ADHESIVE FLOW METER
First Claim
1. A method for non-intrusively determining fluid flow in a conduit, comprising:
- sensing a first temperature of an exterior surface of the conduit;
changing the temperature of the exterior surface of the conduit to a second temperature;
measuring the time required for the exterior surface of the conduit to return to the first temperature from the second temperature; and
determining fluid flow based at least in part upon the time.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for non-intrusively measuring fluid flow in a conduit, such as a pipe or tubing. The apparatus includes an insulator having self-adhesive inner surface attachable to the conduit, a temperature sensor on the inner surface of the insulator that senses the conduit surface temperature, a heat source on the inner surface of the insulator that imparts heat into the conduit, and a microcontroller connected to the heat source activator and the sensor assembly. In one embodiment, a baseline conduit temperature is measured, and the heat source raises the temperature of the conduit by a predetermined amount. When the conduit reaches target temperature, the heat source is deactivated and the cooling time for the conduit to return to its baseline temperature is measured. Fluid flow rate is determined from the cooling time, the temperature rise within a predetermined time, a temperature drop within a predetermined time, and/or a temperature gradient over time.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for non-intrusively determining fluid flow in a conduit, comprising:
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sensing a first temperature of an exterior surface of the conduit; changing the temperature of the exterior surface of the conduit to a second temperature; measuring the time required for the exterior surface of the conduit to return to the first temperature from the second temperature; and determining fluid flow based at least in part upon the time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for non-intrusively determining fluid flow in a conduit, comprising:
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sensing a baseline temperature of an exterior surface of the conduit; heating the exterior surface of the conduit for a predetermined period of time; sensing a post-heating temperature of an exterior surface of the conduit; and determining fluid flow based at least in part upon the difference between the baseline temperature and the post-heating temperature. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. Apparatus for non-intrusively determining a fluid flow rate within a conduit, comprising:
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an insulator having an inner surface configured for attachment to the conduit; a temperature sensor disposed on the inner surface of the insulator and configured for sensing a temperature of the conduit; a heat source disposed on the inner surface of the insulator and configured for imparting heat into the conduit; and a microcontroller in operative communication with the heat source activator and the sensor assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification