order to obtain the respective volumes of the phases. This method can be used for volume measurements in various vessels; notably in chemical engineering facilities and to conduct tests on porous geographic samples saturated with a multiphase mixture.

Abstract: A fire service meter that includes a strainer, a high flow water meter, a low flow water meter and a check valve fluidly coupled together. The check valve includes a sealing member or clapper adapted to seal against a valve seat. A shaft is secured to the clapper via a pivot arm. The shaft has a portion that extends externally of a body of the check valve. A bracket is secured to the external portion of the shaft. Two springs are provided each having one end attached to the bracket and their opposite ends attached to the body. The springs are arranged so that in a first position both springs apply a closing moment to the bracket so as to force the clapper in a closed position. As a pressure differential increases across the clapper and forces the clapper to move away from the valve seat, the position of the springs change so that one of the springs applies an opening moment to the bracket so as to decrease the amount of head loss associated with the opening of the clapper.

Abstract: The disclosed flowmeter includes a sensor tube and a heater. The sensor tube defines an input end, an output end, and an interior channel extending from the input end to the output end and permits fluid to flow from the input end through the channel to the output end. The heater includes a first end and a second end, and the heater establishes a non-uniform heater density function between the first and second ends. The heater is disposed proximal to the sensor tube for heating the tube.

Abstract: A turbine type flow meter incorporating an auxiliary turbine ahead of the main turbine, the auxiliary turbine rotating in the opposite direction from that of the main turbine and serving as a flow conditioner, thereby extending the effective range of the flow meter to lower rates of flow.

Abstract: A mass flow sensor for a combine is positioned in the transition housing between the paddle elevator of the clean grain elevator and the loading auger of the clean grain tank. The mass flow sensor comprises an impact plate having an arm which is axially aligned with the predominant grain flow from the paddle elevator. The arm is coupled to a force measuring assembly having a potentiometer for generating an electric signal that is proportional to impact force.

Abstract: A sensor for liquid flow rate and liquid pressure includes a housing, in turn, including a liquid contacting portion positioned within a liquid carrying conduit. The liquid contacting portion includes a pressure responsive diaphragm. An electromagnetic coil is positioned in the housing for generating a magnetic field within the flow of liquid, and a pair of spaced apart electrodes are exposed on the liquid contacting portion for generating a signal related to the liquid flow rate. A pressure sensing device or mechanism, such as a gauge or transducer, may be operatively coupled to the diaphragm. Accordingly, a compact and reliable sensor for both liquid flow rate and liquid pressure is provided by the present invention. In one embodiment the conduit may have a cylindrical shape with a circular cross-section and in another embodiment, the conduit may be an open channel conduit. Method aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inertia force flowmeter comprises at least one conduit (1), an electromagnetic vibrator (11) generating a transverse reciprocating motion of the conduit (1) and a pair of differential pressure sensors (12 and 13) detecting the fluid pressure gradient in directions parallel to the directions of the transverse reciprocating motion of the conduit (1) respectively at two different sections of the conduit (1), wherein the mass flow rate is determined as a function of phase difference between two alternating electrical signals respectively provided by the two differential pressure sensors (12 and 13).

Abstract: A mechanical or acoustic excitation apparatus 26 imparts mechanical vibrations to a pipeline 12 in at least two longitudinally spaced areas of its outer surface. At least one sensor 30 is positioned in proximity to the pipeline, which collects vibration data supplied to it along the pipeline. A processing and analysis apparatus 40 derives from the vibration data information concerning the gas and liquid content of the multiphase fluid, in particular the length and rate of travel of liquid plugs and air pockets, and a control device 42 regulates intake valves of downstream petroleum equipment to adjust the intake flow rate of the phases as a function of the storage and/or treatment capacity of the equipment.

Abstract: A thermal micro flow sensor including a heating wire, said heating wire being made of a material having a resistivity in the range from 3.1.times.10.sup.-7 .OMEGA.m to 2.times.10.sup.-2 .OMEGA.m like polysilicon so that said heating wire has a resistance about 1 k.OMEGA., said heating wire being formed on a semiconductor material so that said heating wire has a thermal isolation structure for isolating said heating wire from said semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A gas meter includes a measuring tube through which gas to be supplied is fed. The tube includes two ultrasonic transducers between which ultrasonic signals are transmitted so that gas flow is measured in dependence upon the difference between the times of flight of ultrasonic signals transmitted therebetween in opposite directions. The gas flow is determined from the difference between the times of flight. A digital display is operative to indicate the volume of gas used, and an electrical power supply is used for driving the apparatus. The times of flight are measured by an electronic clock. Finally, a data interface facilitates the feeding of data to or from the meter.

Abstract: An oil reclamation system flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a oil through the system wherein a housing forms a first chamber that leads through a constricted lower outlet into a second chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber also includes an intermediate outlet above the lower outlet and an upper outlet above the intermediate outlet. Both the intermediate and upper outlets flow into a duct that opens into the second chamber at a lower end. Oil flows through an inlet into the first chamber and through the lower outlet when the rate is below an ideal rate range, through both the lower outlet and the intermediate outlet when the rate is within the ideal range and through all three outlets when the rate exceeds the ideal range. A viewing conduit indicates the level of oil inside the first chamber and thereby indicates flow rate.

Abstract: A mass flowmeter has a flow-through channel (2) and as its measuring section (10) a thin strip (3) which at one end has an oscillation generator generating waves travelling along the measuring section (10) and at the other end has an energy converter (8, 9) acting as oscillation detector for these travelling waves. An evaluating circuit (11) determines the mass flow on the basis of the travelling speeds which are different in and against the direction of flow (X). In particular, only one measuring section (10) is provided, the energy converters (8, 9) of which are operable alternately as oscillation generator and oscillation detector. In this manner, meters of relatively short length and high accuracy can be made.

Abstract: A flowmeter alignment device comprises an alignment ring affixed to an end of a flowmeter flowtube and having spring fingers to engage the circumference of a pipe flange raised face. In another embodiment a flowmeter alignment device comprises a semicircular or other arcuate body affixed to the flowtube end, the arcuate body adapted to mate with the circumference of a pipe flange raised face. The arcuate body is shaped to permit lateral installation and removal of the flowtube from a mating pipe flange. In still another embodiment an alignment ring is adapted also for use as an electrical grounding ring for electromagnetic flowmeters, or as an orifice plate for differential pressure-based flowmeters.