Cross-channel probe system for time domain reflectometry detection of fluid flow
OwnerCharles L. Mohrinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sensor system for use with time domain reflectometry systems to allow measurement of relative proportions of intermixed constituents having differing electrical permittivities contained in a fluid mixture. The sensor comprises at least one primary electrode and one secondary electrode which are spaced apart across a flow channel. One electrode is connected to a first conductor carrying the active time domain reflectometry signal pulse. The other electrode is connected to the passive or ground conductor which carries any reactive signal resulting from the active signal. A fluid mixture of variable proportions will demonstrate a variable dielectric constant which affects the reflected signals sensed by the time domain reflectometer.
Claims36
A sensor system for use with time domain reflectometry systems to allow measurement of a fluid mixture within a fluid channel having constituents with differing electrical permittivities, comprising:
- a first sensor having a first sensor housing;
- said first sensor being mountable upon a first side of the fluid channel with an inside face thereof which is directed toward the fluid channel;
- at least one primary electrode made from electrically conductive material and having a sensing surface which is alone the inside face of the first sensor, the at least one primary electrode serving to conduct a pulsed time domain reflectometry signal along the sensing surface of the at least one primary electrode;
- a second sensor having a second sensor housing;
- said second sensor being mountable upon a second side of the fluid channel with an inside face thereof directed toward the fluid channel in opposing relationship to the inside surface of said first sensor;
- at least one secondary electrode made from electrically conductive material and having a sensing surface which is along the inside face of the second sensor;
- a first lead connected to the first sensor in electrical communication therewith, said first lead having a primary conductor and a secondary conductor, said first lead primary conductor being electrically connected to the at least one primary electrode;
- a second lead connected to the second sensor in electrical communication therewith, said second lead having a primary conductor and a secondary conductor, said second lead secondary conductor being electrically connected to the second electrode;
- a signal bifurcation connector for connecting to said first lead and said second lead at the primary and secondary conductors thereof, said signal bifurcation connector further having a main lead connection for connecting to a main lead through which time domain reflectometry signals are conveyed to and from the first and second sensors.
A complementary pair of sensors used in a sensor system for time domain reflectometry measurement of a fluid having constituents with differing electrical permittivities, comprising:
- a first sensor having a first sensor housing and an inside face which is directed toward the fluid during operation;
- at least one primary electrode made from electrically conductive material and having a sensing surface which is along the inside face of the first sensor, the at least one primary electrode serving to conduct pulsed time domain reflectometry signals along the sensing surface of the at least one primary electrode;
- a second sensor having a second sensor housing and an inside face which is directed toward the fluid during operation;
- at least one secondary electrode made from electrically conductive material and having a sensing surface which is along the inside face of the second sensor;
- a first lead connected to the first sensor in electrical communication therewith, said first lead having a primary conductor and a secondary conductor, said primary conductor of the first lead being electrically connected to the at least one primary electrode;
- a second lead connected to the second sensor in electrical communication therewith, said second lead having a primary conductor and a secondary conductor, said secondary conductor of the second lead being electrically connected to the second electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.