Mass flow meter configured with computational modeling for use with different fluids
First Claim
1. A mass flow meter system for immersion in fluid flow comprising:
- an elongate velocity sensor probe comprising a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) having a heated length and a proximal temperature sensor adjacent to a proximal end of the heated length, an active region of the proximal temperature sensor located at a first distance from the proximal end of the heated length, the first distance being equal to or less than about three times a diameter of the velocity sensor probe; and
a computer processor programmed to calculate mass flow rate based on a computational model corresponding to a relationship of heat conduction in the velocity sensor probe and convection of fluid flow relative to electrical power supplied to the RTD, using a first temperature measurement from the RTD and a second temperature measurement from the proximal temperature sensor with the second temperature measurement used as a boundary condition in the computational model.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Microprocessor-based thermal dispersion mass flow meters (i.e., thermal anemometers) are described that use temperature sensing elements in its flow sensor probe(s) in addition to the two elements commonly used. Such systems allow for automatically managing changes in gas selection, gas temperature, gas pressure, and outside temperature. One mass flow meter described has a flow sensor with four temperature sensing elements, wherein one pair is provided in a temperature sensor probe and another pair in a velocity sensor probe. Another variation operates without a separate temperature sensor probe and integrates all function into a single three-sensor probe. Such a device may also be used in conjunction with a one- or two-sensor temperature probe.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A mass flow meter system for immersion in fluid flow comprising:
-
an elongate velocity sensor probe comprising a Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) having a heated length and a proximal temperature sensor adjacent to a proximal end of the heated length, an active region of the proximal temperature sensor located at a first distance from the proximal end of the heated length, the first distance being equal to or less than about three times a diameter of the velocity sensor probe; and a computer processor programmed to calculate mass flow rate based on a computational model corresponding to a relationship of heat conduction in the velocity sensor probe and convection of fluid flow relative to electrical power supplied to the RTD, using a first temperature measurement from the RTD and a second temperature measurement from the proximal temperature sensor with the second temperature measurement used as a boundary condition in the computational model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification