Averaging velocity sensor for measuring fluid flow in a conduit

Apparatus for measuring the average velocity of fluid flow in a conduit, comprising

• (a) generally tubular housing means extending across the interior of the conduit and containing a pair of vertical through-slots in the outer surface thereof;
• (b) magnet means arranged within said housing means for generating in the fluid a magnetic field the axis of which extends normal to the direction of fluid flow;
• (c) a pair of insulated electrode rods arranged in said slots, selected portions of said rods being free of insulation for exposure to the fluid flow to define a plurality of electrodes arranged in spaced relation along the length of and adjacent the outer surface of said housing means, said electrodes including first and second electrodes arranged in diametrically opposed pairs relative to said housing means, the lines passing through the pairs of electrodes being arranged perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, said electrodes producing electrical signals in response to the flow of fluid through said magnetic field, each of said signals being a function of the velocity of fluid flow adjacent each of said electrodes, respectively, whereby a plurality of discrete fluid flow velocity signals are generated simultaneously at a plurality of locations across the area of the conduit;
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• (d) amplifier means having first and second inputs connected with said first and second electrodes, respectively, for combining said electrical signals to produce an average flow velocity output signal.

Apparatus for measuring the average velocity of fluid flow in a conduit of circular cross-sectional configuration, comprising

• (a) generally tubular housing means extending across the diameter of the conduit;
• (b) magnet means arranged within said housing means for generating in the fluid a magnetic field the axis of which extends normal to the direction of fluid flow;
• (c) electrode means including a plurality of electrodes arranged in spaced relation along the length of and adjacent the outer surface of said housing means, said electrodes being further arranged in diametrically opposed pairs relative to said housing means, said pairs of electrodes being arranged in concentric annular segments within the interior of said conduit, respectively, the cross-sectional area of each of said annular segments being equal, the lines passing through the pairs of electrodes being arranged perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, said electrodes producing electrical signals in response to the flow of fluid through said magnetic field, each of said signals being a function of the velocity of fluid flow adjacent each of said electrodes, respectively, whereby a plurality of discrete fluid flow velocity signals are generated simultaneously at a plurality of locations across the area of the conduit;
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• (d) processing means connected with said electrode means for combining said electrical signals to produce an average flow velocity output signal.

Apparatus for measuring the average velocity of fluid flow in a conduit of circular cross-sectional configuration, comprising

• (a) generally tubular housing means extending across the diameter of the conduit;
• (b) magnet means arranged within said housing means for generating in the fluid a magnetic field the axis of which extends normal to the direction of fluid flow;
• (c) electrode means including a plurality of electrodes arranged in equally spaced relation along the length of and adjacent the outer surface of said housing means, said electrodes being further arranged in diametrically opposed pairs relative to said housing means, the lines passing through the pairs of electrodes being arranged perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, said electrodes producing electrical signals in response to the flow of fluid through said magnetic field, each of said signals being a function of the velocity of fluid flow adjacent each of said electrodes, respectively, whereby a plurality of discrete fluid flow velocity signals are generated simultanously at a plurality of locations across the area of the conduit;
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• (d) processing means connected with said electrode means for combining said electrical signals to produce an average flow velocity output signal, said processing means including a plurality of gain-modified amplifiers corresponding in number with the number of electrode pairs, one electrode of each pair being connected with one input of said corresponding amplifier and the other electrode of each pair being connected with the other input of said corresponding amplifier, the gain of each amplifier being adjusted in accordance with the cross-sectional annular area of the conduit corresponding with the location of said corresponding pair of electrodes.

Apparatus for measuring the average velocity of fluid flow in a conduit of circular cross-sectional configuration, comprising

• (a) generally tubular housing means extending across the diameter of the conduit;
• (b) magnet means arranged within said housing means for generating in the fluid a magnetic field the axis of which extends normal to the direction of fluid flow and the strength of which varies from a maximum at the ends of said housing means to a minimum at the middle of said housing means;
• (c) electrode means including a plurality of electrodes arranged in equally spaced relation along the length of and adjacent the outer surface of said housing means, said electrodes being further arranged in diametrically opposed pairs relative to said housing means, said magnetic field strength corresponding with the cross-sectional annular areas of the conduit corresponding with the location of said pairs of electrodes, the lines passing through the pairs of electrodes being arranged perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, said electrodes producing electrical signals in response to the flow of fluid through said magnetic field, each of said signals being a function of the velocity of fluid flow adjacent each of said electrodes, respectively, whereby a plurality of discrete fluid flow velocity signals are generated simultaneously at a plurality of locations across the area of the conduit;
• and
• (d) processing means connected with said electrode means for combining said electrical signals to produce an average flow velocity output signal.

Apparatus for measuring the average velocity of fluid flow in a conduit of a circular cross-sectional configuration, comprising

• (a) generally tubular housing means extending across the interior of the conduit;
• (b) magnet means arranged within said housing means for generating in the fluid a magnetic field the axis of which extends normal to the direction of fluid flow;
• (c) electrode means including a plurality of electrodes arranged in spaced relation along the length of and adjacent the outer surface of said housing means, said electrodes being further arranged in diametrically opposed pairs relative to said housing means, the lines passing through the pairs of electrodes being arranged perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow, said electrodes producing electrical signals in response to the flow of fluid through said magnetic field, each of said signals being a function of the velocity of fluid flow adjacent each of said electrodes, respectively, whereby a plurality of discrete fluid flow velocity signals are generated simultaneously at a plurality of locations across the area of the conduit;
• (d) processing means connected with said electrode means for combining said electrical signals to produce an average flow velocity output signal;
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• (e) a generally cylindrical spool member having an inner diameter corresponding with the inner diameter of the conduit, said spool member being arranged between and affording fluid flow between segments of the conduit, said housing means being connected with said spool member.