Electromagnetic fluid flow transducer

• US 5,220,841 A
• Filed: 12/12/1990
• Issued: 06/22/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Carolina Medical Electronics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Carolina Medical Electronics Incorporated
• Inventors: Jones, Charles R., Stanley, Larry S., Brown, Samuel D., Barefoot, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goldstein, Herbert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shopbell, Elizabeth L.
• Application Number:
  US07/626,514
• Time in Patent Office: 923 Days
• Field of Search: 73/861.11, 73/861.12, 73/861.13, 128/691
• US Class Current: 73/861.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0265 using electromagnetic means, e.g. electromagnetic flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/58 by electromagnetic flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/588 combined constructions of electrodes, coils or magnetic circuits, accessories therefor

Abstract

An electromagnetic fluid flow transducer formed from an electromagnetic assembly having two electromagnet units and a tubular flow contact assembly to measure fluid flow velocity and fluid volume in ionic solutions. Each electromagnet unit includes a core and a winding on the core, and a housing maintains the electromagnet units and their cores and windings in a predetermined relationship with each other. A plurality of electrode receptacles are formed in the housing proximate the flux field created by the electromagnetic assembly. The tubular flow contact assembly includes a tubular member, and four conductive electrodes positioned in and extending from the internal surface of the tubular member where fluid flow occurs. The electrode receptacles in the housing cooperatively receive the conductive electrodes in the tubular member when the tubular flow contact assembly is positioned between the electromagnet units to obtain fluid flow and fluid velocity readings and display this information on appropriate fluid flow metering equipment.

Claims

1. A flow transducer for measuring quantitatively the flow of conductive fluids comprising:

an electromagnetic assembly having two (2) circular electromagnet units each of which utilizes a core and a winding on said core;

a pair of conductors associated with each winding;

a housing encompassing said electromagnet units and sustaining said units in a predetermined side-by-side relationship sharing a common center line;

four electrode receptacles positioned proximate the magnetic field created by said cores and windings when said windings are energized; and

tubular flow contact means including a tubular member, four conductive electrodes connected to and extending from said tubular member all movable between said electromagnet units and back again, said electrode receptacles cooperatively receiving said conductive electrodes when said flow contact means is positioned between said electromagnet units.

2. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing has guide means for guiding said tubular flow contact means into proper electrical and mechanical engagement with said electromagnetic assembly, said guide means including a groove in said housing cooperatively receiving a conductive electrode extending in the direction of tubular flow contact means movement between the electromagnet units.

3. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conductive electrodes include two sensor electrodes and two ground electrodes.

4. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the common center line of said windings is perpendicular to fluid flow.

5. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes are positioned between said two ground electrodes.

6. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes lie in a plane transverse to fluid flow.

7. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two ground electrodes lie in a plane parallel to fluid flow.

8. The transducer as claimed in claim 2 wherein said conductive electrodes include two sensor electrodes and two ground electrodes.

9. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the common center line of said windings is perpendicular to fluid flow.

10. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 wherein the two sensor electrodes are positioned between said two ground electrodes.

11. The transducer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the two sensor electrodes lie in a plane transverse to fluid flow.

12. The transducer as claimed in claim 11 wherein the two ground electrodes lie in a plane parallel to fluid flow.

13. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said windings are spaced from and opposite each other to receive said flow contact means therebetween.

14. The transducer as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a base encompassed within said housing supporting said windings and cores.

15. The transducer as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a base encompassed within said housing and supporting said windings and cores.

16. The transducer as claimed in claim 14 further comprising a pressure port located in said tubular member.

17. The transducer as claimed in claim 14, said housing having guide means formed therein to guide and position said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units to achieve mechanical and electrical connection.

18. The transducer as claimed in claim 16, said housing having guide means formed therein to guide and position said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units to achieve mechanical and electrical connection.

19. The transducer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-magnetic material.

20. The transducer as claimed in claim 18 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-magnetic material.

21. The transducer as claimed in claim 8 wherein one of said sensor electrodes is J-shaped, partially encircles said tubular member, and is cooperatively received by said guide means groove.

22. The transducer as claimed in claim 20 wherein one of said sensor electrodes is J-shaped, partially encircles said tubular member, and is cooperatively received by said guide means groove.

23. The transducer as claimed in claim 18 wherein said tubular member is formed of a non-metallic material.

24. A transducer as claimed in claim 21 further comprising a closure member having releasably securing means to close said housing and encompassing said tubular flow contact means between said electromagnet units.

25. The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a hinge and hasp combination.

26. The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein the releasably securing means is a screw and wing nut combination.

27. The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a frictional fit with said housing.

28. The transducer as claimed in claim 24 wherein said releasably securing means is a bar extending through said housing.