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:
Aug. 20, 1996
Filed:
Mar. 31, 1995
Calvin R Hastings, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Ernest M Hauser, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Robert C Miller, New Alexandria, PA (US);
Caldon, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus for determining the flow rate of a fluid in a pipe. The apparatus includes a device for providing acoustic energy on a diagonal path through the fluid. The diagonal providing device is in contact with the pipe. The apparatus also includes a device for providing acoustic energy on a diametrical path through the fluid. The diametrical providing device is in contact with the pipe. The apparatus is also comprised of a device for determining the flow of fluid in the pipe based on the acoustic energy of the diagonal providing device with the energy received by the diameterical receiving means used to determine the speed of sound of the fluid so the flow rate of fluid can be determined and the acoustic energy of the diametrical providing device. In one embodiment, the diagonal providing device is fixedly disposed on the pipe. In another embodiment, the diametrical providing device provides acoustic energy emitted in both directions on the diametrical path. The diagonal providing device preferably includes a first transducer and a second transducer located at diametrically opposed positions about the pipe. The first transducer and second transducer are preferably adapted to alternatively function as transmitter and receiver so as to cause ultrasonic signals to travel through the fluid along the diametric path. The diametrical providing device preferably includes a third transducer and a fourth transducer located at diagonally opposed upstream and downstream positions relative to one another.