Fluid flow measurement correcting system and methods of constructing and utilizing same
AssigneeAmerican Sigma, Inc.
InventorsGary L. Randolph, Donald F. Kaiser, John Liebe, David W. Lyndaker, Michael D. Steen, Anthony J. Tavano
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for calculating fluid flow in a channel including a very low profile probe which detects fluid depth in the channel; a mechanism for measuring average fluid velocity in the channel; a mechanism for correcting the detected fluid depth based upon the measured average fluid velocity to account for drawdown; and a mechanism for calculating average flow rate based upon the average fluid velocity measurement and the corrected fluid depth value. The probe has a height to width ratio of less than 0.52.
Claims20
A method for measuring fluid flow in a channel, comprising the steps of:
- obtaining a probe having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
- obtaining a computing means having stored therein drawdown data for said probe;
- placing said probe in a channel where fluid flow is to be measured;
- determining fluid depth in said channel with said probe;
- correcting said fluid depth determination based upon said drawdown data using said computing means;
- and
- calculating fluid flow rate based upon said corrected fluid depth determination using said computing means.
An apparatus for calculating fluid flow in a channel, comprising:
- a probe member having means for detecting a fluid level in the channel and having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
- means for measuring fluid velocity in the channel;
- means for correcting said fluid level detection to account for drawdown conditions acting on said probe member;
- and
- means for calculating average fluid flow rate based upon said fluid velocity measurement and said corrected fluid level.
A device for measuring fluid parameters in a channel, comprising:
- means for measuring a fluid level in the channel including a probe having a height to width ratio of less than 0.52, wherein said probe height and width are positioned substantially perpendicular to the direction of the main fluid flow in said channel;
- memory means for storing drawdown data pertaining to said fluid level measuring means;
- means for correcting said fluid level measurement based upon said drawdown data;
- and
- means for calculating fluid flow rate based upon said corrected fluid level measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.