The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 12, 2020
Filed:
Mar. 27, 2017
Ge-hitachi Nuclear Energy Americas Llc, Wilmington, NC (US);
Eric P. Loewen, Wilmington, NC (US);
James P. Sineath, Summerville, SC (US);
Dean D. Molinaro, Clearwater, FL (US);
William C. Dawn, Stafford, VA (US);
William J. Garcia, Wilmington, NC (US);
Oscar L. Meek, Wilmington, NC (US);
Patrick K. Day, Wilmington, NC (US);
GE-HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC, Wilmington, NC (US);
Abstract
Vibration-based flowmeters are useable in inaccessible nuclear reactor spaces. Flowmeters include an extension that blocks fluid flow in a path and a detector that detects vibrations caused by vortex shedding in the fluid flow around the extension. The detected frequency of the vibrations determines the flow rate. A Strouhal number may be used to calculate the flow speed using extension surface diameter and detected vortex shedding frequency. Several extensions may cover a range of frequencies and flow speeds. Pipe-organ-type flowmeters include a passage with an opening constricted, and subsequent widening section. An extension and outlet that create turbulence in the flow at the outlet create a standing wave and vibration in the extension and/or entire flowmeter. A flow rate of the fluid through the flowmeter can be calculated using length of the passage and/or known properties of the fluid. Multiple, flowmeters of customized physical properties and types are useable together.