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US 12,253,394 B2Granted
Velocity measurements using a piezoelectric sensor
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsNorman Love, Yirong Lin, Jad Aboud, David Tucker
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of measuring fluid flow rate is provided. The method comprises positioning a piezoelectric sensor in a fluid flow stream and measuring a voltage output from the piezoelectric sensor caused by mechanical stress from the fluid flow stream. A fluid flow rate is calculated based on the measured voltage output according to predefined relationships between the voltage output and a number physical parameters.
Claims20
A method of measuring fluid flow rate, the method comprising:
- positioning a piezoelectric sensor in a fluid flow stream, wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises a piezoelectric test article positioned in the fluid flow stream and wherein a rectangular shaped contact area of the piezoelectric test article comprising two contiguous rectangular shaped sections having different thicknesses is maintained perpendicular to the fluid flow stream;
- measuring a voltage output from vibration of the piezoelectric sensor caused by mechanical stress from the fluid flow stream;
- and
- calculating a fluid flow rate based on the measured voltage output according to predefined relationships between the voltage output and a number of physical parameters.
1 more element
An apparatus for measuring fluid flow rate, the apparatus comprising:
- a fan operable to generate a fluid flow stream;
- a piezoelectric sensor positioned in the fluid flow stream, wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises a piezoelectric test article positioned in the fluid flow stream and wherein a rectangular shaped contact area of the piezoelectric test article comprising two contiguous rectangular shaped sections having different thicknesses is maintained perpendicular to the fluid flow stream;
- a test section in fluid communication with the fan, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is positioned in the test section;
- and
- an oscilloscope connected to the piezoelectric sensor measures a voltage output from vibration of the piezoelectric sensor caused by mechanical stress from the fluid flow stream, wherein the measured voltage output is correlated to fluid flow rate according to predefined relationships between the voltage output and a number of physical parameters.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.