Flow measurement and control device and associated method

A fluid flow assembly comprising:

• a body with an internal flow path that expands then contracts in a direction of fluid flow, the internal flow path having an inlet, a first region located downstream of the inlet and having a first cross-sectional area (A1), a second region located downstream of the first region and having a second cross-sectional area (A2), a third region located downstream of the second region having a third cross-sectional area (A3), and an outlet located downstream of the third region, wherein A2>A1, and wherein a minimum cross-sectional area (Amin) of the internal flow path between the inlet and the outlet satisfies the relationship Amin≈A1≈A3;
• a high-pressure manifold fluidically connected to the internal flow path at the second cross-sectional area (A2);
• a first low-pressure manifold fluidically connected to the internal flow path, wherein the first low-pressure manifold is located at or adjacent to a perimeter of the first cross-sectional area (A1);
• a second low-pressure manifold fluidically connected to the internal flow path, wherein the second low-pressure manifold is located at or adjacent to a perimeter of the third cross-sectional area (A3);
• a first transducer operatively connected to the high-pressure manifold and to at least one of the first low-pressure manifold and the second low-pressure manifold, the first transducer configured to sense a pressure differential;
• a damper positioned in the internal flow path;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the first transducer and the damper, the controller configured to regulate a position of the damper in response to the sensed pressure differential to control volumetric flow.