Flow analysis system and method
AssigneeFoster-Miller, Inc.
InventorsWayne S. Hill, Bruce N. Barck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A non-invasive flow analysis system and method wherein a sensor, such as an acoustic sensor, is coupled to a conduit for transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit. The signal is amplified and there is a filter, responsive to the sensor signal, and tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies proximate the resonant frequency of the sensor. A demodulator generates an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal and a number of flow indicator quantities are calculated based on variations in amplitude of the amplitude envelope. A neural network, or its equivalent, is then used to determine the flow rate of the flow in the conduit based on the flow indicator quantities.
Claims50
A flow analysis system comprising:
- a sensor in communication with a conduit including a flow therein for transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- a filter, responsive to said signal, tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies proximate the resonant frequency of the sensor;
- means for generating an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal;
- means, responsive to the amplitude envelope, for calculating a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit;
- and
- means, responsive to the flow indicator quantities, for determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit.
A flow analysis system comprising:
- an acoustic sensor in communication with a conduit including a flow therein for transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- means, responsive to the amplitude envelope, for calculating a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit;
- and
- means, responsive to the flow indicator quantities, for determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit.
A flow analysis system comprising:
- an acoustic sensor in communication with a conduit including a flow therein for transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- means for amplifying the signal;
- a filter, responsive to the amplified signal and tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies the proximate resonant frequency of the acoustic sensor;
- means for generating an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal;
- means, responsive to the amplitude envelope, for calculating a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit;
- and
- means, responsive to the flow indicator quantities, for determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit.
A flow analysis method comprising:
- coupling a sensor to a conduit with a flow therein and transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- using a filter, responsive to the signal and tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies proximate the resonant frequency of the sensor;
- generating an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal;
- calculating, in response to the amplitude envelope, a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit;
- and
- in response to the flow indicator quantities, determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit.
A flow analysis method comprising:
- coupling an acoustic sensor to a conduit with a flow therein and transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- using a filter, responsive to the signal and tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies proximate the resonant frequency of the acoustic sensor;
- generating an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal;
- calculating a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit from the amplitude envelope;
- and
- in response to the flow indicator quantities, determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit.
A flow analysis method comprising:
- coupling an acoustic sensor to a conduit with a flow therein and transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit;
- using the amplitude envelope to calculate a plurality of flow indicator quantities representative of the flow in the conduit;
- and
- determining the flow rate of the flow in the conduit from the flow indicator quantities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.