Abstract: A thermal mass dispersion flow rate sensing transducer and transducer assembly or instrument for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy. Several aspects of the transducer components and structure reduce thermal leakage within the transducer so the sensor (RTD) output signal is accurately transmitted to the signal processor, resulting in precise ?T determinations and consequent precise determinations of mass flow rate of the fluid flowing in the conduit. Additionally, the same components and structure also have long life without appreciable degradation, thereby delaying any basis for the need for recalibration of the instrument.

Abstract: A thermal mass dispersion flow rate sensing transducer and transducer assembly or instrument for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy. Several aspects of the transducer components and structure reduce thermal leakage within the transducer so the sensor (RTD) output signal is accurately transmitted to the signal processor, resulting in precise ?T determinations and consequent precise determinations of mass flow rate of the fluid flowing in the conduit. Additionally, the same components and structure also have long life without appreciable degradation, thereby delaying any basis for the need for recalibration of the instrument.

Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.

Abstract: A flow mixer and conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide mixing and conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters downstream and upstream to mix and condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.

Abstract: A thermal dispersion flow rate sensing transducer for improved functional life of the transducer without degradation in sensing accuracy.

Abstract: An in-situ method and apparatus for calibrating and verifying the operational accuracy of a fluid level sensor.

Abstract: A flow conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters to condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in pipes, ducts, or other conduits.

Abstract: A flow mixer and conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide mixing and conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters downstream and upstream to mix and condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.

Abstract: A flow conditioner for use within a conduit conditions flowing media within the conduit to provide a swirl-free, symmetric, and reproducible velocity profile regardless of upstream flow distortions, disturbances, or anomalies. Tabs are cut from a single plate and bent or affixed to provide conditioning of the flowing media. Single tabs or tab pairs emanating from common vertices can be formed so that they diverge in, or against, the direction of flowing media. The flow conditioner requires as little as three pipe diameters to condition the flow stream allowing close placement to elbows, valves, tees, and other disturbances typically seen in industrial plants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing sensors in a fluid flow conduit to verify the accuracy of the flowmeter of which the sensors are a part. Where two similar sensors are employed, active and reference sensor functions are interchanged to verify their functioning accuracy. Alternatively, different stimulation levels can be used to provide a basis for cross-correlation of sensor outputs. A single, or multiple, time-shared sensor can be employed in place of two sensors. Transient or steady state responses are employed. Many sensor types can be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing sensors in a fluid flow conduit to verify the accuracy of the flowmeter of which the sensors are a part. Where two similar sensors are employed, active and reference sensor functions are interchanged to verify their functioning accuracy. Alternatively, different stimulation levels can be used to provide a basis for cross-correlation of sensor outputs. A single, or multiple, time-shared sensor can be employed in place of two sensors. Transient or steady state responses are employed. Many sensor types can be used.

Abstract: A thermal dispersion switch/transmitter for determining flow rate and liquid level in a non-contacting apparatus. A special preparation of one or more small spots in the outside surface of the wall of the conduit, standpipe or container enables one or more thermally sensitive elements to reside very close to the fluid on the opposite side of the wall. A temperature sensor is formed of a raster pattern electrical conductor deposited on a thin, electrically insulative, thermally conductive flat chip. One temperature sensor is time-shared and is periodically self heated and functions as the reference as well as the active or heated sensor of the invention. One alternative is to employ two temperature sensors, one being a reference sensor and the other being the active sensor. An alternative embodiment employs the same construction of one or more small, very thin membrane surfaces to which multiple detectors are mounted inside a probe inserted into the conduit.

Abstract: A thermal dispersion switch/transmitter for determining flow rate and liquid level in a non-contacting apparatus. A special preparation of one or more small spots in the outside surface of the wall of the conduit, standpipe or container enables one or more thermally sensitive elements to reside very close to the fluid on the opposite side of the wall. A temperature sensor is formed of a raster pattern electrical conductor deposited on a thin, electrically insulative, thermally conductive flat chip. One temperature sensor is time-shared and is periodically self heated and functions as the reference as well as the active or heated sensor of the invention. One alternative is to employ two temperature sensors, one being a reference sensor and the other being the active sensor. An alternative embodiment employs the same construction of one or more small, very thin membrane surfaces to which multiple detectors are mounted inside a probe inserted into the conduit.

Abstract: A thermal dispersion switch/transmitter for determining flow rate and liquid level in a non-contacting apparatus. A special preparation of one or more small spots in the outside surface of the wall of the conduit, standpipe or container enables one or more thermally sensitive elements to reside very close to the fluid on the opposite side of the wall. A temperature sensor is formed of a raster pattern electrical conductor deposited on a thin, electrically insulative, thermally conductive flat chip. One temperature sensor is time-shared and is periodically self heated and functions as the reference as well as the active or heated sensor of the invention. One alternative is to employ two temperature sensors, one being a reference sensor and the other being the active sensor. An alternative embodiment employs the same construction of one or more small, very thin membrane surfaces to which multiple detectors are mounted inside a probe inserted into the conduit.

Abstract: A safety device for heated sensors. A signal representing a threshold voltage is compared with a signal from the sensor representing sensor temperature. If the latter is greater than the threshold signal, a switch is opened to remove power from the means for heating the sensor. The normal state of the switch is closed, so after cooling, heat is again applied to the sensor.

Abstract: An RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field, avoiding the inaccuracy, unreliability, and excessive expense of conventional "point" RTD and thermocouple sensors currently employed for this purpose. According to the invention, a very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a coextensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more coextensive RTD filaments and in most forms of the invention one or more heater filaments. Distributed RTDs of the invention may, along their lengths, have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity.

Abstract: A method for measuring average mass flow velocity in a duct employing an RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field. A very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a co-extensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more co-extensive RTD filaments and, in most forms of the invention, one or more heater filaments. The distributed RTD sensor may be configured in various ways to have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity. The distributed RTD sensor is used for measuring average mass flow velocity of fluids primarily in large ducts.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated, alternatingly self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one elongated embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided at each end of the elongated structure to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both, and the configuration of RTD wire is doubled back on itself to form a U-shaped structure with the connectors adjacent each other. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An extended resistance temperature sensor formed of a plurality of lengths of pre-insulated resistance temperature detector (RTD) wire. The RTD wire is either unheated, self heated or is heated by means of strands of heater wire integrated with or placed closely adjacent to the RTD wire. The RTD wire itself, or together with the heater wire, is bonded together in one embodiment. Alternatively the RTD wire, or with the heater wire, may be encased in insulated shrink tubing, thin wall metal tubing or both. Connectors are provided to supply electrical current for heating purposes or to connect the RTD wire to detection circuitry, or both. Protective sheaths are provided over the connectors.

Abstract: An RTD (resistance temperature sensor or detector) sensing device which is a long, thin, unitary device adapted to be distributed across an extended field for the continuous, uninterrupted sensing or interrogation of such field, avoiding the inaccuracy, unreliability, and excessive expense of conventional "point" RTD and thermocouple sensors currently employed for this purpose. According to the invention, a very long, thin, ductile protective metal outer sheath houses a coextensive body of insulation material, which in turn supports and electrically insulates one or more coextensive RTD filaments and in most forms of the invention one or more heater filaments. Distributed RTDs of the invention may, along their lengths, have continuous linear function sensitivity, continuous variable function sensitivity, or step function sensitivity.