US 5,477,734 A · Pyroelectric swirl measurement

Abstract

A pyroelectric swirl indicator for measurement of swirl in flowing fluid comprising at least one pyroelectric substrate having at least one surface to which is applied a fluctuating heat input, the fluctuating heat input causing a fluctuating surface charge distribution in response to temperature fluctuations of the substrate. Spaced apart conductor elements for sensing the fluctuating surface charge on the surface of the substrate in the vicinity of the spaced apart conductor elements are provided, the differences in the charge fluctuations between the spaced apart conductor elements comprising an indication of swirl flow in the fluid, said spaced apart conductor elements disposed in a manner which enables measurement of orthogonal components of fluid flow.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A pyroelectric swirl indicator for measurement of swirl in flowing fluid comprising:

at least one pyroelectric substrate having at least one surface;
means for applying a fluctuating heat input to said at least one substrate, said input causing a fluctuating surface charge distribution in response to temperature fluctuations of said at least one substrate;
and
spaced apart conductor element means for sensing a fluctuating surface charge on said at least one surface in the vicinity of said spaced apart conductor element means, differences in said charge fluctuations between said spaced apart conductor element means comprising an indication of swirl flow in said fluid, said spaced apart conductor element means disposed to obtain the orthogonal measurements required for swirl determination which enables measurement of orthogonal components of fluid flow.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pyroelectric swirl measurement

Life of this patent

Pyroelectric swirl measurement

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11