US 8,739,638 B1Granted

Star-shaped fluid flow tool for use in making differential measurements

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

InventorsJohn Dwight England, Anthony R. Kelley, Raymond J. Cronise

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Abstract

A fluid flow tool's plate-like structure has a ring portion defining a flow hole, a support portion extending radially away from the ring portion and adapted to be coupled to conduit wall, and extensions extending radially away from the ring portion such that a periphery of the plate-like structure is defined by the extensions and trough regions between adjacent extensions. One or more ports formed in the ring portion are in fluid communication with the flow hole. A first manifold in the plate-like structure is in fluid communication with each port communicating with the flow hole. One or more ports are formed in the periphery of the plate-like structure. A second manifold in the plate-like structure is in fluid communication with each port formed in the periphery. The first and second manifolds extend through the plate-like structure to terminate and be accessible at the conduit wall.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A fluid flow tool for use in making differential measurements of flow attributes, comprising:

a plate shaped structure having a ring portion defining a flow hole therethrough,
a support portion coupled to and extending radially away from said ring portion and adapted to be coupled to an exterior wall of a conduit, and
a plurality of extensions coupled to and extending radially away from said ring portion, said extensions being distributed about said ring portion in a spaced apart fashion wherein a periphery of said plate shaped structure is defined by said extensions and trough regions formed at said ring portion between adjacent ones of said extensions;
at least one measurement port formed in said ring portion and in fluid communication with said flow hole;
a first manifold formed in said plate shaped structure and in fluid communication with said at least one measurement port so-communicating with said flow hole, said first manifold extending through said plate shaped structure to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit;
at least one measurement port formed in said periphery of said plate shaped structure;
and
a second manifold formed in said plate shaped structure and in fluid communication with said at least one measurement port so-formed in said periphery, said second manifold extending through said plate shaped structure to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit.

5 more elements

A fluid flow tool for use in making differential measurements of attributes of a fluid moving in a flow direction through a conduit, said fluid flow tool comprising an integrated device adapted to be partially inserted through an aperture formed in an exterior wall of a conduit, adapted to be suspended from and sealed to the exterior wall at the aperture, and adapted to partially reside in the conduit, said integrated device including a star-shaped plate having a hole formed through a central portion thereof, said plate adapted to pass through the aperture, a support arm adapted to pass through the aperture, said support arm having a first end and a second end, said first end coupled to said plate wherein said support arm positions said plate centrally in the conduit wherein a first flow region is defined around said plate and a second flow region is defined by said hole in said plate, a mounting plate coupled to said support arm at said second end thereof, said mounting plate adapted to be coupled to the conduit while covering the aperture of the conduit, at least one measurement port formed through said mounting plate and in fluid communication with said second flow region, at least one measurement port formed in said star-shaped plate and in fluid communication with one of said first flow region and said second flow region, and

at least one manifold formed in said star-shaped plate and in fluid communication with said at least one measurement port so-formed in said star-shaped plate, said at least one manifold extending through said support arm to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.