Impulse momentum dry flow sensor with linear force transducer and suspension therefor

A flow rate sensor adapted for mounting to the turn of a granular material transporting conduit, said conduit having a first input portion aligned in other than a vertical orientation, and a second output portion aligned at an angle to the first portion, the turn connecting said first and second portions, said flow rate sensor comprising:

• a plate,
• a suspension adapted for mounting the plate in the conduit turn at an angle with respect to both horizontal and vertical so that material flowing through said turn impacts said surface or granular material accumulated on said surface, said granular material tending to build up on said surface as it traverses the turn, said suspension having means to limit the movement of the plate to that in a substantially horizontal plane, and a transducer connected to the plate, said transducer having means to measure the force on the plate as the granular material impacts thereon.

In a conduit for transporting granular materials, said conduit having a first input portion aligned in other than a vertical orientation, a second output portion aligned at an angle to the first portion, and a conduit turn connecting said first and second portions, an impulse force transducer comprising:

• a surface against which the force to be measured is applied,
• means mounting said surface in said conduit turn at an angle with respect to both horizontal and vertical so that material flowing through said turn impacts said surface or granular material accumulated on said surface, said granular material tending to build up on said surface as it traverses the turn so that the turning force of the granular material is transmitted to said surface as it flows through the turn, and
• means connected to the surface to measure the force transmitted to the surface by the granular material, said force being substantially the impulse force thereof.

In a conduit through which granular materials flow, said conduit having a turn therein, means for measuring the flow rate of the granular material through the turn comprising:

• a surface, the surface comprising a substantially flat surface forming part of the conduit and aligned substantially perpendicularly to the path of the flowing granular material, said conduit turn thereby being a "dead-end" turn,
• means mounting said surface in said conduit turn at an angle with respect to both horizontal and vertical so that material flowing through said turn impacts said surface or granular material accumulated on said surface, said granular material tending to build up said surface as it traverses the turn so that the turning force of the granular material is transmitted through said material build-up to said surface as it flows through the turn, and
• means connected to the surface to measure the force transmitted thereto by the granular material, said force being substantially the impulse force thereof and directly related to the flow rate of said granular material.