Abstract: A mass flow meter includes one or more sensing elements that are exposed to a fluid flow in a pipe or conduit. The preferred sensing elements comprise two types: a first having a single curved azimuthal arm and a second having two, i.e., outer and inner, curved azimuthal arms. In a preferred embodiment, three of the first elements, occupying approximately 60°, alternate with three of the second elements, the outer arms occupying approximately 60° and the inner arms occupying approximately 120°. Each sensing element includes a torque transfer portion which extends through the flow pipe or conduit and a lever arm outside the pipe which engages a circumferential torque collecting ring. The ring, in turn, engages a fixed element or fin having a torque sensing device such as one or more strain gauges affixed thereto. Alternatively, flow and torque sensing may be achieved by an LVDT or servo-feedback system.

Abstract: A maximally efficient vertical axis wind turbine (MEVAWT) includes a rotatable circular frame having upper and lower concentric flat rings or disks which support a plurality of, typically three, four, five or six, pivotable cascades, each including a plurality of fixed, configurable airfoils. The airfoils preferably include a single, pivotable trailing flap and may include lateral extensions. The center and periphery of the lower ring are supported in suitable bearings to facilitate free rotation of the frame. Wind direction and velocity sensors provide data utilized to control drive mechanisms which orient each cascade and the flap of each airfoil to maximize the resultant power produced by the turbine.

Abstract: A maximally efficient vertical axis wind turbine (MEVAWT) includes a rotatable circular frame having upper and lower concentric flat rings or disks which support a plurality of, typically three, four, five or six, pivotable cascades, each including a plurality of fixed, configurable airfoils. The airfoils preferably include a single, pivotable trailing flap and may include lateral extensions. The center and periphery of the lower ring are supported in suitable bearings to facilitate free rotation of the frame. Wind direction and velocity sensors provide data utilized to control drive mechanisms which orient each cascade and the flap of each airfoil to maximize the resultant power produced by the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass loading monitor for measuring in real time the particulate, i.e., powder, dust and the like, content of air inside an industrial or commercial processing facility and providing a warning signal indicating the existence of a potentially explosive atmosphere in the facility. In a first embodiment, the mass loading monitor comprises two parallel cylinders, one of which is charged with clean, ambient air and the other of which is charged with air from within the facility containing dust, powder or other particulate matter. A piston resides within each cylinder and the pistons are commonly accelerated for a short distance during which time the pressure at each piston face is measured. The time integrals of the pressures from each of the piston faces are evaluated over the period: from rest to the time of discharge from the open end of the cylinders. The ratio of these integrals defines the difference in the densities within the cylinders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mass loading monitor for measuring in real time the particulate, i.e., powder, dust and the like, content of air inside an industrial or commercial processing facility and providing a warning signal indicating the existence of a potentially explosive atmosphere in the facility. In a first embodiment, the mass loading monitor comprises two parallel cylinders, one of which is charged with clean, ambient air and the other of which is charged with air from within the facility containing dust, powder or other particulate matter. A piston resides within each cylinder and the pistons are commonly accelerated for a short distance during which time the pressure at each piston face is measured. The time integrals of the pressures from each of the piston faces are evaluated over the period: from rest to the time of discharge from the open end of the cylinders. The ratio of these integrals defines the difference in the densities within the cylinders.

Abstract: A thermal transient anemometer provides mass flow rate or volume flow rate over smaller discrete regions of a larger flow field, i.e., the distribution of such rates over a predefined, larger area. The thermal transient anemometer comprises two components: a frame with a plurality of sensing cells each having a resistance wire grid and a control unit which includes an energy source which heats the resistance wire grid of each cell, measurement circuitry for determining the decay of resistance of the grid wires as they cool and computational circuitry which determines the mass or volume flow rate through each cell based upon such decay function.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the infiltration flow rate into the passenger compartment of a moving motor vehicle includes a controlled source of a distinct, miscible gas such as carbon dioxide (CO2) a plurality of sensors disposed about the compartment to continuously monitor the concentration of such miscible gas over time and a multi-channel data storage device which discretely stores the concentration data from such plurality of sensors for later analysis and computation. The decay rate of the miscible gas concentration is a function of the infiltration/exfiltration rate.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for gases includes a pair of pistons operating out of phase. Each of the pistons is associated with a plurality of rotary inlet valves disposed along the sidewalls of the piston cylinders. A rotary outlet valve is also associated with each piston and includes a rotating valve body disposed transversely across the cylinder head and which rotates in synchronism to open a through, radial port in the member in timed relationship to the piston travel. The positive displacement pump finds particular application heating, cooling and ventilating applications.

Abstract: A controllable positive displacement pump for liquids and gases which may contain dispersed phase particles includes a pair of pistons operating out of phase. Each of the pistons is associated with an inlet valve which includes a fixed grating defining slots which extend parallel to piston travel and a complementarily configured grating which reciprocates transversely in timed relationship with the piston to control the influx of fluid. A rotary outlet valve is also associated with each piston and includes a rotating member disposed transversely across the cylinder head and which rotates in synchronism to open a through, radial port in the member in timed relationship to the piston travel. The positive displacement pump finds particular application to transport powder paint.

Abstract: A shroud for an axial blade fan provides a circumferential, axially directed flow of air between the fan blade tips and the shroud to improve fan efficiency. The shroud preferably includes a smaller, centrally disposed fan which is driven by an auxiliary motor, a circumferentially extending generally toroidal plenum, a plurality of hollow spokes providing fluid communication between the fan and the plenum, a circular throat which directs air toward the annulus between the shroud and the fan blade tips and a throat adjacent, circumferential Coanda surface which controls and guides air exiting the throat. Air is provided to the shroud plenum at a pressure of between about 2 and 10 inches water gauge (4 to 20 Torr). The narrowest region of the circular throat has a width of between about 1 mm to 5 mm. Adjustment of the air pressure and throat dimension allows accurate control of the velocity profile of the air flow through the annulus.

Abstract: A shroud for the cooling fan of a motor vehicle engine provides a circumferential axial flow of air between the fan blade tips and the shroud to improve fan efficiency and engine cooling. The shroud may include a circumferentially extending Coanda surface and adjacent circular throat which directs air flow toward the annulus between the shroud and the fan blade tips. Adjustment of the air pressure and throat dimension allows accurate control of the velocity profile of the air flow through the annulus.

Abstract: A constant temperature anemometer utilizes a fine wire or thin film sensor or probe and a pulse width modulated driver in a digital control loop to adjustably drive the probe to maintain its temperature at a nominally constant value and provide a digital output to associated metering or recording equipment. The pulse width modulated driver includes a clock, an RS flip-flop and a comparator. At the beginning of the clock cycle, power is provided to a voltage divider and the divided voltage drives one input of the comparator and the fine wire or thin film sensor. The other input of the comparator is maintained at a reference voltage. When the drive voltage to the hot wire or thin film sensor exceeds the reference voltage, the comparator provides a high logic signal to the RS flip-flop, resetting it and shutting off power to the sensor until the next clock cycle. The pulse width modulated drive signal may be utilized directly by an associated processor or computer.