HYBRID SENSOR SYSTEM FOR GAS FLOW MEASUREMENTS
First Claim
1. A method for measuring gas flow in a meter, comprising:
- directing gas through the meter at various flow rates;
detecting a gas flow of the gas with a first sensor when the gas is directed at a low flow rate;
detecting an oscillation frequency of the gas with a second sensor when the gas is directed at a rate to produce an oscillating fluid jet of gas; and
determining a flow rate based on outputs of at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are apparatus and methodology for measuring gas flow. A gas flow meter can include a plurality of sensors to detect a gas flow at various flow rates in the meter. A first sensor can detect a gas flow at a low flow rate and a second sensor can detect a gas flow when the flow rate is sufficient to produce an oscillating jet. The first sensor can be disposed parallel to the gas flow and detect the flow rate and the temperature of the gas flow. When the flow rate of the gas is below a predetermined threshold, power is supplied to the first sensor to detect gas flow. When the gas flow rate is high enough such that the gas flow produces an oscillating jet of fluid, power is supplied to the second sensor. The second sensor can detect the frequency of the oscillating jet flow.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for measuring gas flow in a meter, comprising:
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directing gas through the meter at various flow rates; detecting a gas flow of the gas with a first sensor when the gas is directed at a low flow rate; detecting an oscillation frequency of the gas with a second sensor when the gas is directed at a rate to produce an oscillating fluid jet of gas; and determining a flow rate based on outputs of at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A gas flow meter, comprising:
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a gas flow passageway configured to direct gas through the meter; a gas measurement chamber; a nozzle in communication with said gas flow passageway, and configured to direct the gas into said gas measurement chamber; a first sensor disposed in said nozzle parallel to the gas flow, and configured to detect a gas flow at a low flow rate; an obstacle disposed in said gas measurement chamber, and configured to generate an oscillating fluid jet from a sufficient flow of gas; and a second sensor disposed in said gas measurement chamber, and configured to detect the oscillating fluid jet. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A utility meter coupled to a communication network, comprising:
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a power supply to supply power to the meter; a receiving element configured to receive information over the network; a transmitting element configured to transmit information over the network; a gas measurement chamber configured to direct gas flow through the meter, the gas measurement chamber comprising a nozzle, a first sensor disposed parallel to the gas flow and configured to detect gas flow at a low flow rate, an obstacle configured to direct gas into an oscillating fluid jet from a sufficient flow of gas, and a second sensor configured to detect the oscillating fluid jet; and a controller configured to determine a flow rate of the gas based on outputs of at least one of the first sensor and the second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A utility metering communication network, comprising:
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a first network device comprising transmitting and receiving elements, said first network device configured to act as a central database for the network; a plurality of end devices; and a second network device comprising transmitting and receiving elements, said second network device configured to act as a gateway between said first network device and at least one end device; wherein at least one end devices comprises a utility meter having; transmitting elements and receiving elements configured to communicate over the network; a flow passageway configured to direct fluid through said meter; a measurement chamber; a nozzle in communication with said flow passageway, and configured to direct the fluid into said measurement chamber; a first sensor disposed in the nozzle parallel to the fluid flow, the first sensor configured to detect a fluid flow at a low flow rate; an obstacle disposed in said measurement chamber, and configured to generate an oscillating fluid jet from a sufficient flow of fluid; a second sensor disposed in said measurement chamber, and configured to detect the oscillating fluid jet; and a controller configured to determine a flow rate of the fluid based on outputs of at least one of said first sensor and said second sensor. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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Specification