Thermo Sentron, Inc.

Gerhard Bussian

An impact flowmeter (10) for measuring a stream of free flowing bulk solids (60) having low mass flow rates. The flowmeter (10) includes a barrier (18) between the flowing stream of solids (60) and the sensor chamber (16). A primary sensing element (48) includes an impact plate (50) positioned to lie in flow chamber (14). A velocity sensor (39) is mounted to an inlet chute (32) for providing a velocity output signal (284) in response to the velocity of the solids in the stream of solids (60) as the stream of solids (60) passes the velocity sensor (39). The velocity sensor (39) includes a velocity circuit (278), a first capacitance sensor (41) and a second capacitance sensor (43) mounted to the side wall of the inlet chute (32) and arranged so that the solids in the stream of solids (60) pass by the first capacitance sensor (41) before passing by the second capacitance sensor (43). The velocity can then be computed as the predetermined distance divided by the travel time of the solids across the predetermined distance. A secondary sensing mechanism (92) includes a frame (94) having a horizontal plate (96) that is formed to include a circular opening (88). The plate (96) is formed to include the opening (88) to provide a space within the perimeter of the plate (96) for receiving an L-shaped arm (98) while also mimimizing the mass of the frame (94), thereby maximizing the sensitivity of the impact flowmeter (10).

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Lake Wylie, SC, United States of America

Gerhard Bussian