Densimeter
AssigneeHamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsGary M. McBrien, Frank Perrelli
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of determining density of a fluid within a system includes actuating a piston of a hydraulic cylinder at a target velocity. Additionally, the method includes determining differential pressure and volumetric flow rate of the fluid flowing through an orifice under actuation of the piston. The density of the fluid is determined based on the first differential pressure and the volumetric flow rate of the fluid, which is used by the system to regulate a mass flow rate of fluid within the system.
Claims18
A method of determining density of a fluid within a system comprising a line fluidly connecting, in series, a fluid source, a metering valve, and a fluid destination, the method comprising:
- actuating a piston of a hydraulic cylinder in a first direction at a target velocity, wherein the hydraulic cylinder includes a first port and a second port on opposite sides of the piston, and wherein the first port and the second port are fluidly connected to the line to receive fluid and to discharge fluid;
- determining, based on the fluid flowing through an orifice under actuation of the piston in the first direction, a first differential pressure;
- receiving a first feedback signal indicative of a first actuation velocity of the piston;
- determining a first volumetric flow rate based on the first actuation velocity and a cross-sectional area of the piston;
- determining a first density of the fluid based on the first differential pressure, the first volumetric flow rate, and a discharge coefficient of the orifice;
- and
- regulating, using the metering valve, a mass flow rate of fluid within the system based on the first density.
A system comprising:
- a fluid source storing a fluid;
- a fluid destination;
- a metering valve;
- a line fluidly connecting, in series, the fluid source, the metering valve, and the fluid destination;
- a hydraulic cylinder comprising:
- a piston;
- a first port;
- and
- a second port, wherein the first port and the second port are disposed on opposite sides of the piston, and wherein the first port and the second port are fluidly connected to the line to receive the fluid and to discharge the fluid;
- an orifice fluidly connected between the line and the hydraulic cylinder;
- a pressure transducer arranged to determine a differential pressure across the orifice;
- a sensor;
- and
- a controller comprising a processor and computer-readable memory encoded with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the system to:
- actuate the piston of the hydraulic cylinder in a first direction at a target velocity;
- determine, based on a fluid flowing through the orifice under actuation of the piston in the first direction, a first differential pressure;
- receive, from the sensor, a feedback signal indicative of a velocity of the piston;
- determine a first volumetric flow rate based on the feedback signal and a cross-sectional area of the piston;
- determine a first density of the fluid based on the first differential pressure, the first volumetric flow rate, and a discharge coefficient of the orifice;
- and
- regulate, using the metering valve, a mass flow rate of fluid within the system based on the first density.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.