Reduced bore vortex flowmeter having a stepped intake

A method of measuring fluid flow within a flow conduit configured for conveying process fluid in a downstream direction therethrough, said method comprising:

• (a) coupling a tubular fluid inlet in series to an upstream portion of the conduit, the fluid inlet having a stepped inner wall, including a first wall portion disposed at first angle to the downstream direction, and a second wall portion disposed at a second angle to the downstream direction, the second wall portion disposed downstream of the first wall portion, and the second angle being larger than the first angle, wherein the first and second wall portions form a substantially concave axial cross-section;
• (b) coupling the fluid inlet to a central bore having a transverse cross-sectional dimension less than that of the conduit, the central bore having a shedder disposed therein;
• (c) coupling the central bore to a tubular fluid outlet;
• (d) coupling the fluid outlet to a downstream portion of the conduit;
• (e) conveying the process fluid downstream through the conduit;
• and
• (f) measuring the frequency of vortices shed by the shedder during said conveying (e).

A vortex flowmeter body adapted for use with a process fluid flow conduit configured for conveying process fluid in a downstream direction therethrough, said flowmeter body comprising:

• a tubular fluid inlet configured for being coupled in series to an upstream portion of the conduit;
• said fluid inlet fairing into a central bore having a transverse cross-sectional dimension less than that of the conduit;
• a shedder disposed within said central bore;
• said central bore communicably coupled to a tubular fluid outlet;
• said fluid outlet configured for being coupled to a downstream portion of the conduit;
• said fluid inlet including a first wall portion disposed upstream of a second wall portion, said second wall portion having a flow disrupter configured to disrupt flow of the process fluid relative to flow of the fluid upstream thereof.

A vortex flowmeter adapted for use within a process fluid flow conduit configured for conveying process fluid in a downstream direction therethrough, said flowmeter comprising:

• a flowmeter body including:
• a tubular fluid inlet configured for being coupled in series to an upstream portion of the conduit;
• said fluid inlet fairing into a central bore having a transverse cross-sectional dimension less than that of the conduit;
• a shedder disposed within said central bore;
• said central bore communicably coupled to a tubular fluid outlet;
• said fluid outlet configured for being coupled to a downstream portion of the conduit;
• said fluid inlet having a stepped inner wall, including a first wall portion disposed at a first angle to the downstream direction, and a second wall portion disposed at a second angle to the downstream direction;
• said second angle being greater than said first angle, wherein said first and second wall portions form a substantially concave axial cross-section;
• a sensing element disposed to detect vortices generated by said shedder;
• and
• a transmitter disposed to:
• capture the rate of shedding generated by said shedder;
• and
• calculate the flow rate of the process fluid as it flows through the flowmeter body.