American Sigma, Inc.

Richard Wissenbach

Donald F Kaiser

William D Dickinson

Anthony J Tavano

Dean Agostini

A multi-function fluid flow monitoring apparatus capable of measuring fluid flow-related variables of fluid in a channel on the basis of signals from any one or more of a plurality of different types of flow sensors. Such different types of flow sensors may include, for example, a bubbler-type pressure sensor, a submerged pressure transducer, an ultrasonic transducer, and/or a velocity sensor forming part of an area-velocity sensor system, each of which sensors may be selectively connected to the apparatus as needed to accommodate various monitoring conditions. The apparatus is further capable of monitoring various conditions of fluid in the channel, such as pH level, ORP, temperature, solution conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and the like. In addition, the apparatus may be selectively linked with one of a variety of operational devices, such as an automatic sampling apparatus, a rain gauge, or a pump, so as to selectively initiate desired actions by such external device(s) or to otherwise operably cooperate with such external device(s). The integral operating unit includes a computer control system including a microprocessor, program memory, and data memory. External connectors are provided for selective connection to one or more different flow sensors, fluid condition sensors, and/or external devices. The apparatus further includes a display screen, controlled by the computer control system, which selectively displays data in either text or graphics formats. Data including flow-related data, fluid condition data, as well as data from external devices, may be transferred from the data memory of the apparatus to an external computer, printer, or the like by use of a hand-held data transfer unit or a modem integrally provided in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a liquid velocity measurement unit based upon Doppler technology, comprising a spectrum analyzer for calculating average fluid velocity, a mechanism for calculating maximum fluid velocity, and a means for verifying the calculated average fluid velocity based upon the calculated maximum fluid velocity value.

Multi-function flow monitoring apparatus with area velocity sensor

A fiber optic system and method in which the transmission of light through a fiber optic core of a fiber optic element is stabilized and optimized by eliminating the destabilizing effect of light independently propagated along the clad of the fiber optic element. The propagation of light along the clad may be essentially eliminated by a field stop member disposed between a light-receiving end of the fiber optic element and an LED light source, whereby light from the LED is entirely shielded from the clad. The field stop member is particularly effective when used in a fiber optic sensor, wherein the effect of clad light on transmission of light through the core is particularly destabilizing. Alternative structures for mitigating or eliminating the destabilizing effect of clad light are also provided in the form of alterations of the clad structure, or by providing a clad light stop diaphragm at the light-emitting end of the fiber optic element. Also provided is an aperture stop member, which may or may not be integrally formed with the field stop member, to optimize light propagation along the core by focusing light from an LED onto the light-receiving end of the core.

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Chelmstad, MA, United States of America

Richard Wissenbach