Abstract: An apparatus for measuring rate of turn employing a vibrating tuning fork type sensor in which the tynes vibrate in a coaxial manner. This arrangement eliminates reaction torques and forces at the base of the tuning fork which allows the tynes to freely deflect into an elliptical pattern during an input turn rate. Sensors are employed which monitor the shape of this elliptical pattern, this shape being proportional to angular turn rate.

Abstract: A parallel path Coriolis mass flow rate meter, which incorporates improved inlet and outlet manifolds, is disclosed. Each manifold includes a transition piece and a tube mounting block. The transition piece incorporates a passageway to route fluid into or out of the meter and has a gradually changing cross-sectional area to reduce cavitation. Each tube mounting block has one end fixedly attached to a respective one of the transition pieces. The other end of the tube mounting blocks receives the parallel flow tubes. One mounting block evenly divides incoming fluid whose mass flow rate is to be determined between the parallel flow tubes while the other mounting block combines the fluid discharged from the flow tubes. Each of the tube mounting blocks is fabricated with an internal shoulder which aligns each of the flow tubes in a parallel relationship to one another and then suitably melts upon application of heat to maintain this relationship.

Abstract: Improved drive means for oscillating the flow tubes of a parallel path Coriolis mass flow rate meter is described herein. The basic meter is known and comprises two substantially parallel flow tubes having oscillation axes and torsion axes. A pair of sensors sense the movement of the flow tubes about these axes with the time difference between the outputs of these sensors being indicative of the mass flow rate of the fluid. A drive means oscillates the tubes and comprises a coil and magnet-keeper arrangement. The present invention provides improved drive means comprising a rare earth-iron magnet having an annular configuration with a cup-shaped keeper member disposed thereabout to form an annular spacing. The magnet and keeper are affixed to the midpoint of one of the tubes. A coil is affixed to the other of the tubes with the coil interfitting into the annular spacing. The coil is so formed that the inductance does not exceed about nine millihenries.

Abstract: A flow meter apparatus for measuring the mass flow rates of fluids passed through two essentially parallel, cantilever mounted U-shaped flow tubes where, instead of the fluid serially passing through one of the U-shaped flow tubes and then through the second U-shaped flow tube, the fluid is essentially evenly divided and half of the fluid is passed through one U-shaped flow tube and the other half of the fluid is passed through the other U-shaped flow tube. The two U-shaped flow tubes are sinusoidally driven as the tines of a tuning fork, and when a fluid is passed through the oscillating U-shaped flow tubes Coriolis forces are generated which torsionally deflect the U-shaped flow tubes. Such torsional deflections are a function of the mass flow rate of the fluid passing through the two U-shaped flow tubes.