US 10,520,523 B2 · Fluid movement sensor with instrumented centerbody

Abstract

A fluid sensing device includes an outer shell, a three-axis force and moment balance, a strut, and a centerbody. The outer shell has an inlet at a first end of the outer shell, an aft vent at an opposing second end of the outer shell, and an interior space connecting the inlet and the aft vent. The three-axis force and moment balance is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The strut is connected to the outer shell and the three-axis force and moment balance such that the strut supports the three-axis force and moment balance in the interior space. At least a portion of the centerbody is positioned in the interior space of the outer shell. The centerbody is connected to the three-axis force and moment balance such that the three-axis force and moment balance is configured to measure force, moment, and/or movement of the centerbody.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fluid sensing device, the fluid sensing device comprising:

an outer shell, the outer shell having an inlet at a first end of the outer shell, an aft vent at an opposing second end of the outer shell, and an interior space connecting the inlet and the aft vent;
a three-axis force and moment balance positioned in the interior space of the outer shell;
a strut connected to the outer shell and the three-axis force balance, the strut supporting the three-axis force balance in the interior space;
and
a centerbody, at least a portion of the centerbody positioned in the interior space of the outer shell, the centerbody being connected to the three-axis force and moment balance such that the three-axis force balance is configured to measure force and/or movement of the centerbody relative to the outer shell.

2 more elements

A method of measuring fluid movement data from a fluid stream, the method comprising:

positioning a fluid sensing device including a three-axis force balance in the fluid stream where the fluid stream has an orientation and the fluid sensing device has a longitudinal axis;
measuring with the fluid sensing device an x-direction force acting on the device relative to time (Fx(t)) in a direction of the longitudinal axis, a y-direction force acting on the device relative to time (Fy(t)) transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a z-direction force acting on the device relative to time (Fz(t)) transverse to an x-direction and a y-direction;
and
using the measurements of the x-direction force, y-direction force, and z-direction force to calculate in real time an x-direction velocity of the fluid stream relative to time (Vx(t)) in a direction of the longitudinal axis, a y-direct velocity of the fluid stream relative to time (Vy(t)) transverse to the longitudinal axis, and a z-direction velocity of the fluid stream relative to time (Vz(t)) transverse to an x-direction and a y-direction of the fluid stream.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fluid movement sensor with instrumented centerbody

Life of this patent

Fluid movement sensor with instrumented centerbody

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20