US 6,470,758 B1 · Float-type flowmeter

Abstract

A float-type flowmeter and method for measuring the flow of fluids, incorporates a measuring tube through which measuring tube the fluid can flow against the force of gravity and which is provided with a float capable of moving at least in the direction of the flow, and an acquisition unit capable of tracking the movement of the float, with a motion signal corresponding to the movement of the float being transmissible to a diagnostic unit in which diagnostic unit an oscillation signal corresponding to the oscillation amplitude of the float can be derived from the motion signal and an error or alarm signal can be generated when, for a predefined length of time, the oscillation signal falls below a minimum setpoint value. To permit a prediction of the future progression of the condition of the float-type flowmeter, the flowmeter provides the capability to feed the motion signal corresponding to the movement of the float to a predictive evaluation unit, to compare the motion signal in the predictive evaluation unit with the values anticipated for the movement of the float as a function of the lift of the float, and, on the basis of deviations of the motion signal from the anticipated values, to cause the predictive evaluation unit to generate and output data on the current state of the float-type flowmeter as well as on the probable, expected future condition of the float-type flowmeter.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A float-type flowmeter for measuring the flow of a fluid comprising

a measuring tube through which a fluid can flow against the force of gravity;
a float in said tube, said float being movable in the tube at least in the direction of the fluid flow and having a density greater than that of the fluid so that as a function of the fluid flow rate, the float will be suspended in the tube at a particular height level determined by the equilibrium between the hydrodynamic force of the fluid impinging on the float and the weight or buoyancy of the float;
an acquisition unit positioned adjacent to the measuring tube for tracking the movement of the float in said tube and producing a corresponding motion signal, and
a predictive evaluation unit connected to receive said motion signal, said predictive evaluation unit including means for storing an anticipated motion signal corresponding to the anticipated movement of the float and means for comparing the motion signal with the anticipated motion signal and, on the basis of deviations of the motion signal from the anticipated motion signal, providing data on the probable, expected future state of the float-type flowmeter in order to alert an user of the float-type flowmeter to an impending malfunction of the float-type flowmeter.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Float-type flowmeter

Life of this patent

Float-type flowmeter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20