Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the point at which the distal end of the bluff body sensor of an averaging pitot tube makes anchoring contact with the inside wall of a fluid conducting conduit during insertion of the bluff body into the conduit, which method includes monitoring the amplitude of vibrations generated in the bluff body in response to the fluid flowing in the conduit by the use of an accelerometer carried by the bluff body and an associated readout instrument connected to the output of the accelerometer for displaying data responsive to the output of the accelerometer and specifically indicating a change in the sensed amplitude values which change advises that the support mode of a bluff body inserted into the conduit has altered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the point at which the distal end of the bluff body sensor of an averaging pitot tube makes anchoring contact with the inside wall of a fluid conducting conduit during insertion of the bluff body into the conduit, which method includes monitoring the amplitude of vibrations generated in the bluff body in response to the fluid flowing in the conduit by the use of an accelerometer carried by the bluff body and an associated readout instrument connected to the output of the accelerometer for displaying data responsive to the output of the accelerometer and specifically indicating a change in the sensed amplitude values which change advises that the support mode of a bluff body inserted into the conduit has altered.

Abstract: A process flow device includes a self-averaging pitot tube type of primary flow element for measuring, by a differential pressure process, the volumetric rate of fluid flow at a point in a fluid carrying conduit where the velocity profile of the fluid is asymmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The improved flow element comprises an annulus having a central opening and a pitot tube type flow-impeding device disposed transversely across the central opening and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The pitot tube type flow-impeding device includes a plurality of total pressure ports in an upstream facing surface, a plurality of static pressure ports in a downstream facing surface, and total and static pressure plenums connected in fluid communication respectively to the total and static pressure ports.

Abstract: A primary flow measuring element comprising a cylindrical body having an axis and an interior surface defining a fluid flow path and having at least one differential pressure producing segmental wedge attached to the interior surface of the cylindrical body with high and low pressure sensing ports disposed in said cylindrical body on the upstream and downstream sides of the at least one segmental wedge respectively and having at least one conditioning segmental wedge attached to the interior surface of the cylindrical body at a position upstream from the at least one differential pressure producing segmental wedge.