Method and apparatus for measuring cryogenic flow
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJohn Urbahn, Robert Adolph Ackermann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for calculating a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid within a flow tube includes positioning a sensor within a stream of cryogenic fluid flowing through the flow tube. The sensor is operatively coupled to a strain gauge. A difference between a dynamic pressure in the fluid stream and a static pressure in the fluid stream is measured and the mass flow rate of the cryogenic fluid within the flow tube is calculated.
Claims16
A method for calculating a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid within a flow tube, said method comprises:
- operatively coupling a sensor to a strain gauge within a stream of cryogenic fluid flowing through the flow tube;
- positioning a first passage having a first opening at an upstream end of the sensor within the stream such that a cross-sectional area of the first opening is substantially normal to a direction of flow of the stream;
- positioning a second passage having at least one second opening formed in a sidewall of the sensor within the stream such that the at least one second opening is substantially parallel to a direction of flow of the stream;
- measuring a difference between a dynamic pressure of the fluid stream and a static pressure of the fluid stream;
- and
- calculating the mass flow rate of the cryogenic fluid within the flow tube using the measured pressure difference.
An apparatus for measuring a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid within a flow tube, said apparatus comprising a sensor within the cryogenic fluid stream, said sensor forming a first passage having a first opening at an upstream or lead end of said sensor within the cryogenic fluid stream such that a cross-sectional area of said first opening is substantially normal to a direction of flow of the cryogenic fluid stream, said first passage configured to measure a dynamic pressure of a cryogenic fluid stream;
- and said sensor further including a second passage having at least one second opening formed in a sidewall of said sensor, said sensor further configured to position said second passage within the cryogenic fluid stream such that said at least one second opening is substantially parallel to a direction of flow of the cryogenic fluid stream, said second opening configured to measure a static pressure of the cryogenic fluid stream.
An apparatus for measuring a mass flow rate of a cryogenic fluid flowing within a flow tube, said apparatus comprising:
- a sensor at least partially positioned within said flow tube and interfering with a cryogenic fluid stream;
- a first passage defined within said sensor, said first passage having a first opening at an upstream end of said sensor, said first opening having a cross-sectional area substantially normal to a direction of flow of the cryogenic fluid stream;
- a second passage defined within said sensor, said second passage having at least one second opening formed in a sidewall of said sensor, said at least one second opening substantially parallel to the direction of flow;
- a diaphragm positioned within said chamber at a first end portion of said housing;
- and
- a strain gauge positioned within said chamber, said strain gauge measuring a deflection of said diaphragm corresponding to a difference between a dynamic pressure of the cryogenic fluid stream and a static pressure of the cryogenic fluid stream.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.