Abstract: A bluff body flowmeter for a pipeline is disclosed with a plate mounted within the pipe and downstream of a vortex generating body for maintaining fluid vortex streets separated to facilitate their detection and translation into indications of flowrate through the pipe. The plate is mounted downstream of the vortex generating body at a prescribed distance which defines the vortex sensing site. A plurality of plate and sensing embodiments is disclosed. In one configuration, the plate is a flat rectangular plate spanning the entire inner diameter of the pipe and has its ends rigidly secured to the inner pipe wall. The plate comprises upper and lower surfaces having a downstream length for enabling fluid vortex signals to occur alternately about the environment of each such surface. The upper and lower plate surfaces flex, or move within a midsection between its fixed ends and that flexing causes vortex signal changes which are detected by a sensor.

Abstract: A bluff body flowmeter, including a bluff body having a planar base surface portion disposed normal to fluid flow and a pair of converging downstream surfaces, is provided with a fluid flow channel in the base surface portion, a sensor in the channel and a shield which partially covers the channel and protects the sensor from impact damage. The shield and channel are mutually adapted so that fluid flow through the channel is substantially unidirectional. In one embodiment at least that portion of the shield which covers the channel is shorter than the channel thus forming a rectangular notch which acts as a fluid flow entrance port.