Flow measuring apparatus
AssigneePuritan-Bennett Corporation
InventorRussell L. Holscher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for accurately and reliably measuring fluid flow under turbulent or pulsating conditions with high signal-to-noise ratio and using a symmetrical design which works with flow in either direction. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for measuring airflow in a bi-level respiratory system. The apparatus includes a flow conduit, an upstream sense tube protruding into the flow conduit with a notch opening facing into the flow stream, a downstream sense tube protruding into the flow conduit with a notch opening facing away from the flow stream, and a flow or pressure sensor/transducer disposed in connecting lines between the upstream and downstream sense tubes. The notched opening has a semi-cylindrical shape. The flow conduit is either straight or angled.
Claims18
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- an upstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing into a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- a downstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing away from the flow stream;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the upstream and downstream sense tubes for receiving a signal therefrom.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- an upstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing into a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- a downstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing away from the flow stream;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the upstream and downstream sense tubes for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein said notch openings have a semi-cylindrical shape.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- an upstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing into a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- a downstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing away from the flow stream;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the upstream and downstream sense tubes for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein said upstream and downstream sense tubes have notch openings on both ends thereof, wherein said notch openings are of identical size and shape.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- an upstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing into a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- a downstream sense tube having a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit and facing away from the flow stream;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the upstream and downstream sense tubes for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein each of said upstream and downstream sense tubes has an internal portion disposed in said flow conduit and an external portion disposed outside of said flow conduit, each of said internal and external portions having a notch opening formed in an end thereof.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- a sense tube with a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit in a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the sense tube for receiving a signal therefrom.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- a sense tube with a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit in a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the sense tube for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein said notch opening has a semi-cylindrical shape.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- a sense tube with a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit in a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the sense tube for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein said notch opening has a longitudinal length approximately equal to a one and a half times diameter of said sense tube.
Flow measuring apparatus, comprising:
- a flow conduit;
- a sense tube with a notch opening disposed in the flow conduit in a flow stream through said flow conduit;
- and
- a transducer operatively connected to the sense tube for receiving a signal therefrom, wherein said notch opening has a longitudinal length of about 0.150" and a depth of about 0.046".
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.