Flow references
AssigneeTSI Incorporated
InventorsAnthony Hase, Jeremy Ames, David Castagnetta
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for measuring flowrates. The systems and methods may include passing a fluid from a unit under test into a cavity. The pressure of the fluid within the cavity may be measure and a slidable element located within the cavity may be repositioned to maintain a desired pressure within the cavity. The distance traveled by the slidable element in order to maintain the desired pressure may be determined along with a time for the slidable element to travel the distance. Using the distance traveled by the slidable element, a crosssectional area of the slidable element in contact with the fluid, and the time for the slidable element to travel the distance the volumetric flowrate for the fluid may be determined.
Claims21
-31. (canceled)
A flow reference comprising:
- an enclosure including an interior surface that defines a cavity, a flow inlet;
- a first pressure sensor in fluid communication with the cavity;
- a slidable element located within the cavity;
- an actuator mechanically coupled to the slidable element and arranged to move the slidable element within the cavity;
- and
- a computing device electrically coupled to the actuator and the first pressure sensor, the computing device configured to perform actions comprising:
- receiving a first signal from the first pressure sensor, the first signal corresponding to a pressure within the cavity, and
- actuating the actuator to reposition the slidable element to maintain a desired pressure within the cavity.
A flow reference comprising:
- a cylinder including an interior surface that defines a cavity and a flow inlet;
- a first pressure sensor in fluid communication with the cavity;
- a piston located within the cavity;
- an actuator mechanically coupled to the piston and arranged to move the piston in a linear direction within the cavity;
- and
- a computing device electrically coupled to the actuator and the first pressure sensor, the computing device configured to perform actions comprising:
- receiving a first signal from the first pressure sensor, the first signal corresponding to a pressure within the cavity,
- actuating the actuator to reposition the piston to maintain a desired pressure within the cavity,
- determining a distance traveled by the piston due to actuation of the actuator,
- determining a time for the piston to travel the distance, and
- determining a volumetric flowrate of a fluid entering the flow inlet based on the distance traveled by the piston, a cross-sectional area of the piston in contact with the fluid, and the time for the piston to travel the distance.
A method for measuring a volumetric flowrate of a flow produced by a unit under test, the method comprising:
- fluidly connecting the unit under test to a flow inlet of an enclosure, the enclosure defining a cavity and the flow inlet;
- measuring a pressure of a fluid within the cavity;
- repositioning a slidable element located within the cavity to maintain a desired pressure within the cavity;
- determining a distance traveled by the slidable element in order to maintain the desired pressure;
- determining a time for the slidable element to travel the distance;
- and
- determining the volumetric flowrate of the fluid entering the cavity based on the distance traveled by the slidable element, a cross-sectional area of the slidable element in contact with the fluid, and the time for the slidable element to travel the distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.