Apparatus for measuring velocity and flow rate of a fluid having a non-negligible axial mach number using an array of sensors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
- a spatial array of at least two pressure sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe, and each measuring an unsteady pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial location, each of the pressure sensors providing a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction; and
a signal processor, responsive to the pressure signals, which provides a first acoustic signal indicative of a speed of the first acoustic wave and a second acoustic signal indicative of a speed of the second acoustic wave.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus 10 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring the velocity and volumetric flow rate of a single phase or multi-phase fluid 12 having a non-negligible axial Mach number flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound propagating with and against the flow of the fluid 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The apparatus, responsive to the measured speed of sound propagating with and against the flow of the fluid, determines the velocity and the flow rate of the fluid propagating through the pipe.
110 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
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a spatial array of at least two pressure sensors disposed at different axial locations along the pipe, and each measuring an unsteady pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial location, each of the pressure sensors providing a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction; and
a signal processor, responsive to the pressure signals, which provides a first acoustic signal indicative of a speed of the first acoustic wave and a second acoustic signal indicative of a speed of the second acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the method comprising:
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measuring unsteady pressures within the pipe at at least two predetermined axial measurement locations along the pipe to provide a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction;
determining a first acoustic signal indicative of the speed of the first acoustic wave; and
determining a second acoustic signal indicative of the speed of the second acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
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a spatial array of at least two pressure sensors, disposed at different axial locations along the pipe, and each measuring an unsteady pressure within the pipe at a corresponding axial location, each of the pressure sensors providing a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction; and
a signal processor, responsive to the pressure signals, which provides a velocity signal in response to a difference between a speed of the first acoustic wave and a speed of the second acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for measuring the volumetric flow rate of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the method comprising:
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measuring unsteady pressures within the pipe at at least two predetermined axial measurement locations along the pipe to provide a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction; and
determining a velocity of the fluid in response to a difference between a speed of the first acoustic wave and a speed of the second acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a fluid having a non-negligible axial Mach number passing through a pipe, the apparatus comprising:
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a means for providing a pressure signal in response to a first one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a first axial direction and a second one-dimensional acoustic wave propagating in a second axial direction within the pipe, the first axial direction being opposite the second axial direction; and
a means for providing a velocity signal in response to a difference between a speed of the first acoustic wave and a speed of the second acoustic wave. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification