Multi-function flow monitoring apparatus with multiple flow sensor capability

A bubbler-type fluid flow monitoring apparatus for monitoring at least one variable related to fluid flow in a channel, comprising:

• an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case, said integral operating unit including computer means for controlling said apparatus;
• a bubbler sensor connector mounted on an external portion of said unitary case and being selectively connectable with a bubbler sensor so as to receive signals related to fluid flow in said channel produced by said bubbler sensor;
• power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus;
• said integral operating unit further including bubbler sensor control means connected with said bubbler sensor connector, said bubbler sensor control means comprising:
• means for processing said signals for input to said computer control means;
• an air pump operatively connected with an air reservoir so as to pressurize said reservoir;
• air flow restriction means connected to said reservoir;
• and
• first pressure sensing means connected between said air flow restriction means and said reservoir, and second pressure sensing means connected downstream of said reservoir;
• said bubbler sensor connector being connected to said air pump downstream of said second pressure sensing means;
• said computer control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein:
• said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including at least one fluid flow-related parameter;
• and
• said microprocessor receives signals from said first and second pressure sensing means, and calculates the difference in pressure between said first and second pressure sensing means;
• said microprocessor is connected to said air pump so as to operate said pump to maintain a predetermined pressure difference between said first and second pressure sensing means;
• and
• said microprocessor receives said signals related to fluid flow from said processing means and calculates values of said at least one flow-related variable based on said signals and said user-input fluid flow-related parameter.

An apparatus for monitoring at least one variable related to fluid flow, and at least one non-flow related fluid condition variable, of fluid in a channel, comprising:

• an integral operating unit provided in a unitary case, said integral operating unit including computer means for controlling said apparatus and first input means for receiving detected signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;
• said first input means being selectively connectable to any selected one or more of a plurality of different types of flow-sensing means for producing signals related to said fluid flow in said channel;
• said integral operating unit further including first means for processing said signals from each of said plurality of different types of flow-sensing means, for input to said computer control means;
• said integral operating unit further including second input means for receiving detected signals related to at least one fluid condition in said channel, said second input means being selectively connectable to at least one fluid condition sensor means for detecting at least one fluid condition and outputting signals proportional thereto;
• said second input means including second means for processing said signals from said at least one fluid condition sensor means, for input to said computer control means;
• power means for supplying power to each element of said apparatus;
• and
• said computer control means comprising a microprocessor, program memory and data memory, wherein:
• said program memory stores a plurality of equations for computing values of said at least one flow-related variable;
• said program memory is programmed for computing values of said at least one fluid condition;
• said data memory stores user-selected input parameters including at least one fluid flow-related parameter, and further stores fluid flow-related data and fluid condition data;
• said microprocessor receives said signals related to fluid flow from said first processing means and calculates values of said at least one flow-related variable based on said signals, said user-input fluid flow-related parameter, and a selected one of said stored equations;
• and
• said microprocessor receives said signals related to said at least one fluid condition from said second processing means and utilizes said program memory to calculate values of said at least one fluid condition based on said signals.

An area-velocity sensor system for monitoring fluid flow in a channel, comprising, in combination:

• a microprocessor;
• a fluid level measuring system for measuring fluid depth in said channel and for sending to said microprocessor signals representing depth of fluid in said channel;
• a keypad operably connected to said microprocessor for entering information into said microprocessor;
• a fluid velocity measuring system operably connected to said microprocessor;
• said fluid velocity measuring system operating on the principle of Doppler frequency shift of a transmitted electromagnetic wave;
• said fluid velocity measuring system sending to said microprocessor signals representing average velocity of said fluid flow in said channel;
• said microprocessor calculates cross-sectional area of fluid in said channel based on channel geometry information entered by a user via said keypad and said signals representing depth of fluid in said channel;
• and
• said microprocessor calculating the average flow rate by the equation average flow rate equals average velocity multiplied by said calculated channel cross-sectional area.