Capacitance probe for fluid flow and volume measurements

An electromagnetic flow monitor for monitoring flow of a material within a flow stream, comprising:

• a first probe, said first probe having at least two electrodes, said at least two electrodes having a substantially constant spacing there between;
• a second probe, said second probe having first and second electrodes;
• a cable for receiving a reflected signal from said first probe;
• detection circuitry responsive to said reflected signal from said first probe indicative of a permittivity of said flow stream between said first and second electrodes for producing an analog permittivity signal, said detection circuitry being responsive to a conductivity of said material for producing an analog conductivity signal;
• analog to digital conversion circuitry for converting said analog permittivity signal and said analog conductivity signal, respectively, to a digital permittivity signal and a digital conductivity signal;
• and
• calculating circuitry for combining said digital permittivity signal and said digital conductivity signal to provide an output related to flow of said material within said flow stream.

A method for monitoring flow of a material within a flow stream, comprising the steps of:

• forming an aperture by providing at least two electrodes to be substantially parallel with respect to each other;
• directing all flow of said flow stream through said aperture;
• determining a rate of flow of said flow stream containing said material through said aperture;
• providing a spacing between said two elongate electrodes functionally related to the size of droplet of said material to be monitored within said flow stream;
• applying a radio reference signal to said at least two electrodes;
• obtaining a reflected signal from said at least two electrodes that is indicative of a permittivity of said flow stream between said first and second electrodes;
• providing a second probe, said second probe being responsive to a conductivity of said material;
• and
• obtaining a flow rate of said material through said aperture corrected for said conductivity of said material.