Apparatus and method of sensing fluid flow using sensing means coupled to an axial coil spring

A fluid flow sensing apparatus for measuring a fluid flow rate, the apparatus comprising:

• a fluid flow sensor configured to sense perturbations associated with the apparatus, said perturbations being produced by broadband energy in the turbulent fluid flow impinging on said apparatus;
• a device configured to derive a signal response representative of the sensed perturbations;
• a processor configured to process the derived signal response to provide measurement of the fluid flow rate at a predetermined location;
• and
• an axial coil spring to which the sensor is coupled, enabling the sensor to be mounted in the fluid flow and to be vibrated over a range of frequencies about a resonant frequency, in dependence upon the impingement of the turbulent fluid flow on the apparatus.

A fibre optic sensing system comprising a fluid flow sensing apparatus comprising:

• a fluid flow sensor configured to sense perturbations associated with the apparatus, said perturbations being produced by broadband energy in the turbulent fluid flow impinging on said apparatus;
• a device configured to derive a signal response representative of the sensed perturbations;
• a processor configured to process the derived signal response to provide measurement of the fluid flow rate at a predetermined location;
• and
• an axial coil spring to which the sensor is coupled, enabling the sensor to be mounted in the fluid flow and to be vibrated over a range of frequencies about a resonant frequency, in dependence upon the impingement of the turbulent fluid flow on the apparatus.

A method of measuring a fluid flow rate, the method comprising:

• sensing perturbations associated with a fluid flow sensing apparatus comprising:
• a fluid flow sensor configured to sense perturbations associated with the apparatus, said perturbations being produced by broadband energy in the turbulent fluid flow impinging on said apparatus;
• a device configured to derive a signal response representative of the sensed perturbations;
• a processor configured to process the derived signal response to provide measurement of the fluid flow rate at a predetermined location;
• and
• an axial coil spring to which the sensor is coupled, enabling the sensor to be mounted in the fluid flow and to be vibrated over a range of frequencies about a resonant frequency, in dependence upon the impingement of the turbulent fluid flow on the apparatus;
• deriving a signal response representative of the sensed perturbations;
• and
• processing the derived signal response to provide measurement of the fluid flow rate at a predetermined location.

A computer program which when loaded into a computer will enable the computer to operate with a fluid flow sensing apparatus for enabling a signal response to be derived and/or processed, said apparatus comprising:

• a fluid flow sensor configured to sense perturbations associated with the apparatus, said perturbations being produced by broadband energy in the turbulent fluid flow impinging on said apparatus;
• a device configured to derive a signal response representative of the sensed perturbations;
• a processor configured to process the derived signal response to provide measurement of the fluid flow rate at a predetermined location;
• and
• an axial coil spring to which the sensor is coupled, enabling the sensor to be mounted in the fluid flow and to be vibrated over a range of frequencies about a resonant frequency, in dependence upon the impingement of the turbulent fluid flow on the apparatus.