Method for determining fluid flow characteristics and energy efficiency through temperature differential analysis
AssigneeDexter Technology, LLC
InventorJoseph E. Grella
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fluidic flow restriction measurement device measures the flow characteristics of fluids in ducting, including dryer ventilation systems. By monitoring the exterior temperature of the ducting, and having knowledge of the surrounding ambient air, principles of heat transfer, fluid flow and thermodynamics accurately determine the severity of diameter restriction on the inside of the ducting in terms of a layer of a substance coating the interior diameter or periphery of the duct or other conduit.
Claims21
A flow restriction measurement device, comprising:
- a conduit sensor in communication with an external surface of a fluid conduit having a cross section, the conduit sensor operable for thermal sensing;
- an ambient temperature sensor for reading an ambient temperature in an environment through which the fluid conduit passes;
- and
- a circuit having flow logic for computing a flow restriction through the fluid conduit based on the thermal sensing and the ambient temperature, the computed flow restriction identifying a thickness of a substance coating around an inner surface of the fluid conduit.
A flow restriction measurement device, comprising:
- a conduit sensor in communication with an external surface of a fluid conduit having a cross section, the conduit sensor operable for thermal sensing:
- an ambient temperature sensor for reading an ambient temperature in an environment through which the fluid conduit passes;
- a circuit having flow logic for computing a flow restriction through the fluid conduit based on the thermal sensing and the ambient temperature;
- and
- an interface to a fluid source, the fluid source emanating a flow having a temperature, the flow restriction impeding the flow through the fluid conduit.
A flow restriction measurement device, comprising:
- a conduit sensor in communication with an external surface of a fluid conduit having a cross section, the conduit sensor operable for thermal sensing;
- an ambient temperature sensor for reading an ambient temperature in an environment through which the fluid conduit passes;
- a circuit having flow logic for computing a flow restriction through the fluid conduit based on the thermal sensing and the ambient temperature;
- and
- an annunciator signal, the annunciator signal indicative of a threshold of the flow restriction, the threshold based on a cross section reduction in the in the fluid conduit.
A method for computing an efficiency of a flow source and a fluid flow in a fluid conduit, comprising:
- detecting a temperature on a surface of the fluid conduit indicative of a temperature of a flow of a fluid within the conduit;
- measuring an ambient temperature of an environment through which the fluid conduit passes;
- receiving the fluid from a fluid source, the fluid source emanating a flow of the fluid and having a temperature;
- and
- computing a flow restriction through the fluid conduit based on the detected temperature and the ambient temperature, the flow restriction impeding the flow through the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.