Self-normalizing flow sensor and method for the same
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in normalizing a main flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel, comprising:
- a normalizing flow sensor that measures a dither flow rate; and
a moveable member disposed for producing said dither flow rate, said dither flow rate being substantially independent of said main flow rate in said main flow channel and substantially independent of fluid composition.
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Abstract
An apparatus to normalize a flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel is provided. The apparatus uses a moveable member, such as a flexible membrane disposed for reciprocating displacement, to produce a constant dither flow of the fluid that is independent of fluid composition. This dither flow generates a signal output from a normalizing flow sensor that both represents a characteristic property of the fluid and a flow rate calibration factor. A similar apparatus to determine the characteristic property or flow rate calibration factor is also provided. The devices disclosed may be used in numerous industrial, process, and medical flow system applications for normalization of flow sensors and to derive other properties of a fluid.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in normalizing a main flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel, comprising:
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a normalizing flow sensor that measures a dither flow rate; and
a moveable member disposed for producing said dither flow rate, said dither flow rate being substantially independent of said main flow rate in said main flow channel and substantially independent of fluid composition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A self-normalizing flow sensor apparatus for use in measuring a main flow rate of a fluid in a main flow channel, comprising:
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a main flow sensor measuring the flow rate of said fluid in said main flow channel;
a normalization flow sensor measuring a dither flow rate of the fluid in response to a dither flow of the fluid, where said dither flow rate of said dither flow is substantially independent of the main flow rate of the fluid in the main flow channel; and
a moveable member disposed for reciprocating movement so as to produce the dither flow of the fluid. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A normalizing flow sensor, comprising;
a flexible membrane disposed for reciprocating movement and producing a dither flow of a fluid near said flow sensor, said dither flow being substantially independent of fluid composition, such that said flow sensor measures a dither flow rate of said fluid.
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23. A method of normalizing a flow sensor that measures a flow rate of a fluid in a flow channel, the method comprising the steps of;
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receiving a portion of said fluid from said flow channel;
moving a membrane according to known displacement to create a dither flow of said received portion;
measuring a dither flow rate of said dithered received portion; and
communicating said dither flow rate to a processor which uses the dither flow rate to compute a normalized flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. A method of measuring a chemical component in a fluid, the method comprising the steps of;
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receiving a portion of said fluid from said flow channel;
creating a dither flow of said received portion;
measuring a dither flow rate of said dithered fluid; and
determining the concentration in a binary mixture based upon the measured dither flow rate. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method of determining a higher value property of a fluid, the method comprising the steps of;
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receiving a portion of said fluid from said flow channel;
creating a dither flow of said received portion;
measuring a dither flow rate of said dithered fluid; and
determining said higher value property based upon the measured dither flow rate and other measured properties. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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Specification