Apparatus and method for measuring the mass flow rate of liquid from a vessel

Abstract

The method and apparatus of this invention is related to measuring a flow rate of a liquid having a density .rho. from a vessel having an inner cavity and a pouring channel. A flow sensor introduces a first gas flow into the liquid in the cavity at a first position, the inner cavity having a cross-sectional area A.sub.1 at the first position, and a second gas flow into the liquid in the pouring channel at a second position, the pouring channel having a cross-sectional area A.sub.2 at the second position, there being a vertical distance z between the first and second positions. A transducer provides an output signal proportional to a pressure differential p.sub.1 -p.sub.2 between the first and second gas flows. A processor receives the output signal and determines the liquid flow rate m through the pouring channel according to the proportional relation ##EQU1## where g is gravity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.