Coriolis mass flow sensor having optical sensors
First Claim
1. A Coriolis mass flow sensor, comprising:
- a flow tube;
a tube position sensor, includinga light source;
an optics module body defining first and second openings, the second opening having an axis oriented generally transverse to an axis of the first opening;
a light pipe received in the first opening of the optics module body, the light pipe having a light inlet situated to receive light from the light source, and a light outlet for emitting light received from the light source;
a lens situated in the second opening of the optics module body for receiving light from the light pipe light outlet;
a light detector for receiving light from the light pipe light outlet; and
a drive device for vibrating the flow tube, such that the flow tube moves through a light path between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Coriolis mass flow sensor includes a flow tube, a light source, and a light pipe having a light inlet situated to receive light from the light source and a light outlet for emitting light received from the light source. A light detector receives light from the light pipe light outlet, and a drive device vibrates the flow tube such that the flow tube moves through a light path between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. In certain embodiments, the light pipe defines a generally square cross section. A sensing aperture having a predetermined shape is situated between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. The sensing aperture passes a portion of the light emitted from the light outlet of the light to the light detector, such that the light entering the light detector has the predetermined shape.
41 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A Coriolis mass flow sensor, comprising:
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a flow tube; a tube position sensor, including a light source; an optics module body defining first and second openings, the second opening having an axis oriented generally transverse to an axis of the first opening; a light pipe received in the first opening of the optics module body, the light pipe having a light inlet situated to receive light from the light source, and a light outlet for emitting light received from the light source; a lens situated in the second opening of the optics module body for receiving light from the light pipe light outlet; a light detector for receiving light from the light pipe light outlet; and a drive device for vibrating the flow tube, such that the flow tube moves through a light path between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification