Fluid flow measurement correcting system and methods of constructing and utilizing same
First Claim
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1. A method for measuring fluid flow in a channel, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a probe having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
obtaining a computing means having stored therein drawdown data for said probe;
placing said probe in a channel where fluid flow is to be measured;
determining fluid depth in said channel with said probe;
correcting said fluid depth determination based upon said drawdown data using said computing means; and
calculating fluid flow rate based upon said corrected fluid depth determination using said computing means.
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Abstract
An apparatus for calculating fluid flow in a channel including a very low profile probe which detects fluid depth in the channel; a mechanism for measuring average fluid velocity in the channel; a mechanism for correcting the detected fluid depth based upon the measured average fluid velocity to account for drawdown; and a mechanism for calculating average flow rate based upon the average fluid velocity measurement and the corrected fluid depth value. The probe has a height to width ratio of less than 0.52.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for measuring fluid flow in a channel, comprising the steps of:
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obtaining a probe having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
obtaining a computing means having stored therein drawdown data for said probe;
placing said probe in a channel where fluid flow is to be measured;
determining fluid depth in said channel with said probe;
correcting said fluid depth determination based upon said drawdown data using said computing means; and
calculating fluid flow rate based upon said corrected fluid depth determination using said computing means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
measuring drawdown effects for said probe at a plurality of fluid velocities; and
storing said drawdown effect measurements for said probe in said computing means.
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3. A method as recited in claim 2, wherein:
said drawdown storing step comprises the steps of curve fitting said drawdown measurements and storing an equation representing said curve fitted drawdown measurements in said computing means.
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4. A method as recited in claim 3, including the steps of:
measuring average fluid velocity in the channel; and
recording said fluid velocity measurements in said computing means.
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5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein:
said correcting step occurs in real time following said fluid depth determining step.
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6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein:
said curve fitting step utilizes a least squares approximation.
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7. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein:
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said drawdown equation provides fluid level error as a function of fluid velocity; and
said correcting step comprises the step of providing said fluid level error as an offset to said fluid depth determination.
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8. A method as recited in claim 4, further including the step of:
verifying that said fluid velocity measurement and said fluid velocity recording step have been completed before executing said correcting step.
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9. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein:
said fluid depth correcting step and said flow rate calculating step execute substantially in real time.
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10. An apparatus for calculating fluid flow in a channel, comprising:
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a probe member having means for detecting a fluid level in the channel and having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
means for measuring fluid velocity in the channel;
means for correcting said fluid level detection to account for drawdown conditions acting on said probe member; and
means for calculating average fluid flow rate based upon said fluid velocity measurement and said corrected fluid level. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
said correcting means provides an offset fluid level value based upon said fluid velocity measurement.
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12. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein:
said correcting means corrects said fluid level detection substantially in real time.
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13. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein:
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said apparatus includes computing means and associated memory; and
said correcting means comprises an equation stored in said memory, wherein said equation represents said offset fluid level value as a function of said fluid velocity as measured by said velocity measuring means.
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14. An apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein:
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said apparatus includes computing means and associated memory;
said correcting means comprises a plurality of offset fluid level values being stored in said memory; and
said fluid velocity measurement is used to point to one of said offset fluid level values in said memory for correction of said fluid level detection.
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15. An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein:
said probe member comprises a pressure transducer.
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16. A device for measuring fluid parameters in a channel, comprising:
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means for measuring a fluid level in the channel including a probe having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
memory means for storing drawdown data pertaining to said fluid level measuring means;
means for correcting said fluid level measurement based upon said drawdown data; and
means for calculating fluid flow rate based upon said corrected fluid level measurement. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
said memory means stores drawdown data pertaining to said fluid level measuring means at a plurality of fluid velocities.
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18. A device as recited in claim 17, further including:
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means for measuring fluid velocity in the channel; and
wherein said correcting means corrects said measured fluid level based upon fluid velocity measured by said velocity measuring means.
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19. A device as recited in claim 18, wherein:
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said drawdown data comprises an equation for calculating a fluid level offset value based upon measured fluid velocity; and
said fluid level offset value is added to said measured fluid level by said correcting means.
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20. A device as recited in claim 16, wherein:
said correcting means and said flow rate calculating means occur substantially in real time following said fluid level measurement.
Specification