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AssigneeCiDRA Corporation
InventorsDaniel L. Gysling, Douglas H. Loose
Estimating the term…
An apparatus 10,70 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations xl-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14.for measuring at least one parameter of a saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12, such as steam, flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix propagating through of the saturated vapor/liquid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include vapor/liquid concentration (i.e., steam wetness or steam quality), vapor/liquid mixture volumetric flow, mass flow, enthalpy, density and liquid droplet size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest.
An apparatus for measuring at least one parameter of a mixture having liquid droplets suspended in a vapor in a pipe, comprising:
The apparatus of claim I wherein each sensor measures an acoustic pressure and provides a signal indicative of an acoustic noise within the pipe.
The apparatus of claim I comprising at least three of said sensors.
The apparatus of claim I wherein at least one of said pressure sensors measures strain on the pipe.
A method for measuring at least one parameter of a vapor/liquid mixture in a pipe, said method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.