Devices, installations and methods for improved fluid flow measurement in a conduit
First Claim
1. A device for establishing annular fluid flow in a conduit at a differential pressure measurement station for improving consistency and predictability of fluid flow measurements, said device comprising:
- a main body including a front spherical portion having a constantly curvilinear flow facing surface configured to substantially obstruct and redirect fluid flow thereat, a rear portion having relatively larger and smaller diameter termini, and a substantially constant diameter portion extending from behind said front spherical portion to said relatively larger diameter terminus of said rear portion; and
a retainer located adjacent said relatively smaller diameter terminus of said rear portion of said main body to concentrically locate said main body in the conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Differential pressure measurement devices, installations and methods are disclosed, the devices including a main body and retainer. The main body is characterized by a front portion having a substantially constant curvilinear flow facing front surface, a rear portion, and a substantially constant diameter portion between the front portion and the rear portion. The rear portion includes relatively larger and smaller diameter termini. The installation of this invention is maintained in a fluid flow containing conduit and includes a pipe section affixed between sections of the conduit. The device is concentrically located in the otherwise unobstructed flow path defined by the pipe section, with the device retainer downstream of all measurement ports, and obstructs fluid flow thereat to establish annular flow therearound having predictable characteristics.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A device for establishing annular fluid flow in a conduit at a differential pressure measurement station for improving consistency and predictability of fluid flow measurements, said device comprising:
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a main body including a front spherical portion having a constantly curvilinear flow facing surface configured to substantially obstruct and redirect fluid flow thereat, a rear portion having relatively larger and smaller diameter termini, and a substantially constant diameter portion extending from behind said front spherical portion to said relatively larger diameter terminus of said rear portion; and
a retainer located adjacent said relatively smaller diameter terminus of said rear portion of said main body to concentrically locate said main body in the conduit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. An installation for improving fluid flow measurement in a conduit comprising a device for establishing annular fluid flow including a main body and a retainer, said device maintained in a pipe section having a substantially constant diameter that is substantially the same as diameter of the conduit, said retainer of said device located at said main body and said pipe section so that an unobstructed flow path is maintained in said pipe section upstream from said main body of said device and so that an unobstructed annular flow path is established between said main body of said device and said pipe section, said retainer of said device located at said pipe section so that a first pressure measurement port is one of upstream and facing upstream from said main body of said device and so that a second pressure measurement port is located at said annular flow path, said main body of said device including a front spherical portion without points or angles facing into said unobstructed flow path in said pipe section to direct flow to said annular flow path and control flow profile entering said annular flow path.
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15. A method for improved fluid flow measurement in a conduit comprising the steps of:
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establishing at the conduit an unobstructed substantially constant diameter flow path having a first measurement port thereat;
establishing immediately adjacent to said constant diameter flow path an unobstructed annular flow path downstream from said first measurement port by concentrically locating a spherical obstruction facing said constant diameter flow path, outside diameter of said annular flow path and said constant diameter flow path being substantially equivalent;
providing a second measurement port at a region of said annular flow path configured to stabilize and linearize velocity profile of fluid flowing thereat; and
gradually expanding said annular flow path downstream from said second measurement port. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification