Immersible thermal mass flow meter
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use as a mass flow meter in a fluid, comprising:
- a spacer having cross section defining a circular diameter and a rectangular hole, said spacer adapted to closely hold a thin-film RTD temperature sensor in said hole by comprising a body selected from a powdered metal fabricated piece and a machined metal solid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal anemometer or mass flow meter having temperature and flow velocity sensor elements is provided in which a thin film temperature sensor is provided in the heated sensor of the fluid velocity sensor element of the system. The thin-film sensor is captured at least partially within a spacer or interface member, the spacer being received within a housing. The thermal anemometer is constructed to offer sufficient precision and accuracy in its design to be suitable for sensitive scientific and industrial applications. This goal is achieved while using cost effective parts—as in the thin film temperature sensor(s)—in connection with a construction approach minimizing or eliminating gaps or other system configuration variability.
44 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use as a mass flow meter in a fluid, comprising:
a spacer having cross section defining a circular diameter and a rectangular hole, said spacer adapted to closely hold a thin-film RTD temperature sensor in said hole by comprising a body selected from a powdered metal fabricated piece and a machined metal solid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 7)
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5. An apparatus for use as a mass flow meter in a fluid, comprising:
a velocity sensor element without potting compound comprising an elongate body for extending into the fluid, said elongate body comprising a housing shell, a distal end of said housing shell closely holding a spacer, said spacer closely holding a thin-film RTD temperature sensor, wherein said housing shell comprises steel and said spacer comprises a metal selected from copper aluminum, silver gold and alloys thereof. - View Dependent Claims (6, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of measuring the mass flow of a fluid, the method comprising:
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providing a flowmeter comprising at least one sensor element within an elongate body for extending into the fluid; flowing the fluid substantially perpendicular to said body through open-ended legs of said elongate body extending along said sensor element to define a volume between said legs in which said sensor element is located; and diverting axial flow from along said elongate body. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification