US 5,044,199 A · Flowmeter

Abstract

A flowmeter has an elongated housing with a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and an axial passage therebetween. The fluid passage contains a flow splitter section and is connected to a flow sensor assembly. The flow splitter section is formed by a surface defining a longitudinal fluid path and a flow splitter secured in the fluid path, so as to form an annular gap between the surface of the fluid path and the flow splitter. The surface of the fluid path defines a tapered calibration bore. The flow splitter has a tapered calibration section comprising the upstream portion of the flow splitter and at least one tapered expansion section comprising the downstream portion of the flow splitter. The taper of the calibration section is substantially parallel to the taper of the calibration bore, and the taper of the expansion section diverges away from the taper of the calibration bore.

Claims63

Dependent claims

A flow splitter section in a flowmeter having an axial passage therethrough comprising

1) a surface defining a longitudinal fluid path having a central longitudinal axis, said fluid path defining a cylindrical bore adjacent to at least one tapered calibration bore,
2) a flow splitter adjustably secured in said fluid path, so as to form an annular gap between said fluid path surface and said flow splitter, said annular gap capable of maintaining a laminar fluid flow, said flow splitter defining a cylindrical section adjacent to at least one tapered calibration section, and the surface said cylindrical section being substantially parallel to the surface of said cylindrical bore and both being substantially parallel to the axis of said fluid path, and the taper of said calibration section at most diverging slightly away from the taper of said calibration bore and
3) means for securing said flow splitter in said fluid path, said securing means being located in the region of said annular gap formed between the cylindrical bore surface and said cylindrical section and where said securing means enables axial adjustment of the position of said flow splitter in said fluid path.

A flow splitter section in a flowmeter having an axial passage therethrough comprising

1) a surface defining a longitudinal fluid path having a central longitudinal axis, said fluid path defining a tapered calibration bore,
2) a flow splitter secured in said fluid path, so as to form an annular gap between said fluid path surface and said flow splitter, said annular gap capable of maintaining a laminar fluid flow,
where said flow splitter comprises a tapered calibration section, and at least one tapered expansion section, located downstream of said calibration section, the taper of said calibration section at most diverging slightly away from the taper of said calibration bore and the taper of said expansion section diverging away from the taper of said calibration bore.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flowmeter

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Flowmeter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims63